Follow The King
Series: THE SERVANT KING
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 8th April 2018
00:00:00 --> 00:00:07 A little boy was asked by a Sunday school teacher to draw a picture of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus
00:00:07 --> 00:00:11 in the midst of their flight into Egypt.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:15 They were studying Matthew 2 verse 13,
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 where the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to flee with his family
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 from the murderous clutches of King Herod.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:28 And so this little boy put his best evidence into drawing a picture of an aeroplane.
00:00:29 --> 00:00:34 And when his teacher asked him, what have you done?
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 He said, well, that's the flight to Egypt.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 And he pointed to the middle of the plane and said, can't you see?
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 There's Joseph, there's Mary, there's the baby Jesus.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 And the teacher said, well, who's that?
00:00:49 --> 00:00:54 Pointing at the front of the aeroplane in the cockpit, a little figure that was drawn there.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:58 The little boy glanced at her in a quizzical look, thinking, you're the Sunday school teacher.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 How could you be so ignorant?
00:01:01 --> 00:01:02 And he said, really?
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 That's Pontius the pilot, of course.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:06 Of course.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:17 It's so easy to be familiar with bits of the Christian faith and yet to totally misunderstand
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 what it's about.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:26 In fact, there are millions of people in this country who have rejected the Christian faith.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 They've got little bits of it, but have rejected the Christian faith for what is nothing more
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 than a pale imitation of the Christian faith.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:43 And so Mark's gospel, as we've been going through in the last number of weeks, is that he does
00:01:43 --> 00:01:48 not want us to be vague about the Christian faith at all.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:58 Above all, he wants us to get Jesus' identity right and his mission right.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:07 And for us to get those things right totally changes our view of this world and purpose and meaning
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 and everything else.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:16 And so he longs for us to get an accurate picture of who Jesus is and what Jesus came to do.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:23 And so Mark 8 is the pivotal chapter in this gospel.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:35 It is the climax of the first act in which the disciples finally begin to see the true identity of Jesus.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:42 And we see that just before this passage which is in front of us here in the early section of Mark 8.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:51 And from here on in, all events move towards Jerusalem.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 The betrayal, the whipping post, and the bloody cross.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:02 And so in this few verses in front of us this morning, Jesus says two things.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:04 He says, firstly, I am.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 Peter, you're right.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 I am the king.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 I'm the king who goes to the cross.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:20 And secondly, he says, if you want to follow me, you've got to come to the cross too.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:30 So firstly, verse 29, Peter answers the big question of the first half of Mark's gospel.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:32 Who is this Jesus?
00:03:32 --> 00:03:32 Jesus.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 And Peter declares, you are the Christ.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:41 He's using a word that literally means you are the anointed one.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 The anointed one.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:44 The Messiah.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 The king to end all kings.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 The king who will put everything right.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:54 And when Jesus, sorry, when Peter says that, when he makes that declaration, Jesus accepts it.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 Doesn't question Peter at all.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:57 He accepts it.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:08 And then the very next thing that comes out of his mouth, they, Peter, the disciples, find it appalling.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 It is shocking.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 Take a look at verse 31 with me.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:22 He then began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teacher of the law, and that he must be killed.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 And after three days rise again.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 He spoke plainly about this.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:38 He says, the son of man must suffer.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:52 Now, when we read the son of man in Mark's gospel, we automatically think that, well, as opposed to him calling himself the son of God, he's affirming at this point his humanity, not just his divinity.
00:04:52 --> 00:05:03 But what he's doing here in this moment is that Jesus picks up the title of son of man from the passage we just read from Daniel chapter 7, verses 13 and 14, the Old Testament.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:15 There in Daniel 7, the son of man is a divine messianic figure who comes with the angels to put everything right.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:22 And yet what Jesus does here, he picks up that image from Daniel 7 and he adds something.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:27 He says, this son of man must suffer.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:43 And this is the first time in the history of Israel that anyone had ever connected the Messiah, the Christ, with suffering.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:50 There are many prophecies in the Old Testament about the mysterious servant of the Lord who suffers.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:59 But nobody before Jesus has ever connected those prophecies with the hope of the Messiah.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:06 The notion of the Messiah's suffering makes no sense at all to the disciples.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:15 You see, the Messiah was meant to defeat evil and injustice and make everything right in the world.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 That's what they were looking forward to for centuries.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:25 So how could the Messiah do all of that by suffering and dying?
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 But Jesus is emphatic here.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 He uses the word must.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 He's planning to die.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 He's not merely predicting that he will die.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 He is planning to die.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:47 This is a voluntary act on his behalf.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 He must die.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:53 And so at this point, Peter is offended.
00:06:53 --> 00:07:02 This is the one thing for Jesus to say that, you know, sorry, it's one thing for Jesus to say that he will fight and be defeated.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:09 It's another thing for him to say that the reason I came was to die.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 I came to die.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:21 And the moment Jesus says this, verse 32 says that Peter rebukes him.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:29 This is the word that's used elsewhere in the first section of Mark for what Jesus does with the demons.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:37 Peter is condemning Jesus in the strongest possible terms.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:42 So what has got Peter so worked up?
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 He's just declared Jesus the Messiah.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 So what's got him so worked up?
00:07:49 --> 00:07:55 Well, the reality is for Peter, ever since he could crawl, he was told the Messiah would come.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:59 The Messiah would come and defeat evil and injustice and ascend the throne.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:09 And Jesus says that he is the Messiah, the king, to end all kings, but he has come not to live and to rule, but in fact to surrender and die.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:17 Jesus has come not to take power, but to lose it.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 He's come not to rule, but to serve.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:27 And that is how he is going to defeat evil and put everything right.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:37 Jesus says he must suffer, not that he would suffer.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:43 And the word must is so essential in these verses that it's used twice.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:51 The son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:59 and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:05 And so what that means is in those sentences, the word must controls the whole sentence.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:14 It controls the whole sentence in such a way that everything that's listed there is an absolute necessity.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 Jesus must suffer.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:24 Jesus must be rejected by the authorities.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 Jesus must be killed.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 Jesus must be resurrected.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:41 And all of those musts have to happen for people to be saved and for the world to be renewed.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 So let me just look at a couple of them very briefly.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 There's a personal necessity for Jesus' death.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 That is, we need Jesus to die.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 That is, that's the personal necessity of it.
00:09:56 --> 00:10:01 We all know the difference between false and true love or fake and authentic love.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 That's a reality for everyone.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:11 In false love, our aim is to use another person to fulfill our sense of happiness.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 That's what happens with false love.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 That is, our love at that point is conditional.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:23 It is only given when the other person is affirming us and meeting our needs.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:31 The moment they stop affirming us and meeting our needs, that's when our false love turns into more of an aggression towards them,
00:10:31 --> 00:10:35 which operates in most marriages and relationships.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:41 False love, therefore, will never allow itself to be vulnerable.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:49 You always have to hold something back in case you need to cut your losses and run.
00:10:49 --> 00:10:59 And the aim of true love is, in fact, to spend yourself and use yourself for the happiness of the other
00:10:59 --> 00:11:04 because your joy is wrapped up in their joy.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 That's true love.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:10 And this love, true love, is unconditional.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:16 You give it whether your needs are being met or not.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:20 And it's radically vulnerable.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 You spend everything.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 You hold nothing back.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 You give it all away.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:33 And the problem is that there's not a single person on the face of this earth
00:11:33 --> 00:11:36 who's actually fully capable of giving true love.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 Not a single individual.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 We desperately need it.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 Every single one of us wants it and needs it.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 But none of us are capable of giving it.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 That just screws everything up.
00:11:53 --> 00:12:00 Not that we can't give any kind of true love,
00:12:01 --> 00:12:05 but nobody is fully capable of giving true love.
00:12:06 --> 00:12:11 All of our love towards other people is somewhat fake and flawed.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 So what are we going to do?
00:12:14 --> 00:12:19 We need to be loved like we need oxygen or water.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 We cannot live without love.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:32 And unfortunately, the result is a kind of mercenary nature to our love.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:37 We invest our love where we get good return of personal affirmation,
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 where we get love back.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:43 Therefore, our love is always conditional and it's non-vulnerable.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:48 And obviously, there are some people who are more able to love than others,
00:12:48 --> 00:12:54 but nobody can give anyone else, nobody can give anyone else,
00:12:54 --> 00:12:58 the kind or the amount of love that they are starving for.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:04 We are all the same, really, groping for true love
00:13:04 --> 00:13:07 and incapable of giving it.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:17 What every one of us needs is for someone to love us
00:13:17 --> 00:13:21 who doesn't need us to love them.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 We need someone to love us
00:13:24 --> 00:13:30 who doesn't need us at all, in fact.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:36 Someone who loves us radically, unconditionally, vulnerably.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 And that person is Jesus.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:45 We've just celebrated, remembered this last weekend at Easter.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 You might remember an earlier message in this series,
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 and I'll forgive you if you don't,
00:13:52 --> 00:13:56 where I talked about God being three persons in one.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 And I mentioned that the very essence of God,
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 before anything was made,
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 the very essence of God,
00:14:05 --> 00:14:08 is self-giving, mutual love relationship.
00:14:08 --> 00:14:13 God existed in unconditional love,
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 for everlasting to everlasting.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:20 Within himself, God has forever had all the love,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 all the fulfillment, and all the joy
00:14:22 --> 00:14:25 that he could possibly want.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 And so Jesus doesn't need us
00:14:28 --> 00:14:33 in order to extract more love for himself.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:37 He is already filled up.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 He lacks nothing at all.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 And the only way we can get true love
00:14:42 --> 00:14:45 is from someone who's already
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 entirely filled up with love.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:54 Let me read to you one person's testimony
00:14:54 --> 00:14:58 on the difference Jesus' love makes to their life now.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 She wrote,
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 A major issue in my life has been people-pleasing.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 I needed approval.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:09 To be liked, admired, accepted.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 But for the first time,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 I was able to see how important it was
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 that I identified with Jesus.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 His love towards me
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 has enabled me to set up
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 emotional boundaries with people
00:15:23 --> 00:15:26 that I never could have before.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 This has enabled me
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 to love my friends and my family
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 for who they are
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 and not seek more from them.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 Because I find whatever is lacking
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 in me
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 in Jesus.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 It's been a huge relief
00:15:46 --> 00:15:49 to finally feel free enough
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 to love people
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 and know that in Jesus
00:15:53 --> 00:15:56 I am safe and protected.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:59 You see,
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 the security of Jesus' love
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 enables her
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 to need less
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 and to love more.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 True love
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 actually creates
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 more true love.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 It's self-perpetuating.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 It's a self-perpetuating motion.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 True love
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 actually creates
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 more true love.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:22 It makes more of itself
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 as it goes along
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 from one person
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 to the next person
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 to the next person.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 That's what true love does.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 And so Jesus must die.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 He must love us
00:16:36 --> 00:16:38 by giving himself for us.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 For God so loved the world
00:16:42 --> 00:16:45 that he gave his only son.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 He must die
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 because without it
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 this world
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 has got nothing
00:16:52 --> 00:16:54 to break
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 the destructive cycle
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 of manipulative
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 conditional
00:16:58 --> 00:17:01 non-vulnerable
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 love
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 where we
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 seek to extract it
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 from others.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 But there's also
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 a legal necessity
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 for Jesus' death.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:15 Jesus must also die
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 because it's not just
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 a personal necessity
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 and a relational necessity
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 it's a legal necessity
00:17:21 --> 00:17:21 for his death.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 When someone
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 does wrong to you
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 by trying to extract
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 love from you
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 for instance
00:17:26 --> 00:17:28 what happens
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 in that moment
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 is a debt
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 against that person
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 has accumulated.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 It's established.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 A debt's established.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 And it could be
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 an economic debt
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 for instance
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 if someone came
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 and took my iPad
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 and you know
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 ran away with it
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 you would owe
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 well not technically me
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 you would owe
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 St. Paul's Chatswood
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 approximately
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 I don't know
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 what these things are worth
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 seven, eight, nine hundred dollars
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 I've got no idea
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 whatever they're worth
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 and there's two options
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 in that moment.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 I would either say
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 with the permission
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 of the wardens
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 that will be
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 nine hundred dollars
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 please
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 or
00:18:09 --> 00:18:12 I say
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 I forgive you
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 don't worry about it
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 there's only two options
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 either
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 give me the money
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 or
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 I forgive you
00:18:22 --> 00:18:25 now in the first case
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 you pay the debt
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 you hand over the money
00:18:29 --> 00:18:32 in the second case
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 I pay the debt
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 or we collectively
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 pay the debt
00:18:36 --> 00:18:39 you see
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 the value
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 of the iPad
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 doesn't just
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 disappear
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 it doesn't just go
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 it still exists
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 and the value
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 of the iPad
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 doesn't disappear
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 either
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 I have to pay
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 for a new one
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 or
00:18:54 --> 00:18:57 I have to pay
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 for a new one
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 by not buying
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 a new one
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 and going back
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 to paper and pen
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 either way
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 I have to pay
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 for something
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 it's either
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 go
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 and if I
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 if I just say
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 forgive you
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 I've still got
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 a debt
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 that needs
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 to be paid
00:19:10 --> 00:19:13 so I have to go
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 and either
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 buy another iPad
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 or I have to
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 insert to
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 paper and pen
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 either way
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 there's still a debt
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 that has to be paid
00:19:20 --> 00:19:25 the debt
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 has to be
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 absorbed
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 in some way
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 and this
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 happens at
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 every level
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 of our
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 interpersonal
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 relationships
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 and society
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 if someone
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 robs us
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 of an opportunity
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 or of our
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 happiness
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 or of our
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 reputation
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 or of something
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 else
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 it creates
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 a sense
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 of relational
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 debt
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 justice
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 has been
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 violated
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 and a debt
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 has been
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 accrued
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 and there are
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 only two choices
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 in that moment
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 you can make
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 them pay
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 their debt
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 by destroying
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 their opportunities
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 by ruining
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 their reputation
00:20:05 --> 00:20:08 by stealing
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 something of
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 their happiness
00:20:10 --> 00:20:15 you can hope
00:20:15 --> 00:20:15 that they suffer
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 potentially even
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 pray that they
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 suffer
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 maybe ensure
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 that they do
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 suffer
00:20:20 --> 00:20:25 there's a
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 personal toll
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 to this
00:20:26 --> 00:20:29 when you
00:20:29 --> 00:20:32 making them
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 pay off
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 their personal
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 debt to you
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 by suffering
00:20:35 --> 00:20:37 what happens
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 is
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 you become
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 like them
00:20:40 --> 00:20:43 that's where
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 it doesn't win
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 that's where
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 it doesn't work
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 the moment
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 you
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 reciprocate
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 like for like
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 you become
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 like them
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 you become
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 harder
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 you become
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 colder
00:20:57 --> 00:20:59 and
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 evil
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 wins
00:21:00 --> 00:21:03 and the
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 only alternative
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 is to forgive
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 but that's
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 really hard
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 it is
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 agony
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 to
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 refrain
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 from
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 vengeance
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 and to
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 forgive
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 instead
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 it is
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 agony
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 because
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 instead
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 of
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 extracting
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 payment
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 for the
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 debt
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 you're
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 choosing
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 to
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 absorb
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 the
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 debt
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 you're
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 absorbing
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 the
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 cost
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 you're
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 not
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 trying
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 to get
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 your
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 reputation
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 back
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 by tearing
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 down
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 their
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 reputation
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 true
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 forgiveness
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 always
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 requires
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 suffering
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 there is
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 no sense
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 of forgiveness
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 without
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 suffering
00:21:47 --> 00:21:50 debt
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 never just
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 vanishes
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 either
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 you pay
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 either you
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 pay
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 or they
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 pay
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 it doesn't
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 just vanish
00:21:58 --> 00:22:01 but here's the
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 irony
00:22:02 --> 00:22:05 only if you
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 pay the
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 price of
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 forgiveness
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 only if you
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 choose to
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 absorb
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 the debt
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 only if you
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 choose to
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 go the path
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 of suffering
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 is there
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 any chance
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 of wrong
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 being put
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 right
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 it's the
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 only way
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 it's the
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 only way
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 of anything
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 being resolved
00:22:31 --> 00:22:35 only when
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 we have
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 refrained
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 from vengeance
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 and paid
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 the cost
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 of forgiveness
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 in our
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 hearts
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 will we
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 ever get
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 a perpetrator
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 to listen
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 to us
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 in a way
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 that they
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 will see
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 their error
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 and hopefully
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 for the
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 relationship
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 to be
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 restored
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 and even
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 if they
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 won't
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 listen
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 and don't
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 listen
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 the forgiveness
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 in our
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 heart
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 means
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 that the
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 cycle
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 of further
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 reprisals
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 is finally
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 broken
00:23:03 --> 00:23:07 and so
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 it
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 should come
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 as no
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 surprise
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 whatsoever
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 that God
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 would say
00:23:13 --> 00:23:15 the only
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 way I can
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 forgive the
00:23:16 --> 00:23:18 sins of
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 the human
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 race
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 is to
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 suffer
00:23:20 --> 00:23:23 either
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 you have
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 to pay
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 the debt
00:23:25 --> 00:23:27 or I
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 have to
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 pay the
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 debt
00:23:28 --> 00:23:30 either
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 way
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 it's
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 suffering
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 your
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 suffering
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 or mine
00:23:34 --> 00:23:40 sin
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 always
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 requires
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 a penalty
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 to be
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 paid
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 guilt
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 and shame
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 cannot be
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 dealt
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 with
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 unless
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 someone
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 pays
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 and the
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 only way
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 God
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 can
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 pardon
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 us
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 and forgive
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 us
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 and not
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 judge
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 us
00:23:52 --> 00:23:55 is to
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 go to
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 the cross
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 in our
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 place
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 and to
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 pay the
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 debt
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 for us
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 to absorb
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 it
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 himself
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 for us
00:24:02 --> 00:24:06 his love
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 is truly
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 unconditional
00:24:07 --> 00:24:09 and so
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 Jesus says
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 here
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 I
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 must
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 suffer
00:24:13 --> 00:24:16 he's
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 saying
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 that he
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 is the
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 king
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 the king
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 to end
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 all kings
00:24:19 --> 00:24:21 but
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 not like
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 any other
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 king
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 you've
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 ever
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 imagined
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 this is
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 the only
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 king
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 who rules
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 who rules
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 with mercy
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 and unconditional
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 love
00:24:32 --> 00:24:35 now he's
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 the king
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 who must
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 die
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 but he
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 doesn't
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 stop there
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 verse 34
00:24:40 --> 00:24:42 he keeps
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 reading
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 he keeps
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 speaking
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 and we
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 read from
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 verse 34
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 then he
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 called
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 the crowd
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 to him
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 along
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 with his
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 disciples
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 and said
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 whoever
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 wants to
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 be my
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 disciple
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 must
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 deny
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 themselves
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 take up
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 their cross
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 and follow
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 me
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 whoever
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 wants to
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 save
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 their life
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 will lose
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 it
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 but
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 whoever
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 wants to
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 whoever
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 loses
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 their life
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 for me
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 and for
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 the gospel
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 will save
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 it
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 what good
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 is it
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 for someone
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 to gain
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 the whole
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 world
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 and yet
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 forfeit
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 their soul
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 or what
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 can anyone
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 give in
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 exchange
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 for their
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 soul
00:25:14 --> 00:25:16 and so
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 what Jesus
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 is saying
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 here
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 is
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 you know
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 guys
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 I'm not
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 just a
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 king on
00:25:22 --> 00:25:22 a cross
00:25:22 --> 00:25:24 but he
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 says that
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 if you
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 want to
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 follow me
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 the king
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 you too
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 must go
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 to the
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 cross
00:25:30 --> 00:25:33 what does
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 it mean
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 to lose
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 our life
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 of the
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 gospel
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 in order
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 to save
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 it
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 the word
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 translated
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 life
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 verse 35
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 there's a
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 word
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 that's
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 translated
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 life
00:25:41 --> 00:25:43 it's a
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 word
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 that
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 literally
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 means
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 our
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 identity
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 our
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 personality
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 our
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 selfhood
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 our
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 sense
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 of
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 self
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 it's
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 the
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 things
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 if you
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 like
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 that
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 make
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 you
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 distinctly
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 you
00:25:58 --> 00:26:01 so
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 Jesus
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 isn't
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 saying
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 that you
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 need
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 to lose
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 yourself
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 of being
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 you
00:26:06 --> 00:26:08 Jesus
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 is not
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 saying
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 that
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 you
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 don't
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 need
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 to
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 lose
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 your
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 sense
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 of
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 being
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 you
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 that's
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 the
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 teaching
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 of some
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 eastern
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 philosophy
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 and if
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 he
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 meant
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 that
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 then
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 he
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 would
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 have
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 said
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 you
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 must
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 lose
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 yourself
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 in order
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 to lose
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 yourself
00:26:20 --> 00:26:22 that's
00:26:22 --> 00:26:22 not what
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 he says
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 what he's
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 saying
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 is
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 that you
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 don't
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 build
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 your
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 identity
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 on
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 gaining
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 things
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 in this
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 world
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 he says
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 that in
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 verse 36
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 what good
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 is it
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 for someone
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 to gain
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 the whole
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 world
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 and yet
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 forfeit
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 their
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 soul
00:26:38 --> 00:26:40 every
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 single
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 culture
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 whatever
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 culture
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 you come
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 back
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 come
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 from
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 every
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 single
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 culture
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 points
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 to
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 certain
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 things
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 and
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 says
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 if
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 you
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 gain
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 those
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 things
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 if
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 you
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 acquire
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 those
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 things
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 or
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 if
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 you
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 achieve
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 those
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 things
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 then
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 you
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 will
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 know
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 that
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 you
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 are
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 really
00:26:56 --> 00:26:56 valuable
00:26:56 --> 00:26:58 you're
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 really
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 someone
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 that
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 your
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 identity
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 is
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 attached
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 to
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 those
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 cultural
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 markers
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 if
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 you
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 like
00:27:03 --> 00:27:05 so
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 traditional
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 cultures
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 would
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 say
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 that you
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 have
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 no
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 sense
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 of
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 self
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 as
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 an
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 individual
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 unless
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 you
00:27:11 --> 00:27:11 gain
00:27:11 --> 00:27:11 the
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 respect
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 and
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 the
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 legacy
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 of
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 family
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 and
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 children
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 individualistic
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 cultures
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 are
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 different
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 we
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 say
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 you're
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 a
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 nobody
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 unless
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 you've
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 got a
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 fulfilling
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 career
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 that
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 brings
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 you
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 lots
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00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 ultimately
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00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 achievement
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00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 Jesus
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00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 no
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00:27:59 --> 00:28:01 and
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 everyone
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 knows
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00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 but
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 it
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 won't
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 be
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 enough
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 to
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 fill
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 you
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 up
00:28:05 --> 00:28:09 no
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 matter
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00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 of
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00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 gain
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 it's
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 never
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 going
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 to
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00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 sure
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 you
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00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 so
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 if
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 you
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 build
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 your
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 identity
00:28:21 --> 00:28:23 on
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00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 fact
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 that
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 someone
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 loves
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 you
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 or
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 that
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 you've
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 got
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 a
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 good
00:28:26 --> 00:28:26 name
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 or
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 a
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 good
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 career
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 what
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 happens
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00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 are
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 gone
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00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 sense
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 of
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 self
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 vanishes
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 that's
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 what
00:28:39 --> 00:28:39 happens
00:28:39 --> 00:28:43 so
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 Jesus
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 did
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 not
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 come
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 to
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 try
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 and
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 convince
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 us
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 to
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 shift
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 from
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 one
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 performance
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 based
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 identity
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 to
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 another
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 performance
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 based
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 identity
00:28:49 --> 00:28:51 he
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 wants
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 us
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 to
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 go
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 in
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 an
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 entirely
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 different
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 way
00:28:54 --> 00:28:56 he
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 wants
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 us
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 to
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 lose
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 the
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 old
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 self
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 the
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 old
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 identity
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 and base
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 our
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 sense
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 of
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 worth
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 and
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 value
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 and
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 self
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 on
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 him
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 and
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 the
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 gospel
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 that
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 we
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 are
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 much
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 loved
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 children
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 of
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 the
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 father
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 did
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 you
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 notice
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 verse
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 35
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 forever
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 wants
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 to
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 save
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 their
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 life
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 will
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 lose
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 it
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 but
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 whoever
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 loses
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 their
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 life
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 for
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 me
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 and
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 for
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 the
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 gospel
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 will
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 save
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 it
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 he's
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 quite
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 specific
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 there
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 in
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 that
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 last
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 sentence
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 the
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 application
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 we
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 cannot
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 just
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 go
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 oh
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 okay
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 so
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 what
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 I
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 need
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 to
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 do
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 now
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 is
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 I
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 need
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 to
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 build
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 my
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 life
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 on
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 God
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 so
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 what
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 I
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00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 is
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 a bit
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 of
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 religion
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 in
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 here
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 I
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 need
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 a bit
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 of
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 extra
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 stuff
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 a bit
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 of
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 religion
00:29:40 --> 00:29:43 and
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 that's
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 just
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 way
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 too
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 general
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 he
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 calls
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 us
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 to
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 lose
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 our
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 life
00:29:47 --> 00:29:49 for
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 the
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 gospel
00:29:50 --> 00:29:54 Jesus
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 went
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 to the
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 cross
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 and on
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 the
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 cross
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 he
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 lost
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 his
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00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 so
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 to
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 speak
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 the
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 father
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 turns
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 his
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 face
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 away
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 so
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 that
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 we
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 can
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 have
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 one
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 so
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 that
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 we
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 can
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 be
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 called
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 home
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 into
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 the
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 father's
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 house
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 and
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 once
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 we
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 see
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 the
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 son
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 of
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 God
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 loving
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 us
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 like
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 that
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 we
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 begin
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 to get
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 a
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 strength
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 and
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 assurance
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 and
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 identity
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 that
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 sets
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 us
00:30:15 --> 00:30:15 free
00:30:15 --> 00:30:17 to break
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 the cycle
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 of evil
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 perpetuating
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 evil
00:30:20 --> 00:30:22 and
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 so
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 Peter
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 here
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 is
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 furious
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 with
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 Jesus
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 when
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 he
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 hears
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 Jesus
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 is
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 going
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 to
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 suffer
00:30:28 --> 00:30:30 he's
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 furious
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 because
00:30:32 --> 00:30:34 this
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 is
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 not
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 part
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 of
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 Peter's
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 agenda
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 this
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 is
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 not
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 the
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 Messiah
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 that
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 he
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 was
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 expecting
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 at
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 all
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 this
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 is
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 not
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 what
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 he
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 wanted
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 this
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 is
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 not
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 why
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 I've
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 come
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 to
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 follow
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 you
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 Jesus
00:30:44 --> 00:30:47 Peter's
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 agenda
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 led
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 from
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 strength
00:30:50 --> 00:30:50 to
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 strength
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 and
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 it
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 didn't
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 include
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 suffering
00:30:52 --> 00:30:56 and
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 if
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 we
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 relate
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 to
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 Jesus
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 in
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 exactly
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 the
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 same
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 way
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 we
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 have
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 our
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 agenda
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 we
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 have
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 our
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 goals
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 we
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 have
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 our
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 vision
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 for
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 our
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 lives
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 and
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 we
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 think
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 it's
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 great
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 if
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 we
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 get
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 also
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 on
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 top
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 of
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 that
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 we
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 get
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 Jesus
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 on
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 our
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 side
00:31:10 --> 00:31:15 if
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 we
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 have
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 our
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 end
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 of
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 what
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 we
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 expect
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 and
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 what
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 we
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 want
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 to
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 achieve
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 in
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 life
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 and
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 we
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 just
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 add
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 Jesus
00:31:22 --> 00:31:22 to
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 that
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 add
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 God
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 to
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 it
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 in
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 a
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 religious
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 sense
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 then
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 we
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 are
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 using
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 him
00:31:28 --> 00:31:32 but
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 if
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 Jesus
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 is the
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 king
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 to
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 end
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 all
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 kings
00:31:34 --> 00:31:36 then
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 he
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 is
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 never
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 never
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 a
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 means
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 for us
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 to
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 get
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 to
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 our
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 end
00:31:42 --> 00:32:01 king
00:32:02 --> 00:32:04 and
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 he
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 go
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 to
00:32:06 --> 00:32:09 with a, you know, I'll obey you, Jesus, and follow you, Jesus, F.
00:32:10 --> 00:32:13 We're actually not seeing him as the king to end all kings.
00:32:13 --> 00:32:18 We're not seeing him for what Peter saw him was in that moment as the Messiah.
00:32:20 --> 00:32:24 We need to see this king as the king on the cross.
00:32:25 --> 00:32:29 And if he was simply a king on a throne,
00:32:30 --> 00:32:34 it's quite possible that we would obey him because we have to obey him.
00:32:34 --> 00:32:37 If we just see him as a king on a throne,
00:32:37 --> 00:32:41 at that point he becomes the divine ogre and we just have to obey him.
00:32:41 --> 00:32:43 And that's called legalism.
00:32:46 --> 00:32:52 External physical constraints of my life, but not a heart that worships God.
00:32:53 --> 00:32:56 He is the king who went to the cross for us,
00:32:56 --> 00:33:00 and therefore we can submit to him out of love and trust.
00:33:00 --> 00:33:02 He is good and he is merciful.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:07 And instead of negotiating, we just simply say,
00:33:07 --> 00:33:10 Lord, whatever you ask, I will do.
00:33:11 --> 00:33:16 And whatever you send, I will accept.
00:33:20 --> 00:33:23 Whatever you ask, I will do.
00:33:23 --> 00:33:27 And whatever you send, I will accept.
00:33:27 --> 00:33:34 If he has utterly given himself to us,
00:33:35 --> 00:33:38 how can we not give ourselves utterly to him?
00:33:41 --> 00:33:45 Taking up our cross means dying to self-determination.
00:33:46 --> 00:33:49 It means dying to self-control over our lives,
00:33:50 --> 00:33:52 dying to using him for our own agenda
00:33:52 --> 00:33:55 so that he might meet our needs.
00:33:59 --> 00:34:02 So in closing, I've got a quote here from C.S. Lewis
00:34:02 --> 00:34:04 from his book, Mere Christianity.
00:34:04 --> 00:34:09 In fact, these are the very last words of his book, Mere Christianity.
00:34:09 --> 00:34:13 His final conclusion of what it means to follow this king.
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 Lewis writes,
00:34:16 --> 00:34:46
00:34:46 --> 00:35:03 Let's pray.
00:35:03 --> 00:35:07 As the music team come up,
00:35:07 --> 00:35:10 we are going to sing in such a way,
00:35:12 --> 00:35:14 sing a prayer of committal and confession,
00:35:14 --> 00:35:15 in fact,
00:35:15 --> 00:35:17 as we seek to surrender all to Christ.
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 Gracious Father,
00:35:19 --> 00:35:21 we thank you for your word
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 and your word is hard.
00:35:22 --> 00:35:25 And yet, Lord,
00:35:26 --> 00:35:29 it is life-shaping.
00:35:29 --> 00:35:31 The paradox of,
00:35:32 --> 00:35:35 it's just astounding to surrender our life
00:35:35 --> 00:35:36 and yet to gain it,
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 to give it,
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 and yet to win.
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 Lord, how is it possible
00:35:40 --> 00:35:44 that the ones who are the losers
00:35:44 --> 00:35:46 are the ones who win forever?
00:35:48 --> 00:35:50 Turn our values on their head.
00:35:50 --> 00:35:53 Help us to see with clarity
00:35:53 --> 00:35:57 the cultural assumptions that we work with
00:35:57 --> 00:35:59 that we just assume are just normal.
00:36:00 --> 00:36:03 Help us to see that you have come
00:36:03 --> 00:36:04 and you have not called us
00:36:04 --> 00:36:06 just to refine a little bit
00:36:06 --> 00:36:08 of our way of life,
00:36:08 --> 00:36:10 but to totally overturn it.
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 Father, help us to see
00:36:12 --> 00:36:14 that you are not just a king on a throne,
00:36:15 --> 00:36:17 but that you're the king on the throne
00:36:17 --> 00:36:18 that went via the cross,
00:36:19 --> 00:36:20 that you love us,
00:36:21 --> 00:36:22 that you gave everything for us,
00:36:23 --> 00:36:25 and help us to give everything to you.
00:36:26 --> 00:36:26 Amen.