1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,160 Please will you turn to Mark 9 as we open the scriptures together now? 2 00:00:05,160 –> 00:00:09,080 I want you to notice if you’ve got your Bible open that really it is the theme of 3 00:00:09,400 –> 00:00:12,060 Children that ties this long section together 4 00:00:12,560 –> 00:00:14,560 Chapter 9 in verse 36 5 00:00:14,720 –> 00:00:20,500 Jesus takes a child in his arms and says whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me 6 00:00:21,360 –> 00:00:25,160 chapter 9 in verse 42 Jesus says as he begins to speak about 7 00:00:25,840 –> 00:00:31,840 Eternal punishment very serious words that he has he begins from speaking about someone who causes 8 00:00:32,520 –> 00:00:36,360 little ones who believe in me to sin and it being better for a 9 00:00:36,380 –> 00:00:39,799 Millstone to be around their neck and thrown into the sea and so forth 10 00:00:39,959 –> 00:00:45,860 Then in chapter 10 Jesus speaks about marriage the connection with children being very obvious and God willing 11 00:00:45,860 –> 00:00:48,860 We’ll look at that next week then chapter 10 and verse 13 12 00:00:48,919 –> 00:00:54,580 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them the disciples wanted to send them away 13 00:00:54,820 –> 00:01:02,520 But Jesus welcomes the children and takes them up in his arms to bless them. So quite clearly the place and 14 00:01:03,060 –> 00:01:05,059 the plight of 15 00:01:05,279 –> 00:01:08,940 Children is running strong in the mind of our Lord Jesus 16 00:01:09,220 –> 00:01:15,599 Christ at this time in his ministry now just taking to the end of chapter 9 this morning 17 00:01:15,620 –> 00:01:17,620 I want us to learn two things 18 00:01:17,860 –> 00:01:19,860 first that Jesus 19 00:01:19,879 –> 00:01:21,879 teaches humility 20 00:01:22,440 –> 00:01:25,000 Through the example of a child and 21 00:01:26,000 –> 00:01:28,000 Secondly that Jesus urges 22 00:01:28,900 –> 00:01:32,720 Integrity through the example of a child Jesus teaches humility 23 00:01:33,379 –> 00:01:41,180 Jesus urges integrity and he does both of these things in chapter 9 through the example of a 24 00:01:41,660 –> 00:01:43,019 child 25 00:01:43,019 –> 00:01:48,339 well, let’s begin then a chapter 9 and verse 33 where we’re told about a 26 00:01:48,900 –> 00:01:51,320 disagreement that arose among the disciples 27 00:01:52,000 –> 00:01:54,620 they came verse 33 to Capernaum and 28 00:01:55,199 –> 00:02:01,199 When Jesus was in the house, he asked them, what were you arguing about on the road? 29 00:02:01,980 –> 00:02:06,860 Verse 34, but they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about 30 00:02:07,639 –> 00:02:09,639 Who was the greatest? 31 00:02:09,800 –> 00:02:12,600 Now, I guess this must have been an intense argument 32 00:02:13,320 –> 00:02:14,759 Because it obviously 33 00:02:14,759 –> 00:02:19,919 Dominated the journey that they took by foot all the way to Capernaum and Jesus knew that 34 00:02:19,919 –> 00:02:22,119 This was going on among them 35 00:02:22,320 –> 00:02:26,020 you know I can understand a group of 36 00:02:27,419 –> 00:02:30,479 Astrophysicists having a discussion about who is the greatest 37 00:02:30,839 –> 00:02:33,940 But honestly a bunch of fishermen trying to determine who’s the greatest 38 00:02:33,940 –> 00:02:37,259 I mean this seems to me quite ridiculous, and when Jesus 39 00:02:38,179 –> 00:02:45,399 Asks them what they were arguing about they immediately see how ridiculous their discussion really was because they are embarrassed 40 00:02:45,720 –> 00:02:47,320 They’re looking at the floor 41 00:02:47,320 –> 00:02:54,000 Nobody wants to say anything, verse 34, they kept quiet because of what they had been arguing about 42 00:02:54,220 –> 00:02:56,460 Who was the greatest? 43 00:02:56,619 –> 00:03:02,179 You know it strikes me that if Jesus was to ask us about some of the arguments we get into in life 44 00:03:02,179 –> 00:03:04,020 We’d react the same way 45 00:03:04,020 –> 00:03:06,820 the thing is the kind of arguments that we get into you know and 46 00:03:07,199 –> 00:03:13,199 if Jesus were to come to us and to say what are you arguing about 47 00:03:13,440 –> 00:03:16,820 I think with the disciples in many, many cases we would 48 00:03:17,279 –> 00:03:22,300 have an embarrassed silence because we would feel that in the light of the glory of the Son of God 49 00:03:22,520 –> 00:03:26,059 That what we were arguing about was very, very foolish 50 00:03:26,699 –> 00:03:28,619 indeed 51 00:03:29,279 –> 00:03:36,119 Indeed for a disciple of Jesus to try and be impressing other people with how great you think you are really is 52 00:03:36,479 –> 00:03:38,479 very foolish 53 00:03:39,220 –> 00:03:43,600 This is the only time that Mark records the disciples arguing 54 00:03:43,600 –> 00:03:47,360 it’s the only time the word argue is used of the disciples in the gospel 55 00:03:47,360 –> 00:03:52,160 and I think that the timing of this particular argument is 56 00:03:52,600 –> 00:03:54,600 there for very significant 57 00:03:55,460 –> 00:04:00,160 Remember what had just happened what we saw last week that Jesus had taken from the twelve 58 00:04:01,000 –> 00:04:06,199 Three of his disciples and they had been taken up the mountain where they had seen this 59 00:04:06,559 –> 00:04:09,119 Marvelous glory of Jesus being transfigured 60 00:04:10,320 –> 00:04:15,440 Now Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain. What do you think the other nine 61 00:04:16,119 –> 00:04:18,119 Thought about that 62 00:04:18,579 –> 00:04:23,140 Well, I think I know how I would have been feeling. Well, why was it these guys and not me? 63 00:04:23,140 –> 00:04:29,279 I mean, why am I not in the inner circle? Why wasn’t I invited to go up the mountain of 64 00:04:30,320 –> 00:04:32,279 Transfiguration 65 00:04:32,279 –> 00:04:35,200 When someone else is given a privilege 66 00:04:35,959 –> 00:04:38,220 That was not given to you 67 00:04:39,339 –> 00:04:46,059 You will very probably find within your own heart an impulse to criticize that person 68 00:04:46,760 –> 00:04:52,839 Why was she chosen for that? I’m not sure she’s the best anyway, and so forth and 69 00:04:53,519 –> 00:04:59,480 You see a large part of our criticism of other people who are given privileges that are not given to us 70 00:04:59,959 –> 00:05:05,559 Flows from our own pride the pride that reigns in our own heart that says that should have been me 71 00:05:05,559 –> 00:05:07,559 You know that should have been me 72 00:05:09,000 –> 00:05:11,820 Pride shows itself up in one of two ways 73 00:05:13,100 –> 00:05:15,100 either it can show up in 74 00:05:15,579 –> 00:05:16,980 jealousy over 75 00:05:16,980 –> 00:05:24,019 What has been given to others but not to you or it can show up in a sense of superiority? 76 00:05:24,799 –> 00:05:28,260 Over what has been given to you, but not to others 77 00:05:28,380 –> 00:05:29,820 and 78 00:05:29,820 –> 00:05:35,720 I think the the jealousy side what was given to others, but not to me. That’s the problem for the nine of 79 00:05:36,380 –> 00:05:40,839 The disciples I think for the three who were taken up the mountain of transfiguration 80 00:05:41,179 –> 00:05:48,200 It’s the issue of superiority. That’s the problem, and I want to show you that from verse 38 and see if you agree 81 00:05:49,420 –> 00:05:52,640 Remember Peter James and John have been taken up the mountain 82 00:05:52,760 –> 00:05:57,899 And they have seen the glory of Jesus Christ an awesome experience 83 00:05:59,220 –> 00:06:01,220 you know what 84 00:06:01,459 –> 00:06:04,700 the greater your spiritual experience 85 00:06:05,820 –> 00:06:11,239 the greater your danger of spiritual pride, it’s always true and 86 00:06:11,980 –> 00:06:16,279 You see this I think in verse 38 where we’re told that the disciples came across 87 00:06:16,579 –> 00:06:22,260 Someone who apparently had some kind of independent ministry because he wasn’t part of the disciples group 88 00:06:22,420 –> 00:06:27,119 But he was using the name of Jesus and notice who it was who felt 89 00:06:27,140 –> 00:06:29,899 It was his job to try and close this guy’s ministry down 90 00:06:31,540 –> 00:06:33,540 John 91 00:06:33,739 –> 00:06:41,579 One of the three closest to Jesus and probably because he’s described as the disciple that Jesus loves the person who was above all 92 00:06:41,579 –> 00:06:43,579 others closest to Jesus and 93 00:06:44,480 –> 00:06:48,019 So he feels he’s in a position to try and put everyone else right at this point 94 00:06:48,019 –> 00:06:54,200 And he says to Jesus we told this man to stop verse 38 because he was not one of us 95 00:06:55,019 –> 00:06:57,700 And Jesus says to him verse 39 don’t do that 96 00:06:59,040 –> 00:07:04,679 Don’t stop him because whoever is not against us is for us 97 00:07:06,380 –> 00:07:11,859 See you may think this guy with an independent ministry, I don’t even know how that happened. I mean what’s going on here 98 00:07:11,859 –> 00:07:12,839 I don’t know 99 00:07:12,839 –> 00:07:16,859 It’s kind of strange seems almost a bit shady the guy who’s not a disciple 100 00:07:16,899 –> 00:07:20,579 He’s using the name of Jesus, but Jesus says don’t you worry about that? 101 00:07:21,519 –> 00:07:23,519 That’s not your business 102 00:07:23,519 –> 00:07:30,380 it’s not your business to be putting everyone else’s ministry right or trying to intervene in ministries where you do not have 103 00:07:30,899 –> 00:07:33,040 Responsibility don’t stop him 104 00:07:34,160 –> 00:07:37,519 You let him get on with his work you get on with yours 105 00:07:38,000 –> 00:07:39,339 and 106 00:07:39,339 –> 00:07:42,920 You see when we criticize other churches or? 107 00:07:43,859 –> 00:07:45,600 other 108 00:07:45,600 –> 00:07:51,019 Ministries and we concern ourselves with these things here as john did 109 00:07:52,739 –> 00:07:57,420 Its pride that reigns within our own hearts not the pride of jealousy 110 00:07:57,899 –> 00:08:01,380 Perhaps so much as the pride of a feeling of superiority 111 00:08:03,339 –> 00:08:08,459 They’re not part of our group. They haven’t got our things sorted out 112 00:08:09,899 –> 00:08:11,600 and 113 00:08:11,600 –> 00:08:14,559 seeing these two brands of pride the 114 00:08:15,000 –> 00:08:22,019 The jealousy that’s about what’s given to others, but not me and the superiority that’s about what’s given to us or me and not others 115 00:08:23,359 –> 00:08:28,440 Jesus uses this opportunity to teach his disciples about humility verse 35 116 00:08:29,820 –> 00:08:35,200 Sitting down jesus called the 12 and he said if anyone wants to be first 117 00:08:35,700 –> 00:08:39,000 He must be the very last and the servant of all 118 00:08:45,640 –> 00:08:48,780 Now I think it’s very interesting and significant 119 00:08:49,719 –> 00:08:54,880 That jesus did not criticize the disciples for wanting to be great 120 00:08:56,059 –> 00:09:01,760 He didn’t say you want to be great. Oh, that’s terrible. You need to change your ideas about what you’re aiming for 121 00:09:02,760 –> 00:09:04,760 He didn’t do that 122 00:09:05,320 –> 00:09:10,859 What he says basically is this you want to be great? That’s good. I’ll tell you how to achieve it 123 00:09:12,200 –> 00:09:18,640 You want to be all that you can be in your life in this world? Excellent. You should want that. Here’s how 124 00:09:20,760 –> 00:09:25,979 You verse 35 must be the servant of all 125 00:09:26,580 –> 00:09:28,580 All 126 00:09:28,880 –> 00:09:31,619 Now what Jesus is saying here is 127 00:09:32,299 –> 00:09:33,419 radically 128 00:09:33,419 –> 00:09:40,840 Countercultural for us and it may really shake the thinking that some of us have perhaps lived under for a long time 129 00:09:42,039 –> 00:09:44,039 if you think 130 00:09:44,580 –> 00:09:49,820 That greatness is established by proving that you are better than other people 131 00:09:50,580 –> 00:09:55,739 Then your life will be driven by a relentless. Desire to be first 132 00:09:56,859 –> 00:10:00,799 You will drive yourself to be the best Christian 133 00:10:01,380 –> 00:10:08,080 to be the best mother to be the best student the best business partner the best 134 00:10:08,320 –> 00:10:10,179 Salesman or whatever it is 135 00:10:10,179 –> 00:10:18,000 And some of us here this morning in this service are stressed out because that’s how we’ve been living for years 136 00:10:19,580 –> 00:10:22,840 The agenda of your life, we’re gonna be the best and 137 00:10:23,119 –> 00:10:24,400 And 138 00:10:24,400 –> 00:10:28,760 It is an impossible task because how many people can be the best? 139 00:10:30,179 –> 00:10:35,760 Only one and it probably won’t be you and it certainly won’t be me I 140 00:10:38,239 –> 00:10:43,080 Was at a meeting of pastors up at Trinity University just a short time ago 141 00:10:44,359 –> 00:10:46,359 Where we heard in our meeting? 142 00:10:46,919 –> 00:10:49,039 about the work of a psychologist 143 00:10:49,099 –> 00:10:50,359 Psychologist 144 00:10:50,359 –> 00:10:52,359 who had made a study of 145 00:10:52,799 –> 00:10:54,799 college aged girls in 146 00:10:55,799 –> 00:11:01,239 Some of our Ivy League schools the very best top schools in the country 147 00:11:01,239 –> 00:11:05,159 So we’re talking here of a study made of some of the most talented young women 148 00:11:05,679 –> 00:11:07,599 in the nation 149 00:11:08,239 –> 00:11:10,400 19 to 21 years old and 150 00:11:11,500 –> 00:11:17,219 the study focused on the degree of stress in their lives and some of the effects of it and 151 00:11:17,979 –> 00:11:19,979 And noted that 152 00:11:21,700 –> 00:11:25,280 There was a great determination amongst these young women 153 00:11:26,140 –> 00:11:28,140 to get straight A’s 154 00:11:29,080 –> 00:11:34,419 Which was impossible since the schools that they were attending grade papers on a curve 155 00:11:35,900 –> 00:11:37,900 By definition it’s impossible 156 00:11:39,099 –> 00:11:44,900 second that in the culture in which they were living they had to be cool and 157 00:11:44,919 –> 00:11:46,460 and 158 00:11:46,460 –> 00:11:50,919 As young women they felt a great pressure at the same time to be 159 00:11:51,440 –> 00:11:53,099 hot 160 00:11:53,099 –> 00:11:57,000 Now how in all the world you can be hot and cool at the same time 161 00:11:57,020 –> 00:11:57,780 I don’t know 162 00:11:57,780 –> 00:12:02,359 But it seems to me that these two things in combination are going to add quite a lot of stress 163 00:12:02,380 –> 00:12:04,820 Here’s the third thing and this was most interesting of all 164 00:12:06,260 –> 00:12:11,039 But among those young women in these colleges who were Christians 165 00:12:11,140 –> 00:12:12,400 And 166 00:12:12,400 –> 00:12:20,520 they were driven and somewhat beating themselves up in their relentless determination to be the best Christian with the most 167 00:12:20,880 –> 00:12:23,440 disciplined of quiet times and to be 168 00:12:23,960 –> 00:12:25,960 model Christians and 169 00:12:26,280 –> 00:12:28,659 That was simply multiplying their 170 00:12:29,679 –> 00:12:31,679 stress 171 00:12:31,919 –> 00:12:33,919 If 172 00:12:34,320 –> 00:12:40,039 Your goal is to achieve greatness by being the best 173 00:12:41,700 –> 00:12:45,539 You will spend your whole life trampling on other people 174 00:12:47,340 –> 00:12:51,280 You will destroy yourself in the process and 175 00:12:52,900 –> 00:12:56,000 According to Jesus when you enter the presence of God 176 00:12:56,000 –> 00:13:02,000 I guess one of the angels will say to you you go to the end of the line first will be last 177 00:13:05,179 –> 00:13:07,179 You cannot achieve 178 00:13:07,619 –> 00:13:11,900 Greatness according to the teaching of Jesus by trying to be the best 179 00:13:12,479 –> 00:13:18,500 here’s how you can Jesus says achieve greatness how you must become the 180 00:13:18,679 –> 00:13:20,679 servant of all 181 00:13:23,359 –> 00:13:30,000 That’s the path to true greatness in the eyes of God counting for eternity and it’s open to you 182 00:13:31,859 –> 00:13:35,359 And if you can find it it will be a wonderful release 183 00:13:38,059 –> 00:13:40,960 Jesus explains what he means here by giving an example 184 00:13:41,640 –> 00:13:48,820 Verse 36, he took a little child and had him stand among the disciples and then taking this child in his arms 185 00:13:48,820 –> 00:13:53,059 He said to them now whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me 186 00:13:53,059 –> 00:13:57,359 And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me. But the one who sent me 187 00:13:58,619 –> 00:14:04,619 Now Jesus is giving an illustration here. He’s taking the child as an example of the poorest 188 00:14:05,280 –> 00:14:06,739 weakest most 189 00:14:06,760 –> 00:14:08,979 vulnerable member of the community 190 00:14:10,320 –> 00:14:17,460 It’s we’re thinking about this that in our society weakest poorest and most vulnerable is not simply defined by age is it 191 00:14:19,659 –> 00:14:24,900 Sadly it is also significantly defined by race and 192 00:14:26,799 –> 00:14:30,340 Jesus has something very important to say about this as 193 00:14:31,900 –> 00:14:33,840 Disciples of Jesus 194 00:14:33,840 –> 00:14:39,140 What is to be our attitude towards those who are poorest weakest and most vulnerable? 195 00:14:39,460 –> 00:14:41,460 in our society 196 00:14:42,179 –> 00:14:47,080 Jesus says verse 37. We’re to welcome them 197 00:14:50,140 –> 00:14:57,380 D adds this wonderful promise whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me 198 00:14:57,479 –> 00:14:59,479 You 199 00:14:59,840 –> 00:15:06,799 Welcome one of them you welcome me you welcome the poorest the weakest the most vulnerable you welcome me 200 00:15:08,840 –> 00:15:16,400 So think about this what are we to do what are you to do if you want more of Jesus Christ in your life 201 00:15:17,960 –> 00:15:22,940 What are we to do as a church if we want more of Jesus Christ in this church 202 00:15:23,299 –> 00:15:25,340 The answer in this verse is very clear 203 00:15:25,719 –> 00:15:30,159 We are to open our doors and our hearts and our budget 204 00:15:30,520 –> 00:15:35,840 to the poorest the weakest and the most vulnerable people here and around the world and 205 00:15:36,000 –> 00:15:38,000 Then we will have more of Jesus 206 00:15:38,179 –> 00:15:41,140 That’s what he says whoever welcomes one of these 207 00:15:42,539 –> 00:15:43,919 welcomes 208 00:15:43,919 –> 00:15:45,479 me 209 00:15:45,479 –> 00:15:50,440 So let me just tell you some of the things that really encourage my heart in 210 00:15:50,760 –> 00:15:55,900 Regards to our life as a church together some things for which I thank God a 211 00:15:57,799 –> 00:15:59,739 Sunday luncheon 212 00:15:59,739 –> 00:16:01,739 where regularly 213 00:16:02,340 –> 00:16:04,280 team brings 214 00:16:04,280 –> 00:16:10,419 Guys from the city of Chicago who are in various shelters, and they come here and worship with us 215 00:16:11,520 –> 00:16:16,960 Stay for lunch spend most of the afternoon form friendships engage in conversation and go home 216 00:16:17,960 –> 00:16:20,179 Blessed and practically helped 217 00:16:21,500 –> 00:16:25,119 Because they have been welcomed in the name of Jesus Christ 218 00:16:27,460 –> 00:16:29,460 Club 550 219 00:16:29,700 –> 00:16:31,700 the meats on Thursday nights 220 00:16:32,820 –> 00:16:34,820 downstairs in the building here 221 00:16:35,460 –> 00:16:37,460 reaching young people 222 00:16:38,020 –> 00:16:41,739 From a subculture that we have not reached before 223 00:16:44,419 –> 00:16:46,419 Celebrate recovery 224 00:16:46,799 –> 00:16:53,380 Reaching out to folks struggling with addictions showing the love of Christ and bringing hope to increasing numbers of people 225 00:16:55,739 –> 00:17:00,780 Families who have joined the Lydia safe families program and 226 00:17:01,580 –> 00:17:04,699 number of our families have done this and 227 00:17:05,219 –> 00:17:08,459 That involves welcoming a young child into 228 00:17:09,420 –> 00:17:11,699 their own home for a short time until 229 00:17:12,140 –> 00:17:19,979 That child’s father or mother can be in a position of being able to establish a viable home for the child 230 00:17:20,599 –> 00:17:22,180 themselves 231 00:17:22,180 –> 00:17:25,420 the Lake a project in which as a 232 00:17:26,319 –> 00:17:29,280 congregation we bind together to do something significant for 233 00:17:30,060 –> 00:17:35,060 some of the poorest weakest and most vulnerable people in the Republic of 234 00:17:35,880 –> 00:17:37,119 Congo 235 00:17:37,119 –> 00:17:44,359 the volunteers in our children’s and young people’s ministry Jesus is speaking here about whoever welcomes a child 236 00:17:46,479 –> 00:17:52,219 And the folks who minister to our children and our young people week in and week out 237 00:17:54,959 –> 00:18:00,920 Do you know let me just give this one observation before we move on I have noticed and if you’ve been around Church world 238 00:18:00,920 –> 00:18:02,920 Maybe you’ve noticed this too 239 00:18:03,760 –> 00:18:07,020 That most churches have ministry to children and 240 00:18:08,760 –> 00:18:12,000 At least as I have observed it very very often 241 00:18:12,599 –> 00:18:14,680 that ministry is led by a 242 00:18:15,239 –> 00:18:17,239 Wonderful team of people 243 00:18:17,560 –> 00:18:19,619 nearly all of them women and 244 00:18:20,800 –> 00:18:22,800 one of the 245 00:18:23,079 –> 00:18:25,380 Reasons for this I think is 246 00:18:26,420 –> 00:18:31,040 That we men too easily fall into the temptation of simply 247 00:18:31,400 –> 00:18:33,400 Disbelieving the teaching of Jesus 248 00:18:33,959 –> 00:18:39,640 imagining that somehow there are other things that are more important than children’s work and 249 00:18:40,280 –> 00:18:42,920 that we should be about more important things and 250 00:18:45,000 –> 00:18:49,000 Jesus is saying to us here. Don’t you believe that for one minute? 251 00:18:50,239 –> 00:18:53,939 And I tell you I have not seen a church that has more 252 00:18:55,000 –> 00:18:56,599 men 253 00:18:56,599 –> 00:18:58,599 involved in children 254 00:18:59,160 –> 00:19:01,160 Middle school and 255 00:19:01,479 –> 00:19:07,439 High-school ministry. And I think that is something for which we all ought from the depth of our hearts to thank God and here’s something else 256 00:19:08,800 –> 00:19:15,140 You talk to the people who are in these ministries to children and middle school students and high school students 257 00:19:15,140 –> 00:19:18,040 And they’ll tell you this I’ve heard it again and again and again 258 00:19:19,439 –> 00:19:25,739 That these men and these wonderful women who serve in this sphere have experienced the promise of Jesus in their own lives 259 00:19:26,640 –> 00:19:27,660 That 260 00:19:27,660 –> 00:19:33,260 in serving welcoming a child or a young person they have found the blessing of 261 00:19:33,699 –> 00:19:37,719 Jesus Christ in ways that they would not have known in their own experience. Otherwise 262 00:19:38,339 –> 00:19:41,660 because Jesus promised here as all his words are 263 00:19:42,739 –> 00:19:44,739 absolutely true 264 00:19:44,839 –> 00:19:50,339 So let us ask today in the light of this scripture that God will deal with our pride 265 00:19:51,219 –> 00:19:57,000 Wherever it comes from whether it be feelings of jealousy over what was given to others 266 00:19:57,000 –> 00:20:02,380 But not to you or feelings of superiority that comes from what been has been given to you 267 00:20:02,400 –> 00:20:06,040 But not to others and let us ask God to give us 268 00:20:06,479 –> 00:20:08,959 servant hearts the rejoice in 269 00:20:09,300 –> 00:20:13,140 serving the poorest and the weakest and the most vulnerable of people 270 00:20:13,719 –> 00:20:17,400 Because as we pursue this we will have more of Jesus 271 00:20:17,540 –> 00:20:20,640 That’s what the promise says here and that is what we want, isn’t it? 272 00:20:20,959 –> 00:20:27,660 We want more of Jesus in our lives. We want more of Jesus in our church. You agree with that? 273 00:20:28,020 –> 00:20:30,520 Okay. Well we’re halfway through now. We’re halfway through 274 00:20:32,579 –> 00:20:34,040 Let’s move on 275 00:20:34,500 –> 00:20:40,880 We’ve seen that Jesus teaches humility and He does this through the example of the child. Here’s the second thing 276 00:20:41,780 –> 00:20:48,400 Jesus urges integrity through the example of a child 277 00:20:48,400 –> 00:20:52,839 Now we’re looking at the last verses from 42 to the end of chapter 9 278 00:20:53,239 –> 00:20:55,380 Let me read verse 42 279 00:21:01,040 –> 00:21:05,000 He’s still speaking about the children here, the young, the vulnerable 280 00:21:05,380 –> 00:21:09,219 If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin 281 00:21:10,839 –> 00:21:15,699 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea 282 00:21:17,160 –> 00:21:23,079 With a large millstone tied around his neck 283 00:21:25,040 –> 00:21:26,400 Verse 47 284 00:21:35,979 –> 00:21:37,979 And be thrown into hell 285 00:21:39,239 –> 00:21:45,020 where their worm does not die and the fire 286 00:21:45,939 –> 00:21:47,939 Is not quenched 287 00:21:49,060 –> 00:21:55,839 Now these are among the strongest words ever spoken by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 288 00:21:57,339 –> 00:22:02,760 And I have to tell you that I would not dare to speak about them publicly 289 00:22:02,839 –> 00:22:06,660 If it was not that it was Jesus himself 290 00:22:07,920 –> 00:22:09,920 who said these things and 291 00:22:11,040 –> 00:22:13,900 If you haven’t opened a Bible yet this morning 292 00:22:14,060 –> 00:22:16,239 Let’s take the opportunity to do that right now 293 00:22:16,260 –> 00:22:20,079 If you’re not brought a Bible you pick one up from the back of the pew in front of you because honestly 294 00:22:20,459 –> 00:22:23,040 My words are here today and they’re gone tomorrow 295 00:22:24,000 –> 00:22:27,760 but Jesus words will never pass away and 296 00:22:28,239 –> 00:22:35,520 And you need to know what Jesus Christ has said what he has said about hell 297 00:22:36,000 –> 00:22:42,140 About eternity and you have an opportunity to see it with your own eyes in the Bible 298 00:22:42,140 –> 00:22:46,180 That’s in the pew in front of you. We’re going a journey through Mark’s gospel 299 00:22:46,839 –> 00:22:50,920 trying to discover the gospel according to Jesus and 300 00:22:51,939 –> 00:22:53,939 if I just 301 00:22:54,819 –> 00:22:57,140 skipped over this because this is 302 00:22:58,079 –> 00:22:59,959 uncomfortable stuff 303 00:22:59,959 –> 00:23:07,260 Then I would not be a faithful pastor to you and as a congregation you would have been betrayed 304 00:23:09,199 –> 00:23:15,079 So I feel the weight of this and I want you to see what Jesus says and 305 00:23:16,439 –> 00:23:20,640 for us to wrestle with it as we need to do together 306 00:23:20,640 –> 00:23:24,239 Now I want simply to make five 307 00:23:25,040 –> 00:23:28,880 observations from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ here 308 00:23:28,880 –> 00:23:33,920 And if you have the Bible open you will see quite clearly where all of them come from the plane 309 00:23:34,359 –> 00:23:37,859 Speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ observation number one 310 00:23:39,359 –> 00:23:41,359 Your influence 311 00:23:42,140 –> 00:23:44,140 Matters verse 42 312 00:23:44,420 –> 00:23:48,479 If anyone causes one of these little ones to sin 313 00:23:48,479 –> 00:23:55,979 So Jesus concern here is the influence of one person causing another weaker or more vulnerable person 314 00:23:56,520 –> 00:23:58,260 to sin 315 00:23:58,260 –> 00:24:00,920 He’s saying in other words that your influence matters 316 00:24:01,680 –> 00:24:09,439 You are responsible not only for your own sins, but for any sins that you may lead another person into 317 00:24:11,060 –> 00:24:13,140 So even if you’re a young person here 318 00:24:14,619 –> 00:24:16,619 and You are going down the wrong track 319 00:24:17,619 –> 00:24:22,300 But you have friends and you are leading one or more of your friends on the same track 320 00:24:22,719 –> 00:24:26,400 What Jesus is telling you here is that God holds you doubly responsible 321 00:24:27,520 –> 00:24:29,520 doubly responsible 322 00:24:30,219 –> 00:24:36,199 First for your own sin and second for the sin into which you are leading 323 00:24:37,099 –> 00:24:39,099 another person because your 324 00:24:39,739 –> 00:24:41,199 influence 325 00:24:41,199 –> 00:24:43,040 matters 326 00:24:43,520 –> 00:24:49,680 and Jesus is asking us here to consider our influence whether it be in the home in the family amongst our friends in 327 00:24:50,140 –> 00:24:52,140 our workplace and 328 00:24:52,540 –> 00:24:57,180 He’s saying if You cause someone younger or weaker than you to sin 329 00:24:57,180 –> 00:25:02,739 It would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around your neck 330 00:25:04,359 –> 00:25:06,359 And we need to know this 331 00:25:06,719 –> 00:25:12,260 So that we will be restrained from what we might otherwise do in this world 332 00:25:13,459 –> 00:25:15,459 Second observation 333 00:25:16,680 –> 00:25:18,680 God’s justice is 334 00:25:19,560 –> 00:25:21,280 Perfect 335 00:25:21,280 –> 00:25:22,640 now 336 00:25:22,640 –> 00:25:25,380 With a can of bated breath, we should thank God for this 337 00:25:26,920 –> 00:25:30,099 Because you know and I’m not going to go into details here, you know 338 00:25:31,520 –> 00:25:36,239 That terrible terrible things happen in this world, especially to children 339 00:25:37,119 –> 00:25:38,359 and 340 00:25:38,359 –> 00:25:40,359 a large part of 341 00:25:41,060 –> 00:25:45,400 what is done will never be brought to justice here in this world and 342 00:25:46,959 –> 00:25:52,560 Jesus is saying quite clearly here. You need to know that God will bring it to justice 343 00:25:54,599 –> 00:25:59,439 Nobody hurts a child and gets away with it 344 00:26:02,079 –> 00:26:04,280 God’s justice is perfect 345 00:26:04,300 –> 00:26:06,300 God’s justice is perfect 346 00:26:06,319 –> 00:26:07,319 now 347 00:26:07,319 –> 00:26:09,319 Jesus’ statement here in verse 348 00:26:09,339 –> 00:26:16,140 42 about causing one of these little ones to sin, what exactly is he referring to here? 349 00:26:16,300 –> 00:26:18,319 Let me quote to you from CFD mole 350 00:26:18,739 –> 00:26:23,540 The finest scholar of all the ones that I could read this week and let me quote to you 351 00:26:23,540 –> 00:26:30,400 What he says is the meaning of Jesus’ word here. He says the cause one of these little ones to sin means quote 352 00:26:30,979 –> 00:26:34,339 To cause someone to stumble in his faith 353 00:26:36,119 –> 00:26:44,040 To destroy someone’s faith or to cause someone to fall away from God and 354 00:26:45,300 –> 00:26:49,579 Jesus is saying because God is the God of perfect justice you do that be better 355 00:26:49,939 –> 00:26:56,359 For you to have a millstone hung around your neck and for you to be thrown into the sea. That’s what he says 356 00:26:57,680 –> 00:26:59,680 Now, let’s think about this 357 00:27:00,680 –> 00:27:03,420 God will bring his perfect justice 358 00:27:06,500 –> 00:27:08,900 To all who have opposed and 359 00:27:09,780 –> 00:27:11,400 subverted 360 00:27:11,400 –> 00:27:13,359 the faith of 361 00:27:13,359 –> 00:27:15,540 younger and weaker people and 362 00:27:16,380 –> 00:27:20,880 It is shuddering to think about the list and the responsibility that is involved. Let me just 363 00:27:21,400 –> 00:27:23,400 Get some 364 00:27:23,819 –> 00:27:28,199 Rulers who have persecuted people for their faith in Christ 365 00:27:30,280 –> 00:27:33,920 Teachers in school and in university 366 00:27:35,719 –> 00:27:42,400 Who have undermined the faith of their students by their own unbelief by their choice of teaching 367 00:27:44,579 –> 00:27:49,339 Religious leaders whose hypocrisy has undermined the faith of many 368 00:27:51,239 –> 00:27:56,560 Ordinary people who simply led a friend down the wrong path away from Christ 369 00:27:56,979 –> 00:27:58,979 parents 370 00:27:58,979 –> 00:28:01,180 who by their own unbelief or 371 00:28:01,839 –> 00:28:03,839 their own double life 372 00:28:04,420 –> 00:28:08,959 Led their children away from Faith in Christ and away from the truth of the Gospel 373 00:28:11,239 –> 00:28:13,239 God’s justice is 374 00:28:14,660 –> 00:28:16,660 perfect and 375 00:28:17,839 –> 00:28:21,239 In a world in which many endure things that are never put right 376 00:28:21,760 –> 00:28:23,959 This side of eternity you need to know that 377 00:28:25,479 –> 00:28:27,479 His justice is 378 00:28:28,359 –> 00:28:30,359 Perfect 379 00:28:30,439 –> 00:28:35,760 Now, here’s the third observation from Jesus teaching here your influence matters 380 00:28:35,959 –> 00:28:39,880 God’s justice is perfect third. There are degrees of 381 00:28:40,819 –> 00:28:42,839 punishment in Hell 382 00:28:43,599 –> 00:28:49,339 Now we learn this from a number of places in the New Testament, but especially from verse 42 383 00:28:49,479 –> 00:28:51,479 But espero from verse 42 384 00:28:52,260 –> 00:28:53,300 if 385 00:28:53,300 –> 00:28:59,300 Anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin. It would be better for him better 386 00:29:00,079 –> 00:29:05,699 For him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck 387 00:29:05,699 –> 00:29:09,380 So what he’s saying is if you were to cause one of these little ones to sin 388 00:29:09,380 –> 00:29:11,939 It would have been better for you to have died 389 00:29:12,479 –> 00:29:14,479 Before you did that 390 00:29:15,180 –> 00:29:18,420 That’s what Jesus is saying, so why would it be better? 391 00:29:19,020 –> 00:29:25,920 Why would it have been better for a person who does this thing to have died before they did it and 392 00:29:27,020 –> 00:29:30,119 the answer is because the punishment 393 00:29:31,380 –> 00:29:39,380 Experienced by a person in hell will be a direct reflection of the particular sins that they have committed 394 00:29:40,920 –> 00:29:47,660 See you can be absolutely certain about this that nobody in hell will be punished for even one sin that they did not 395 00:29:48,079 –> 00:29:50,079 commit 396 00:29:50,780 –> 00:29:53,119 God is the God of perfect justice and 397 00:29:54,579 –> 00:30:00,339 if the person Jesus is speaking about here in verse 42 had been drowned in the sea 398 00:30:00,719 –> 00:30:06,219 Before they caused one of these little ones to sin it would be better for him or her 399 00:30:06,660 –> 00:30:10,400 Because he or she would have one less sin to deal with in hell 400 00:30:11,260 –> 00:30:13,260 That’s the point 401 00:30:14,040 –> 00:30:21,459 And a person in hell would do anything to have one less sin to deal with there 402 00:30:23,699 –> 00:30:25,699 See this makes us sit up and take notice 403 00:30:27,380 –> 00:30:31,660 Because suddenly we realized that Jesus is talking about real punishment 404 00:30:32,979 –> 00:30:34,979 for real sins 405 00:30:36,699 –> 00:30:39,339 By real people named 406 00:30:40,579 –> 00:30:42,359 Dated and 407 00:30:42,359 –> 00:30:44,359 remembered by God 408 00:30:46,280 –> 00:30:50,800 That’s why you see in the book of Revelation when we read about the awesome last day 409 00:30:50,800 –> 00:30:55,319 What do we find we read that the books are opened what’s in the books? 410 00:30:56,540 –> 00:30:59,099 What you’ve done what you’ve not done 411 00:31:00,420 –> 00:31:02,420 what I’ve done and 412 00:31:02,939 –> 00:31:04,900 What I’ve not 413 00:31:04,900 –> 00:31:06,099 done 414 00:31:06,099 –> 00:31:12,079 See there’s nothing arbitrary about this God kind of making arbitrary decisions that are fundamentally unjust 415 00:31:12,140 –> 00:31:14,219 There is perfect justice and 416 00:31:16,040 –> 00:31:18,280 Degrees of punishment in 417 00:31:19,540 –> 00:31:21,939 Hell that’s specific you see 418 00:31:23,300 –> 00:31:25,300 fourth observation 419 00:31:26,239 –> 00:31:28,239 Hell is 420 00:31:29,199 –> 00:31:30,680 Eternal 421 00:31:30,680 –> 00:31:32,160 conscious 422 00:31:32,160 –> 00:31:34,160 punishment 423 00:31:34,420 –> 00:31:38,699 Verse 48 Jesus gives us perhaps the clearest of descriptions 424 00:31:38,699 –> 00:31:40,979 This is I think more clear than anything else in the New Testament 425 00:31:41,880 –> 00:31:45,359 Verse 48 he describes Hale as the place where? 426 00:31:46,599 –> 00:31:49,520 their worm does not die and 427 00:31:50,699 –> 00:31:52,699 the fire is 428 00:31:53,000 –> 00:31:55,000 Not quenched 429 00:31:55,060 –> 00:31:59,380 now notice their worm not the worm but their 430 00:31:59,780 –> 00:32:05,239 Worm they personal prone and because what Jesus is talking about here is personal 431 00:32:06,060 –> 00:32:11,500 Think about it the worm destroys by eating away from the inside and 432 00:32:12,699 –> 00:32:16,459 Jesus here is speaking about something personal and 433 00:32:17,579 –> 00:32:20,500 internal to every person in hell 434 00:32:21,500 –> 00:32:25,000 the thing that eats away at the inside of a 435 00:32:26,180 –> 00:32:31,060 person is of course conscience if it is activated and 436 00:32:31,140 –> 00:32:33,060 and 437 00:32:33,060 –> 00:32:36,979 conscience will be fully activated in hell a 438 00:32:38,000 –> 00:32:42,000 person who has drifted through life taking no responsibility having no real 439 00:32:42,400 –> 00:32:46,660 realization of the effects of their decisions their words and their actions on other people 440 00:32:46,680 –> 00:32:52,439 Will find in hell that they live with the full awareness of what they have done and of all of its effect 441 00:32:52,439 –> 00:32:57,800 They will have a full awareness of their own responsibility and Jesus is saying here, it will never diminish 442 00:32:57,800 –> 00:33:03,040 It will never end there worm does not die 443 00:33:04,880 –> 00:33:06,880 The full knowledge of 444 00:33:07,939 –> 00:33:13,760 what the person has done and failed to do and 445 00:33:15,880 –> 00:33:19,719 Then Jesus says notice verse 48 the fire is 446 00:33:21,040 –> 00:33:22,760 not quenched 447 00:33:22,760 –> 00:33:27,959 In other words a person in hell lives under the judgment of God 448 00:33:28,800 –> 00:33:30,800 who is a 449 00:33:31,140 –> 00:33:33,140 consuming fire 450 00:33:35,119 –> 00:33:37,219 Now folks these are terrible words 451 00:33:38,819 –> 00:33:43,380 But they are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ 452 00:33:47,520 –> 00:33:49,540 And I tell you as a pastor I 453 00:33:50,040 –> 00:33:51,660 I 454 00:33:51,660 –> 00:33:53,420 fear that 455 00:33:53,420 –> 00:33:55,420 There will be 456 00:33:55,819 –> 00:33:57,819 many in hell 457 00:33:58,859 –> 00:34:05,459 Who will curse the name of the pastor who never told them that it is so I 458 00:34:0,739 –> 00:34:10,899 Want to say just just one more thing before we come to the the 5th observation 459 00:34:11,379 –> 00:34:11,919 here 460 00:34:11,919 –> 00:34:17,340 And it’s this and I say this just because of experience from what some of our young folks have said to me 461 00:34:17,379 –> 00:34:22,659 From their experience at school depending on what courses you take at high school 462 00:34:23,659 –> 00:34:28,879 You may find if you’re doing certain literature courses that you are asked to read a sermon 463 00:34:29,580 –> 00:34:31,580 by Jonathan Edwards 464 00:34:31,860 –> 00:34:35,419 probably the greatest preacher in the history of this country a 465 00:34:36,199 –> 00:34:40,000 Sermon that’s entitled sinners in the hands of an angry. God 466 00:34:40,000 –> 00:34:45,020 It’s very interesting that that’s the one piece of Christian literature that seems often to be chosen within the education 467 00:34:45,419 –> 00:34:50,179 System and I’ve had a number of our young people say that they were asked to to read this and and so forth and so 468 00:34:50,179 –> 00:34:54,020 on probably some of you remember from school days being asked to read this as part of your courses 469 00:34:54,020 –> 00:35:00,100 did there were a number in the last service who have that experience a number here, I think perhaps also it is a 470 00:35:00,320 –> 00:35:02,419 frightening sermon and 471 00:35:02,419 –> 00:35:04,419 You should read it 472 00:35:04,459 –> 00:35:10,360 It speaks about the terrors of hell and here’s why I mentioned it depending on your teacher 473 00:35:10,379 –> 00:35:12,379 You 474 00:35:12,399 –> 00:35:14,120 may find 475 00:35:14,120 –> 00:35:16,300 That this is being used to suggest 476 00:35:17,320 –> 00:35:22,639 That this is one more example of religious leaders trying to control people through fear 477 00:35:22,639 –> 00:35:28,540 Which is of course what we need to get rid of the political correctness says in our enlightened day 478 00:35:29,800 –> 00:35:32,300 You may read commentary that says that 479 00:35:33,280 –> 00:35:37,560 Preaching like Jonathan Edwards preaching where he just spoke plainly about hell 480 00:35:38,399 –> 00:35:41,040 Is the product of a sick mind 481 00:35:42,699 –> 00:35:44,699 Well 482 00:35:44,800 –> 00:35:48,139 If that’s what you think, and that’s what you conclude in your essay 483 00:35:49,520 –> 00:35:51,780 Then I guess that’s what you think about Jesus 484 00:35:53,520 –> 00:35:56,300 Because and you need to understand this 485 00:35:57,760 –> 00:36:03,540 The clearest teaching about hell did not come from medieval theologians 486 00:36:04,760 –> 00:36:06,760 or the Catholic Church 487 00:36:07,959 –> 00:36:09,959 or Jonathan Edwards 488 00:36:11,800 –> 00:36:14,179 But it came from Jesus Christ and 489 00:36:15,120 –> 00:36:21,719 We’re reading it right here today, and I don’t think he said what Mark records here because he had a sick mind I 490 00:36:22,239 –> 00:36:24,379 Don’t think that for one minute. I 491 00:36:25,820 –> 00:36:27,820 Think he said it 492 00:36:28,199 –> 00:36:30,760 because he knows it is true, and 493 00:36:31,520 –> 00:36:33,840 He does not want you or me 494 00:36:34,719 –> 00:36:36,719 to go there 495 00:36:37,239 –> 00:36:41,580 And that is what I believe and that is what this church believes right that is what we believe 496 00:36:42,320 –> 00:36:44,320 Painful as it is. That is 497 00:36:44,800 –> 00:36:46,800 what we 498 00:36:47,199 –> 00:36:49,199 believe 499 00:36:49,580 –> 00:36:55,580 And that leads me to the fifth observation it is therefore worth going to any length 500 00:36:56,879 –> 00:36:58,459 to avoid 501 00:36:58,459 –> 00:37:01,060 Hell if you followed me so far 502 00:37:01,060 –> 00:37:02,620 you will see that quite clearly and 503 00:37:02,659 –> 00:37:07,120 Jesus makes this point three times in versus 43 to 47 504 00:37:07,120 –> 00:37:13,120 He talks about the hand and the eye and the foot. He says obviously using the language of pictures 505 00:37:13,120 –> 00:37:17,060 He said it would be better to cut your hand off then to enter 506 00:37:17,199 –> 00:37:23,580 Hell with two hands if your hand is leading you into sin better pluck your eye out better cut your foot off 507 00:37:23,580 –> 00:37:26,520 And he’s obviously not saying that we should 508 00:37:27,040 –> 00:37:30,979 Literally dismember ourselves, but what he’s saying here is is this 509 00:37:31,620 –> 00:37:37,120 Look your eye and your hand and your feet. They’re wonderful servants, but terrible masters and 510 00:37:38,439 –> 00:37:44,179 It would be better for you to be blind than for you to go on multiplying sin by what you’re looking at 511 00:37:44,780 –> 00:37:46,300 and 512 00:37:46,300 –> 00:37:48,899 Honestly, it would be better for you to have no arms 513 00:37:49,780 –> 00:37:54,939 Then for you to be violent in the way that you are behind closed doors in your home or in other places 514 00:37:55,719 –> 00:37:58,580 Better for you to have no arms than for that to continue 515 00:37:59,100 –> 00:38:01,100 Better for you to be in a 516 00:38:01,540 –> 00:38:04,780 Wheelchair than you for you to be going with these friends 517 00:38:05,300 –> 00:38:11,060 Who are leading you away from Christ and away from all that is good and all that is true 518 00:38:12,899 –> 00:38:16,219 Hell Jesus is saying is a reality so terrible 519 00:38:16,939 –> 00:38:18,939 That you should be ready to do anything 520 00:38:19,600 –> 00:38:21,540 Whatever it takes 521 00:38:21,540 –> 00:38:23,540 to avoid it make any change 522 00:38:24,860 –> 00:38:26,860 accept any discipline any 523 00:38:27,020 –> 00:38:34,320 Any restriction change any habit flee any temptation to make sure that you do not sin 524 00:38:34,739 –> 00:38:38,479 Nothing should be too hard too costly for you in this 525 00:38:39,080 –> 00:38:43,780 Make any sacrifice that you have to in order 526 00:38:44,199 –> 00:38:46,199 to avoid this 527 00:38:48,020 –> 00:38:53,040 Now folks I’m sure by this point there must be at least some of us who are saying 528 00:38:54,020 –> 00:38:58,260 This is the 9th of December, and I came here for a Christmas sermon 529 00:39:01,060 –> 00:39:03,060 My friends, this is 530 00:39:03,919 –> 00:39:05,600 the Christmas 531 00:39:05,600 –> 00:39:06,679 sermon 532 00:39:06,679 –> 00:39:10,780 What did the angels say on the night that Jesus Christ was born into the world? 533 00:39:11,879 –> 00:39:13,879 to you a 534 00:39:14,580 –> 00:39:16,679 Savior is born a 535 00:39:17,699 –> 00:39:19,699 Savior from what? 536 00:39:20,580 –> 00:39:22,580 This and 537 00:39:23,320 –> 00:39:30,060 You’ll never see the glory of Christmas unless you see what the Savior came to save you from 538 00:39:30,679 –> 00:39:34,360 If you don’t see this you’ll just drown in Christmas 539 00:39:35,340 –> 00:39:39,360 Sentimentalism that’s what’ll happen to you and it’s happening to people all around us 540 00:39:40,040 –> 00:39:45,840 They have no idea that this is why Jesus Christ came into the world 541 00:39:46,320 –> 00:39:52,399 The whole point of Christmas is that God was ready to go to any lengths any 542 00:39:52,879 –> 00:39:58,419 Lengths in order to save you from this even to the length of taking human flesh in Jesus Christ 543 00:39:58,860 –> 00:40:00,860 even to the length of that flesh 544 00:40:00,860 –> 00:40:07,760 being torn and ripped and nailed to a cross as he bears the wrath of God so that you as a 545 00:40:08,020 –> 00:40:12,540 Believer may never know what this hell is like. Do you really think? 546 00:40:13,100 –> 00:40:19,320 That God would have gone to these lengths if Hell was no big deal 547 00:40:21,260 –> 00:40:25,600 Measure how serious hell is by what it took for 548 00:40:26,159 –> 00:40:30,939 Christ to make a way out of it for us 549 00:40:32,979 –> 00:40:40,120 So here are the five observations they carry their own weight from the words of Jesus your influence matters 550 00:40:40,479 –> 00:40:42,580 God’s 551 00:40:43,399 –> 00:40:45,399 Justice is perfect 552 00:40:46,179 –> 00:40:49,500 There are degrees of punishment in hell 553 00:40:50,560 –> 00:40:57,419 Hell is eternal conscious punishment. Therefore it is worth going to any lengths 554 00:40:58,060 –> 00:41:00,060 to avoid hell and 555 00:41:00,320 –> 00:41:06,620 That is what Jesus Christ has done for you. And that is what Christmas is all about a Savior 556 00:41:07,239 –> 00:41:08,919 from 557 00:41:08,959 –> 00:41:12,379 This that’s how glorious it is now 558 00:41:12,399 –> 00:41:16,260 Here’s the very last thing and then we’re through maybe there is someone here 559 00:41:16,260 –> 00:41:21,000 Maybe a number of us who are saying boy, I hear what you’re saying and I feel the weight of it 560 00:41:21,199 –> 00:41:23,199 but here’s my problem I 561 00:41:24,600 –> 00:41:27,000 Have caused another person to sin. I 562 00:41:28,320 –> 00:41:32,000 Have deeply damaged the lives of other people 563 00:41:33,419 –> 00:41:35,419 What am I to do? 564 00:41:36,060 –> 00:41:38,780 two things First 565 00:41:41,739 –> 00:41:46,899 You need to feel the weight of what you have done 566 00:41:50,120 –> 00:41:54,659 You need to turn to Christ in repentance that is real 567 00:41:56,239 –> 00:42:00,060 Without diminishing without excusing in any degree 568 00:42:00,780 –> 00:42:04,360 your full responsibility for what it is that you have done 569 00:42:06,439 –> 00:42:09,219 And you must ask him to cleanse you 570 00:42:10,379 –> 00:42:12,379 Because your guilt is real 571 00:42:13,659 –> 00:42:20,500 And the only way that your guilt can be cleansed is through the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for you 572 00:42:22,560 –> 00:42:25,479 But then you must also ask that he will change you 573 00:42:26,320 –> 00:42:28,320 Challenge you 574 00:42:28,699 –> 00:42:35,260 because if he does not change you you will end up doing something similar perhaps in a different sphere perhaps morphed in another kind of a 575 00:42:35,260 –> 00:42:37,939 Way, and you’ll probably end up doing it soon 576 00:42:40,500 –> 00:42:47,939 You need to feel the weight of what you have done so that you may come to God in repentance 577 00:42:49,139 –> 00:42:50,300 and 578 00:42:50,300 –> 00:42:55,399 Here’s the second thing you need to see the weight of what you have done 579 00:42:56,199 –> 00:42:58,199 being carried 580 00:42:58,899 –> 00:43:03,139 By the Lord Jesus Christ, that’s what faith is about 581 00:43:03,840 –> 00:43:05,659 right here 582 00:43:05,659 –> 00:43:11,840 You see when Jesus Christ died on the cross he carried the sins of all the people in the world 583 00:43:12,540 –> 00:43:14,840 who would repent and believe and 584 00:43:15,739 –> 00:43:21,620 That includes you if you will come to him in repentance and faith today 585 00:43:22,080 –> 00:43:24,479 He carried that cross 586 00:43:24,479 –> 00:43:30,919 He was nailed to that cross and he bore our sins in his body on the tree 587 00:43:32,060 –> 00:43:35,379 and his sacrifice is big enough 588 00:43:36,560 –> 00:43:37,959 strong enough 589 00:43:37,959 –> 00:43:39,459 great enough 590 00:43:39,459 –> 00:43:41,699 To cover to carry 591 00:43:42,620 –> 00:43:44,540 your guilt and 592 00:43:44,540 –> 00:43:48,080 Your sin. So here’s what you have to do you have to 593 00:43:48,719 –> 00:43:53,199 Roll the burden and the weight of that guilt that you feel 594 00:43:54,699 –> 00:43:58,540 Onto him by trusting what he has done for you 595 00:43:59,260 –> 00:44:00,600 and 596 00:44:00,600 –> 00:44:05,439 Trusting what he has done for you you receive his forgiveness 597 00:44:06,040 –> 00:44:07,600 and 598 00:44:07,600 –> 00:44:11,679 With his forgiveness he promises the power of his Holy Spirit 599 00:44:12,379 –> 00:44:17,580 So that you will be able to move forward in a new 600 00:44:18,139 –> 00:44:20,139 and different 601 00:44:20,439 –> 00:44:22,439 life and 602 00:44:22,580 –> 00:44:24,699 It is for this reason that 603 00:44:26,020 –> 00:44:29,219 Jesus Christ has come into the world 604 00:44:31,280 –> 00:44:36,100 Thanks be to God let us bow in prayer together 605 00:44:39,820 –> 00:44:42,560 Father we feel the weight of your Word today and yet 606 00:44:43,520 –> 00:44:50,679 Feeling the weight of it makes us see the glory of what you’ve done in Jesus Christ even more clearly than we did before and so 607 00:44:50,679 –> 00:44:52,679 We thank you for that 608 00:44:53,919 –> 00:44:56,699 You want to bring all our pride before you and 609 00:44:58,760 –> 00:45:04,219 To lay it down at the foot of the cross of Jesus the pride that comes from jealousy of what you’ve given to others 610 00:45:04,219 –> 00:45:06,219 and not us 611 00:45:06,679 –> 00:45:11,239 The pride that comes from that superiority because of what you’ve given to us and not others 612 00:45:13,560 –> 00:45:15,879 And we want to recognize our 613 00:45:16,560 –> 00:45:24,199 responsibility our influence and their own sins and to say to you we are people who need a savior and 614 00:45:25,679 –> 00:45:30,239 Without you all of us in this sanctuary right now would be utterly lost forever 615 00:45:32,860 –> 00:45:34,860 So we bless you 616 00:45:35,419 –> 00:45:41,280 That you chose in Jesus Christ to come into the world to be our savior the savior we need 617 00:45:41,419 –> 00:45:43,419 and 618 00:45:44,540 –> 00:45:48,639 Gladly in repentance and in faith we embrace you in you 619 00:45:49,500 –> 00:45:51,500 with joy together 620 00:45:51,820 –> 00:45:53,820 through Jesus Christ our Lord