WEBVTT 00:00:01.199 --> 00:00:10.240 The sermon text this morning is from Mark chapter 7, verses 31 to 37, as we continue in our Gospel of Mark sermon series. 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:23.519 If you were here last week, you're going to see a close connection in this theme that Mark brings out in his gospel. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:36.240 Then he, that is Jesus, returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, to the region of the Decopolis. 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:43.600 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:58.960 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting, touched his tongue. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:07.359 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, Ephha, that is, be opened. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:12.480 And his ears were opened, and his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:15.439 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:20.239 But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:26.480 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, He has done all things well. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:30.959 He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:34.400 This is the reading of God's holy word. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:36.480 Please pray with me. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:50.159 Heal many, physically and spiritually. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:58.000 May your son continue his ministry in our presence this morning by healing many. 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.040 Be it physical or spiritual. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:06.560 We want to be open to what your son wants to do. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:08.319 By your spirit. 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:11.759 We pray in Jesus' name, amen. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:20.960 Yes, I am getting better. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:36.800 I mentioned the connection between last week's sermon Pastor Josh preached. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:40.479 And thank you. 00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:50.159 And let me tell you what I was noticing last Sunday when I sat and listened. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:55.120 I heard a lot of tears in this room. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:14.240 There was a lot of emotion as Pastor Josh preached about what is it like to be a mother in need who has a severe need in her child and begs Jesus to heal. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:18.080 Some of you can relate to that. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:34.159 You know what it is to plead for your child or to plead for your spouse or to plead for your parents or to plead for your friends, believing that Jesus can heal. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:46.159 A mother begging Jesus, we saw last week, and no, she was not put off by Jesus' words. 00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:52.560 I came to give bread to my people first. 00:03:54.240 --> 00:04:02.560 And if she's as she said, well, if I'm a dog, please give me some crumbs that fall from the children's table. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:03.759 Give me those crumbs. 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:05.199 I need crumbs. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:10.000 Have you ever been a place in your place in your life or you're there now where you need a crumb? 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.240 You're battling discouragement. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:18.399 You're battling against hope. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:20.959 And you just need a crumb. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.439 You ever been there? 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.000 Maybe you're there this way. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:31.120 Jesus knows how to feed his people. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:41.600 I was taken back to the words of one of my mentors, Jack Miller, his devotional about this. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:49.279 This Canaanite woman received one tiny word from Jesus, which gave her an opening into the promise. 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:53.519 In that crumb, she found great spiritual power. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:05:00.959 How is it then that we Christians have a whole bakery filled with bread that we ignore? 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:04.959 The promises have come and been fulfilled. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:08.000 There's plenty that Jesus offers us. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:15.360 Why then do we come up short of that life with no ability to do what he wants us to do at times? 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.360 We find ourselves leaving a worship service hungry. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:22.480 As hungry as when we came in. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.959 How do we explain that? 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:28.800 Is Jesus not here? 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.480 Is Jesus not offering us food? 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.279 And not just crumbs. 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:37.519 I love the way that Jack put it. 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:40.480 We come to a whole bakery. 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:52.160 If you leave today, hungry, as hungry as you came, I don't know why you didn't eat. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.480 Because Jesus is here. 00:05:55.040 --> 00:05:57.199 And Jesus knows how to feed you. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:59.279 He knows how to feed me. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.800 But we first of all have to acknowledge our hunger. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:05.519 That's hard to do. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:15.839 What's lacking, what this woman had that we often lack was a deep need that she knew that nobody else could meet except Jesus. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:19.279 Her need is what drove her shameless persistence. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:27.360 Like her, you must be a real peace person, coming to a real God with real needs. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:32.399 Expecting real answers and real transformation. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:35.680 You don't hold back until you see those answers. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:41.839 You persist praying until you receive the crumbs that Jesus wants to give you. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:44.639 That encouraged me this week. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.240 I thought it might be good for you to hear that too. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.480 This Gentile woman last week, you know what she was? 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:54.560 She was a female Jacob. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:57.120 You remember when Jacob wrestled with the Lord? 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:04.800 He said, I will not let go in this wrestling match with the angel of the Lord. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:09.040 He said, I will not let go until I secure the blessing that I need. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:11.439 What does it look like to pray like that? 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:18.399 What does it look like to believe in the gospel promises that lead us to pray like that? 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:25.600 Charles Spurgeon, who learned how to pray much from George Bueller. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.959 Josh quoted George Mueller last week. 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:36.639 These are the books that your leaders have been feeding on for years and years. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:40.720 It has a lot to do with where this church is right now today. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:49.680 Your leaders have been sitting down and eating and feeding at these tables of these promises from people like George Mueller, Charles Spurgeon. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.680 Most of all, most of all, Jesus. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.839 I meant to bring the book up with me. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:03.439 I forgot it's in my office, but I'll tell you the power of prayer is that's your summer reading, okay? 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.759 The power of prayer by George, excuse me, by Charles Spurgeon. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:12.720 One of the things that he said, I've read that so many times. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:18.639 One of the things that caught my eye the first time I read it, Spurgeon said, I have a license to beg. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:23.439 What would that look like in your life if you really believed that? 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:28.000 He said, I have a license to beg of God Almighty Himself. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:35.440 I have been given that license from the Lord Jesus Christ to pray like Christ, to pray in Christ, to pray through Christ. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:44.399 What would your life look like if you actually believed that your God is so good? 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.440 He is so faithful. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:52.720 He is so merciful that he gives you the license and says, use it. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:57.120 Come in my son's name, but you come for the things that keep you up at night. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:02.399 You come with the things that distract you and make you anxious in the day. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:08.159 Spurgeon said, I have a license to beg. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:10.159 How about you? 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:19.039 Now Jesus goes even deeper into Gentile territory today. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.919 You know where he is right now? 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:27.200 He's in present-day Lebanon in the stories last week and today. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:28.960 He's in Lebanon. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.639 These are Gentile lands. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:39.200 These are pagan lands where they did not believe in God, our God. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.639 And Jesus was not afraid to go there. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:47.600 It seems that he took about a 120-mile hike. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.759 That's a long hike. 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:53.279 To be with people that nobody else wanted to be with. 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:55.440 Wow. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:10:12.000 He went way out of his way, and last week, we leave offering last week, and he wants to go return back to Galilee, but instead of going this way, kind of a direct route, he goes. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:19.759 Who does that? 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:23.360 I don't think he did it for the exercise. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:33.519 I think he did it because his heart had compassion for people who needed compassion. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:35.759 That's why I think he did it. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:43.120 Today we're going to see briefly a prophecy fulfilled, divine power displayed, and praise poured out. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.080 A prophecy fulfilled. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:50.639 That's what Nate read for us this morning from Isaiah. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.679 By the way, Mark alone records this miracle. 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:59.279 You know, many of the stories that we've been seeing in the Bible through the series of Mark are recorded also in Matthew or Luke. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:01.840 This one alone, Mark records. 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:06.639 Mark getting much of his material, of course, from Peter, an eyewitness. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:09.279 What prophecy was fulfilled? 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.879 There's no, this is an easy one. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.080 This is a layup. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:14.159 Isaiah 35. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:16.879 We're going to come back to that. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:20.080 You might keep your bullet and your Bible open to that as well. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:29.200 The healing of this deaf, mute man is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:43.279 Looking forward centuries later to the coming Messiah, Jesus comes to this man, and we're going to get into the details of the miracle a little bit later. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:52.080 The tongue of this man who could not speak clearly links our story to Isaiah. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.600 In the Septuagint, and you know what the Septuagint was? 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:58.159 That was the Greek translation of the Old Testament. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:03.919 This is where the same word in Mark 7 is used in Isaiah 35. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:13.759 When Mark quotes the Old Testament to his Roman audience, I love the way commentator James Edwards puts it, these are load-bearing beams. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:18.799 And if you don't really know your Bible, you're going to miss that. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:30.240 These are load-bearing beams when Jesus takes the prophecies of the Old Testament and he applies them directly in his context and his day as the fulfillment. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:39.840 Isaiah chapter 35 basically is the final chapter in the book of Isaiah of God's judgment on Israel and the nations around them. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:47.840 This word, this Greek word, mogalalas, it signifies the eschatological arrival of the day of the Lord. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:13:03.039 When Isaiah wrote those words over seven centuries before Jesus came, he uses this word that will only be repeated again in the New Testament time when Jesus comes to this man who can't really speak and can't hear. 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:05.120 And he applies it to him. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:11.840 When the wastelands of Lebanon will receive the joy of the Lord. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:25.440 As we stay current with the news around the world in the Middle East, wasteland seems an apt description of what's going on in that part of the world. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:35.440 As missiles fly and hit their targets, as buildings are devastated, as the lands are ravaged. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:41.279 You know, it's kind of been like that for a long time in that part of the world. 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:47.519 But Jesus says the day's coming when there will be peace, there will be shalom even there. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:57.759 Jesus says, Because I came, I am bringing in and building my new kingdom even now, and one day everybody is going to see it. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:14:00.480 Everybody's going to see it and say, What happened? 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:05.519 And he tells us in Isaiah chapter 35, deserts become gardens. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.240 Praise God. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:12.879 By the power of God, deserts can become gardens. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:15.360 And it's happening all over the world. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:20.240 It's happening all over the world. 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.720 And Jesus tells us how. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.919 When Jesus comes, deserts will become gardens. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:36.000 The burning sand, Isaiah 35, the burning sand will become a pool. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.840 You could just stop right there, couldn't you? 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.919 Have you ever walked on burning sand? 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.919 Very quickly. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:44.799 Very quickly. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:49.919 You can't continue to walk on burning sand, it'll burn your feet. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:57.120 Jesus is talking about today, and by the way, Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 35. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.639 More about that later. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:20.559 What would it be like for in our lives for the burning sand to become like a pool to soothe, to take away the burning, to bring healing. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:26.879 And then he goes on to say so much more of Isaiah chapter 35. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.679 My bulletin's all marked up. 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:32.080 I got a lot of yellow, I got a lot of red. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:34.960 There's so many promises in Isaiah chapter 35. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:40.639 The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:44.639 They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.080 Now listen very carefully. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.000 He's talking about Jesus. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.559 Jesus is God. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.000 He's talking about Jesus. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.840 Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.120 He will come and save you. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.440 Again, listen very carefully. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.360 Jesus came the first time not to bring judgment, but to bear judgment. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:18.720 Jesus came the first time to walk the burning sand himself. 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:22.080 Jesus came the first time to enter our wastelands. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:27.759 Jesus came the first time to enter our deserts. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:32.000 He literally spent much of his time in the desert himself. 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:43.200 He came to bear the judgment of God the Father Himself, so that he could bring us into gardens. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:45.440 This is what Isaiah is saying. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:52.399 Verse 5, then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:58.240 Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.440 That's it. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.720 This is it. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:05.759 This is the connection that Jesus is making from Isaiah 35 in Mark 7. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:18.240 He's saying to this man, you're the man I'm starting with to bring life, to bring a garden into a man whose life has been a desert. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.000 We don't know how hard it was for that man. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:27.759 The word itself means to speak with great difficulty. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:36.400 It's not that he couldn't say anything, but he could hardly be understood because his speech had such impediment. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.440 Jesus says, You're the man. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.880 I came for you. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.960 And many others. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:49.759 And then later on in Isaiah 35, we're still there, right? 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:57.839 Isaiah 35, verse 8, and a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:00.160 The unclean shall not pass over it. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.480 It shall belong to those who walk on the way. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:07.519 Even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:14.480 Some of you have read that verse and probably been troubled by that verse. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.200 There's a time in my life where I was. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:44.079 How can I walk on that? 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:46.240 Can I walk on that highway? 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:49.119 You ever had those thoughts? 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.039 You ever raise those questions? 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.119 He's not talking about you. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.920 He's talking about Jesus. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:01.680 Jesus is the highway to God. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:05.759 It's not how good you are, it's not how bad you are. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:10.640 It's not how well you think you're doing or how poorly you think you're doing. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:19.440 Didn't Jesus say in the New Testament on the night before his death to his disciples, I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:21.920 Nobody comes to the Father but by me. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.680 Jesus says, I am the way. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:30.720 Jesus is the highway that God gave you to walk on, to bring you into the garden. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.799 Jesus is your highway. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:36.559 Because his record is perfect. 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:45.359 Oh, the sadness and the pain that we bring to ourselves when we forget that and we think that, no, I have to do this. 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.599 I have to do this. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:50.720 And you know what's on either side of that highway? 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.839 Swamps. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.599 There are swamps on either side of that highway. 00:19:55.839 --> 00:20:10.400 And when we think, if you think that this is about your moral record, if you think this is about how strong your devotional life is, if you think this is about how well you think you're serving in the church, if you think it's about these things, you're going to be in the swamps. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:20.160 You're going to find yourself vacillating back and forth in your life between pride when you think you're doing well and despair when you know you're not. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:24.000 The gospel is that Jesus is the way. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.079 Jesus is the highway. 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:31.599 And you keep your eyes on Jesus, and you won't fall into the swamps. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:34.640 This is what he's telling us in Isaiah. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:42.400 Verse 10, and the ransom of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing. 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:45.440 Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:48.880 The ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:51.119 The mute tongue will shout for joy. 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:56.799 These physical healings will authenticate Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.559 These are his credentials. 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:03.039 These are the credentials of Jesus every time. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:07.359 Is it smacking us in the face like week after week as we go through the Gospel of Mark? 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:09.119 If it's not, you're asleep. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.799 It's right in our faith. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:18.079 Jesus has power that no one else has. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:20.880 Jesus can heal like no one can heal. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:23.759 Jesus can forgive like no one can forgive. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.559 Because he is God. 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:30.400 He wasn't just a miracle worker. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:32.720 He wasn't just a good man, a prophet. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:35.279 He was God in the flesh. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:38.000 And that's why he had such power. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:43.920 And that's why we see these mind blowing healings and transformations. 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.880 And he's still doing it. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:59.599 Commentator James Edwards says the only categories adequate for Mark to describe the person and the work of Jesus are ultimately the categories of God. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:04.640 Because he is God in the flesh. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:07.680 Secondly, we see divine power displayed. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:13.039 Jesus takes this man aside and he puts his fingers into the man's ears. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:18.240 A man who could not hear. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.759 Could he ever hear? 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.880 We don't know. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:23.359 He couldn't hear anything. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:28.880 Jesus puts his fingers in the man's ears and then he spits. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:33.599 Probably on his own fingers, Jesus' own fingers. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:38.640 And then he puts the saliva on the man's tongue. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:44.319 And then he looks up to heaven. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.079 And then what does he do? 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.359 He sighs. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.519 Why does he sigh? 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.920 How do we explain the sigh of Jesus? 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.519 Is he bored? 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:02.640 Is he mad at the guy? 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:06.640 Is that a sigh of disgust, like sometimes our sighs might be? 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.400 Is that a sigh of frustration? 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:11.359 Is that a sigh of, oh, do you guys not get it? 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.279 No. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:17.119 This was a sigh of compassion. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:24.640 Jesus is grieving over this man's condition. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:28.160 He understands this man's suffering. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:36.720 And he sympathizes with his suffering, which is what Christians are called to do as well. 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:43.920 But I think he also understands the suffering required of him to relieve our sufferings. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:48.799 I say, I think Jesus sees the cross looming, looming in the future. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:56.000 In order to alleviate this man of his suffering, Jesus knows full well I will have to suffer. 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:58.400 I can't just wave my hand. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:11.039 I have to offer my body to a real cross, to a real death, so that real life can be imparted to people in suffering. 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:18.640 There's no other religion like Christianity, where we see the heart of God on display like this. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:22.240 We see the compassion of Jesus up front and close. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:26.480 There's no other religion like Christianity. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.119 And then Jesus spoke. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:38.079 His ears were opened, his tongue was released. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:40.880 This man who could hardly talk. 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:45.519 The text says he spoke with great difficulty. 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:50.960 In the original language, this was more vivid and concrete. 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.640 This is what it means literally. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.960 The chains of his tongue was broken. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:58.240 A chain or a fetter that binds a prisoner. 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:03.920 What Jesus is saying with this language, this man has been a prisoner all of his life. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:06.319 He's been a prisoner in his physical suffering. 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.319 He's been a prisoner in his spiritual suffering. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:13.200 This man has been a prisoner all of his life, and I'm going to speak because my word has power. 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:15.440 I spoke the world into existence. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.400 Hebrews says, to the work of Jesus Christ. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:21.599 I'm going to speak, and this man's life is going to be changed forevermore. 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:24.720 And Jesus is still speaking. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:33.200 He's not speaking at this point the world into existence, but he's speaking life and healing into existence in a new way. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.519 What's that word mean? 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:40.079 The chain was broken. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:51.599 Jesus came to break the chains that bind us, whether it be our tongues, our ears, or our hearts. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:55.920 Jesus not only gives us new bodies, one day he will. 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:31.119 And that's true spiritually. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:39.119 If you can't hear, if the word of God is not coming alive in your heart by the Spirit of God, you can't hear spiritually. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:41.680 And things are going to continue to bounce off of you. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.720 And you're going to wonder why all these other people seem to understand. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:47.519 Why do they have something that you don't have and you don't get it? 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:50.160 Jesus wants to do something about that. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.960 In the first place he starts is with your ears. 00:28:55.920 --> 00:29:00.400 So that you can actually hear the word of God. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:09.359 And the word of God speaks to my heart and it softens my heart and it enlightens my mind to understand. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:13.039 So I want the things of God. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:26.079 We have the physician in Jesus Christ. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:36.480 Could you even say today, would you dare say today, Jesus, would you please open my ears to hear what I've not been hearing? 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:38.240 Would you dare pray that? 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.480 It takes courage. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:42.079 It takes faith. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:50.319 This is what Paul said to the Thessalonians chapter 1, verse 5. 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:59.759 Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:04.400 May that be said about Alexandria Presbyterian Church. 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:16.000 The gospel came to us not simply with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:24.480 If your heart cannot be cut by God's sword, God's word, you have a very hard heart. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:27.920 But Jesus wants to do something about that. 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:34.720 Jesus wants to soften your heart so you can hear God's word. 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:37.920 So that you can love God's word. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:41.599 So that you can be transformed by God's word. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:47.039 Lastly, as we close, we also see praise being poured out. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:52.799 Back to Isaiah chapter 35, verse 6, the mute tongue will shout for joy. 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:57.839 The Lord's ransomed will enter Zion singing. 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:01.920 I've been thinking about that this week. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:06.480 Do you think anybody's going to heaven who didn't sing well on earth? 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:09.119 I don't know. 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.559 Makes you wonder. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:19.680 Do you think if on earth you can't really sing from your heart and praise to God, do you think you're going to be in heaven? 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.960 Why would you? 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:25.599 Jesus doesn't save people. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:31.680 Just to hear them grumble or complain. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:36.160 Or be stoned, statues, and worship. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:44.000 When his grace touches you, you open up. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:50.000 When his truth reaches your heart, you soften up. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:53.119 And your lips open up. 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:56.880 And you start to praise in a different way. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:00.559 We witness this here every Sunday. 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.720 I've said it before, I'll say it again. 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:06.160 I love the way that the architect designed this sanctuary for the acoustics. 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.640 I love that. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.279 But you know what? 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:09.680 It doesn't just happen because of the acoustics. 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:13.359 It happens because people's hearts are being transformed by the power of the gospel. 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.119 I'm thinking about the interviews we had this week. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:18.559 The elders sat down and new members are going to receive next week. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:23.519 I think, I think of the tears that we witnessed this past week. 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:33.680 I think of, I think of people who have walked with Jesus Christ for many years, who testify that it's only been in recent days that the joy of the Lord has come into their hearts. 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:46.319 That they, as one person put it, one lady put it, I love the way that you always are talking at this church is talking about a God who delights in us, a God who loves us deeply. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:48.960 You're not just telling us the rules. 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:06.160 Until recently. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:08.559 Until recently. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:26.160 And what do they say? 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.160 That's quite a report. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:36.319 Now I want you to listen to me very carefully because you might not have missed this. 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.920 What happened? 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:40.960 What did God say when he made this world? 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.799 It's good. 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.720 It's good. 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:49.200 It's better than good. 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.079 It's perfect. 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:52.160 Until we messed it up. 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:55.599 What did Jesus say on the cross? 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:58.160 It is finished. 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.519 It's good. 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:05.440 The work that I've done on the cross for you is good. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.000 It's sufficient. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:10.000 It's efficient. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.199 Here's where we get stuck. 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:15.280 We Christians, all right? 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:20.159 What about we could say about God's providence in our life? 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:25.119 Can we say tonight? 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.960 Can you say right now? 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:30.320 God does all things well. 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:38.480 We can choke on that one, can't we? 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.960 If we're honest. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:46.239 Why I'm really struggling with this chapter in my life. 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:50.960 I'm really struggling with what's going on in the details and the circumstances of my life. 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.159 I don't understand it. 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:55.280 It's confusing, and I'm questioning God's goodness. 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:57.119 Does he really do all things well? 00:34:57.199 --> 00:35:00.159 Then please explain this chapter in my story. 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:10.719 And I certainly acknowledge that it can be confusing, it can be hard, and it can lead us to lament. 00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:14.159 Yes, all of those things. 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:17.119 But hear me. 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:22.480 His providence in your life is done well. 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:25.519 All things well. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:32.800 And he says, I understand if you need to lament, lament. 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:36.719 But he still does all things well. 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:40.480 He'll hold your broken heart. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:44.239 He does all things well. 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:53.760 So we're going to close in a few minutes with a hymn that many of us know, O for a thousand tongues to sing. 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:56.719 You know it was written by Charles Wesley. 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:59.840 This was written 11 years after his conversion. 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:06.719 Dramatic conversion after years and years thinking he was a Christian, but he wasn't a Christian. 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:09.360 That's still true of a lot of people today. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:13.440