WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:02.799 So it is good to be here. 00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:06.240 We've been away the last three Sundays. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:10.320 It's just a little bit odd to be gone that long and then come back, and here I am. 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:11.919 I've got to preach. 00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:16.480 We've been visiting family, we've been on vacation. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.000 It's good to be back, and it's really good to have Russ and Christy back. 00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:21.120 We've we've missed them. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:24.160 Even though we haven't been here, we've still missed you guys. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:29.120 So last week we were at the beach. 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:31.839 We go to the same beach every year. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:33.520 We go with our family. 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:41.600 So we were down a couple this year because our daughter has got a brand new baby, but there were still 10 of us at the beach. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:46.159 And we enjoy it, but we really look forward to going to the beach every year. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:52.399 So Lynn and I, we're not big planners, but we do do a little bit of planning before we go to the beach. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:56.079 This year we were we had we had a night out. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:58.399 We were going to Target and Costco. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:02.560 We went to REI and I'm a kite person. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:05.439 How many of you are kite people when you go to the beach? 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:23.120 So we're in REI and I see this display is these really nice looking and expensive kites, but I'm looking at them and I you know I'm starting to read the label and it it's it says so the first thing on the label says spars are bungee connected. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.519 So that is that to me sounds like a pretty sophisticated kite. 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:30.719 And then easy assembly, that's good. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:35.840 Then flies in the winds of 4 to 25 miles per hour. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:36.879 That's good. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:41.280 Long flowing tail that included for stability. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:44.799 And the tail, by the way, you got to know this, it had snaps. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:46.879 It actually snapped onto the kite. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.280 I'm thinking that's pretty cool. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:02:04.799 Packs in a lightweight carry case, and this is good for me because I like carry cases and pockets, and so it's just a little carrying case, hours of fun on windy days, and most important, easy to fly. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:06.000 So sold. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:07.840 And oh, by the way, really look good. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.199 So bought this kite, it's a little expensive, but it's gotta be good because it's from REI. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:18.400 And so a couple of weeks before the beach, we're really anticipating. 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:19.520 We we get to the beach. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:22.719 I've been looking forward to getting out that first day, Monday. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.400 We're gonna fly this kite. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:25.919 So I'm excited. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:30.800 Um, my grandson's excited, he's four, he's gonna fly the kite. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:34.560 So we get out, we sit down, we put the thing together. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:40.159 It was easy to put together, and the the bungee connected tent poles worked. 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:45.520 We get this kite together, we go out, and by the way, there are two ways to fly a kite. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:50.240 One, you can run down the beach, or you can just hold it up and launch it. 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:53.520 I'm a launch person, so I'm holding it up. 00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:00.319 I got enough wind, let it go, and it climbs, it climbs, and then all of a sudden just nosedives into the ground. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:11.120 And I'm thinking, okay, I've flown kites before, I can do this, so I make some adjustments, launch it again, it goes up, it goes up and nosedives right into the ground. 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:21.919 So I'm going on for I don't know, 15 or 20 minutes trying to fly this thing, and finally I've made all these adjustments, nothing's working. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:23.439 Sit down, I get on the internet. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:25.120 How do you fly, kite? 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:27.919 Nothing. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:32.240 Even my four-year-old grandson's coming up and giving me advice. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:34.800 He said, Pop, you really need to run down the beach. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:36.319 Um, didn't work. 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:37.919 So we finally give up. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:40.159 I'm thinking, maybe not enough wind. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:45.520 So I'm looking at the weather forecast, and Wednesday, there's gonna be a thunderstorm. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:50.639 And so I'm thinking, thunderstorm, wind, I know what you're thinking, lightning. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:54.240 But that's okay, we want to fly the kite. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:59.759 So we go out and we launch it, goes up and nosedives right into the ground. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:08.639 Does that two more times, and finally we get a gust of wind, and I get it up and it climbs and it climbs, and finally I get it up enough. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:13.039 I'm thinking, no way that it's gonna nosedive to the ground because it's too far. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:18.079 But it's up there doing this thing, just flying all over the place, but that's okay. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:25.439 So we fly it, I give it to my grandson, he gets to hold it, he's pretty excited, and it really looks good. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.319 So after a few minutes, you know, you get tired of holding. 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:34.319 We we tie it to the tent, so it's up there flying, and we go off and do our thing. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:42.319 And I don't know, about 15 or 20 minutes later, he comes to me and he says, uh, pop kite's in the water. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:47.199 It had crashed, so I can't tell you how disappointed I was. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:53.519 Here I here I bought this really nice kite from REI, and it's basically a dud. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:58.240 And so this morning we're gonna talk about faith. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:05.360 I had faith in REI, it didn't quite work out, uh, they didn't meet my expectations exactly. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:12.879 But we're gonna talk about uh faith and the disciples in particular asking for more faith. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:18.879 And uh we'll we'll talk about how Jesus responds to him, and it's and it's kind of interesting. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:27.199 So I they're somewhere up in the northern kingdom, they are um 40 to 70 miles from Jerusalem. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.040 Before we do that, though, I want to pray. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:30.560 Let's let's pray real quick. 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:35.120 Heavenly Father, thank you that uh we can be here this morning. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:37.920 Um thank you that we can worship you. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:59.759 Thank you for your your love and your grace, and uh I just pray this morning that uh even as I'm here um sharing your word, um as fallible as I am, I pray that uh that you would speak through me and and also speak to me and that that your word would be manifest this morning. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:09.839 So the uh if we if we look at the scripture, verse 5, the very first verse, the apostles say to the Lord, increase our faith. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:14.720 And it's like, well, why why are they asking that? 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:17.600 Why are they asking for their faith to be increased? 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:19.920 And a couple of possibilities, maybe. 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:24.639 Um is he had just talked with them about temptation and sin. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:32.959 So maybe it's that, well, gosh, if he increases our faith, if Jesus increases our faith, I'm gonna sin less. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.399 And that's a good thing. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.160 So maybe that was a reason. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.439 Or, you know, they're involved in Jesus' ministry. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:43.920 Maybe they just want to be more effective in Jesus' ministry. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.360 Um, not sure, but it could be either one of those things. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.680 But it's it's it's the same kind of struggle I think I have that we have. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:55.839 It's like, you know, how can I be a better person? 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:58.079 How can I sin less? 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.800 Um I be a better believer. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:06.879 Maybe if I just had more faith, maybe if I had more faith, I could be a better person. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:14.319 Um so I want more faith so I can do more, so I can be more. 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:17.199 But do you do you hear the little subtlety there? 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:22.240 I want more faith, so I can be more. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:28.560 Um that that really sounds a little bit like me performing. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.240 I I want to be a better person. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:35.279 I want to be able to perform better, so maybe if I have a little bit more faith, I can. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:41.279 Um maybe if I have more and do more, then maybe I can be more. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:43.920 And and what that is, is merit. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:46.959 And we're gonna we're gonna talk about that more in a minute. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:54.959 Um I think it's it's kind of all in the for all of us in the back of our minds at least. 00:07:55.199 --> 00:08:09.680 If if I can be successful, if I can be important, then maybe I can be significant, but yet that that's not necessarily what I the gospel is all about, and we'll talk about that. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.000 So, how does Jesus respond? 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:28.079 In verse 6, he says, and the Lord said, and I love this, if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and plant it in the sea, and it would obey you. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:33.840 And I think we think, well, gosh, I just need more faith. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:37.360 I need at least as much faith as a mustard seed. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.200 So, how much is that? 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.960 I'm like, what is Jesus saying there? 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:45.440 So I I did a little bit of work on this, and I went out and got some seeds. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.679 This is not a mustard seed. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:55.200 That is an avocado seed, and that is a big seed. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:57.360 So I'm gonna put it up there. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.240 I hope, yeah. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:06.960 By the way, that that seed weighs, I didn't actually weigh it, I looked it up on Wikipedia. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.519 That that seed weighs, it's gonna fall off. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:15.039 That seed weighs about one-third of a pound. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:20.159 I'm not sure it and it might not weigh that much, but it's a it's a big seed. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:25.279 So this is a mustard seed, and I bought brought several because I'm likely to drop it. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.480 I'm not even sure. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.559 Can anybody even see that? 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.159 Okay, I'm gonna put it over here. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:44.639 That weighs, and I I I looked this up, that weighs one millionth of a pound. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.679 Pretty impressive. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:52.639 So, what is it that that Jesus is saying here? 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:56.240 Um I think it's pretty simple. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:02.720 He's basically saying it does not take much faith, just faith of a mustard seed. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:08.080 Another way to say that would be it just takes an itty-bitty faith. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:12.159 Um, and in all likelihood, I have enough faith. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:14.480 In all likelihood, you have enough faith. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:21.840 I mean, the fact that we're even here this morning suggests that we have at least an itty-bitty faith. 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:34.480 For me, I for me, that's very comforting because that means I don't have to, which is the way I've always interpreted this verse, I've got to somehow conjure up more faith. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:41.279 Because a mustard seed faith is really good because it'll move a mulberry tree into the ocean. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.519 Um, but I need more. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.480 And but but that's not what he's saying. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:49.440 He's saying an itty-bitty faith is enough. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:11:01.279 So even when I'm weak, which I am, and my efforts are feeble, which they are, um you know, an itty-bitty faith is is enough. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.919 But I am kind of like the disciples. 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.440 I do want more. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:11.440 Um, and you know, you kind of wonder, well, is is that okay to want more? 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:18.960 But you gotta ask, like we did a minute ago, more what? 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.720 More faith? 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.240 But more, what's behind that? 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:23.679 What's behind the more faith? 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:26.320 What is it that I really want? 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:44.399 And and I think just to kind of cut to the bottom line, when when I peel everything away, what I really want is more contentment, more happiness, um, more rest. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:48.159 And and the Hebrews had a word for that. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:50.159 It's shalom. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:57.919 And uh I found this great article on shalom, it's really long, but it's it's a hard word to interpret. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:03.519 Um, so I think you know, we usually interpret it as peace, but that that doesn't do it. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:13.519 Um shalom is really God's word for harmony with God, but I really like this. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:19.279 A person said, shalom is total satisfaction in life. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:21.120 And isn't that what we all want? 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.679 Total satisfaction in life. 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:41.200 And and I think it's okay to be in a place where where we want that, where we want total satisfaction in life, where we want shalom, because it's it's the it's the desire for that shalom that ultimately leads us to Jesus. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:51.200 Um so Jesus begins to teach about that more in this parable that we see. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:56.399 Um I'm gonna lay out the parable like this. 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:01.279 It's like Jesus saying, You want more faith, you want more? 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:07.840 First, we need to adjust our perspectives, and then we need to manage our expectations. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:12.639 So we see in verse 7, Jesus starts with this parable. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:21.360 Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him, when he has come in from the field, Come at once and recline at the table. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:31.360 Will he not rather say to him, Prepare supper for me and dress properly and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you shall eat and drink. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.799 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:41.679 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants. 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:44.240 We have only done what was our duty. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:58.879 I think he's saying for the servants, that the servant or the worker, we'll talk more about that in a minute, have no basis to say, my effort should be appreciated. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:08.720 And I think this parable is a little tough for us because in most cases, um, I don't know, I've spent a good portion of my life feeling underappreciated. 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:16.240 I think we all struggle with that to some degree, underappreciated at work, underappreciated from the kids, underappreciated from our spouse. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:32.159 Um, and Jesus is saying for the servants here, the workers and the owner, the master, um, you know, there's no basis at all for them to feel underappreciated. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:45.840 So it may be better for us to think of the servant as a worker, because we don't quite connect with servants, and and and servants are a bad thing in our society. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:48.080 Back then, not so much. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:59.039 So if we think of it as a worker, a worker with no merit, that is out in the field working all day doing what their job is, doing what they're supposed to do. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:05.919 Um there's the understanding here is that the worker does not have merit. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:11.679 Um, they would never expect the master to serve them simply because they had worked all day. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.120 That's kind of hard for us. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:16.159 So, a couple of couple of examples. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:20.399 Um in my house, take out the trash. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:26.399 So, taking out the trash affords me no merit with my wife. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:30.799 In fact, if I don't take it out, I might have demerits. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:37.840 So, no, and no one would assume I'm some incredible husband simply for taking out the trash because that's my duty. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.519 That's what I'm supposed to do. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:58.960 Or imagine you have an employee who's worked all day long, they've they've come into your office at the end of the day reporting on their activities of the day, and uh you say, come in, sit down, come sit down at my desk, put your feet up on the desk, I'll run out and get some wine and cheese and serve you. 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:02.320 That's kind of that's a little bit weird. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:10.480 Um, you're kind of expecting that employee to do what they're hired to do, to do what they're compensated for. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:18.000 And at some point you'll have an annual review, maybe they'll get a pay raise, and guess what? 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:21.440 That pay raise will be called a merit raise. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:27.360 Because maybe they've done more than they were supposed to do, but we don't we don't think of serving them. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:36.720 Um John Piper says this the servants are unworthy in the sense of not having the authority to command themselves. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:42.159 Disciples respond to God just as you're us just as slaves respond to their master. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:46.960 Worth or usefulness is defined by the believer's relationship to God. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.799 Slaves bring nothing to their tasks as servants. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:54.080 So where does that leave us? 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.960 Obviously, in this parable, we are the worker. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:01.600 Um do I trust Jesus to command my life? 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:06.240 By the way, did you see that the song we sang? 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:20.319 Sam, I noticed this this morning, alive in you and the the chorus there, where it's talking about you are God, you are the great I am, and then down toward the bottom it says sovereign over every step. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:23.519 That's sovereign over every step of our lives. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:26.799 That means Jesus is is there always. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:31.839 And I think that's part of what Piper's trying to get across. 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:34.640 That's certainly what Jesus is trying to get across. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:40.880 That master is there taking care of the servant, and the servant is just doing what they're supposed to do. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.799 They're just doing their duty. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:48.480 Um, do I trust Jesus to command my life? 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:53.680 Um He's a lot more capable of commanding my life than I am. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:57.519 And it's the the problem I have is kind of getting in sync with that. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:01.680 That that is, I think that's the challenge for all of us as believers. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:18.880 Um typically what happens with me is I have realistic about realistic, unrealistic expectations about my life with him, because I I kind of tend to sometimes think it's all about me and what I want and what I think I need. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:27.680 So I looked up unrealistic expectations, and Forbes magazine had a few of them, and I've done a few of these. 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:31.599 So here are some unrealistic expectations that we have in life. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:35.119 Like, number one, life should be fair. 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:41.599 When my kids used to come to me and say, Dad, that's not fair, I would say, so what's your point? 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:44.480 Because it's, and they didn't like that. 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:49.920 Um we we all feel like life should be fair to me. 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:53.440 And by my by the way, my definition of fairness. 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.799 Um, another unrealistic expectation, everyone should be like me. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:10.559 In fact, you know, I was egotistical enough when I was younger to think that they were, they thought like me and behaved, and it's just it's that's totally wrong. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:16.319 Um another unrealistic expectation is people should agree with me. 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:20.960 And if if they don't, I'm gonna try to argue them into agreeing with me. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:23.200 That doesn't work out very well. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:27.519 Or people know what I'm trying to say, we just assume that. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:32.079 That's an unrealistic expectation because most of the time they don't. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:35.519 Um, here's a good one. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.279 Unrealistic expectation. 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:49.759 More things will make me happy, and I think we all struggle with that one because stuff, we we tend to accumulate stuff, and it just doesn't work. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:55.519 Or another one, um, unrealistic expectation. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:20:02.400 I can change him or I can change her, and um I think we all know that doesn't work out very well. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:05.119 So, great quote here. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:12.160 This is not out of the Bible, and this is not a Christian quote, but it's a good one. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:19.680 What screws us up in life is the most is the picture in our head about the way it's supposed to be. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:26.880 So, what screws us up in life the most is the picture in our head about the way it's supposed to be. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:32.640 And so we we create expectations about the way we should think it, the way we think it should be. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:39.119 That expectation is not met, kite in the in the flying, and then we're disappointed. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:42.720 And sometimes when we're disappointed, we don't handle that very well. 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:57.519 So I think one of the things Jesus is saying here with the uh with the servant, um, the worker, is is the worker, us, we we need to adjust our expectations. 00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:08.079 We need to need to think, um, we might not get everything we want, or we might not get everything that we think we need, even. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:14.480 John Newton said this, he said, everything is need, everything is needful that he sends. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:17.519 Nothing can be needful that he withholds. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.359 That's such a great quote. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:22.559 Everything is needful that he sends. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.079 Nothing can be needful that he withholds. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:29.039 An itty-bitty faith is enough. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.400 And this is humbling. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:39.039 Our culture tells us just the opposite, that if we work hard, if we try hard, and if we do that enough, then we'll get what we want. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:48.000 And Jesus is telling us we have still, when we have still done all that is commanded, we are still unworthy servants. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:50.079 And that kind of hurts. 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:53.759 I don't want to be an unworthy servant. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.720 Um, but you know what? 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:58.559 Isn't that the truth? 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.759 Isn't that the truth? 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.480 Aren't we really unworthy? 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.559 And that's okay. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.559 I kind of like that. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:14.720 Maybe not what we want to hear, but actually it points to our desperate need for the gospel. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:19.839 And then you actually see the gospel in this parable in verse 8. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.039 Did you see it? 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:24.079 Afterward you will eat and drink. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:26.160 Afterward you will eat and drink. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:29.599 So he's basically saying, you're going to receive what you need. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:35.680 You might not receive what you want, or you might not receive what you think you want, but you're going to receive what you need. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.559 And you know what? 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:38.559 That's been true in my life. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:42.799 I've gone through some really difficult times, never missed a meal. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:58.559 Now, not all of us can say that, but but I think to put it in perspective, if if Jesus is who he says he is, he can take care of me, and he's promised to do that. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.640 It's hard for me to believe that. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:15.680 If that's true, we can rest, and even more than getting what we need like a child, we're getting what we deep down really so desperately want, even if we don't fully recognize it, and that's that shalom. 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.359 Here's a good one. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:27.200 Grace is unconditional acceptance given to an undeserving person by an unobligated giver. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.160 And that's Jesus. 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:31.920 He doesn't have to do any of that, but he does, and we're the recipients. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:40.480 And so the gospel tells us that Jesus, by the way, is much more interested in our companionship than he is in our efforts. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.960 So nitty-bitty faith is enough. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:55.039 And then, and we're about to wind down here, then Jesus heals the ten lepers, and we can't leave this out because it really ties this whole passage about faith together. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:02.640 In verse 11, on the way to Jerusalem, he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:07.519 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:12.319 By the way, the lepers were standing at a distance because that's what they're supposed to do. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:17.680 They're untouchables, they're contagious, or so it was believed. 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:25.839 And they lifted up their voices saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.119 See, do you see that? 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:30.400 Even those ten lepers, they had an itty-bitty faith. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:34.640 Maybe they knew sort of who Jesus was and who he had done. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:37.599 So they reach out, they reach out to him. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:40.400 And notice, notice what happens. 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:46.799 Verse 14, when Jesus saw them, he said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.119 And as they went, they were cleansed. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.960 So they weren't healed right away. 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:55.119 They weren't healed until they actually left and began to go to the priests. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:57.359 And then they were cleansed. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:05.519 And again we see that the faith that they had in Jesus was maybe it was small, but it was enough. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.000 Except for one. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.119 Except for one. 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:14.559 He turned around and came back because I don't know. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.599 Why did he come back? 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.400 Why did the one turn around to come back? 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:23.119 And oh, by the way, he was a Samaritan. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:29.519 So not only was he a leper and outcast, but he was a Samaritan and despised. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:44.319 Maybe I think there's only one possibility that he had to have recognized who Jesus was and he wanted more than physical healing. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:47.200 I think he wanted Jesus. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:51.279 And you see that because when he turned around and came back, what did he do? 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.799 He worshipped Jesus. 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:56.160 He fell down at Jesus' feet and worshiped him. 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:00.000 And Jesus said, Were not ten cleansed? 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.119 Where are the nine? 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:06.400 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner, this Samaritan? 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:10.400 And he said to him, Rise and go your way. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.079 Your faith has made you well. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.839 Isn't that a weird thing to say? 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.079 Because wasn't he already healed? 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:19.920 And Jesus is telling him, Your faith has made you well. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:26.000 And oh, by the way, I don't know that he had a tremendous faith, but he had enough. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:29.359 So what is Jesus saying there? 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:34.559 He's saying, Your faith has made you well. 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.039 He was already healed, by the way. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:39.039 Your faith has made you well. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:42.400 You have found satisfaction in life. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:44.640 You have found Jesus. 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:52.079 An itty-bitty faith has turned into worship, and then worship has turned into shalom. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.599 Let's pray. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:27:00.319 Heavenly Father, thank you for being so much to us. 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:05.279 Thank you for being more than we could ever be for ourselves. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:14.720 And you provide a way for us to have rest and peace and unconditional acceptance. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.559 And that way is you. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:23.440 And you do far more for us than we could possibly ever understand or imagine. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:25.200 And we just we just thank you for that. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:35.359 Even today, as we think about the faith of a mustard seed, I pray that that would be enough to draw us even closer to you in Christ's name. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.839 Amen.