00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 Today we are continuing on in our series in the Gospel According to Mark.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 And Mark's Gospel is primarily split into two sections.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:14 And it's very neat at one level, it's 16 chapters in the whole Gospel.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:21 And the first chapter, first section, ends in the eighth chapter, the chapter before us today,
00:00:21 --> 00:00:25 and transitions into the second part of the Gospel.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:34 And the first part of the Gospel is really Mark is concerned with showing us the authority of Jesus.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 We see that when he first appears, he teaches with authority.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 The people in the Capernaum synagogue, they said they'd never heard anything like this.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:50 This man teaches not like the scribes or the teachers of the law, but he teaches with authority.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 And so he had an authoritative word that he was bringing.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:59 He would speak often through parables, and he would speak out truths of the kingdom of God.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:06 He would speak about lampstands and mustard seeds, and he'd speak about lamps on tables.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 He'd speak about sheeps and goats.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:15 But all the time, speaking out truths of the kingdom of God in easy-to-understand language
00:01:15 --> 00:01:19 that people would relate to for those who would hear.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 He had authority to forgive sin.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:31 You might remember when they lowered the lame man through the roof, Jesus said,
00:01:31 --> 00:01:32 Son, your sins are forgiven.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:37 And the Pharisees took issue with this and said, no one can forgive sin except God alone.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:44 But Jesus said, well, so that you might know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin,
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 he told the guy, get up, take your mat, and go home.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 And so the Son of Man had authority to forgive sin.
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 He had authority over demons and unclean spirits,
00:01:57 --> 00:02:04 so much so that often on many occasions, the people who were possessed by them,
00:02:04 --> 00:02:10 when they were in his presence, they would fall down on their knees when they saw Jesus,
00:02:10 --> 00:02:14 a little bit like someone would fall down on their knees when they were confronted with a king.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 So he had authority over demons.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 The demons knew who he was.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 When they would see him, they would often exclaim,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 we know who you are, you're the Son of God.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 And Jesus would command them to be quiet.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 So he had authority over unclean spirits,
00:02:31 --> 00:02:35 even over the demoniac from Gethsemane,
00:02:36 --> 00:02:40 when that man who could not be bound by chains or iron fetters,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:42 whenever he was bound, he would just snap them.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 He lived in the tombs.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 He cried out night and day.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 But when he was confronted by Jesus Christ,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 even when he was still at a distance,
00:02:50 --> 00:02:51 he fell on his knees.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 And he said, I know who you are.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:54 What do you want with me?
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 He knew straight away that this was the Son of God,
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 and he knew the authority that this man had,
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 and asked him not to torture him.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 So he had authority over evil spirits.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 He had authority over sicknesses, all manner of sicknesses.
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 He cured paralytics.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 He made the lame person walk.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 He, on one occasion, put his fingers in a deaf man's ears,
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 and he unblocked his ears,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:21 and then fruits so he could hear,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 and loosened his tongue so he could speak again.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 He opened the eyes of the blind.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 So he had authority over all different diseases and sicknesses.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 He cured a woman who had an issue of blood since she was young.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 He had authority over life and death.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 And he raised in Mark,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 in the lead up to chapter 8,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 we see that he raises Jairus' daughter from the dead.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 So Jesus had this incredible authority,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:54 and Mark is really interested in helping us to understand
00:03:54 --> 00:03:58 the authority that Jesus Christ has.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 And so he has this authority.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:06 He has authority to feed great crowds from small amounts of food.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 He fed the 5,
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 and he only had five loaves,
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 and he had two fish.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 And he fed a crowd of 5 men,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 which would have been a lot more when you add women and children.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 So he fed a large crowd.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 He had authority to feed this crowd.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 And he also had authority over the elements,
00:04:30 --> 00:04:34 so much so that one time when he was asleep in the stern of the boat,
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 and the disciples were there,
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 and they were rowing away,
00:04:38 --> 00:04:39 and the waves started to come up,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 and the wind started to pick up,
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 and the waves came into the boat,
00:04:42 --> 00:04:43 and they said,
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Jesus, don't you care that we're all going to die in here?
00:04:47 --> 00:04:48 And he said,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 don't be afraid.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:50 Where's your faith?
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 And he said,
00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 quiet, be still,
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 and the storm was completely still,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 and the water was absolutely placid.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 And so all this is with a view.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:05 Mark is showing us the authority of Jesus Christ in the first half.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 He's really showing these things to us,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 so it will draw the question from us,
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 who is this man?
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 Who is this man?
00:05:15 --> 00:05:16 As the disciples said,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 that the wind and the waves obey him.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 Who is this man?
00:05:20 --> 00:05:24 And so that's the first section of the Gospel of Mark,
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 and as we go through chapter 8 today,
00:05:26 --> 00:05:31 we will see that there is the transition from the first section of the Gospel
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 into the second section of the Gospel.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 And the passage before us today,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:41 it starts out with an interesting story about another crowd,
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 a crowd of 4 this time.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 And, you know,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 some theologians have thought that it's not,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 it's the same account as the other one,
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 of the feeding of the 5.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 But that can't be so,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 because it's in a different geographical location.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 There's distinct differences in the details.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 There's only 4 men in this one.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 There's 5 in the other.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 They're sitting on the ground and not the grass.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 After he,
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 on this occasion,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 the feeding of the 5,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 it was five loaves
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 and two fish that he fed the crowd with.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 On this occasion,
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 it's 12 loaves and a few small fish.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 And so there's distinct differences.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 When he has fed the crowd,
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 he picks up a different amount of baskets,
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 seven large baskets after this feeding
00:06:28 --> 00:06:32 and 12 baskets after the feeding of the 5.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 So there are these distinct differences
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 which show us
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 that this is definitely,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 definitely a different occasion.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:40 However,
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 there are also incredible similarities.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 Now, when Jesus performs miracles,
00:06:47 --> 00:06:47 he,
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 I don't know,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 and if I had Jesus' power,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 I think I would go around
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 changing a Hyundai XL
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 into a Nissan GTR
00:06:56 --> 00:06:57 or something like that.
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 But when Jesus performs miracles,
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 it's very, very different to our use
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 of how we would perform them.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 So he's not just performing miracles,
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 but he's also teaching people
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 at the same time.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 He's teaching people
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 and he's teaching his disciples
00:07:13 --> 00:07:14 things they need to see.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 And on this occasion,
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 the key to this passage,
00:07:21 --> 00:07:21 so for instance,
00:07:22 --> 00:07:22 sorry,
00:07:23 --> 00:07:23 you know,
00:07:23 --> 00:07:23 he says,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:25 I am the light of the world
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 and then he opens a blind man's eyes
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 who has been living in the darkness
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 all his life.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 He says in John's account
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 of the feeding of the 5,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 he says
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 that he is the bread of God.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 He's the manna from heaven.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 And he says that he is the bread of life.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 He says,
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 anyone who comes to me
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 will never hunger
00:07:46 --> 00:07:47 and he who believes in me
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 will never thirst.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 So there's always this thing
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 that Jesus is trying to show
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 something other
00:07:53 --> 00:07:57 than just meeting some sort of need.
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 But no doubt,
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 as we look at the passage today,
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 there is a need of these people.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 They've been traveling three days.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 Jesus has compassion on them
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 and he wants to feed them.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 But there's a deeper reason
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 that he wants to produce
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 such a similar miracle
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 to one he produced back in chapter six
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 very recently.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:17 And that is,
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 if we look back at chapter six
00:08:19 --> 00:08:19 and we have a look
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 at what happened after
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 Jesus fed the 5,
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 he sends the disciples ahead of him.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 He sends them off to Bethsaida.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 And so they're out on the lake
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 and they're rowing away on the lake.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 And it's a different occasion
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 to the one where the wind
00:08:34 --> 00:08:35 and the waves come in,
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 but the wind is against them.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 And the wind is blowing
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 the other direction.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 The disciples are rowing really hard
00:08:41 --> 00:08:44 and Jesus can see them from the shore
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 that they're not really getting that far.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 And he decides
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 in the fourth watch of the night,
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 he's going to walk out
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 on the lake to meet them.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 And so Jesus walks out.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 He walks out to see the disciples
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 in the middle of the lake
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 and they get a shock.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 They're terrified.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 They scream in terror
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 because they think they've seen a ghost.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 And Jesus says,
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 well, take courage.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 Don't be afraid.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 It's just me.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 And so the disciples are just stunned.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 And Jesus gets in the boat.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 The wind dies down.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:14 And it says,
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 the disciples were utterly amazed.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 And then the next verse
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 is what gives us the key
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 to the beginning of our chapter today.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 It says,
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 the reason they were amazed
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 was for they did not understand
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 about the loaves
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 because their hearts were hardened.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:36 They didn't understand the miracle
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 because their hearts were hardened.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 So here Jesus is needing
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 to show them something.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 He's needing to teach them a lesson
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 a second time,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 which they haven't quite got right
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 the first time.
00:09:48 --> 00:09:51 And as we follow the passage through,
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 you will see that that theme
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 is actually repeated
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 in the miracle he performs
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 with the blind man.
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 There's a blind man there
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 and they go to Bethsaida
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 and there's a blind man
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 and the people bring
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 this blind man to him.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 The blind man,
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 Jesus takes him out of the village
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 and it looks like
00:10:10 --> 00:10:14 that Jesus has performed a healing
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 which didn't actually quite work.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 So he spits on the man's eyes.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 He lays his hands on him.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 But the guy,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:23 he says,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 look up,
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 what do you see?
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 And the guy says,
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 well, I see men
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 but they look like trees
00:10:29 --> 00:10:29 walking around.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:33 So it hasn't quite worked.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 You see,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 what's happening here
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 is that Jesus
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 is using this illustration
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 to show the disciples
00:10:42 --> 00:10:45 something that has just happened
00:10:45 --> 00:10:45 with them.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 They needed to see
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 that miracle a second time
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 because Jesus was trying
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 to teach them
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 that he is all sufficient.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:54 Now,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 it doesn't quite pay off
00:10:55 --> 00:10:58 because as we follow past
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 the miracle,
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 we have a look
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 and there's the Pharisees
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 and they're testing Jesus,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 disputing with him,
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 demanding a sign.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:07 I mean,
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 probably some of them were present
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 and saw the feeding of the 5
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 but they're demanding a sign.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:12 They want to test him.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 They're not wanting to use faith.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 They just want to see
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 to believe.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 And Jesus says,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 a wicked and adulterous,
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 well,
00:11:21 --> 00:11:21 he says,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 this generation wants a sign
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 but none will be given to it.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 It says in the Matthew version,
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 I think it is,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 a wicked and adulterous generation
00:11:30 --> 00:11:30 wants,
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 seeks a sign
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 but none will be given to it
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 except the sign of Jonah.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 He also calls them,
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 in the other versions,
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 in Luke and Matthew,
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 he calls them hypocrites
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 and he says,
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 you know,
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 you see,
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 you see the sky
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 when it's red at night
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 and you instantly know
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 that it's going to be
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 a fine day the next day.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 You see the sky
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 and it's red in the morning
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 and you know
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 that it's going to be,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 that it's going to rain.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 So you can interpret those signs
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 and yet,
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 how is it you can't interpret
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 the sign of the times?
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 And then he also,
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 in the other version,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 says you can see
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 a cloud off in the distance
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 in the west
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 and you know
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 that rain's coming
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 when you see that
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 but if you see
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 a wind blowing
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 from the south,
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 you know that it's going
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 to be a hot day.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 So you can interpret
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 these signs
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 but you cannot
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 interpret the sign
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 of the times.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 So,
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 Jesus is quite disturbed
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 about this,
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 that the Pharisees
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 are asking for the sign,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 he refuses to give it to them
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 and then he says
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 to the disciples
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 who happen to have
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 just had one loaf of bread
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 on them at the time,
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 watch out for the yeast
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 or the leaven
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 of the Pharisees
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 and that of Herod.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 And so the disciples
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 sort of,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 it's almost comical
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 in a way
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 when you look at it,
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 the disciples start
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 talking amongst themselves
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 and they say,
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 oh,
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 he's saying that
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 because we don't have
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 any bread,
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 we forgot to buy bread.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 And Jesus is just amazed,
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 he's like,
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 he's like,
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 guys,
00:13:00 --> 00:13:00 don't you get it yet?
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 Do you not understand?
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 Do you have eyes
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 but don't see?
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 Do you have ears
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 but don't hear?
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 Don't you remember?
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 And he talks about,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 he brings to memory
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 the two miracles
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 that have taken place
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 and he brings them
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 back to memory
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 and it's then
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 that all of a sudden
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 after performing
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 the miracle
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 on the blind man
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 that the disciples
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 have now finally got it.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 They've finally learnt
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 the lesson.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 And so as we come down
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 the passage,
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 he's talking just quickly
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 back there,
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 he talks about
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 the yeast of the Pharisees
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 and the yeast of Herod,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 the yeast of the Pharisees.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 Well,
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 that's the yeast of,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 we learn in Matthew's version
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 that that is their doctrine.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 The yeast of the Pharisees
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 is their doctrine.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 Yeast was often spoken about
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 in the scriptures
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 as something which goes in
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 and then works its way
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 through the whole batch of dough.
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 And so he's saying,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 beware of this doctrine
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 of the Pharisees.
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 The doctrine of the Pharisees
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 is of course
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 that they want to see signs,
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 they want proof,
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 they don't want to use faith
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 and they don't want a righteousness
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 which is by faith,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 they want a righteousness
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 by what they do.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 And so this is the yeast
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 of the Pharisees.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 The yeast of Herod
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 is slightly different.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 You might remember that Herod,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 he arrests John the Baptist
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 because John the Baptist
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 had been telling him
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 it was unlawful
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 for him to marry
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 his brother's wife.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 And because he was saying
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 it's unlawful for you
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 to marry your brother's wife
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and Herod went ahead
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 and married his brother's wife
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 anyway, Herodias.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 Herodias was out to get
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 John the Baptist from then on
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 when John the Baptist
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 was in prison.
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 Herodias wanted him killed.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 But Herod protected
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 John the Baptist
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 and it says that he
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 liked to listen to him
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 although when he listened
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 to him he was greatly puzzled.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 So here's a man,
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 it says Herod knew
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 John was a holy man
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 and so Herod knows
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 that John the Baptist
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 he's a holy man,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 he knows he's bringing
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 the word of God
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 but he's not listening
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 to the word of God.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 He's somebody who just
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 hears the word of God
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 but it just goes
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 straight over their head
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 and he's got no interest
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 in that word
00:15:17 --> 00:15:20 actually impacting his life
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 or his actions.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 So that's the yeast
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 yeast of the Pharisees
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 and the yeast of Herod
00:15:25 --> 00:15:28 slight detour there
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 sorry
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 but now going back
00:15:30 --> 00:15:33 to the passage here
00:15:33 --> 00:15:36 Jesus now has got
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 the disciples
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 into the place
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 he wants them to be in
00:15:40 --> 00:15:43 he says to them
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 who do people
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 after he's healed
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 the blind man
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 he says who do people
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 say that I am
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 and they say
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 well some say
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 that you're John the Baptist
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 others say Elijah
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 still others say
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 you're one of the prophets
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 and he says
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 but who do you say I am
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 and Peter says
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 well you're the Christ
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 bingo
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 they've finally got it
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 they can finally see
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 who Jesus is
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 they finally understand
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 who this man is
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 and this is how
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 we conclude
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 the first section
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 of the Gospel of Mark
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 is with the disciples
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 at last
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 understanding
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 and seeing clearly
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 who Jesus is
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 but
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 it doesn't last long
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 that moment of glory
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 because straight after
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 Jesus begins to tell them
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 all that he must suffer
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 he says that he will be
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 rejected by the elders
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 and the chief priests
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 and the teachers of the law
00:16:38 --> 00:16:40 and that he will be killed
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 and that he will be raised
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 on the third day
00:16:42 --> 00:16:45 and Peter takes him aside
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 and he says
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 Lord
00:16:46 --> 00:16:48 far be it from you
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 he rebukes him
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 it says in Mark
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 but in Matthew
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 it says
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 he says
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 far be it from you
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 Lord
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 this shall never happen to you
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 and
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 Jesus
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 immediately
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 sees
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 what is going on
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 and
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 we might
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 hear what Jesus
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 says
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 as get behind me
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 Satan
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 as a
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 as a harsh
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 comment
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 but when we think
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 it through
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 that is exactly
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 exactly
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 where those words
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 have come from
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 because what Peter
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 is suggesting
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 is that Jesus
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 will never have to suffer
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 that Jesus
00:17:21 --> 00:17:21 will never have to go
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 to the cross
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 and if Jesus
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 never goes to the cross
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 then humanity
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 is all
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 every single one of us
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 are on our way
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 to hell
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 so what Peter
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 is suggesting
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 is contrary
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 to the plan
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 of God
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 for saving
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 humanity
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 and so of course
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 Jesus response
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 to that
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 is to say
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 get behind me
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 Satan
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 because that
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 that comment
00:17:46 --> 00:17:48 is from the pit
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 of hell
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 he says
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 you don't have
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 your heart
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 on the things
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 of God
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 you've got your
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 heart on the things
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 of man
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 there's no neutral
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 zone
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 you're either
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 set on God
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 or you're not
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 we've either got to be
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 people of the word
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 or we will be
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 people of the world
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 we have to make
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 a choice there
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 and we have to keep
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 on reminding
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 ourselves
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 of who this man
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 is
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 this Jesus
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 and what he
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 has done
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 for us
00:18:12 --> 00:18:15 so the disciples
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 hadn't quite
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 got that
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 and so the rest
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 of the gospel
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 of Mark
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 is about
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 why Jesus
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 came
00:18:21 --> 00:18:24 and that's
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 what the other
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 guys will be
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 following up
00:18:26 --> 00:18:26 on
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 but Jesus
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 says if anyone
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 wants to follow
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 me he has to
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 carry he has to
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 deny himself
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 and carry his
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 cross daily
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 and that means
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 that we have
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 to be people
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 who are willing
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 to suffer
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 in Romans
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 chapter 8
00:18:42 --> 00:18:42 it says
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 we will be
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 glorified with him
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 it says that
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 we will share
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 in his inheritance
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 if we live by the
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 spirit then we are
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 sons
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 and it says
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 if sons
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 then co-heirs
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 and if co-heirs
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 then we will share
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 in his glory
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 so long as
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 we share
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 in his sufferings
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 and so this
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 is the walk
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 of a Christian
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 the more we want
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 to serve God
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 the more we want
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 to stand in the
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 truth
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 the more we want
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 to live for Jesus
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 and the more we want
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 to live by the
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 spirit
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 the more the world
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 will come at us
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 the more the devil
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 will come at us
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 the more everything
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 will come at us
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 to stop us
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 and we will
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 suffer
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 there is no question
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 if you give your
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 life to Jesus
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 and you are determined
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 to live for him
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 and live in the truth
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 you will
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 suffer
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 Jesus learnt
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 obedience it says
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 in Hebrews
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 through what he
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 suffered
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 and of course
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 that doesn't mean
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 that Jesus learnt
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 how to be obedient
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 it doesn't mean
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 he didn't know
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 how to be obedient
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 he was perfectly
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 obedient
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 but what it says
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 is he learnt
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 the content
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 of what it was
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 to be obedient
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 through the things
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 that he suffered
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 he saw that
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 to be obedient
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 to the father
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 he had to go
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 to the cross
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 he had to give
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 his life
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 he had to be
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 beaten and spat on
00:19:58 --> 00:20:01 that's what
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 obedience cost
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 and
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 so this is
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 what the disciples
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 hadn't seen
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 but we also
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 can be
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 in a position
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 on this side
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 of the cross
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 it would be
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 true to say
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 that the disciples
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 never really
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 saw it
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 until Pentecost
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 you might remember
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 in Acts chapter 1
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 verse 6
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 when Jesus
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 is about to ascend
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 he says
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 to the disciples
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 say to him
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 at this point
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 Lord are you going
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 to restore the kingdom
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 to Israel
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 they're still
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 looking for
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 this earthly
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 victory
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 they are still
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 looking for
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 a kingdom
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 of this world
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 and that Jesus
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 will overthrow
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 the Roman army
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 and that Israel
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 will be restored
00:20:41 --> 00:20:43 and Jesus
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 says well it's
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 not for you
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 to know the
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 times and places
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 that the father
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 has put in place
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 times and seasons
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 that the father
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 has put in place
00:20:51 --> 00:20:55 and he says
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 but you'll be
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 given power
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 when the Holy
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 Spirit comes
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 on you
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 and so it's
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 not until they
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 receive the Holy
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 Spirit
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 but when they
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 receive the Holy
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 Spirit
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 there's Peter
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 and he's telling
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 out the great
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 things of God
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 he can't hold
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 it in
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 the Holy Spirit
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 comes upon him
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 and all of a
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 sudden
00:21:12 --> 00:21:14 everything makes
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 sense
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 all of a sudden
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 he's given a
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 revelation of the
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 cross
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 he's given a
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 revelation
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 of how that
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 fits in with
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 his understanding
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 of the Old
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 Testament
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 and his eyes
00:21:22 --> 00:21:24 are fully opened
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 to the realities
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 of the kingdom
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 of God
00:21:26 --> 00:21:30 and we can
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 even though we
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 are Christians
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 and we have
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 the Holy Spirit
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 we can quench
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 the Spirit
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 we can grieve
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 the Spirit
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 we have to keep
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 reminding ourselves
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 of the great truths
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 that we are in
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 the eternities
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 that we are in
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 we have to keep
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 reminding ourselves
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 that we worship
00:21:44 --> 00:21:46 a risen man
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 we worship
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 a risen Christ
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 we do not worship
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 a dead Messiah
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 and we don't worship
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 somebody who's way
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 off in the ether
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 we worship somebody
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 who is alive
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 and present to us
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 and the fact
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 that he is risen
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 means that we too
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 will rise from the dead
00:22:01 --> 00:22:03 the fact that we have
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 his Holy Spirit
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 guarantees us
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 of the resurrection
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 we have
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 and we have to be
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 focused on that
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 we have to keep
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 refreshing ourselves
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 with who we already are
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 not with what we have
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 to do in the future
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 but with what God
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 has already done
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 for us
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 in Christ
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 that's what we have
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 to refresh ourselves
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 with
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 and in so doing
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 we will live
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 accordingly
00:22:24 --> 00:22:26 to what we believe
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 because our faith
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 is inseparable
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 from our works
00:22:29 --> 00:22:32 Peter puts it this way
00:22:32 --> 00:22:34 he says in his first epistle
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 in 2 Peter
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 sorry in his second epistle
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 2 Peter chapter 1
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 he says
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 for this reason
00:22:39 --> 00:22:41 make every effort
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 to add to your faith
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 goodness
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 to goodness
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 knowledge
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 to knowledge
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 self-control
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 to self-control
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 perseverance
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 to perseverance
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 godliness
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 to godliness
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 brotherly kindness
00:22:52 --> 00:22:54 to brotherly kindness
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 love
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 he says
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 for if these are with you
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 in increasing measure
00:22:58 --> 00:23:00 you will neither be unproductive
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 or ineffective
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 in your knowledge
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 of Jesus Christ
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 and he says
00:23:03 --> 00:23:05 but anyone who lacks
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 these qualities
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 anyone who lacks
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 these qualities
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 is nearsighted
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 to the point
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 of blindness
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 and has forgotten
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 they have been cleansed
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 from their past sins
00:23:17 --> 00:23:19 you see
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 it is the grace
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 of God
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 and being refreshed
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 in the grace
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 of God
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 and being reminded
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 of the cross
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 being reminded
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 of the great eternities
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 that gives us
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 a dynamic power
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 from within
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 to live
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 according to those
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 things that we've
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 been brought into
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 Colossians 3
00:23:35 --> 00:23:37 Paul says
00:23:37 --> 00:23:39 you know
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 set your mind
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 on things above
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 where your life
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 is hidden with Christ
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 not on things below
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 he says
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 for your life
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 sorry
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 for your life
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 is hidden
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 with Christ
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 in God
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 so set your mind
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 on those things
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 that are above
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 because that is
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 where the reality
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 is
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 our eternal reality
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 is
00:23:57 --> 00:23:59 in the heavenly realms
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 we've been raised
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 with Christ
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 we will be raised
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 with Christ
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 but we've been raised
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 with Christ
00:24:03 --> 00:24:05 and seated with him
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 in the heavenly realms
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 so that is where we are
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 that is who we are
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 that needs to be
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 our focus
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 that needs to be
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 what we keep
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 in our sight
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 and
00:24:15 --> 00:24:18 I think
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 let me pray
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 I'll leave it at that
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 God bless you
00:24:21 --> 00:24:24 Father
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 thank you for what
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 you have done
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 for us
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 in Christ
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 thank you
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 that
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 you are so patient
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 with us
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 thank you
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 that
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 with the disciples
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 you even perform
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 the miracle
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 a second time
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 just so they would
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 understand
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 what they needed
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 to learn
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 Lord
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 so often
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 we need to learn
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 things a second
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 and third
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 and fourth time
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 but you bear
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 with us
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 Father
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 and we are
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 just so grateful
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 we ask Lord
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 as we go into
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 the week ahead
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 that Lord
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 you will just
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 give us
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 just eyes
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 to see what
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 you brought us
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 into already
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 help us to keep
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 focused on things
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 which are going to
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 remind us of the
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 reality of who
00:24:58 --> 00:25:00 we are in you
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 and we ask this
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 in Jesus precious
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 name
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 Amen
00:25:03 --> 00:25:15 in Jesus
00:25:15 --> 00:25:17 and we are in you
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 and we are in you
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 that
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 to do
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 love we are in you
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 wise to
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 vent
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 God
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 love we are in you
00:25:25 --> 00:25:28 and you are my
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 Lord
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 and you politically