Music...
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Welcome to 3ABN
Australia Homecoming.
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Music...
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Thank you for joining
us... 3ABN Australia Homecoming
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at Avondale Memorial Church
in New South Wales, Australia
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and we're glad that you
could be with us all today.
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Today, we have a
fantastic program, Ryan,
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we're sure that
you're going to be happy.
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One of the leading
evangelists in Australia
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will be speaking to us,
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his name is Geoff Youlden
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and he has a program
on Focus on God's Word
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that we did
quite some time ago...
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15 years I think...
something like that,
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that program is still
being aired around the world
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and is still
bringing people to the Lord
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so, I'm looking forward to
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what Pastor Geoff
Youlden has to present to us
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and his topic is:
Knowing God as Savior.
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Who's doing the special item?
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Absolutely, you
know, I heard this group
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just a few moments ago,
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there's going to be a
fantastic group to come out here
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in just a few moments.
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The title of the
group is: Redeemed.
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In fact, when I saw
it, I thought of that song,
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"Redeemed how I
love to proclaim it... "
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I'm sure they sing that
song, it's a beautiful song,
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but "Redeemed"
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and they're going to be
singing a special number for us
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entitled: To Him
That Sits on the Throne.
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Thank you.
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Pause...
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more pause...
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some more pause...
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To Him Who sits on the throne
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and to the Lamb
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Be praise and
honor and glory and power
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To Him who sits on
the throne and to the Lamb
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Be praise and
honor and glory and power
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For ever and ever
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For ever and ever..
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For ever and ever...
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For ever and ever
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For ever and ever..
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For ever and ever...
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To Him who sits on the throne
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and to the Lamb
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Be praise and
honor and glory and power
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To Him who sits on the throne
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and to the Lamb
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Be praise and
honor and glory and power
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Forever and ever
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For ever and ever..
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For ever and ever...
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For ever and ever
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For ever and ever...
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For ever and ever
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To Him who sits on the throne
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and to the Lamb
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Be praise and
honor and glory and power
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Amen, Amen,
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Amen, Amen
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Amen, Amen...
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Amen
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Amen.
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Audience: Amen... clapping.
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Pause.
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Well I know that you have
been blessed by: Redeemed.
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In my church in
Stanmore in Sydney,
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they are members of our church
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so you can begin to appreciate
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the good music that
comes from Stanmore.
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Today, in our Series,
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we are continuing on: On
Knowing God as our Savior.
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The more I study the gospels,
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the more I am getting convinced
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on the wonders of
the way Jesus spoke...
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how He taught people
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and every preacher
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that's got a little
bit of intelligence,
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realizes that Jesus is the base
upon which we model ourselves
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and today I want to look at one
of the most amazing incidents
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in the life of Jesus that
illustrates Jesus as our Savior.
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Would you open your
Bibles with me please
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to John the 8th chapter...
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Mathew, Mark, Luke and
John... the 8th chapter...
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and I want to read a story
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that's very, very
familiar to everybody here,
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in fact, it's probably
one of the best known stories
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in the New Testament
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simply because it
deals with an issue
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that we're all
very familiar with.
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John chapter 8 and verse 1.
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"But Jesus went to
the Mount of Olives.
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Now, early in the morning
He came again into the temple
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and all the people came to Him,
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and He sat down
and taught them. "
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If you can just imagine...
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and what I try to do
when I'm reading these stories
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is to put
myself into the picture
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and I try to
imagine the situation,
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Jesus has just come down
from the Mount of Olives,
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the temple is in front of Him
glistening there in the sunlight
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the early morning sunlight...
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and He comes down... and the
people join Him by the hundreds
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and He's sitting there and
He's beginning to teach them
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all about the things of God
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when suddenly,
something happens,
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verse 3...
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"Then the scribes and
Pharisees brought to Him a woman
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caught in adultery
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and when they had set her
in the midst, they said to Him,
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'Teacher, this woman
was caught in adultery...
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in the very act.
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Now, Moses and the Law commanded
us that such should be stoned,
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what do you say?'
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Then they said testing Him
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that they might have something
of which to accuse Him. "
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Now, once again,
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if you can
imagine this poor lady,
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the whole thing was a setup,
there's no question about that
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and they had dragged her...
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you can imagine
her hair is disheveled,
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probably she's
wrapped in a sheet.
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I would like to think
she was wrapped in a sheet.
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Some would suggest
that she was naked.
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Pause.
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And they dragged her
out in front of the crowd
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and they began to make
these accusations against her,
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now, they had no care
for the woman, whatsoever.
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The only
purpose they had in mind
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when they brought this woman
to Jesus was to trap Jesus.
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I mean, after all, if they had
been concerned about the woman,
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they would have come
on their own to Jesus
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without the crowd...
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or, it may be
even better to suggest
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that they talked to Jesus
on His own about the situation,
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but they were
trying to trap Jesus
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and they felt that
they had a perfect example
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of how to trap Jesus.
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Now, they had tried
trapping Jesus before...
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you can remember
that on one occasion,
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they had money...
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and they tried
to suggest to Jesus,
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"Whose money is this?"
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And Jesus said, "Whose
figure is on the money?"
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and He said those famous words,
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"Render unto Caesar the
things that are Caesar's,
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and unto God the
things that are God's. "
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And then on another occasion,
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another very hot subject
today as well as back then
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on marriage and divorce
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but Jesus was
able to deal with those
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and when they brought the
Law of Moses up and they said,
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"Well, Moses said that
this woman ought to be stoned. "
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Now, they did to the Scriptures
what many people do today
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and that is, they
selectively selected
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some sections of the text
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and they didn't remember
what the rest of the text said
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because if they
had read the full text,
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the text said that
both the man and the woman
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needed to be stoned
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and the question
is, "Where was the man?"
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We don't... read
anything about him
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and obviously,
they weren't interested
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in following
even the Law of Moses,
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the only interest
they had was to trap Jesus
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and they had the perfect
trap because if Jesus had said,
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"Well, in this case, I think
that the best thing would be...
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is just to let
the woman off... "
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Then immediately, the
Jews would have been at Jesus
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because the Jews wanted
to uphold the Law of Moses.
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On the other
hand, if He had said,
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"Yes, take her
out and stone her"
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then they would have
reported that to the Romans
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and the Romans would
have had something to say
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because you'll remember
that the Jews at this time
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were under Roman rule.
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That means, that
they could not carry out
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their own capital punishment
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which was... for the
Jews... was stoning to death.
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The Roman method of
capital punishment as we know
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was crucifixion
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but the Jews could not crucify
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or could not carry capital
punishment out for anybody
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because of the fact that
they were under Roman rule
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so, it was a perfect trap
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and they had worked this
out with their cunning lawyers
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for weeks before...
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and they felt that
they had Jesus this time
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because whichever way He turned,
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there was no way that they
felt that He could get out of it
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then, let's read on
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because it gets more
interesting as we read,
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verse six again, "This
they said, testing him,
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that they might have something
of which to accuse Him.
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But Jesus stooped down,
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and wrote on the
ground with His finger
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as though He did not hear.
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So when they
continued asking Him,
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He raised Himself
up and said to them...
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these immortal words,
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"He who is without sin,
throw a stone at her first. "
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It's interesting that
Jesus certainly kept His cool
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under these circumstances
and as He was writing there...
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and you can see Him
kneel down on the ground
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scratching in the sand...
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there are three
times that I can remember
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that Jesus wrote in the Bible,
the first time was... when?
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When did Jesus
write the first time?
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When He gave us the Ten
Commandments, that's right,
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then He wrote the
second time, when was that?
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Pause.
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You remember in
Belshazzar's Hall...
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MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
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then, this is the third time
He writes and it's interesting
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that every time He writes,
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He's dealing with
the issue of judgment
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and He writes here,
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and as Jesus was
writing, of course,
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as the record just tells us,
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He seemed to be completely
ignoring what they were saying,
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and they felt
that His ignoring them
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meant that He
didn't have an answer,
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so they kept pressing Him.
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"Master, what are you
going to say about this?"
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And they kept
agitating against Jesus
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and the second
time, Jesus stands up
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and this is when He
made that immortal statement,
00:12:34.98\00:12:39.42
"He who is without sin,
let him cast the first stone. "
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Pause.
00:12:43.73\00:12:45.79
Then the record goes on
to say further in verse 8,
00:12:45.83\00:12:49.73
"And when he stooped
down and wrote on the ground,
00:12:49.76\00:12:53.60
then those who heard it being
convicted by their conscience
00:12:53.64\00:12:57.37
went one by one out
beginning with the oldest
00:12:57.41\00:13:04.38
even to the least. "
00:13:04.41\00:13:06.01
Don't you just
love a God like this?
00:13:06.05\00:13:09.12
A God who can
handle a situation...
00:13:09.15\00:13:12.22
not doing away with the Law,
00:13:12.25\00:13:14.36
Jesus, never in any way,
00:13:14.39\00:13:16.42
suggested that the
Law wasn't important.
00:13:16.46\00:13:19.29
He still maintained
that this woman had sinned...
00:13:19.33\00:13:23.37
she had sinned...
00:13:23.40\00:13:25.23
and he admits
that she had sinned
00:13:25.27\00:13:27.94
but, He mixed that
with mercy and with grace
00:13:27.97\00:13:34.38
and He then highlighted... as He
continued to write the hypocrisy
00:13:34.41\00:13:38.51
of those who were
making these accusations
00:13:38.55\00:13:41.32
and as they began to
come over and the Bible says,
00:13:41.35\00:13:45.25
it was the oldest who came first
00:13:45.29\00:13:47.02
and I would like to think that
the reason the oldest came first
00:13:47.06\00:13:49.96
is because they were
wise enough to realize
00:13:49.99\00:13:53.03
that if they stayed around,
00:13:53.06\00:13:54.40
things were
going to get pretty hot
00:13:54.43\00:13:55.86
and so, when they
saw what He was writing,
00:13:55.90\00:13:58.80
their face paled... the
blood ran out of their face
00:13:58.83\00:14:02.60
and the stones
dropped from their hands
00:14:02.64\00:14:05.11
and they left.
00:14:05.14\00:14:06.47
You see, this poor woman...
00:14:06.51\00:14:09.04
if you can just
see her in your eye
00:14:09.11\00:14:10.61
and I'm sure you can...
standing there shivering...
00:14:10.65\00:14:13.15
not so much
because of the coldness
00:14:13.18\00:14:17.32
but because of the fear
that was associated with this.
00:14:17.35\00:14:20.92
She would have been trembling
00:14:20.96\00:14:22.29
and as Jesus
made this statement,
00:14:22.32\00:14:25.96
"He who is without sin,
you pick up the first stone. "
00:14:25.99\00:14:29.80
She braced herself,
because you can imagine
00:14:29.83\00:14:32.90
standing in front of a
crowd being embarrassed...
00:14:32.93\00:14:36.30
highly embarrassed
with this whole situation
00:14:36.34\00:14:39.94
and so, she was
looking down and as Jesus said,
00:14:39.97\00:14:43.01
"He who is without sin,
cast the first stone... "
00:14:43.04\00:14:46.05
immediately, she
began bracing herself
00:14:46.08\00:14:49.78
for the first stone to be thrown
00:14:49.82\00:14:51.59
because you see, the
Pharisees were judge and jury.
00:14:51.65\00:14:55.42
There was no
appeal against their Law
00:14:55.46\00:14:59.56
and so she dared
not lift her eyes up
00:14:59.59\00:15:03.60
and then Jesus made
the statement, verse 10,
00:15:03.63\00:15:10.14
"When Jesus
raised had Himself up
00:15:10.17\00:15:12.24
and saw no one but the woman,
00:15:12.27\00:15:14.04
He said to her, "Woman, where
are those accusers of yours?
00:15:14.08\00:15:17.88
Has no one condemned you?
00:15:17.91\00:15:20.62
She said, 'No one Lord. '
00:15:20.65\00:15:23.25
And Jesus said to her,
'Neither do I condemn you:
00:15:23.28\00:15:27.12
go, and sin no more. '"
00:15:27.16\00:15:30.39
I would consider
some of those words
00:15:30.43\00:15:34.53
to be the most
beautiful words in the Bible,
00:15:34.56\00:15:36.87
pause...
00:15:36.90\00:15:39.30
to give us all hope...
00:15:39.33\00:15:40.67
"Neither do I condemn
you, go and sin no more. "
00:15:40.70\00:15:45.31
Just imagine the
feelings she would have had
00:15:45.34\00:15:50.15
at that particular time
00:15:50.18\00:15:51.51
and we are told
that her heart melted.
00:15:51.55\00:15:54.55
You know, Jesus said,
00:15:54.58\00:15:58.29
"He who is
forgiven much loves much. "
00:15:58.32\00:16:00.99
And this woman became
Jesus' most devoted follower
00:16:01.02\00:16:05.73
for the rest of her life
00:16:05.76\00:16:07.26
because of the
kindness and the grace
00:16:07.30\00:16:10.10
that was extended
to her at that time.
00:16:10.13\00:16:13.34
The message that
God has for us today is,
00:16:13.37\00:16:16.47
is, "Neither do I condemn
you, go and sin no more. "
00:16:16.50\00:16:20.21
Because this story is
just as relevant today
00:16:20.28\00:16:24.75
as it was, back in those days.
00:16:24.78\00:16:26.98
Unfortunately, there are many
people who have grown up in life
00:16:27.02\00:16:32.05
with perhaps a bad
relationship with their father
00:16:32.12\00:16:34.82
and as a result of that,
00:16:34.86\00:16:37.03
they imagine God
with a big stick...
00:16:37.06\00:16:40.03
just make one step out of line,
00:16:40.06\00:16:43.03
and God will clout you.
00:16:43.06\00:16:44.40
This story presents a very
different picture of Jesus.
00:16:44.43\00:16:47.94
It presents one
full of grace and truth
00:16:47.97\00:16:52.44
and I want to meditate
just for a little while today
00:16:52.47\00:16:56.44
on the words,
"Neither do I condemn you,
00:16:56.48\00:17:01.65
go and sin no more. "
00:17:01.68\00:17:03.69
You know, if you
can't sleep at night,
00:17:03.72\00:17:06.25
it's a good thing
to think of those words
00:17:06.29\00:17:08.76
and roll them
around in your mind
00:17:08.79\00:17:11.06
because the devil
will haunt us for our past.
00:17:11.09\00:17:15.30
There's not one of us here
00:17:15.33\00:17:17.53
who doesn't have
flashbacks to their past
00:17:17.57\00:17:19.87
and the devil makes sure that
those memories are kept alive
00:17:19.90\00:17:25.21
and when sometimes
you can't sleep at night
00:17:25.24\00:17:27.84
and you're thinking
about some of these things,
00:17:27.88\00:17:29.54
then let's remind ourselves
"Neither do I condemn you,
00:17:29.58\00:17:33.55
go and sin no more... "
00:17:33.58\00:17:34.92
because it is guilt today
that is cracking millions.
00:17:34.95\00:17:38.65
Many a person who
has deep depression...
00:17:38.69\00:17:43.79
it's a result
of unresolved guilt
00:17:43.83\00:17:46.63
and Jesus here is
dealing with this.
00:17:46.66\00:17:49.40
Once again, I'm just so
thankful that I believe in a God
00:17:49.43\00:17:55.00
that I have a Savior
who's so willing to forgive.
00:17:55.04\00:17:59.91
A Savior that is so
willing to accept us as we are.
00:17:59.97\00:18:04.81
In fact, there's
a verse of Scripture
00:18:04.85\00:18:07.12
that I would like you to
read, if you wouldn't mind,
00:18:07.15\00:18:09.38
turning to
Isaiah the 56th chapter
00:18:09.42\00:18:13.15
Isaiah chapter 55...
00:18:13.36\00:18:18.73
I'm sorry,
chapter 55 and verse 6.
00:18:18.76\00:18:22.10
If you haven't got
this marked in your Bible,
00:18:22.16\00:18:24.73
I would like to encourage
you to mark it in your Bibles,
00:18:24.80\00:18:28.10
it says, "Seek the
LORD while He may be found,
00:18:28.14\00:18:31.37
call upon Him while He is near:
00:18:31.41\00:18:34.08
Let the wicked forsake his way,
00:18:34.11\00:18:36.68
and the
unrighteous man his thoughts:
00:18:36.71\00:18:38.71
let him return to the LORD,
and He will have mercy on him;
00:18:38.75\00:18:42.65
and to our God,
for He will... " what?
00:18:42.68\00:18:45.45
"abundantly pardon. "
00:18:45.49\00:18:47.89
You know, I read of an
experience a few years ago
00:18:47.92\00:18:50.99
of a family that were
living out in the country
00:18:51.03\00:18:54.06
and something
happened in the family
00:18:54.10\00:18:56.83
and the son got so
annoyed with the parents
00:18:56.87\00:18:59.73
that he went out and
slammed the door and said,
00:18:59.77\00:19:02.80
"I will never ever
darken this door again. "
00:19:02.84\00:19:05.74
And for years, the
parents never knew where he was.
00:19:05.77\00:19:10.28
They received no phone
call, no letters... nothing
00:19:10.31\00:19:14.78
until one day, his
mother's habit was,
00:19:14.85\00:19:18.92
she went out to
the letter box...
00:19:18.95\00:19:20.42
by this stage, she
had a walking stick
00:19:20.46\00:19:22.22
and she walked
out to the letter box
00:19:22.26\00:19:23.99
and gathered the letters
00:19:24.03\00:19:25.69
and as soon as she
picked up a letter,
00:19:25.73\00:19:28.10
she saw one with
familiar handwriting
00:19:28.13\00:19:30.47
it was her son... she knew it
00:19:30.50\00:19:32.23
and so, as quickly as she
could hobble into the house,
00:19:32.27\00:19:38.37
she got hold of father and said,
00:19:38.41\00:19:40.28
"Father, look at this,
this is a letter from our son. "
00:19:40.31\00:19:43.35
And they quickly opened it up
00:19:43.38\00:19:45.48
and the letter went
something like this,
00:19:45.51\00:19:48.52
"I would like to come home,
00:19:48.58\00:19:52.72
I'm sorry for what
took place many years ago,
00:19:52.75\00:19:56.83
but I don't know
whether you will accept me
00:19:56.89\00:20:00.93
but if you will accept me,
00:20:00.96\00:20:05.10
would you hang something white
out on the... the clothesline. "
00:20:05.13\00:20:11.87
He said, "As I travel past,
I can see the back of the house
00:20:11.91\00:20:16.75
and if you will hang something
white on the clothesline,
00:20:16.78\00:20:20.92
it will tell me that
you will accept me. "
00:20:20.95\00:20:23.05
Pause.
00:20:23.08\00:20:25.55
When the parents read this,
00:20:25.59\00:20:29.12
with tears
streaming down their faces,
00:20:29.16\00:20:31.39
they went to the linen cupboard,
they got every white sheet...
00:20:31.43\00:20:34.63
every white towel...
00:20:34.66\00:20:36.23
everything white
they had in the cupboard
00:20:36.26\00:20:38.33
and they went out
and hung it on the line
00:20:38.37\00:20:40.54
and when I read that
experience, I thought,
00:20:40.57\00:20:42.70
"That's exactly what
Isaiah here is talking about...
00:20:42.74\00:20:45.47
'But our God will
abundantly pardon. '"
00:20:45.54\00:20:48.54
Pause...
00:20:48.58\00:20:50.91
But there's
something else in this story
00:20:50.95\00:20:52.95
that we don't often dwell upon
00:20:53.01\00:20:54.62
and that is the second part
of what Jesus said to the woman.
00:20:54.68\00:20:57.89
Remember He said,
"Neither do I condemn you... "
00:20:57.95\00:21:02.19
what's the last part?
00:21:02.22\00:21:04.69
"Go and sin no more. "
00:21:04.76\00:21:07.20
Very often, we don't
dwell upon that section
00:21:07.23\00:21:10.87
of what Jesus said
00:21:10.90\00:21:12.37
but I want to suggest to you
00:21:12.40\00:21:14.20
that that section is just
as much part of the gospel
00:21:14.24\00:21:16.71
as is the
beginning of what He said.
00:21:16.74\00:21:20.21
And the story teaches me
00:21:20.24\00:21:22.91
that Jesus will
not only pardon me,
00:21:22.94\00:21:25.25
wonderful as that is...
00:21:25.28\00:21:26.78
but He goes further than that,
00:21:26.82\00:21:28.45
He will give me power
00:21:28.48\00:21:29.95
so I can do the
right things in the future.
00:21:29.98\00:21:32.02
Pause...
00:21:32.05\00:21:34.12
"Go and sin no
more... " is that possible?
00:21:34.16\00:21:36.26
"Is that possible?" I ask,
00:21:36.29\00:21:39.39
everywhere I go today,
00:21:39.43\00:21:42.43
I'm finding that
people try to tell me
00:21:42.46\00:21:44.37
that nobody can keep
the commandments any longer.
00:21:44.40\00:21:48.37
Pause...
00:21:48.40\00:21:49.87
"It's impossible not to sin. "
00:21:49.90\00:21:52.07
Is that true?
00:21:52.11\00:21:54.68
Because as I read the Bible,
00:21:54.71\00:21:57.75
I find that that
seems to be a lie.
00:21:57.78\00:22:00.45
A friend of
mine... some years ago
00:22:00.48\00:22:03.39
was going into Long Bay Jail...
00:22:03.42\00:22:06.25
Long Bay Jail is
one of Sydney's big...
00:22:06.29\00:22:08.36
Australia's big... oldest jails
00:22:08.39\00:22:10.43
and he was going
into Long Bay Jail
00:22:10.46\00:22:14.23
on a weekly basis to
preach to the inmates.
00:22:14.26\00:22:17.37
And this particular day
when he went in to preach
00:22:17.40\00:22:21.40
with the... with the
Chaplain alongside him,
00:22:21.44\00:22:25.87
the Chaplain said to him,
"You know those three fellows
00:22:25.91\00:22:28.41
that always sit down the front
00:22:28.44\00:22:30.58
when you take the meetings?"
00:22:30.61\00:22:32.68
He said, "Yes. "
00:22:32.71\00:22:34.05
He said, "They won't be
here next week when you come,
00:22:34.12\00:22:36.32
they're going to be released. "
00:22:36.35\00:22:38.52
And my friend
said to the Chaplain,
00:22:38.55\00:22:40.56
"Well, I'm very
happy about that... "
00:22:40.59\00:22:42.52
But then the Chaplain
said, "But they'll be back... "
00:22:42.56\00:22:44.89
And my friend said,
00:22:44.93\00:22:47.03
"What do you mean,
'they'll be back?'"
00:22:47.10\00:22:48.43
"Well... " he said,
"when the boys were young,
00:22:48.46\00:22:51.53
their father
taught them to steal
00:22:51.57\00:22:54.00
and they would
be given a sack...
00:22:54.04\00:22:56.44
and if that sack...
00:22:56.50\00:22:57.87
in the evening when they
bought it home wasn't full,
00:22:57.91\00:23:00.38
they would get a
father of a hiding. "
00:23:00.41\00:23:03.85
He said, "They are
professional thieves...
00:23:03.88\00:23:07.22
Kleptomaniacs is the
word... professional thieves. "
00:23:07.25\00:23:11.02
And he said, "As soon
as something goes missing,
00:23:11.05\00:23:14.82
the police will be
on their doorstep. "
00:23:14.86\00:23:17.56
Pause.
00:23:17.59\00:23:19.89
You see, it would be one
thing for God to forgive us,
00:23:19.93\00:23:22.40
pause...
00:23:22.43\00:23:24.90
if God only
forgives me for my sins
00:23:24.93\00:23:28.94
and pardons me for my sins,
that's not going to help me
00:23:28.97\00:23:33.54
because what am I
going to do tomorrow?
00:23:33.58\00:23:36.31
I'll do the same thing...
00:23:36.34\00:23:38.05
and what about the next day?
00:23:38.08\00:23:39.78
The same thing...
00:23:39.81\00:23:41.15
And the next
day? The same thing.
00:23:41.18\00:23:42.52
I need vastly more
than forgiveness...
00:23:42.55\00:23:45.62
wonderful and
glorious and foundational
00:23:45.65\00:23:48.26
as that truth
is... of forgiveness.
00:23:48.29\00:23:50.86
I need more than that.
00:23:50.89\00:23:52.79
That's what Jesus
was talking about here
00:23:52.86\00:23:54.90
when He said, "Go
and sin no more. "
00:23:54.93\00:23:56.90
Because He not only
forgave the lady for her sins,
00:23:56.93\00:24:01.44
but then he gave her
power to be able to do
00:24:01.50\00:24:05.47
what was necessary to do.
00:24:05.54\00:24:08.74
Now, Jesus told a
whole parable about this,
00:24:08.78\00:24:11.95
this truth is so important
00:24:11.98\00:24:15.78
that Jesus spent a whole
parable talking about it.
00:24:15.82\00:24:19.22
Would you come over to
Matthew chapter 22 with me
00:24:19.25\00:24:23.73
and we'll have a look
together at this parable,
00:24:23.76\00:24:28.16
Matthew chapter 22 and verse 1.
00:24:28.20\00:24:32.07
It says that
Jesus opened His mouth
00:24:32.10\00:24:35.20
and began to
teach them by parables.
00:24:35.24\00:24:38.21
Verse 2,
00:24:38.27\00:24:39.74
"The kingdom of heaven
is like a certain king,
00:24:39.77\00:24:42.91
who arranged a
marriage for his son... "
00:24:42.94\00:24:45.81
you know, in the
Bible... a marriage...
00:24:45.85\00:24:49.05
the king setting
forth a marriage...
00:24:49.08\00:24:51.92
this is an
illustration of the marriage
00:24:51.95\00:24:54.76
between Christ and His church.
00:24:54.79\00:24:58.59
Christ is the bridegroom...
the church is the bride...
00:24:58.63\00:25:03.30
and this is what
this is talking about...
00:25:03.33\00:25:05.23
the reason we know that it's
talking about the second coming
00:25:05.27\00:25:09.27
is because when we go
over to Revelation chapter 19,
00:25:09.30\00:25:13.34
we find there this
story is given more details...
00:25:13.38\00:25:16.48
and we'll have a look
at that in just a moment,
00:25:16.51\00:25:20.05
but so, the history
of both the Jewish race
00:25:20.08\00:25:23.55
and the Christian Church
is given in these few verses.
00:25:23.59\00:25:27.29
Notice verse 3, it says,
"He sent out His servants
00:25:27.32\00:25:30.99
to call those who
were invited to the wedding
00:25:31.03\00:25:33.50
and they were
not willing to come.
00:25:33.56\00:25:35.70
Again he sent out
other servants saying,
00:25:35.73\00:25:38.83
'Tell those who are invited...
00:25:38.87\00:25:41.30
see I have prepared my dinner...
00:25:41.37\00:25:43.87
my oxen and
fatted cattle are killed
00:25:43.91\00:25:46.37
and all things are
ready, come to the wedding. '
00:25:46.41\00:25:49.28
But they made light of
it, and went their ways,
00:25:49.31\00:25:52.18
one to his farm,
another to his business:
00:25:52.21\00:25:54.38
And the rest
seized his servants,
00:25:54.42\00:25:56.69
treated them
spitefully, and killed them. "
00:25:56.75\00:26:00.46
What's this referring to?
00:26:00.49\00:26:03.06
Pause.
00:26:03.09\00:26:05.29
It's referring
to the Jewish Nation
00:26:05.33\00:26:07.50
because Jesus
sent them an invitation
00:26:07.56\00:26:09.70
to come to the wedding feast,
00:26:09.73\00:26:11.13
but they wouldn't
accept that invitation.
00:26:11.17\00:26:14.54
In fact, they
killed the prophets
00:26:14.57\00:26:16.60
as the Bible says here,
00:26:16.67\00:26:18.01
and the servants...
00:26:18.04\00:26:19.37
and then the rest of the verse
goes on to say in verse 7...
00:26:19.41\00:26:22.14
"But when the king heard
about it, he was furious:
00:26:22.18\00:26:24.61
and he sent out his armies...
destroyed those murderers,
00:26:24.68\00:26:29.08
and burned up their city. "
00:26:29.12\00:26:31.02
What's the city referring to?
00:26:31.05\00:26:32.89
It's referring to the
destruction of Jerusalem
00:26:32.92\00:26:36.89
in 70 A.D.
00:26:36.93\00:26:38.59
Pause.
00:26:38.63\00:26:40.20
When Jesus said, "Not
one stone will be left
00:26:40.26\00:26:42.86
upon another. "
00:26:42.90\00:26:44.23
Pause.
00:26:44.27\00:26:46.80
And where every tree
for miles around Jerusalem
00:26:46.84\00:26:51.14
was cut down and used as
a cross to crucify Jews...
00:26:51.17\00:26:55.38
over one million Jews died
in the destruction of Jerusalem
00:26:55.41\00:27:00.38
and yet not one Christian died
00:27:00.42\00:27:02.08
because they
remembered what Jesus said,
00:27:02.12\00:27:04.35
"When you see the
army surround Jerusalem,
00:27:04.39\00:27:06.59
get out... " and they fled
00:27:06.62\00:27:08.76
and they fled up to a little
place in northern Jordan today
00:27:08.82\00:27:12.73
called Pella
00:27:12.76\00:27:14.76
and as I said, not one
Christian lost their life
00:27:14.80\00:27:17.20
in the destruction of Jerusalem
but over a million Jews died.
00:27:17.23\00:27:20.94
Pause.
00:27:21.00\00:27:23.64
then it says in the
next verse, verse 8...
00:27:23.71\00:27:29.78
"Then he said to his
servants, The wedding is ready,
00:27:29.84\00:27:34.28
but those who were
invited were not worthy. "
00:27:34.32\00:27:38.29
Now, that's an
interesting expression
00:27:38.35\00:27:41.16
because I often hear
prayers being said in church
00:27:41.19\00:27:47.33
amongst us...
00:27:47.36\00:27:49.36
and the expression is,
00:27:49.40\00:27:51.53
"We are not worthy...
please make us worthy. "
00:27:51.57\00:27:53.64
Have you ever heard
people pray like that?
00:27:53.67\00:27:55.70
Pause.
00:27:55.74\00:27:58.01
In other words,
their concept of worthiness
00:27:58.04\00:28:00.91
is based on their behavior.
00:28:00.94\00:28:02.28
But tell me, what was worthiness
00:28:02.31\00:28:07.42
according to this parable
and what Jesus is teaching
00:28:07.45\00:28:10.12
what is it based on?
00:28:10.15\00:28:11.49
Pause.
00:28:11.52\00:28:12.85
What made a person
worthy in the story?
00:28:12.89\00:28:16.29
It wasn't their
behavior, what was it?
00:28:16.32\00:28:19.79
Pause.
00:28:19.83\00:28:21.86
Well, let's have a look.
00:28:21.93\00:28:24.93
In verse 8, then he
said to his servants,
00:28:24.97\00:28:29.00
"The wedding is ready
but those who were invited
00:28:29.04\00:28:31.74
were not worthy. "
00:28:31.77\00:28:34.24
So, what made them worthy?
00:28:34.28\00:28:36.14
Whether they had
accepted the invitation.
00:28:36.18\00:28:39.95
That's the basis
of our worthiness...
00:28:40.02\00:28:42.88
not what we do and
what we don't do...
00:28:42.92\00:28:45.49
it's whether we've
accepted the invitation
00:28:45.52\00:28:48.06
and another interesting
expression in this verse
00:28:48.09\00:28:52.69
is the fact that... it
says down here in verse 10,
00:28:52.73\00:28:57.23
"So those servants
went out into the highways,
00:28:57.27\00:29:00.80
and gathered
together all whom they found,
00:29:00.84\00:29:04.34
both bad and good... "
00:29:04.37\00:29:07.18
I find that interesting.
00:29:07.21\00:29:09.98
Pause.
00:29:10.05\00:29:12.35
Two groups of people...
the bad and the good...
00:29:12.38\00:29:14.88
so that would
include us all wouldn't it?
00:29:14.92\00:29:17.75
It includes the bad
who know they're bad
00:29:17.79\00:29:20.56
and it includes the
bad who think they're good
00:29:20.59\00:29:22.89
pause...
00:29:22.92\00:29:25.36
and there were many
of those around Jesus
00:29:25.39\00:29:27.73
and there are still many today
who are modern Pharisees...
00:29:27.76\00:29:31.03
but Jesus in love...
because He loved the Pharisees
00:29:31.07\00:29:35.44
the same as He loved everybody,
00:29:35.47\00:29:37.14
said, "This invitation goes out
to both the bad and the good. "
00:29:37.17\00:29:42.44
So not one of us is excluded
from this wonderful invitation.
00:29:42.51\00:29:47.75
Pause.
00:29:47.78\00:29:49.98
And the Bible says in verse 10,
00:29:50.02\00:29:51.82
"The wedding hall
was filled with guests. "
00:29:51.85\00:29:56.62
Pause.
00:29:56.69\00:29:58.13
So there had been a lot of
people who responded positively
00:29:58.16\00:30:01.43
to the invitation
to come to the wedding.
00:30:01.46\00:30:03.50
It was full.
00:30:03.53\00:30:05.43
Pause.
00:30:05.47\00:30:08.47
Now there's something
else that we must understand
00:30:08.50\00:30:10.31
about an ancient wedding
00:30:10.34\00:30:11.87
different to our day
00:30:11.91\00:30:13.38
and probably most
parents of the girls
00:30:13.41\00:30:17.45
would agree that they're
glad they don't have to do
00:30:17.51\00:30:21.35
what was done back in those days
00:30:21.38\00:30:22.95
because you see, when a
king or a very rich person
00:30:22.98\00:30:27.89
put on a wedding,
00:30:27.92\00:30:29.79
they not only sent out to
the invitees the invitation
00:30:29.82\00:30:35.20
but they also sent out
the wedding garment to wear.
00:30:35.23\00:30:41.40
Pause.
00:30:41.44\00:30:43.44
Now, I know that that
would have solved some problems
00:30:43.47\00:30:46.68
because we just received an
invitation to a wedding today...
00:30:46.71\00:30:56.22
not that the
wedding's going to be today
00:30:56.25\00:30:58.49
but that I received
the invitation today...
00:30:58.55\00:31:00.62
it was handed to me...
00:31:00.66\00:31:01.99
and when I handed
this to my better half,
00:31:02.02\00:31:10.67
pause...
00:31:10.70\00:31:12.90
do you know what
the expression was?
00:31:12.93\00:31:15.70
All the women will
know... what was it?
00:31:15.74\00:31:18.44
"What am I going to wear?"
00:31:18.47\00:31:20.34
Pause...
00:31:20.38\00:31:23.35
Now, immediately,
this solved that problem
00:31:23.38\00:31:27.35
because not only
was the invitation given
00:31:27.42\00:31:31.35
but also, the... the garment...
00:31:31.39\00:31:34.89
now, you can imagine
the expense the king went to
00:31:34.92\00:31:39.49
in providing everybody...
not only the wedding...
00:31:39.53\00:31:44.10
but also the garment.
00:31:44.13\00:31:46.47
Pause...
00:31:46.50\00:31:49.80
So there are two
things in the story
00:31:49.84\00:31:52.47
that are important
for us to understand...
00:31:52.51\00:31:53.94
one is the invitation...
00:31:53.98\00:31:55.31
and then, secondly, the garment.
00:31:55.34\00:31:57.98
Eventually, verse
11 goes on to say,
00:31:58.01\00:32:00.78
"When the king came
in to see the guests... "
00:32:00.82\00:32:02.62
he wanted to have a look
over his... his invitees...
00:32:02.68\00:32:06.86
"When the king came
in to see the guests,
00:32:06.89\00:32:09.62
he saw a man there who did
not have on a wedding garment. "
00:32:09.66\00:32:13.83
I might say that he
came in to examine the guests
00:32:13.86\00:32:17.77
or to look the guests over...
00:32:17.80\00:32:20.64
before the marriage took place,
before the second coming...
00:32:20.67\00:32:25.01
he comes in to
examine and to look at...
00:32:25.07\00:32:29.34
"And he sees there
a man... " verse 11...
00:32:29.38\00:32:32.68
"that did not have
on a wedding garment. "
00:32:32.71\00:32:35.98
Pause.
00:32:36.02\00:32:39.12
Now, you can just imagine,
00:32:39.15\00:32:40.49
this fellow would have
stood out like a sore thumb.
00:32:40.56\00:32:42.56
I mean, everybody
else is dressed beautifully
00:32:42.59\00:32:45.49
in this garment
that the king supplies,
00:32:45.53\00:32:47.30
and here's this guy
dressed in his ordinary clothes.
00:32:47.33\00:32:51.73
Stand out... so the king
goes over to him immediately
00:32:51.77\00:32:56.14
and says... what
does he call him?
00:32:56.17\00:32:57.64
"You scoundrel... "
00:32:57.67\00:32:59.01
no... verse 12...
"So He said to him,
00:32:59.04\00:33:02.04
'Friend, how
did you come in here
00:33:02.08\00:33:04.85
without a wedding garment?'"
00:33:04.88\00:33:06.21
Pause...
00:33:06.25\00:33:07.98
more pause...
00:33:08.02\00:33:10.59
"How did you get in here
without this garment on?"
00:33:10.62\00:33:15.09
And he gave the man an
opportunity of giving a reason,
00:33:15.12\00:33:19.59
perhaps... perhaps he said,
"I understand Australia Post
00:33:19.63\00:33:24.10
they're not
always very reliable... "
00:33:24.13\00:33:25.77
he was giving him a reason...
00:33:25.80\00:33:28.94
the man could have said,
00:33:28.97\00:33:30.31
"Well, I don't know anything
about this wedding garment,
00:33:30.34\00:33:32.44
what do you mean
'a wedding garment'
00:33:32.47\00:33:33.84
I've never heard
of such a thing!"
00:33:33.88\00:33:35.21
pause...
00:33:35.24\00:33:36.78
but he didn't say anything
like that... what did he say?
00:33:36.81\00:33:39.25
Nothing...
00:33:39.28\00:33:41.28
he was speechless.
00:33:41.32\00:33:43.99
And it's only then that
we are told in verse 13,
00:33:44.02\00:33:48.99
"And the king
said to the servants,
00:33:49.02\00:33:50.73
bind him hand and foot,
00:33:50.76\00:33:52.23
take him away and cast
him into outer darkness... "
00:33:52.26\00:33:55.50
there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. "
00:33:55.53\00:33:57.97
Only then, is
the man thrown out,
00:33:58.00\00:34:02.27
the issue then with the
story is... in the wedding...
00:34:02.30\00:34:07.44
"Do the guests
have on the garment?"
00:34:07.48\00:34:12.75
Now, the question
is, "What is this garment
00:34:12.81\00:34:16.72
that features so
importantly in this story,
00:34:16.75\00:34:20.66
what does this garment represent
00:34:20.69\00:34:22.82
that all the
guests had to wear?"
00:34:22.86\00:34:24.93
All right, come over
to Revelation chapter 19
00:34:24.96\00:34:29.46
and what I love about the Bible
00:34:29.50\00:34:30.83
is, the bible
always explains itself
00:34:30.87\00:34:32.80
and when we get
over to Revelation,
00:34:32.83\00:34:34.37
which is Jesus' book,
00:34:34.40\00:34:35.74
so you're not surprised to
find that the interpretation
00:34:35.77\00:34:39.17
of many of the gospel stories
00:34:39.24\00:34:40.58
as the interpretation of some
of the statements in Revelation
00:34:40.61\00:34:43.24
are given in the gospels
and the gospels in revelation
00:34:43.28\00:34:45.95
because the two fit together.
00:34:45.98\00:34:47.65
Have a look at
Revelation 19 and verse 6,
00:34:47.68\00:34:51.02
"And I heard as it were
the voice of a great multitude,
00:34:51.05\00:34:55.76
as the sound of many waters,
00:34:55.79\00:34:57.63
and as the sound
of mighty thunderings,
00:34:57.69\00:35:00.36
saying, Alleluia: for the
Lord God omnipotent reigns. "
00:35:00.40\00:35:04.83
Let us be glad and
rejoice, and give Him glory
00:35:04.87\00:35:08.20
for the marriage
of the lamb has come,
00:35:08.24\00:35:12.11
and his wife has
made herself ready. "
00:35:12.14\00:35:14.91
So, this is just
before Jesus returns.
00:35:14.94\00:35:17.85
Pause...
00:35:17.88\00:35:21.05
"Wherefore were assured
into the kingdom of God... "
00:35:21.08\00:35:23.45
verse 8... "And to her
00:35:23.49\00:35:27.12
it was granted to be
arrayed in fine linen,
00:35:27.16\00:35:31.26
clean and bright...
00:35:31.29\00:35:34.46
for the fine linen is
the righteous... " what?
00:35:34.50\00:35:39.40
Pause.
00:35:39.43\00:35:41.30
"acts or
actions of the saints. "
00:35:41.37\00:35:45.37
Did you read that correctly?
00:35:45.41\00:35:47.51
Pause...
00:35:47.54\00:35:50.11
That seems very much
different to what sometimes
00:35:50.15\00:35:52.61
we hear preached
00:35:52.65\00:35:54.22
pause...
00:35:54.25\00:35:55.58
righteous acts... of the saints.
00:35:55.62\00:35:59.75
Now, it's interesting that
in Jeremiah 23 verse 6 it says
00:35:59.79\00:36:05.36
that the Lord is
our righteousness.
00:36:05.39\00:36:09.26
Which means that any
acts or actions or works
00:36:09.30\00:36:13.54
are not our works
but are the Lord's works
00:36:13.57\00:36:17.71
done through us...
00:36:17.74\00:36:19.07
that's what it means... the
Lord is our righteousness...
00:36:19.11\00:36:22.98
pause...
00:36:23.01\00:36:25.41
there are two
aspects I have noticed
00:36:25.45\00:36:28.15
as I have
studied the New Testament
00:36:28.18\00:36:30.85
about the work of Christ
00:36:30.89\00:36:32.99
and both are part of the gospel.
00:36:33.02\00:36:37.23
To emphasize one
against the other,
00:36:37.26\00:36:41.40
is a perversion of the gospel.
00:36:41.43\00:36:43.87
The first aspect is
the work of Christ for us
00:36:43.90\00:36:50.01
which He did on
Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago
00:36:50.04\00:36:56.11
and we can never
exaggerate the importance
00:36:56.14\00:36:59.11
of what Jesus has done for us...
00:36:59.15\00:37:01.55
pause...
00:37:01.58\00:37:04.19
but I want to
tell you something else
00:37:04.22\00:37:05.72
that as I have read
the New Testament through,
00:37:05.75\00:37:07.49
I have found that there
are four times more references
00:37:07.52\00:37:13.19
to the work of Christ in us
than the work of Christ for us.
00:37:13.23\00:37:18.97
Now, I am not
suggesting in any shape or form
00:37:19.00\00:37:21.87
that the work that
Christ did for us on Calvary
00:37:21.90\00:37:24.37
is to be minimized...
that is not what I am saying,
00:37:24.44\00:37:27.38
but I am saying that the
Bible has emphasized the fact
00:37:27.41\00:37:30.31
that Christ wants
to do a work in us.
00:37:30.35\00:37:32.48
Pause...
00:37:32.51\00:37:34.92
And it's very important...
00:37:34.95\00:37:37.22
and there are two
parts of the gospel
00:37:37.25\00:37:40.52
both are of faith and
both are gifts from Jesus.
00:37:40.56\00:37:45.49
Pause...
00:37:45.56\00:37:48.90
I'm thinking about
this man in the parable
00:37:48.96\00:37:51.30
that we have just read, he
wanted to be at the wedding
00:37:51.33\00:37:54.17
but he didn't want to put
on the garment, is that right?
00:37:54.24\00:37:56.71
You know, in my
work of evangelism
00:37:56.74\00:37:59.57
over the years,
00:37:59.61\00:38:00.94
I have found it relatively easy
to get people to accept Jesus.
00:38:00.98\00:38:04.48
I have literally seen
thousands upon thousands
00:38:04.51\00:38:08.78
of people who have
come to the front...
00:38:08.82\00:38:11.25
who have signed cards...
00:38:11.29\00:38:12.62
who want to accept
Jesus as their Savior,
00:38:12.65\00:38:14.86
pause...
00:38:14.89\00:38:18.13
that is not such
a difficult thing
00:38:18.16\00:38:21.46
to get a decision in that area,
00:38:21.50\00:38:24.77
however, when I
talk to those same people
00:38:24.80\00:38:29.47
and I teach them about
God's requirements for us
00:38:29.50\00:38:35.31
and the way that
God wants us to live
00:38:35.34\00:38:39.65
and the life of obedience
and the life of overcoming
00:38:39.71\00:38:45.52
"I couldn't shoot those
people out of the hole quicker,
00:38:45.55\00:38:51.36
if I had a machine gun. "
00:38:51.39\00:38:52.73
Pause...
00:38:52.76\00:38:54.26
You see, it's the same
story that Jesus was telling...
00:38:54.30\00:38:56.83
they want to come to
the... to the wedding...
00:38:56.87\00:39:00.47
they hear about all
these wonderful things
00:39:00.50\00:39:02.47
and we want to go
there, isn't it wonderful...
00:39:02.50\00:39:04.41
but they don't
want to wear the garment
00:39:04.44\00:39:07.24
and the Bible says,
00:39:07.28\00:39:09.94
"No one is going into
heaven without the garment. "
00:39:09.98\00:39:12.85
Not just the
invitation... it's both...
00:39:12.88\00:39:18.02
pause...
00:39:18.05\00:39:20.49
and there's
something more important
00:39:20.52\00:39:22.59
than us getting to heaven...
00:39:22.62\00:39:24.63
important as that is...
00:39:24.66\00:39:26.59
and I know, for me,
I want to go to heaven
00:39:26.63\00:39:29.60
and I'm sure you do too
00:39:29.63\00:39:31.17
but there's something
more important than that
00:39:31.20\00:39:34.90
and that is... to
bring honor and glory to God.
00:39:34.94\00:39:38.54
That's the most important thing
00:39:38.57\00:39:41.08
and the reason that
God wants to work in us
00:39:41.14\00:39:44.31
and His righteousness
needs to be in our hearts
00:39:44.35\00:39:47.88
is so that we will bring
honor and glory to Him...
00:39:47.92\00:39:51.45
that's why He's given
us the health message.
00:39:51.49\00:39:53.22
Pause...
00:39:53.25\00:39:55.79
Because God doesn't
want us to be sickly...
00:39:55.82\00:39:57.63
He wants us to
radiate good health...
00:39:57.66\00:39:59.53
He wants us to understand
so that when people see us,
00:39:59.56\00:40:03.73
"What Mitch, why
are you so well?"
00:40:03.77\00:40:05.87
And we are able to
talk to them about Jesus.
00:40:05.90\00:40:08.27
That's why He's given us
all the truths in the Bible
00:40:08.30\00:40:10.94
so that as our
lives are changed,
00:40:10.97\00:40:13.01
we become honest
and upright and caring.
00:40:13.04\00:40:15.54
That impresses
people... even secular people.
00:40:15.61\00:40:18.68
Pause...
00:40:18.71\00:40:21.08
Bring honor and glory to God.
00:40:21.12\00:40:22.92
You know the 23rd Psalm...
all of us know it by heart...
00:40:22.95\00:40:27.62
it says, "He leads me in
the paths of righteousness... "
00:40:27.66\00:40:32.29
what's the rest
of the verse say?
00:40:32.33\00:40:34.83
"for His name's sake. "
00:40:34.86\00:40:38.10
In other words, He
gives me righteousness
00:40:38.13\00:40:40.74
so that I can honor His name.
00:40:40.77\00:40:42.37
Pause...
00:40:42.40\00:40:44.41
That's the reason,
00:40:44.44\00:40:46.64
and there are two things
that we must look out for,
00:40:46.68\00:40:51.81
one is: to accept the
invitation by God's grace
00:40:51.85\00:40:56.89
but secondly, to accept
the garment by God's grace
00:40:56.92\00:41:01.92
and both are gifts.
00:41:01.99\00:41:03.96
Pause...
00:41:03.99\00:41:07.30
The Bible says in
Revelation 3 verse 5,
00:41:07.33\00:41:09.80
"To him that overcometh,
00:41:09.83\00:41:12.67
will be clothed
in white raiment. "
00:41:12.70\00:41:15.57
The Bible puts "overcoming"
and the "garment" together.
00:41:15.60\00:41:19.74
So when the king
comes in to investigate,
00:41:19.77\00:41:24.51
could I use that word,
00:41:24.55\00:41:25.88
or examine the guests
before the second coming,
00:41:25.91\00:41:29.68
the thing that He's looking for
00:41:29.72\00:41:31.32
is whether we've
got the garment on.
00:41:31.35\00:41:33.09
Pause...
00:41:33.12\00:41:35.66
Not the invitation
00:41:35.69\00:41:37.73
because you wouldn't be
there in the first place
00:41:37.76\00:41:39.36
if you hadn't accepted
the invitation, is that right?
00:41:39.39\00:41:41.90
So, that's not the
issue in the judgment,
00:41:41.93\00:41:44.60
the issue in the judgment is
00:41:44.63\00:41:45.97
whether you've
got the garment on
00:41:46.00\00:41:47.34
and that's where the rub is.
00:41:47.37\00:41:49.67
Those who had
accepted the invitation
00:41:49.70\00:41:53.74
and continue to
accept the invitation,
00:41:53.78\00:41:57.78
also accept the wedding garment
00:41:57.81\00:42:00.48
and continue to
accept the wedding garment.
00:42:00.52\00:42:02.65
Let me illustrate...
00:42:02.68\00:42:05.82
a friend of mine was telling
me that he applied for a job
00:42:05.85\00:42:09.76
in one of our big universities,
00:42:09.79\00:42:11.16
pause...
00:42:11.19\00:42:12.89
and obviously, he had to show
his academic achievements...
00:42:12.93\00:42:18.17
what papers he'd written
00:42:18.23\00:42:19.73
and his teaching
ability and so forth
00:42:19.77\00:42:22.00
and finally, he got the job.
00:42:22.04\00:42:24.14
Pause...
00:42:24.21\00:42:27.04
When he was talking
to the academic leaders
00:42:27.08\00:42:30.75
in the
university, they said to him,
00:42:30.78\00:42:32.65
"You have done well,
00:42:32.68\00:42:34.22
we are very happy with
what you have supplied us,
00:42:34.25\00:42:37.95
but there is one more condition
before you can become a teacher
00:42:37.99\00:42:42.36
and a lecturer here
at our university. "
00:42:42.39\00:42:44.56
And he said,
"Well, what's that?"
00:42:44.59\00:42:46.53
He said, "Every person
who becomes a professor here
00:42:46.56\00:42:51.40
has to pass a TB test.
00:42:51.43\00:42:55.47
Now at that particular time,
00:42:55.50\00:42:58.27
TB was a bit of a
problem in that area
00:42:58.31\00:43:02.08
and he... the
academic dean and so forth
00:43:02.11\00:43:05.81
said to my friend that the
Board does not want people...
00:43:05.85\00:43:12.49
its
professors... coughing TB germs
00:43:12.55\00:43:17.73
or sneezing TB germs
all over the students.
00:43:17.76\00:43:21.43
Pause...
00:43:21.46\00:43:24.37
Now, the TB Test
had nothing to do
00:43:24.40\00:43:28.40
with the acceptance of him
as a teacher at the University,
00:43:28.44\00:43:31.27
nothing to do with it...
00:43:31.31\00:43:33.21
he was accepted on the basis of
his papers that he had supplied
00:43:33.24\00:43:38.45
but there was another condition
before he became a teacher
00:43:38.48\00:43:42.55
and that is, that he
had to pass the TB test
00:43:42.58\00:43:47.16
pause...
00:43:47.19\00:43:49.42
and so it is.
00:43:49.49\00:43:51.39
When Jesus gives to everyone
00:43:51.43\00:43:53.70
and invites everyone to the
marriage supper of the lamb.
00:43:53.73\00:43:59.10
There is nothing that will
ever be added to the invitation
00:43:59.13\00:44:04.47
that He has given.
00:44:04.51\00:44:05.84
Nothing... nobody
can add a single thing
00:44:05.87\00:44:11.31
to what Jesus has already done.
00:44:11.35\00:44:14.95
It is
complete... a 100% complete
00:44:14.98\00:44:18.52
but there is another condition
before we get into heaven
00:44:18.55\00:44:24.99
and that is... we've
got to have the garment on
00:44:25.03\00:44:27.13
because God doesn't want people
00:44:27.16\00:44:35.30
coughing "sin germs"
all over the universe
00:44:35.34\00:44:39.87
and over His pristine heaven.
00:44:39.91\00:44:41.51
God has got to make sure
that before we go into heaven,
00:44:41.54\00:44:47.08
we're not going to continue
00:44:47.12\00:44:49.18
the life that we're
living down on this life
00:44:49.22\00:44:52.15
up there in heaven.
00:44:52.19\00:44:54.86
To illustrate...
00:44:54.92\00:44:57.53
imagine if a
person wasn't converted
00:44:57.56\00:44:59.63
and they hadn't
got the garment on,
00:44:59.69\00:45:01.73
and as they go into the city,
00:45:01.76\00:45:03.63
the first thing they see is
this beautiful golden street.
00:45:03.67\00:45:06.20
Pause...
00:45:06.23\00:45:09.30
What do you think is
going to go through their mind?
00:45:09.34\00:45:12.27
They're unconverted...
00:45:12.31\00:45:14.61
What would happen?
00:45:14.64\00:45:16.88
they'd go down to
the heavenly Bunnings...
00:45:16.91\00:45:20.02
buy a hammer and chisel
and start chipping away...
00:45:20.05\00:45:25.45
isn't that right?
00:45:25.49\00:45:26.82
Absolutely...
00:45:26.86\00:45:28.19
and as for the music, wowee!
00:45:28.22\00:45:30.73
Imagine going home to heaven
00:45:30.76\00:45:33.63
listening to
music that we love here
00:45:33.66\00:45:35.20
and you're being used doing
the heavy metal and so forth...
00:45:35.26\00:45:39.50
and you get home and listen
to those heavenly choirs...
00:45:39.53\00:45:43.74
God's stainless music...
00:45:43.77\00:45:45.41
because unless a
person's heart is changed,
00:45:45.44\00:45:50.71
they would never be
happy in heaven's environment.
00:45:50.75\00:45:53.45
That's why we've got
to have the garment on
00:45:53.52\00:45:55.82
pause...
00:45:55.85\00:45:58.22
because we've got to be
made ready for the environment.
00:45:58.25\00:46:00.76
We've got to be
happy in that environment.
00:46:00.79\00:46:03.46
Pause...
00:46:03.49\00:46:07.00
When talking to people
00:46:07.03\00:46:08.66
about the
overcoming life and victory,
00:46:08.70\00:46:11.53
there are some of us
who don't understand that
00:46:11.57\00:46:14.54
that's part of the gospel
00:46:14.57\00:46:16.40
because for some of us,
00:46:16.44\00:46:18.17
the gospel is defined
by justification alone.
00:46:18.21\00:46:22.68
Pause.
00:46:22.74\00:46:24.61
Pardon... in other words...
00:46:24.65\00:46:25.98
what Jesus did on the cross,
is the totality of the gospel.
00:46:26.01\00:46:30.05
I want to suggest to you today
00:46:30.09\00:46:32.22
that that is a
perversion of the gospel...
00:46:32.25\00:46:34.52
that is a
half-measure of the gospel.
00:46:34.56\00:46:38.46
The gospel is more
than forgiveness...
00:46:38.49\00:46:42.36
thank God for that...
00:46:42.40\00:46:43.73
He offers me
power to change my life
00:46:43.77\00:46:46.90
so that I will be happy in
heaven in that environment...
00:46:46.94\00:46:51.31
that I'm not born
naturally to enjoy.
00:46:51.34\00:46:54.38
Pause...
00:46:54.41\00:46:57.18
What I find that these
people who want to emphasize
00:46:57.25\00:47:02.35
of only what Jesus
has done on the cross,
00:47:02.38\00:47:05.52
is that they don't understand
00:47:05.55\00:47:07.32
that the robe is as
free as the invitation.
00:47:07.36\00:47:11.89
Pause...
00:47:11.93\00:47:13.90
Imagine if we had
to sew our garments.
00:47:13.93\00:47:17.10
There would be some of us that
would be quite adept at that,
00:47:17.17\00:47:20.97
there'll be
others... be hopeless...
00:47:21.00\00:47:23.30
we wouldn't be able to do it
00:47:23.34\00:47:25.84
but there's not one stitch of
human devising in that garment.
00:47:25.87\00:47:30.05
Everything is a gift...
God has done it for us...
00:47:30.08\00:47:33.45
all He wants us to do is to
be willing to put the garment on
00:47:33.48\00:47:36.25
and if we put the garment on,
00:47:36.28\00:47:38.79
He then works in my
life to change my life
00:47:38.85\00:47:41.86
as He wants me to be.
00:47:41.89\00:47:43.93
Pause.
00:47:43.96\00:47:48.06
So both
justification and sanctification
00:47:48.10\00:47:52.03
are total gifts from God...
00:47:52.07\00:47:54.40
pause...
00:47:54.44\00:47:56.27
and some of us
have not understood that
00:47:56.30\00:47:59.07
that's why we grit
our teeth when we speak,
00:47:59.11\00:48:01.88
we come to
Jesus... we accept Jesus...
00:48:01.91\00:48:03.88
and then we think
from this moment onwards,
00:48:03.91\00:48:06.15
"I'm going to grit my teeth...
I've got to bite the seed...
00:48:06.18\00:48:08.72
I've got to not eat
chocolate anymore... "
00:48:08.75\00:48:10.89
or not swear anymore or
what ever it happens to be.
00:48:10.92\00:48:14.39
No, that's not the
way it's done at all...
00:48:14.42\00:48:16.89
we come to Jesus as we
are and as we put the robe on,
00:48:16.93\00:48:20.93
it is His life
that will change us...
00:48:20.96\00:48:23.53
His righteousness
works on the inside
00:48:23.57\00:48:25.83
and changes me
from the inside out.
00:48:25.87\00:48:28.07
Pause...
00:48:28.10\00:48:32.37
more pause...
00:48:32.41\00:48:33.98
It's one reason why some people
00:48:34.01\00:48:35.61
try to bring their theology
down to their own performance
00:48:35.64\00:48:39.01
and because they haven't
got victory in their life,
00:48:39.05\00:48:42.45
they try to wind
their theology around
00:48:42.48\00:48:46.82
their lack of performance
00:48:46.86\00:48:49.56
and their lack of understanding
of the gospel record.
00:48:49.59\00:48:53.33
You know that
beautiful hymn, "Rock of Ages"
00:48:53.40\00:48:57.77
one of the most
wonderful hymns...
00:48:57.80\00:49:01.00
by the way, we've got to
sing that while we're here,
00:49:01.04\00:49:02.94
pause...
00:49:02.97\00:49:05.41
you remember the words,
00:49:05.44\00:49:09.81
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
00:49:09.84\00:49:13.68
Let me hide myself in thee;
00:49:13.72\00:49:17.49
Let the water and the blood,
00:49:17.52\00:49:21.12
From Thy riven
side which flowed,
00:49:21.16\00:49:23.69
Be of sin... "
what's the next word?
00:49:23.73\00:49:26.23
"the double cure... "
00:49:26.29\00:49:27.90
What's a double cure?
00:49:27.93\00:49:29.50
Well, the rest
of that hymn says,
00:49:29.53\00:49:31.93
"Cleanse me from its guilt...
" that's justification...
00:49:31.97\00:49:36.67
"and its power"
that's sanctification...
00:49:36.71\00:49:39.87
Even the hymn
writer understood it.
00:49:39.91\00:49:42.14
Pause...
00:49:42.18\00:49:44.75
because the two
must never be separated
00:49:44.78\00:49:46.98
and the worst thing that's
happened in the last 30 years
00:49:47.02\00:49:50.89
is that it's been
separated in some people's minds
00:49:50.95\00:49:54.22
and it's brought all
manner of tragedies...
00:49:54.26\00:49:57.73
pause...
00:49:57.76\00:50:02.46
the garment is as
free as the invitation.
00:50:02.50\00:50:06.50
Can I read you a statement
00:50:06.53\00:50:09.60
that I'm going to
put on the screen now?
00:50:09.64\00:50:11.11
From "Desire of Ages"
00:50:11.17\00:50:14.34
it's the most
wonderful statement
00:50:14.38\00:50:17.45
outside the
Bible on this subject.
00:50:17.48\00:50:20.52
Let's just have look at it
because it is amazing... look,
00:50:20.55\00:50:25.89
"All true obedience
comes from the heart.
00:50:25.92\00:50:32.33
It was heart work with Christ.
00:50:32.39\00:50:37.20
If we consent,
00:50:37.23\00:50:40.60
He will so identify Himself
with our thoughts and aims,
00:50:40.64\00:50:45.24
so blend our hearts and minds
00:50:45.27\00:50:48.44
into conformity to His will,
00:50:48.48\00:50:51.61
that when obeying Him
00:50:51.65\00:50:55.35
we shall be but
carrying out our own impulses. "
00:50:55.38\00:50:58.85
Let me just pause here
00:50:58.89\00:51:01.36
before we read the next
section of the paragraph.
00:51:01.39\00:51:03.86
tell me this...
00:51:03.89\00:51:05.86
if...
00:51:05.89\00:51:12.03
just put it back please
to the previous... yes...
00:51:12.07\00:51:15.34
when it says, "When obeying Him,
00:51:15.37\00:51:17.51
we shall be but carrying
out our own impulses... "
00:51:17.54\00:51:19.87
let me ask you this,
00:51:19.91\00:51:21.71
if I'm carrying
out my own impulses,
00:51:21.74\00:51:25.25
will it be easy to be
obedient or hard to be obedient?
00:51:25.28\00:51:28.95
pause...
00:51:28.98\00:51:30.82
Easy or hard?
00:51:30.85\00:51:32.32
Pause...
00:51:32.35\00:51:35.49
wait a moment, I'm carrying
out my own natural impulses,
00:51:35.52\00:51:39.33
is it going to be easy or hard?
00:51:39.36\00:51:41.46
Easy...
00:51:41.50\00:51:42.93
pause...
00:51:42.96\00:51:45.23
look, do you look
at the statement again,
00:51:45.27\00:51:47.90
"so blend our hearts and minds
into conformity with His will,
00:51:47.94\00:51:53.68
that when obeying Him... "
00:51:53.71\00:51:55.64
that is...
doing the right thing,
00:51:55.68\00:51:57.68
we will but be
carrying out our own impulses,
00:51:57.71\00:52:02.25
that says to me... it's easy...
00:52:02.28\00:52:07.29
pause...
00:52:07.32\00:52:11.69
let me give
another illustration,
00:52:11.73\00:52:13.76
pause...
00:52:13.80\00:52:17.10
if you came and offered me
a cigarette this afternoon,
00:52:17.13\00:52:21.14
it wouldn't even
tempt me an iota.
00:52:21.17\00:52:25.74
You couldn't tempt
me in a 1,000 years
00:52:25.77\00:52:30.31
to smoke a cigarette.
00:52:30.35\00:52:31.68
Why?
00:52:31.71\00:52:34.62
Because I hate the things...
00:52:34.65\00:52:36.25
and it's easy
for me not to smoke
00:52:36.28\00:52:39.82
that's not a battle at all...
00:52:39.85\00:52:41.62
I wish I could say that
about everything in my life
00:52:41.66\00:52:43.96
but the facts are that when
it comes to cigarette smoking,
00:52:43.99\00:52:47.10
I don't have to
have a battle, it's easy.
00:52:47.13\00:52:49.33
Pause.
00:52:49.36\00:52:51.47
Let me read you the
rest of the statement, look,
00:52:51.50\00:52:52.90
"The will,
refined and sanctified,
00:52:52.93\00:52:57.24
will find its highest
delight in doing His service.
00:52:57.27\00:53:00.34
When we know God
00:53:00.38\00:53:03.45
as it is our
privilege to know Him,
00:53:03.48\00:53:05.88
our life will be
a life of... " what?
00:53:05.91\00:53:08.28
"continual obedience. "
00:53:08.32\00:53:10.95
Would you suggest that
that is supporting the idea
00:53:10.99\00:53:16.02
the Bible says, "to
him that overcomes... "
00:53:16.06\00:53:18.36
pause...
00:53:18.39\00:53:20.46
"Go and sin no more... "
00:53:20.50\00:53:21.83
Absolutely.
00:53:21.86\00:53:23.23
"Our life will be a
life of continual obedience.
00:53:23.26\00:53:26.20
Through an appreciation
of the character of Christ,
00:53:26.23\00:53:29.17
communion with God,
00:53:29.20\00:53:30.57
sin will become hateful to us. "
00:53:30.61\00:53:32.97
I want to tell
you, "If you hate sin,
00:53:33.01\00:53:36.64
sin is easy to overcome. "
00:53:36.68\00:53:39.45
Pause.
00:53:39.48\00:53:41.08
Now, does that mean
00:53:41.12\00:53:43.18
that we will never have
any more battles to fight?
00:53:43.22\00:53:45.72
No... because as
we get closer to God,
00:53:45.75\00:53:48.06
God shows us more things in
our lives that are unlovely,
00:53:48.09\00:53:51.19
isn't that right?
00:53:51.23\00:53:53.50
But as God reveals to
me His will and purpose
00:53:53.53\00:53:57.20
and He gives me
power and I spend time...
00:53:57.27\00:54:00.44
what is the key in that
last part of the paragraph?
00:54:00.47\00:54:04.87
What she's saying there is
the key to being victorious
00:54:04.91\00:54:08.64
in the Christian
life, what is it?
00:54:08.68\00:54:13.21
Yes, through... when we know God
00:54:13.25\00:54:16.48
as it is our
privilege to know Him,
00:54:16.52\00:54:19.65
our life will be a
life of continual obedience.
00:54:19.69\00:54:23.43
In other words, I
don't need to spend my time
00:54:23.46\00:54:27.16
trying to be good,
00:54:27.20\00:54:28.53
and trying not to
do the wrong thing
00:54:28.56\00:54:30.77
or trying to do the right thing,
00:54:30.80\00:54:34.04
my effort in the
Christian pathway
00:54:34.07\00:54:37.04
must be put into
communion with God
00:54:37.07\00:54:40.01
and if I spend time with God,
00:54:40.04\00:54:42.64
He with His righteousness
00:54:42.68\00:54:44.51
will change my life
from the inside... out.
00:54:44.55\00:54:48.58
Isn't that wonderful good news?
00:54:48.62\00:54:50.75
I tell you, we ought to
be shouting from the hilltops
00:54:50.79\00:54:54.19
because it is
the gospel in truth
00:54:54.22\00:54:58.29
and I feel so desperately sorry
00:54:58.33\00:55:02.36
that those who belong to
this circle knew theology
00:55:02.40\00:55:06.70
who don't understand that basic
understanding of the gospel.
00:55:06.74\00:55:11.17
The two things must go together
00:55:11.21\00:55:14.54
and sin becomes hateful to us.
00:55:14.58\00:55:17.85
People say to me,
00:55:17.88\00:55:19.61
"Well, I can't
obey... I've tried...
00:55:19.65\00:55:23.79
well, I can't... "
00:55:23.85\00:55:25.19
well, the paralytic
couldn't walk either
00:55:25.22\00:55:27.96
until Jesus told Him
to, isn't that right?
00:55:27.99\00:55:30.79
Then he jumped up and he walked.
00:55:30.83\00:55:33.60
Someone says, "I can't
live a life of overcoming... "
00:55:33.63\00:55:36.93
nor could Moses
push the Red Sea back
00:55:36.97\00:55:39.57
but he did...
00:55:39.60\00:55:41.07
because God gave Him the power,
00:55:41.10\00:55:43.07
Joshua couldn't have
made the sun stand still,
00:55:43.10\00:55:48.01
but he did...
00:55:48.04\00:55:49.51
through the power of God.
00:55:49.54\00:55:50.88
Gideon could never have beaten
the Midianites with 300 men,
00:55:50.91\00:55:54.85
but he did...
through the power of God.
00:55:54.88\00:55:57.75
Peter could not
have walked on water,
00:55:57.79\00:56:01.26
but he did...
through the power of God
00:56:01.29\00:56:04.63
and I want to remind
you of that wonderful verse,
00:56:04.69\00:56:08.26
in Jude 24, "Now
unto Him who is able
00:56:08.30\00:56:11.47
to... " what?
00:56:11.50\00:56:12.83
"keep you from falling... "
00:56:12.87\00:56:14.47
do you believe that?
00:56:14.50\00:56:16.57
Better than the Bible...
00:56:16.60\00:56:18.57
keep you from
falling and to present you
00:56:18.61\00:56:21.18
"faultless" before His throne
00:56:21.21\00:56:25.58
with exceeding joy. "
00:56:25.61\00:56:27.32
What a wonderful
promise that is...
00:56:27.35\00:56:29.08
that's the gospel in verity
00:56:29.12\00:56:30.89
pause...
00:56:30.92\00:56:33.79
and as I come
to Jesus day by day
00:56:33.86\00:56:35.79
and I accept the invitation,
00:56:35.82\00:56:39.53
I accept Jesus into my life.
00:56:39.56\00:56:43.06
I also accept the
garment in the same way.
00:56:43.10\00:56:46.40
"Lord, give me... thank
you for accepting me today
00:56:46.43\00:56:50.31
and thank you for
that wonderful garment. "
00:56:50.34\00:56:54.18
As I keep accepting
Jesus on a daily basis,
00:56:54.21\00:56:57.98
He gives me power
so that I can choose
00:56:58.01\00:57:02.05
to do the right thing
00:57:02.08\00:57:03.55
and I trust
that God will help us
00:57:03.59\00:57:06.96
to accept that
gospel truth today
00:57:06.99\00:57:09.96
because it has changed millions
00:57:09.99\00:57:12.33
and it will
change your life too.
00:57:12.36\00:57:14.40
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
00:57:14.43\00:57:16.40
"Our Father in heaven, I
just want to thank you today
00:57:16.43\00:57:19.60
for the wonderful
good news of the gospel.
00:57:19.63\00:57:22.60
I thank you that
the gospel includes
00:57:22.64\00:57:25.71
what Jesus has done for us
so wonderfully on the cross
00:57:25.74\00:57:29.21
and what He's going
to do for us day by day
00:57:29.24\00:57:32.18
as our lives are
changed and He gives us power.
00:57:32.21\00:57:35.12
Bless us to this end,
00:57:35.15\00:57:36.48
keep us faithful
until the wonderful day
00:57:36.52\00:57:38.89
when we will see those
clouds roll back in the sky
00:57:38.95\00:57:41.32
when Jesus returns,
00:57:41.36\00:57:42.69
I pray for
Christ's sake, amen. "
00:57:42.72\00:57:45.13