Keep Following The King
Series: THE SERVANT KING
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 15th April 2018
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 As we get to know God from His Word, the Bible,
00:00:03 --> 00:00:09 we often find that He repeats His words to emphasize His message.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 If we do not know Him that well,
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 you can look out for this feature when you read His Word.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 This is one of the great treasures to be found in the Bible.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 For example, in the Old Testament,
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 when He commanded and encouraged Joshua
00:00:26 --> 00:00:30 to take the Israelites into the promised land,
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 in Joshua 1, verse 6, 7, and 9,
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 God said to Joshua three times,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 Be strong and courageous.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 Be strong and very courageous.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 And be strong and courageous.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 In the Gospel according to Mark,
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 when Jesus predicted about His death,
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 He also repeated His prediction.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 In Mark 8, 9, and 10,
00:00:56 --> 00:01:02 we call it three times that Jesus predicts about His death.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:09 Each time, there are some similarities and some differences.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 If you were here last week,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:16 we looked at first prediction from chapter 8, verse 31.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 Today, we will look at the second prediction
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 that Jesus gave about His death from chapter 9.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 So if you can turn your Bible to Mark chapter 9 and keep it there,
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 we'll pretty much be looking at that whole passage today.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:37 Same as last time, Jesus used the title of Son of Man to address Himself.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:46 And He predicted that He will be killed and raised after three days.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 So let's go to Mark chapter 9.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:53 We're starting from verse 31 from the second half of 31.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:54 So He said to them,
00:01:54 --> 00:01:58 The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of man.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 They will kill Him, and after three days, He will rise.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 Son of Man is a title that Jesus used about Himself,
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 based largely on Daniel 7.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:14 If you were here last week, you have heard the significance of this title.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:18 And if for any reason you weren't here last Sunday,
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 please go to our church website and click on the resources link
00:02:22 --> 00:02:28 so that you can catch up on what you have missed.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 Different to last prediction,
00:02:29 --> 00:02:36 Jesus said that the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of man.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:43 To be delivered can mean hand over or betrayed into.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:50 Jesus' acceptance of the title of Christ, the Messiah, and use the title of Son of Man,
00:02:50 --> 00:02:55 means He has all the authority in heaven and on earth.
00:02:55 --> 00:03:01 All nations and peoples of every nation, every language will worship Him.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:05 He is a king that makes everything right.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:10 And how could someone with that kind of caliber be delivered,
00:03:10 --> 00:03:15 hand over or betrayed into the hands of man?
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 Men are merely mortals that are dependent,
00:03:19 --> 00:03:23 sometimes shameful, powerless and inferior.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:30 Men often are very unmerciful and revengeful, corrupt and selfish.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:34 Men at their very best will only be up to no good.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:40 How could the Son of Man be delivered into the hands of man?
00:03:40 --> 00:03:45 Even though men are capable to do wonderful things,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:49 they build great monuments like the Great Wall of China,
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 or the Pyramid of Egypt.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:59 But how many people or men have died to make that possible?
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 They set up laws to try to uphold righteousness,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:10 but the amount of wrongful and unjust judgment far outweighs the intent.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:15 And nowadays, we often heard of news that global corporations
00:04:15 --> 00:04:21 exploiting workers in less developed countries to increase their profit.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:26 Coastal at home, we hear employees being exploited by bosses.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:31 People being told at the end of their unpaid trial period
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 that they are not servile for a job, so they won't get paid,
00:04:34 --> 00:04:39 and they wait for nothing for a whole month.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 How could someone with such a caliber of a Son of Man be delivered,
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 handed over or betrayed into the hands of men?
00:04:47 --> 00:04:51 This was made possible because our Lord Jesus Christ
00:04:51 --> 00:04:58 willingly took our place to pay the price of our sin and rebellion.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:05 Jesus, our Saviour, died on the cross, a submissive death towards God,
00:05:05 --> 00:05:10 and rose from the dead after three days to break the bondage of sin,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:19 to free us to love, and He repaid the debt that we cannot repay.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:23 This message of the cross caused anger in some people,
00:05:23 --> 00:05:27 like when Peter heard it back in chapter 8,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:35 because it did not match what his expectation of what it means to follow Jesus.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:39 This message of the cross can also cause confusion in others,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:44 like the disciples here that we're reading from chapter 9, verse 32 said,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:52 they did not understand what Jesus meant, but were afraid to ask Jesus about it.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:58 Jesus knew it takes time to come to understanding about the gospel,
00:05:58 --> 00:06:04 so He predicts about His death not once, not twice, but three times.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:09 Jesus is always patient with us to let us come to our understanding.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:19 So do not let your fear or any other emotion stop you from asking Him for an explanation.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 If you somehow believe that you have got the answer,
00:06:23 --> 00:06:27 you think that you knew who Jesus is and what He comes to do,
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 how well do you really know?
00:06:30 --> 00:06:34 Do you know it well enough to explain to others,
00:06:34 --> 00:06:40 so that they can be part of God's kingdom and enjoy what you are enjoying?
00:06:40 --> 00:06:48 Or is that knowledge cause you to wonder about other things that defeat the purpose of why Jesus patiently
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 waited for you to understand it in the first place?
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 This second prediction was told on the way to Capernaum.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:02 The disciples were confused about the meaning and afraid to ask about it.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:12 Instead of facing up to their fear, they got into a debate and argument about who was the greatest among them.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:19 How quickly our heart can wonder and forget or forgot what Jesus told us.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:28 Knowing fully what is going on, Jesus offered them a chance to own up to what they have done.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:34 But instead, in verse 44, we see that they kept quiet.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 So as we read on in verse 35,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said,
00:07:43 --> 00:07:49 Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:56 Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:03 Jesus again is addressing the attitude of the disciples,
00:08:04 --> 00:08:12 comparing what is the acceptable standard of the world and how different they are to how Jesus lived his life
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 and the example that he has shown to us.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:22 A lot of us, especially those from Eastern culture like myself,
00:08:22 --> 00:08:28 often think that to win in life, we need to have a very good start at the takeoff line.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:35 Just like beating the starting gun and taking everything like a short race.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:45 Some parents from Eastern culture do not have such a privileged good start when they start off with their life.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:55 So they spend all their energy, all their focus to accumulate wealth for their children to have a better place when they start,
00:08:55 --> 00:08:59 to prepare for them their first pot of gold.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:05 Others will build their identity on the success of their children,
00:09:06 --> 00:09:10 constantly comparing with other families, what have their children achieved,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:17 what kind of career are they in, how many children their children have.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:21 Even the brand of their family cars can sometimes be a comparison.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:26 If you drive from a Mercedes-Benz, you're a much better person than driving someone later.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:30 Toyota advances that have been 10 years old, the one that I got.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:40 We size ourselves up with others because no one wants to be an underdog.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:44 We may not think we can be any good at any sports,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:49 but we want our football cup, our sports cup, to be a champion of the year.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:54 We want to be first in whatever sense we can get there.
00:09:54 --> 00:10:02 With that in mind, when Jesus said that anyone who wants to be first must be very last,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:07 and a servant of all, sounds so ridiculous and illogical.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 Think of this.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 If a coach tells their team to make sure they come last,
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 and help other teams to get the most score,
00:10:18 --> 00:10:22 he will definitely be the first one to go to face the match-fixing tribunal.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:26 And out of the competition completely.
00:10:27 --> 00:10:30 It might make sense sometimes parents may ask their children
00:10:30 --> 00:10:34 to look out for those that are bullied or isolated,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 to help those other kids to be their friend,
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 help them with their schoolwork or something.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:44 In reality, I think that's very rare as well.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 Anyway, but by doing that,
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 the kid falls behind in their grades.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 They become last in the year.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:55 I'm pretty sure those parents will tell the kid to stop the association.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:02 The disciples must be showing their reaction on the face to this point.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 So Jesus goes further.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 In verse 36, Jesus said this.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:09 Jesus took a little child, saying,
00:11:10 --> 00:11:14 saying while embracing, hugging the child,
00:11:15 --> 00:11:21 whoever comes, whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me,
00:11:21 --> 00:11:24 and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me,
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 but the one who sent me.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:33 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:36 and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 but the one who sent me.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:42 What is your attitude towards children in general,
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 or anyone of a lower social status than you?
00:11:47 --> 00:11:51 How do you normally treat those in the service industry,
00:11:52 --> 00:11:56 like the bus driver or taxi driver,
00:11:56 --> 00:12:00 or even those waiters in the restaurant?
00:12:01 --> 00:12:05 What about those people that clean the tray in the food court,
00:12:06 --> 00:12:09 or people that clean the toilet in the shopping center?
00:12:09 --> 00:12:15 Do you feel grateful that they have provided you with a service
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 by cleaning your table,
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 so you can have your lunch quickly and get back to your work?
00:12:21 --> 00:12:27 Do you sincerely express your gratitude for what they have done for you?
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 Or do you feel like,
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 I'm a paid customer.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 I deserve to be served.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 I should not have to be waiting for more than 15 minutes,
00:12:36 --> 00:12:40 especially if I have made a reservation for my table.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 They should clean it up quickly and let me sit down and eat.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:50 And if the service is any less than my expectation,
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 I will go on to those who feel bored,
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 and write all about it,
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 so that people don't go again anymore.
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 Do you have the attitude of saying,
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 well, if they don't know how to serve me,
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 they shouldn't be in business.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:06 Jesus said,
00:13:06 --> 00:13:11 whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me,
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 but the one who sent me.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:21 All humans on earth are created in the image of God
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 and under God's care.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:27 God cares for everyone of his creation,
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 especially those that are harassed and helpless.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:49 It does not matter where they're from
00:13:49 --> 00:13:52 or what they have done in their life.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 We are to welcome and receive them
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 because in doing so,
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 we are welcoming and receiving the one who sent Jesus,
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 which is God the Father himself.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 Do you embrace and accept other people
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 that are of a lower status than you?
00:14:10 --> 00:14:13 Or are you only associated with those people
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 that you think will benefit you,
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 those people that you can get something in return?
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 How do you treat other people?
00:14:22 --> 00:14:25 It will not just affect your relationship with them.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 It will affect your relationship with God
00:14:28 --> 00:14:33 and even eventually their relationship with God
00:14:33 --> 00:14:36 as they see your good representation
00:14:36 --> 00:14:40 or your bad representation that you present.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:46 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me,
00:14:46 --> 00:14:49 and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me,
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 but the one who sent me.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:54 Do you decide whether you welcome or accept someone?
00:14:54 --> 00:14:58 How do you decide whether you welcome or accept someone or not?
00:14:59 --> 00:15:03 Mark told us that the apostle John
00:15:03 --> 00:15:07 made his decision based on whether that person is one of them.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 Let's look at verse 38.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:14 Teacher, said John,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 and we told him to stop
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 because he was not one of us.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:26 As we follow along Jesus and his disciples from Mark,
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 from chapter 1,
00:15:28 --> 00:15:32 we saw that John is among the very first group of disciples
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 that are being called,
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 along with James, Andrew, and Peter.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:39 Then Jesus named another eight,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 which are known as the twelve,
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 back from chapter 3.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 After that, we were told
00:15:45 --> 00:15:48 Jesus fed about 5 people in one occasion,
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 and then another 4 in another occasion.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:55 Large crowds was following Jesus wherever he goes.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 Mark in chapter 6 also tells us
00:15:58 --> 00:16:01 that Jesus sent out the twelve in pairs
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 in pairs to preach the good news
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 and her authority over the impure spirit.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 When John said,
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 this person who is driving out demons in Jesus' name
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 was not one of us,
00:16:14 --> 00:16:17 he might be referring to this person
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 is not one of the twelve.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 But nonetheless,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:25 this person is successfully driving out demons
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 in Jesus' name.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:31 So let's listen to how Jesus replied to John.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 Let's keep on reading from verse 39.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 Do not stop him, Jesus said,
00:16:38 --> 00:16:41 for no one who does the miracle in my name
00:16:41 --> 00:16:45 can in the next moment say anything bad about me.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 For whoever is not against us is for us.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 Truly I tell you,
00:16:51 --> 00:16:54 anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 because you belong to the Messiah
00:16:56 --> 00:16:59 will certainly not lose their reward.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:04 Jesus had given his precious life
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 for each one of us
00:17:05 --> 00:17:08 so that we no longer live for ourselves
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 but for the gospel.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:14 If we truly understand the meaning of the cross,
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 it will help us to rejoice
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 when we see the kingdom of God advancing
00:17:19 --> 00:17:22 and Jesus' name being lifted up
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 because miracle being achieved
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 in the name of God.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 The greatest miracle
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 is when someone comes to know
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 what Jesus has done for them
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 and decides to accept Jesus
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 as their King and Lord.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 When people
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 willingly,
00:17:41 --> 00:17:44 willing to do whatever Jesus tells them to do
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 or go wherever Jesus tells them to go,
00:17:46 --> 00:17:50 the greatest miracle
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 is when the preference of their life
00:17:52 --> 00:17:56 no longer based on their own comfort or convenience.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 The greatest miracle
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 is when someone becomes a true follower of Jesus.
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 A true follower of Jesus
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 is someone who made their life decision
00:18:07 --> 00:18:10 based on whatever is the most beneficial
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 for the work of the gospel.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:15 Every little thing you do,
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 no matter how significant you think they are,
00:18:19 --> 00:18:23 can and will bring honor to Almighty God.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 Jesus said,
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 Jesus in verse 41
00:18:26 --> 00:18:30 tell us again that He is the Messiah.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 He reminds us that He is the King
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 that does not sit on the throne
00:18:35 --> 00:18:38 but went to the cross to give up His life.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:42 And through that He gives us life.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 Every little thing you do,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 no matter how significant you think they are,
00:18:49 --> 00:18:52 can and will bring honor to our King.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 A sincere smile or thank you
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 to those who serve you.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 Treating both your superior
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 and your inferior at work with respect.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 Showing appreciation to your spouse and children
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 that supported your career move.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 For the honor and glory of God,
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 every little thing you do,
00:19:15 --> 00:19:18 no matter how significant you think they are,
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 matters.
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 Especially things that you do
00:19:23 --> 00:19:26 to people you consider as not one of us.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 People that believe in Jesus
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 and trying to live their life
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 according to His word
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 are precious to God.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:39 That is why Jesus said in verse 42,
00:19:40 --> 00:19:43 If anyone causes one of these little ones,
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 those who believe in me,
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 to stumble,
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 it will be better for them
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 if a large male stone
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 be hung around their neck
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 and they were thrown into the sea.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 How do we cause those
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 who believe in Jesus to stumble?
00:19:58 --> 00:20:01 Let's look back at verse 39 to 41.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:07 By stopping someone
00:20:07 --> 00:20:11 By stopping someone serving God,
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 we can cause them to stumble.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:20 By stopping someone from serving God
00:20:20 --> 00:20:23 because you think they are not as good as you,
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 we can cause them to stumble.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:30 By saying bad things about Jesus
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 or someone else,
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 we can cause them to stumble.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 By pushing for ideas
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 that is against the majority
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 of the brothers and sisters in church
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 that have accepted,
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 we can cause people to stumble.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:47 By not acknowledging the work of the Messiah
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 and willingly serve each other,
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 we can also cause people to stumble.
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 Jesus said,
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 If anyone causes those
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 who believe in him,
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 especially those who seem
00:20:58 --> 00:21:01 in the body of the believer,
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 to stumble,
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 it will be better for them
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 to be thrown into the sea
00:21:05 --> 00:21:07 with large male stone
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 around their neck.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:12 He then used a repetition again
00:21:12 --> 00:21:14 to bring out a very important point.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:16 Let's look at verse 43 to 48.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:22 If your hand causes you to stumble,
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 cut it off.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 It's better for you
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 to enter live men
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 than with two hands
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 to go into hell
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 where the fire lever goes out.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 And if your foot causes you
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 to stumble,
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 cut it off.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 It's better for you
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 to enter live cripple
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 than to have two feet
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 and be thrown into hell.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 And if your eyes cause you
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 to stumble,
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 pluck it out.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 It's better for you
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 to enter the kingdom of God
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 with one eye
00:21:49 --> 00:21:51 than to have two eyes
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 and be thrown into hell
00:21:52 --> 00:21:54 where the worms
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 that eat them do not die
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 and the fire is not cringe.
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 Everyone will be salted
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 with fire.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 Your hand,
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 your foot,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 your eye,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 all part of the same body.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 Some Bible commentators
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 say that
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 your hand symbolize
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 what you do.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:17 The foot symbolize
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 where we go
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 and the eyes
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 what we see.
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 If what you do,
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 where you go,
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 and what you see
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 cause you to stumble,
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 it's better to clean up
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 your life
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 and cut off
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 those harmful practices
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 than to be ended
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 in hell.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 Thinking back to last week,
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 linking back
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 to the first prediction,
00:22:39 --> 00:22:41 it's better to deny yourself
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 and take up your cross
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 than to be thrown into hell
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 where the fire never goes out.
00:22:47 --> 00:22:49 The worms that eat the body
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 do not die
00:22:50 --> 00:22:52 and the fire is not cringe.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 Fire and hell
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 are so closely related
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 in this passage.
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 So what does it mean
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 in verse 49
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 that everyone
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 will be salted with fire?
00:23:03 --> 00:23:06 It means that
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 even though
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 we have been saved
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 by Jesus
00:23:08 --> 00:23:11 and we have eternal life
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 as our future hope,
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 we need to remember
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 that we have been
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 brought through
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 from death
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 to life.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 Verse 50,
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 keep on saying,
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 salt is good,
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 but if it
00:23:25 --> 00:23:27 loses its saltiness,
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 how can you
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 make it salty again?
00:23:29 --> 00:23:32 No one can.
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 We can't.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 We can't be good
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 by ourselves.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 It was made possible
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 only by the precious
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 life of Jesus,
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 willingly sacrificed
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 on the cross.
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 It is Jesus
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 who make it possible
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 for us
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 to enter life
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 and enter the kingdom.
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 He loses
00:23:51 --> 00:23:54 his goodness
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 on the cross
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 because he
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 bears our sin,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 and God
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 made him good
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 again
00:23:58 --> 00:24:00 by raising him
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 from the dead.
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 What is impossible
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 for man
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 is made possible
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 in God.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 Everything
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 is possible
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 for one
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 or the one
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 who believes
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 in him.
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 So have salt
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 among yourself
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 and be at peace
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 with each other.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 If something
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 is repeated
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 in the Bible,
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 make sure
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 you take note.
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 Jesus died
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 and raised again
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 to make it possible
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 for us to be good
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 and for us
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 to share this good news
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 with others.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 Anyone
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 who wants to be first
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 must be the very last
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 and servant of all.
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 Every little thing
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 you do,
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 no matter how significant
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 you think they are,
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 can and will bring
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 honor
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 and glory
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 to our gracious
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 King,
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 the Messiah,
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 Jesus Christ,
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 our Lord.