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welcome back to free Grace Baptist Church uh welcome to visitors with us this morning it um it's always nice to have you with us it's nice to have everyone with us not just the visitor so welcome back uh visitors if you do have questions after the morning service please feel free to ask and if you're not a visitor and you have questions feel free to ask we are uh not the unapproachable but rather the approacha bles and are happy to happy to talk to you um no announcements this morning so please turn in your Bibles with me for our call to worship you can turn to Isaiah 5 7 Isaiah 57 and verse 15 our call to worship reading this morning will be Isaiah 57:15 to verse 21 the word of the living and true God for thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity whose name is Holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones for I will not contend forever nor will I always be angry for the spirit would fail before me and the Souls which I have made for the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him I hid and was angry and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart I have seen his ways and will heal him I will also lead him and restore Comforts to him and to his mourners I create the fruit of the lips peace peace to him who is far off and to him who is near says the Lord and I will heal him but the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose Waters cast up me and dirt there is no peace says my God for the wicked amen let's stand and sing together our first hymn if you turn in your red Trinity Salter we're going to sing psalm 103: verses 1-13 to a familiar tune so that's your red Trinity Salter Psalm 103 [Music] [Music] 1-13 [Music] [Music] bless [Music] [Music] his [Music] [Music] will [Music] will [Music] for [Music] [Music] Earth [Music] [Music] [Music] please be seated just before we go to the Lord in prayer just a reminder we do have a prayer meeting um every second Lord's Day morning the 930 hour we gather together for prayer and bring many of your prayer requests to God uh on your behalf or on the behalf of family members and those sorts of things we also uh pray before uh each and every bible study on Wednesday night um often when we come to the Lord in prayer on a on a Sunday morning we don't have an hour to do so so a lot of the things prayed for uh are prayed for on those Sunday mornings or uh Wednesday evenings so please come and join us for those uh as you are able and throughout the week if you do have a prayer request please you know email call those sorts of things very often the most loving thing someone can do for you is to bring your requests to the Triune God in prayer and so please approach us with those things and we're happy to pray then and of course on our own throughout the week by ourselves or with our family members well let's uh go to the Lord God In Prayer right now then let's bring our things before the Triune God In Prayer Heavenly Father we rejoice in the fact that we can now gather for the worship of our Triune God and we do pray that you would help us now to wrly hallow your name we pray that you would give us that presence of spirit to rejoice in our God to give you those Praises that are your due as we read this morning you are the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity who whose name is Holy and we do pray that you would cause your Saints in this place and around the world to rejoice in your name to sing the Praises of your grace to rejoice in our savior the Lord Jesus Christ that returned unto you might be the Praises that are your due we do pray Lord God that you would uh help us in this place to worship you a right this morning we pray that you would prepare our hearts even now as we pray to participate in worship as we ought that we would worship you in Sp spirit and in truth that we would cast aside anything that would hinder a proper worship this morning we pray that you would not allow thoughts to intrude our minds uh anything that would impede the proper worship of the Triune God so uh please prepare our minds prepare our hearts that we might rejoice in you and that we might rejoice in our Christ and that we might genuinely and joyfully sing the Praises of amazing and Victorious Grace we do pray God that you would help us to be rejoicing in the Forgiveness of sins knowing that our Salvation is not something given to us because we have performed well we know that we are not saved by Deeds of righteousness which we have done but rather according to your mercy you saved us through Jesus Christ and the Perfection of his work so we do pray that you would cause us to rejoice in the Forgiveness of sins that is secured by the shed blood of our savior the Lord Jesus Christ we thank you that you did send him in the fullness of the time times born of a woman and born under the law that he might redeem those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons and we rejoice in that uh faithful saying that is worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into this world Sinners to save and we would ask that you would help us to rejoice in this that we would Rejoice that our Lord Jesus Christ was perfectly obedient unto your law in our stead that he died upon calvary's tree so as to secure a Salvation the salvation of a multitude that no man can number and that perfectly and we thank you that he rose again with great Victory on the third day we do pray that we would sing the Praises of such a Victorious work of Saving Grace such a perfect Redemption and we thank you that he is now ascended to your right hand where he ever lives to make intercession for his people might we daily rejoice in such a Christ and in such a gospel we do pray that you would be with those who need prayer Lord for physical things we think of many who are afflicted with injury and disease we would pray that you'd be with Shirley we ask that you would strengthen her and heal her Lord uh we do just pray that you would restore her to full strength and comfort her heart at this time we do pray that you would be with the Proctors that you would be with John and Sue strengthening them as well uh helping them to know some uh some relief from pains and discomforts and all of those things associated with h illness and disease might you just strengthen them and unable to join us might you just cause them to be rejoicing in our God we pray that you'd be with da newfeld and that you would strengthen him as well that you would give him uh daily uh strengths to uh uh to endure the day and we do pray uh again of course that in the midst of his daily afflictions that he would be rejoicing in our Christ and in our God we think of many others Lord God we think of Da and Sandra we think of Enoch uh we think of Marilyn and and others Lord God the van Shay others who are afflicted daily with physical uh travails we do just pray that you would strengthen them in body uh that you would as the great physician heal them physically uh but again Lord that in the Inner Man you would help them daily in the midst of Affliction to be uh to have their souls aroused unto High Praise for their God the judge of all the Earth who does do right by his Saints and for his glory we do pray that you would be with the persecuted Church Lord we know that there are many around the world who suffer pers persecution for their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and we do pray that this very minute this very hour you would be with them that you would know or that they would know Lord God that you are their God of All Comfort strengthen them in the midst of their uh Affliction in the midst of those who would bring hatred and opposition and violence upon them we do pray that you would just strengthen them and that you would uh just lift up our Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus and we would pray again that you would deal with their persecutors we pray Lord God that you would save those uh who uh who are uh who persecute your saints that you would come upon the wings of Amazing Grace and replace their hearts of stone with hearts of Flesh that beat for the Savior we pray that they would repent of their misdeeds and know that there is Mercy In Our God but we would pray Lord God for those who would remain uh in opposition in Rebellion to you and in uh hatred against your people we do pray that you would take them out of the way that you would Smash in their teeth and cause them to with wither away like the snail we pray God that you would cause them to no longer bring violence against the people of Christ and that you would cause them to stumble like drunken men we would ask God that you would deal with the governments that rule over us we pray that they would no longer rule over us in wickedness calling Vice virtue and virtue Vice but rather that you would give them Hearts to obey your law to see the wisdom of your law and to so rule we do pray that righteousness and Justice and Equity uh would be the uh the picture of our land and we pray that those who would seek to propagate wickedness in the in the ranks of the government that you would likewise with them cause them to stumble like drunken men that they might no longer rule over us in wickedness we do pray God that you would vindicate your name in all the Earth that you would cause your truth to go forth and that many Lord God would be saved by your grace and For Your Glory we pray that you would be with us now then Lord God be with Pastor Butler as he comes up here to preach in a few moments to strengthen him as he grips this pulpit and as he opens his Bible to Proclaim Your Truth we do pray again that he would know the aid of the Triune god father Son and Holy Spirit in this pulpit and that you might give him what he needs our minister of the Gospel to Proclaim with great strength and confidence the things of your Most Blessed truth and it is in Christ's name that we pray amen well let's stand and sing together our first hymn or our next hymn is 406 so if you'll stand with me and turn in the larger Trinity Himel now to 407 we'll sing that to a familiar [Music] tune my heart [Music] heart my soul [Music] my and [Music] mer [Music] [Music] to [Music] please be seated you can turn in your Bibles for our New Testament scripture reading to Revelation 5 Revelation chap 5 we'll read the entire chapter once again as Isaiah 57 is the word of the living and true God here in Revelation 5 beginning in verse verse one and I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back sealed with Seven Seals then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals and no one in heaven or on Earth or under the Earth was able to open the scroll or to look at it so I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it but one of the elders said to Meo not weep Behold The Lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its Seven Seals and I looked and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb as though it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the Earth then he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne now when he had taken the scroll the four living creatures and the 24 Elders fell down before the lamb each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the Saints and they sang a new song saying you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us Kings and Priests to our God go and we shall reign on the earth then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne the living creatures and the elders and the number of them was 10,000 time 10,000 and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing and every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the Earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them I heard saying blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb forever and ever then the four living creatures said amen and the 24 Elders fell down and worshiped him who lives forever and ever amen what an amazing scene here in Revelation 5 and remember don't shy away or be embarrassed uh if you will by a reading of such things where we read of a lamb as though it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes and these sorts of thing remember that there is much symbology in the Book of Revelation and that is for a reason uh for for many reasons one of the reasons is is that this picture of the throne room of Heaven that that John sees It's So Glorious it's so amazing and in order to condescend if you will to the mind of the Apostle John there must be symbology and and visions and depictions of things that represent the true and the high and the lofty remember that God does not have a right hand properly so but rather in order to show the immense strength of God in order to show the the the power of the almighty he is pictured as one gripping the one upon the throne who is gripping this scroll that has Seven Seals and what a picture of our glorious Christ or what a description of our glorious Christ the only one able to take the scroll from out of the almighty hand of God we see that Christ is or that Christ has a necessary praiseworthiness we see the those gathered before him saying Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing when we come to the holy scriptures and we see the result of Christ's perfect saving work on behalf of all of those who had been given to him by his father we see that he is crowned with Dominion in glory in a kingdom upon his Victorious doing and dying on behalf of Sinners he's given power riches wisdom strength and honor and glory and blessing and it is the requirement of all of us to give him his due in praise and in honor and in worship and notice the Blessed Gospel of our God here as it's given in verse 9 notice the language here you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and Nation you see Christianity isn't a white man's religion the Christianity isn't a religion uh for one particular PE people group it's not a religion for uh for the upright and Polished remember Christ comes into the world to save guilty vile and helpless Sinners and he does so from every tribe and from every tongue and from every people and from every nation what what a glorious uh what a glorious thing and what a glorious honor we have to come into this place this morning with breath given to us from our Sovereign God to praise our Christ who came into this world to die for Sinners perfectly and to rise again truly today brothers and sisters let us give him honor and glory and blessing Let Us return to the Triune God the glory that is due his name for the perfect saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ let us pray Heavenly Father we thank you uh for the fact that we can read from your holy word might we always count it a high and heavy honor to be able to hold your Revelation in our hands the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments that we don't have a fragment we don't have a piece like so many of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world but we have your word of God given to us in its entirety that we can Avail of it that we can read it and that we can be blessed by it so we do pray that you would help us to hold that as a high honor and that we would rejoice rejoice in our Christ Our saving Redeemer uh that we would sing the Praises of one who came into this world Sinners to save and might we be holy resigned now unto your worship that you might receive all blessing and honor and glory and it's in Christ's name that we pray amen well our final hymn then before the preaching if you'll stand with me is 599 again in the larger Trinity Himel let's stand as a church and sing to God 599 [Music] [Music] the [Music] glor [Music] glor [Music] glor [Music] glor [Music] Christ [Music] the [Music] Earth glor [Music] glor [Music] [Music] glor all the [Music] [Music] glor please be seated please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 20 Matthew 20 I'll begin reading in verse 17 now Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the TW disciples aside on the road and said to them behold we are going up to Jerusalem and the son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes and they will condemn condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles to Mock and to Scourge and to crucify and the third day he will rise again then the mother of zebedee's sons came to him with her sons kneeling down and asking something from him and he said to her what do you wish she said to him grant that these two sons of mine may sit one on your right hand and the other on the left in your kingdom but Jesus answered and said you do not know what you ask are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with they said to him we are able so he said to them you will indeed drink my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my father father and when the 10 heard it they were greatly displeased with the two brothers but Jesus called them to himself and said you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lorded over them and those who are great exercise authority over them yet it shall not be so among you but whoever desires to become great among you let him be your servant and whoever desires to be first among you let him be your slave just as the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many amen well let us pray Our Father we thank you for the word of God we thank you for the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and we pray that this morning your Holy Spirit would guide us and lead us as we consider these passages or these texts of scripture may we have a proper understanding and may these things affect us for good May the word of God be used by the spirit of God in our hearts to conform us more and more unto the image of the Lord Jesus and for any and all who have come here this morning outside of Christ we pray that today you would display your Sovereign Grace and your power we know that your your voice the voice of God most high crushes shatters The Cedars of Lebanon certainly we know that same voice can shatter the hardened hearts of men and women and boys and girls we pray that you would do this for your glory sake we pray that you would do this for the good of Souls we pray that you would bless in this time in this meeting and do forgive us now for all of our sins and our transgressions when we look at the holy scriptures God we see how far short we fall as we consider the fact that you are the high and the Holy One that inhabits eternity we see how great a distance there is between you and us so we confess our sins and iniquities we pray for cleansing in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and we pray in his Most Blessed name amen well this morning our focus is going to be on chapter 20 specifically verses 20 to 23 I pointed out last week as we considered that third prediction or third Announcement by Jesus concerning his crucifixion that in Luke's gospel in the count uh uh the parallel passage after Jesus spoke of going to Jerusalem being tried being condemned being delivered being mocked being scourged and ultimately being crucified and resurrected the parallel in Luke indicates that the disciples understood none of these things now Matthew doesn't tell us that per se but he illustrates that by what happens here in verses 20 to 28 the disciples are fixed upon priority in the Kingdom the disciples want a privileged position in that Kingdom the Lord Christ has just said that he will be spat upon by Godless men he will be SC scourged he will be brutalized and these men say can we sit on your right and on your left so we see in the first place an ambitious request for position in the Kingdom that is in verses 20 and 21 in the second place there is this ominous response concerning Kingdom suffering in verses 22 and 23 and God willing will take up the latter half of the section next week under the consideration the gracious instruction concerning Kingdom greatness in verses 24- 28 this morning as I said vers 20 to 23 and in the first place let's look at this ambitious request for Kingdom position note the questioner verse 20 then the mother of zebedee's sons came to him with her sons kneeling down and asking something from him now the connection of verses 20 to 28 is is very strong to what has preceded if you remember back in chapter 18 in verses 1 to5 the disciples asked the Lord Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom and it's upon that occasion that the Lord Jesus sets that little child down in his midst or in their midst you see this idea or this desire or this craving or this inkling for a special place is something that we see exhibited by the disciples here and I suspect is something that we see exhibited by disciples here this idea that we are proud people this idea that We crave far more than what we get this idea that we are looking to satisfy something in our hearts and at times we hold hard thoughts concerning God if those things don't come to pass or we prefer ourselves above others directly contradicting what the Bible tells us Paul tells us we are to give preference to others in the conduct of these two particular men that's not what's happening is it in the context of Philippians chapter 2 the Lord Jesus says we are to esteem others as better than ourselves so James and John should have been more concerned about the 10 being in those positions of prestige those positions of proximity those positions of privilege but you got to understand that it was wasn't just James and John here when we get to verse 24 the 10 are displeased with James and John why are the 10 displeased with James and John because they're concerned about their humility because they're concerned about their growth and Grace no because they themselves are concerned with being on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus because Christ's words demonstrate that he goes on to instruct them concerning true Kingdom greatness and and it is intriguing because Matthew the author of our first gospel here includes himself he was there he was angry he was displeased he had indignation toward James and John in this regard John Kelvin says this narrative contains a bright mirror of human vanity for it shows that proper and holy Zeal is often accompanied by ambition or some other Vice of the flesh so that they who follow Christ have a different object in view from what they ought to have now I operate or I'm going to proceed from this passage as I think that this is the main point to condemn this whole idea of Pride arrogance ambition a craving a desire for something that is not lawfully ours or doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things as we move through this text as well the connection between our section and what has preceded in the near in the near context remember in Matthew 19:28 Jesus says assuredly I say to you that in the Regeneration when the son of man sits on the throne of his glory you who have followed me will also sit on 12 Thrones judging the TW tribes of Israel now James and John say we understand there'll be 12 of us on these 12 Thrones but you know Lord we'd like to be right next to you we would like to have that privileged position as well the ending in in uh or and in the parable that Jesus taught of the gracious landowner in chapter 20: 1 to 15 there were people there that believe that they were entitled to more and both sections chapter 19 and 20 end with that particular statement that many who are first will be last and the last first so the last will be first and the first last these men are still occupied with this whole idea that they deserve a privileged position in the Kingdom and then we ought to note the close connection between this section and what Jesus has just said and again Brethren if I ever have to tell you that I'm going down to chilak and they're going to deliver me up to the Gentiles and they're going to spit on me and they're going to Scourge me and they're going to mock me and they're going to crucify me don't then say hey when you're all done can I sit on your right hand and on your left that is to minimize the reality of the suffering that will precede the glory that is to come that's what these men exist now note the particular persons involved in 20 verse1 then the mother of zebedee's sons these are James and John came to him with her sons kneeling down and asking something from him she's identified as salame later in Matthew's gospel and she is quite possibly the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus so more likely than not she is his aunt James and John are his cousins the son sons of Zebedee were among the first called in Matthew 4 in verse 21 there's Peter there's Andrew there's James there's John and when we get to Matthew chapter 10 when Jesus selects the 12 the apostles after Peter and Andrew are mentioned then are mentioned James and John now the parallel passage in Mark's gospel in chapter 10 indicates that James and John asked the question and not their mother so some would see here a contradiction some see contradictions throughout the Bible especially well uh uh especially when they despise God and they despise his word but we need to understand the EV evangelists are not contradicting one another the question comes from James and John it's conspicuous in our text notice that after it's brought forth grant that these two sons of mine may sit notice that Jesus responds to the boys to the young men in verse 20 2 the verse uh verse 22 at the end the young men respond in verse 24 the 10 are displeased with the young men not their mother we might ask the question why in the world did these young men put their mother up to the task well perhaps the family bind she's the Auntie of Jesus maybe he'll be more uh uh uh uh in induced to listen to her but then as well some commentators point out that in the ancient near East often times older mature woman women had a place of influence upon persons one need only think of the account of King David when basba comes to David and Bows before him seeking the throne for her son Solomon I think it's very telling here in this account solom bows to the Lord Jesus she kneels before him perhaps Matthew is increasing or giving us another link between David of old and David of new with reference to the Son of God in his Messianic capacity but be that as it may the first evangelist Matthew just includes a historical detail here that Mark didn't include there's no contradiction whatsoever now notice the request that is presented as I said she kneels down and ask something from him and he says to her what do you wish she said to him Grand gr that these two sons of mine may sit one on your right hand and the other on the left in your kingdom now in the first place this is commendable she recognizes that Jesus has a kingdom remember when we've considered that thief on the cross next to our lord Jesus in Luke's gospel in chapter 23 remember that Thief says to the Lord Jesus Remember me when you come in your kingdom that is a great exhibition of faith for this reason the apostles who belied the disciples who belied saw Jesus as it were at his best they saw him healing people they saw him feeding people they saw him raising people from the dead but when that Thief was on the cross next to the Lord Jesus he saw a bloodied beaten bruised savior hanging on a tree and he says to him Lord remember me when you come into your Kingdom that as Calvin says is one of the most greatest expressions of faith in the entirety of the Bible and we ought not to Discount that or minimize that here she says grant that these two sons of mine may sit one on your right hand and the other on the left in your kingdom so she recognizes or they recognize that Christ was a king who possessed a kingdom but they wrongly jockeyed for position in that Kingdom they wrongly jockeyed for position in that Kingdom such that riy says there was much faith in their request but there was much more of infirmity there was something to be commended in that they could see in Jesus of Nazareth the coming King but there was also much to blame and that they did not remember that he was to be crucified before he could Reign the sons desired a privileged position in that Kingdom again Jesus later in the section says if you want to be great think that is part of the image of God in us isn't it you don't do your work halfhearted you don't run a race to lose you don't do things so that you can fail that is to Bear the image of God it is to do what we do with all our might and to bring glory to him so the idea is not don't ever pursue great the idea is is that if you're going to pursue it do it in a manner that is consistent with the kingdom that's why he teaches concerning government in the next section he's not saying government ought not to be in place he's saying that the kingdom of Christ its government must not a that which is conducted in the world you see the Lord Jesus is discouraging this position or this tendency that is is driven by Pride stinking Wicked filthy Godless Pride that's in the crosshairs of our Lord Jesus the anti-gun nuts would go fanatic if they heard me say such a thing but that is in what or that is what is in his crosshairs now notice the promise of Jesus in 1928 that the 12 would sit on the Thrones The Desire of the sons of Zeb to be on his right and on his left Davies and Allison say that proximity implies favor proximity implies favor I want you to be right next to me implies that I like you more than I like the rest of them Spurgeon says while the mind of Jesus was occupied with his humiliation and death his followers were thinking of their own honor and ease Alas poor human nature Davies and Allison again make this very perceptive comment concerning the situation they said that the request is misdirected grant that we may sit on your right and your left these commentators say the request is misdirected and takes no account of what has just been predicted although crowds Will hail Jesus as the davidic Messiah Jerusalem will not see Jesus mount a throne but a cross and those at his right hand uh right and left will not be glorified upon Apostles but crucified criminals they know not what they ask and that is precisely what Jesus says to them later in the text there's a similar occurrence in Matthew 181 and5 1 to5 I think we learned something here Brethren we've got thick heads and thick hearts and we need repetition don't we I mean after they come asking in chapter 18 who is the greatest in the kingdom and Jesus Takes that child and plops him right down in the midst of them and he teaches to them and then in chapter 19 he highlights this reality concerning the fact that they will sit on 12 Thrones but in 21 to 15 he sort of undercoats all this or undercuts all this with this reality you have no right to hold out your hand and expectation to the landowner he has agreed according to his own purposes he is Sovereign according to his own purposes he is good in the way that he transacts his business these men needed constant re uh reminders and so do we because this sin of pride is such that is devilish and perhaps we can hear their reasoning process can't we I mean it's not specified there but they do believe they are entitled to this position on the right and on the left I mean after all they were among the first called to discipleship in chapter 4 they were among the first selected to apostleship in Matthew 10 they were within that inner circle of our Lord Jesus Christ when Jesus goes up to the Mount of transfiguration and you know later when he goes into Gethsemane these two men will be present along with Peter perhaps they like those first hour men in the parable are suggesting or thinking you know we've been at this a long time we deserve a little bump or we deserve a little bit more we might even say as we are tempted to say with those men in 20 10 to 12 you know what they do deserve it they do have it coming to them they should be in a position on the right hand and on the left now notice the ominous response concerning Kingdom suffering verses 22 and 23 Jesus answered and said you do not know what you ask isn't this our problem a lot of the time we don't know what we're talking about we don't understand the implications perhaps Jesus could answer a prayer of ours with this same sort of a thing we pray thus and thus because we know it will make everything wonderful and it will cause everything to be excellent and it will cause everything to just work out so and the Lord Jesus as we read in the last hour from our brother Spurgeon sometimes keeps harmful things from his children you know a kid may not fully understand the ramifications of not running with Scissors but hopefully the parents understand those ramifications the parents aren't against their child running the parents aren't against their child having fun the parents aren't against them expending some energy so that thankfully they'll go to sleep at night the parents understand that to run with scissors is an unwise unsafe idea and so the parents just lay down the law and say no the kid says but you don't love me you don't want me to be happy you don't want me to express myself you don't know what you're talking about you don't understand the ramifications you haven't connected the puzzle pieces yet you see a portion of a cloud in the puzzle and you don't realize that there's a whole bunch of other landscape as well this is what Christ says to them you do not know what you ask you don't get it you're ignorant you're clueless the Lord Jesus reiterates what has been clearly stated before the cross precedes the crown you do not know what you ask are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with I realize that some of your translations do not have that phrase concerning baptism it is found in the parallel in Mark's gospel in 10:38 and in 1039 so we're going to treat it as it is here but what is Jesus saying and what has been a repetitious theme from our lord Jesus to these disciples and if it sounds like I'm picking on the disciples Brethren I'm not I see each and every one of us in there well I don't know you as well I certainly see me here I certainly See Me In this passage give me this Lord I want this Lord give me this Lord give me that you know what you're asking you haven't rightly pondered the implications of what Christian discipleship looks like remember in 16:21 the Lord Jesus says the son of man must go to Jerusalem it's a defined necessity there there a covenant context there there is divine necessity upon the Lord Jesus that he goes to Jerusalem that he's tried that he is uh scourged that he is crucified and that he's raised the third day and on the heels of that what does Jesus say concerning discipleship if anyone wants to follow me let him what go watch a TV show on the intricacies of Christian discipleship if anyone wants to follow me what does he do go join a Christian commune anybody wants to follow me what does he do go you know rent Whatever video series teaches on this subject let him take up his cross and follow me what is Christ underscoring with his disciples over and over again and what is Christ underscoring with his disciples here over and over again what does Christ need to encourage us with reference to over and over again the cross pre seeds the crown it couldn't be plainer it couldn't be simpler it couldn't be more H uh uh depiction in this particular passage and yet how many times do we miss it as soon as a cross comes as soon as persecution affects us as soon as there is any hindrance to us in terms of getting to the kingdom we whine and we Grumble And We complain you McShan readers have recently read Philippians chapter 2 you know what Paul tells you in Philippians chapter 2 do not Grumble or complain does this characterize your life is that indicative of your walk with the Lord Jesus I'm not trying to be unkind I'm not trying to be mean I'm not trying to be harsh but ask yourselves the questions you whine and Grumble and murmur and complain when there's any sort of obstacle between you and the finish line that is what Jesus is killing among his own disciples he reiterates what has been clearly stated before the cross precedes the crown you see it in chap 10: 37-39 you see it in chapter 16: 24 and 25 you see it in Romans 8:17 2 Timothy 2:12 Revelation 3:21 Matthew Henry accurately says we know not what we ask when we ask for the glory of wearing the crown and ask not for the grace to Bear the cross in our way to it we know not what we ask we're simply asking for the crown but we don't ask for Grace to Bear the cross that we will inevitably be called upon to carry before the crown I think Henry's right I think this is what Jesus is teaching notice the fact that they're ignorant of his sufferings or they haven't fully come to grips with it he says you do not know what you ask are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with what is Jesus doing here Jesus is reiterating what he has said in verses 18 and 19 that he'll be delivered up to the Gentiles that he'll be mocked that he'll be spat on that he'll be scourged that he will die and that he will rise again Christ says you haven't understood you haven't embraced it you've heard it it's rolling around in there you got it somewhere but you haven't drawn out the implication yet and he says very specifically are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink what is that cup what is the cup that Jesus is talking about is he talking about a cup on a beach of filled with his favorite beverage that's not the cup the cup is the Wrath and fury of his father that's what the cup is according to the Old Testament usage Psalm five uh Psalm 11: 5 and 6 it is the cup of God's holy wrath Psalm 75:8 Isaiah 51 ver 17 and 18 the Prophet Jeremiah several occasions speaks of the wrath of God in this cup the prophet Ezekiel as well speaks of the wrath of this of God in this cup when Jesus says are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink he's talking about the reality that he's already specified I'm going to be delivered to death I'm going to be put to death and as we get closer to the Cross Brethren do you understand and realize that it's not the human activity that Jesus ultimately recoiled from when Jesus is in the garden and he prays father if it is possible let this cup pass from you it isn't the suffering inflicted upon him by the Gentiles that's in view primarily it isn't the scourging that is inflicted by the Romans that is primarily in view it isn't the spit of the Roman soldier again all these things are there to be sure but what is Jesus recoiling from with reference to the cup I've already described it it is the cup of God's Wrath and his Fury and his retribution for our sin when Jesus in the garden says my soul is exceedingly sorrowful even onto death and when our lord Jesus Falls and he prays and he sweats blood out of his human pores it is because he sees what's on the other side he sees this event wherein the father will abandon the son where in that time the Lord Christ will say my God my God why hast Thou forsaken me the cop is the cup of God's holy wrath and fury they haven't fully contemplated that they haven't fully embraced that to be talking about position on the right and on the left really seems to miss the overarching theme here that Jesus must go Jesus must suffer Jesus must die and that not only under the hand of a wretched Gentile mob but under the hand of a righteous and a holy and a wrathful god they haven't contemplated that they haven't felt it they haven't subscribed they're not on board yet and then note what Jesus says concerning his baptism he says and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with we know he's not talking about water baptism in this instance he's already underwent water baptism in Matthew chapter 3 he's not suggesting to these disciples that their baptism in water was somehow completely different than his baptism in water no this baptism goes right along with the cup this baptism is right there longside of the cup I think the clearest commentary on this reference of our Lord Jesus is found in Luke chap 12 at verse 50 Jesus says but I have a baptism to be baptized with and how distressed I am till it is accomplished what's he mean there's an interesting ant anecdote about Martin Luther in the history of the church and there was a time when he was coming home uh he or he was traveling somewhere and he wrote to his wife Katie he said you know I was trying to cross the river whatever it was and it nearly baptized me unto death you know what Luther meant by that he didn't mean sprinkled he didn't mean a little pouring he meant to be overwhelmed by that River you see that's the word picture that baptism creates it is to be overwhelmed it is to be all consumed it is to be plunged and in this context as we look at it side by side with the cup he is going to drink the cup of God's holy wrath down and he is going to be plunged into very suffering itself you see when these disciples say we want to be on your right we want to be on your left Jesus says you don't know what you're you're talking about are you able to drink the cup are you able to undergo this plunging into suffering that I am undergoing are you able to do this now notice what they respond they said we are able we are able now on the one hand that's a noble response isn't it I mean when we hear the call of discipleship anyone desires to come after me let him take up his cross daily and follow me we ought to resolve under God to say yes and amen shouldn't we absolutely but as well we should recognize that we're going to need Grace in order to pursue this again Matthew Henry we know not what we ask when we ask for the glory of wearing the crown and ask not for Grace to Bear the cross in our way to it so on the one hand it's Noble on the other hand it comes a bit short later on in Gethsemane is Gethsemane it's demonstrably false because you see in Gethsemane Jesus is agonizing over what he's agonizing over the cup that was like five minutes ago you should have all got that what are they doing while Jesus is exceedingly sorrow sorrowful even under death what are they doing when Jesus the Lord Christ is praying to his father if it is possible let this cut pass from me but when he in resignation when he in determination when he in in obedience to the demands of the Covenant of redemption says nevertheless not my will but thine be done what are the disciples doing they are fast asleep now notice what Jesus goes on to say in verse 23 he said to them you will indeed drink my cup remember the larger concern here he's teaching that the cross precedes the crown it's a lesson for us as well the cross precedes the crown in case we missed it up to this point in our studies in Matthew's gospel Jesus underscores the reality you will indeed drink my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my father now notice the affirmation or the conformation the underscoring the highlighting if you will of the reality that they will Traverse the same path they will undergo the cross prior to the crown Jesus says that you will indeed drink and again the baptism present here absent from some of your translations is in Mark 10:39 there two concepts the cup of the Wrath and fury of God and the plunging via baptism into suffering and ultimately death notice we need to observe that the distinction there is a distinction here sufferings that they would undergo would not be Redemptive in nature isn't it intriguing the last thing that Jesus says officially the last thing that Jesus says officially I know he speaks to these Blind Men in the next section but the last thing he says officially before entering into Jerusalem is to basically describe why he's entering into Jerusalem for the son of man did not come to be served but but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many I mean isn't that why Jesus goes to Jerusalem isn't that why he's delivered up to Gentiles isn't that why he's mocked and spat upon and scourged and ultimately crucified it is to give his life in the place of in the stad of the many the elect of God those purposed according to the Covenant of redemption the father gives to the son the son willingly undertakes to execute the demands of God's holy law and fulfill all the requirements to SA them from their sins that is the last official statement before Jesus enters into Jerusalem but that's not the purpose of the disciples suffering theirs is not Redemptive they do not shed their blood for the Salvation of Sinners Christians today Believers here those who undergo trials and persecutions and hardships and agonies it's not Redemptive in terms that you are able to satisfy the wrath of God on behalf of your family that's not the point the point is that those who follow Jesus will identify with Jesus in the reality that this world will hate them are you ever shocked at what you see in the Nations today are you ever shocked at the reality that just recently I mean in the same week I think Isis was was destroying other religious relics in other parts of the world they showed that under the cover of night those men went to take down The Ten Commandments that were before the courthouse in America see why they wouldn't want to do it during the day because religious wackos like you and I would be there going no don't do that do you ever get surprised at what you see the sodomy the abortion the euthanasia that has already been uh uh voted on and will be enacted in 2016 does it shock you it should I suggest that we should never lose lose sight of the fact that this heinousness and this wickedness is vile and wretched we should never forget Solomon's words that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people but when we reflect back in the the history of scripture we see that God imposes this antithesis in Genesis 3 there will be this lifelong combat between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent there will be this decisive match ultimately that Jesus brings victory over the devil but in this world Brethren if they hated Jesus guess who they're going to hate us also they're going to hate you I mean just make sure it's for that I think Peter gives us a good test in First Peter chapter 4 let none of you suffer as an as a murderer or as an evildoer or as a busy body don't say I'm suffering persecution at church because I'm a Christian no you may be suffering persecution at church because you're late you don't do your job you're lazy you whine you Grumble you snivel don't try to put that on Christianity that's Peter's point if you end up in prison because you're a thief don't cry religious persecution Brethren if we are like Christ if we are going to follow the Savior if we are going to take up that cross daily and hopefully die to self and live unto him do you think the world's just going to sit there and you know clap us on do you think the world is going to cheer you on your way to Heaven do you think you're going to be helped you think you're going to be encouraged you think those closest to you care one bit of the reality that you are carrying Jesus cross and you have a decisive end in VI they don't care fact it offends them they don't want the Ten Commandments because they want to engage in sexual immorality they don't want the Ten Commandments in front of a courthouse because then they might actually be bound in conscience to render a righteous verdict if I was on the Supreme Court or I was on any court in the land I would be ashamed of the Ten Commandments too not because of what they are but because of how far short we have fallen tonight we're going to look at the eighth commandment you know we all take the sixth and the seventh to the voting box don't we we don't want a government that supports murder we don't want a government that supports abortion and yet we want governments that engage in unjust Taxation and violate the very eighth commandment itself have we forgot they're connected as a whole you break one you're guilty of them all fiscal responsibility and economic stability these are reflections of an eighth commandment ethic certainly if I was a Godless judge living in Canada or in America I wouldn't want to see the Commandments either because they'd be a Nathan pointing at me thou art the man the point is brethren we ought to be shocked at the Great Lengths that Sinners go to to sin but on the other hand theologically we ought to reflect accurately on the reality that God impose this antithesis in Genesis 3:15 and it is an ongoing struggle and that Believers today if they are faithful Believers today who are carrying the cross Believers today who one day want to hear their lord say Well done good and faithful servant will go through the cross to get to the crown and that is Jesus words to the SE men he says you will indeed drink my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with but to sit on my right hand and on my left it is not mine to give but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my father it is intriguing isn't it the historical confirmation of this fact in reality Jesus says you will this is going to happen well we don't have to scratch our melons and wonder what happened to James and John the biblical record tells us very clearly in candidly acts 12: 1 and 2 what happens Herod Cuts James's head off sounds like the cup sounds like the baptism sounds like the way that Jesus prescribes here in Matthew's gospel James lost his head it's a Christian what about John the historical narrative concerning John is a bit difficult to piece together but we don't need the later Church's interpretation or history of it because we have Revelation one why is John on the island of Patmos because if he positions his lawn chair just so he gets an all over body tan no is he on the island of Patmos because he loves botchy balls and they have a club he's there for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus he has been exiled from the empire for the cause of Jesus Christ Our Lord you see Christ tells James and John that they will drink a cup they will be baptized in this overwhelming influence of suffering they will identify with Christ tradition also says that John was plunged in hot boiling oil if that is indeed the case wow what a baptism into suffering hey now that historical narrative happy has a happy ending apparently John survived that you cook bacon and a little splash of Grease gets on your hand and you know you're ready to just say forget it man this is tough It's Over John was plunged in a vat of boiling oil and survives that W it's an amazing reality but either way's on the island of Patmos for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ both these men would drink the cup both these men would undergo a baptism both of these men would identify with Jesus in this regard but then notice what Christ says the end of verse 23 but it is or but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my father couple of interesting observations here in the first place Jesus according to mediatorial office Jesus has the shorty of a better Covenant Jesus in his office as Prophet priest and King does not have the authority to station men on his right and left he says this is the prerogative of the father and notice in the second place that this is the prerogative of the father according to his own sovereignty think back to the parallel in chapter 20 think back to the occasion when those early morning men said you know we have borne the heat of the day we have worked longer we have worked harder we should get more than a Daenerys because that's what you gave to those 11th Hour workers we deserve more what does the landowner say you know you drive a hard bargain I'm going to cough up no that's not what the landowner says he answered one of them and said friend I am doing you no wrong did you not agree with me for a Daenerys take what is yours and go your way I wish to give to this last man the same as to you is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things what is the gracious landowner saying that he's saying I am Sovereign it is My Prerogative if I want to give the same Denarius to an 11th Hour worker and an early morning worker I am free to do that Christ underscores the same reality in terms of the father determining who close closest to the Sun in that Messianic Kingdom or in that Kingdom of Glory that is to come it's the will of God you see so much that we worry about and so much competition that is in our own hearts or the Kudos that we are striving after or the accolades that we so long for Brethren it's up to God it's up to the Lord God most high who sits on the right and who sits on the left we ask the question well who might that be that's not what the point of the passage is the point of the passages engage faithful humble discipleship before the Lord before we leave this brief section notice what else that Jesus says but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my father again it underscores the sovereignty of God most high but it underscores this reality when we compare it with Matthew 25 that both heaven and hell are prepared places heaven and hell are prepared places doesn't Jesus say this when he says in Matthew 25 depart from me into Everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels now as Believers we might think fondly on the reality that heaven has been prepared for us and we should shouldn't we shouldn't you smile during your day and consider 599 the lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land with the realization that one day I will be there because my Father in Heaven has prepared it so that's the day or the time during your day you do a little jig or you do a little skip or you do a little bounce and somebody says what are you doing oh I'm thinking about Jesus and I'm thinking about Glory does anybody ever accuse you of that you look so happy why so I'm thinking about Jesus I'm thinking about Glory but if you are an unbeliever here this morning consider consider the fact that hell is a prepared place too hell is a prepared place by the father you see we have this misunderstanding that when one lands in hell he is cut off forever from God I would like to Mo ify that statement just a little bit to say he is cut off forever from the goodness of God but you see there's not a square inch in this universe that you can go to where God is not there is not a place you can escape to where God is not if they ever perfect spacecraft to take you to to Pluto guess who's still there God the idea that hell is a prepared place a place of judgment a place of punishment a place where there is weeping and wailing and nashing of teeth if you're an unbeliever here this morning I hope this is a scary picture to you I hope it's terrifying that you see that what you see that future and you hear the Blessed sound of our Lord Jesus when he says all that the father gives to me will come to me and the one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out come to Christ you say well that seems mercenary to come to Christ to avoid hell come to Christ believe on the Lord Jesus repent from your sins follow after this one who is allog together lovely and chief among 10,000 the scriptures are clear all of sined and fall short of the glory of God all of us like sheep have gone astray all of us have red rejected and resisted and turned away but God sent his son into this world to do what he specifies in verses 18 and 19 to go to the Cross to drink the cup of God's Wrath to undergo this baptism of suffering to satisfy Divine Justice on the part of all those who by God's grace believe you see jesus' death at Calvary isn't just exemplary it's not the point Jesus goes to the Cross to teach us the better way now Jesus crosswork is Redemptive Jesus crosswork is specified in verse 28 he provides a ransom and the Biblical word here used Ransom some over the history of interpretation try to argue that it's simply Deliverance no Ransom here is payment with a price Deliverance is the end game to be sure but the delivery is rought through the payment of a price Christ does not specify or Define his mission as an exemplary or as an example do what I do we can't bear the wrath of God for others we can't undergo this totality of baptism under the overwhelming power of God the Father we cannot stand before this holy just and righteous God but Christ took on our likeness Christ took on our flesh Christ in the beautiful person in his work all that he did accomplished what we could never do but the reality there is a heaven for the believer and a hell for the unbeliever move you if you are an unbeliever to trust to believe to look unto Jesus and be saved was it mercenary when that Brazen serpent was lifted up in the wilderness did person say you know if I look there simply so that this Venom won't affect me that seems mercenary look at the serpent look and live look and live is what Moses says or God Yahweh to Moses concerning that incident but Jesus uses that parallel in John 3 just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the son of man be lifted up what's the point look and live well in conclusion in the first place we ought to see the presence of pride in the heart of Believers the presence of pride in the heart of Believers concerning these particular men they had the prophets they had the teaching of our Lord Jesus they had the reproof of our Lord Jesus they had the example of our Lord Jesus Remember these men were in a particularly interesting place in Redemptive history they are with Jesus Jesus I mean Jesus says things to them like you know have I've been with you this long and you still don't understand but think about us think about us we not only have the prophets that they had 1 Peter 1:11 tells us the prophets specified that the Christ would come to suffer and Glory would follow so it's been there you know the whole time Isaiah 53 has that movement doesn't it humiliation death exaltation it's not a new theme when we get to the New Testament in fact Israel parallels something of that it's a humiliation in Exile and they get out of the Exile they are typical of our Lord Jesus in that capacity but we have the prophets we have the teaching of Our Lord we have the reproof of Our Lord we have the example of our Lord and yet how many times do we still Express this devilish Pride now you may be be the one person out of you know five billion that doesn't struggle with pride you have permission for the next seven minutes to tune out but if you're with the rest of us this is an ongoing battle isn't it pride may not be expressed in these terms it may not be verbally articulated to those around us but our Behavior betrays it doesn't it jockeying for position wanting to appear to be something that we're not wanting to make sure that everybody has respect for us that everybody thinks we're a wonderful human being Brethren if people aren't chasing us with pitchforks we ought to be happy let alone them thinking we're wonderful human beings RT FR says the natural human concern with status and importance is clearly one of the most fundament mental instincts which must be unlearned by those who belong to God's kingdom now again the idea is not be miserable be a failure sit around and don't serve Jesus no pursue those things that Jesus says are good one of those small things in the Book of Proverbs that is noted for its wisdom is the spider or the lizard depending on your interpretation and the point is is the SP SP or the lizard this desp I mean not many people like spiders you know lizards aren't everyone's favorite thing nobody has a pet well I guess do people do have pet lizards and probably pet spiders but for the most part spiders and lizards are pretty genuinely or generally despised by the common folk and yet Solomon says they're in King's palaces there's something about that spider and that lizard that has a holy ambition they are in King's palaces they may be despised by everyone else but they've occupied or they occupy King's palaces there's an ambition that's righteous Solomon speaks of it the Proverbs do you see a man who excels in his work he will stand before Kings it's not wrong to want to pursue those things that are pleasing in God's sight it's not wrong to want to be good at whatever it is your job is in fact I highly encourage it one of the implications of the eth commandment is to work hard but this ambitious spirit that is driven by a desire to be first so that I will be recognized as the most important and most special person that's wrong man that's what needs to die in our hearts the modern climate of celebrity preachers the modern climate a celebrity Christians the modern climate where we extol men for their particular virtue or their particular you know whatever Brethren that is not legit if we are those who pursue these celebrity preachers or Believers we have usurped Christ's throne with a man who gets our attention if we happen to be a celebrity collectively say with the Baptist he Christ must increase but must decrease holy ambition yes a carnal desire to be in a position so that people will think better of you a carnal desire to be in a position so that you will be preferred above others no man rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God the psalmist set then dwell in the tents of wickedness that's the mindset that we ought to pursue John Owen in volume 6 says be killing sin or it will be killing you may I suggest be killing Pride or it will be killing you pride is that mother sin isn't it you take whatever sin you've got in your life if you work a little bit you will probably be able to trace it back to that monster Pride that dwells in your heart we like people to like us we like people to think we're awesome we like people to extol us we like people to think that we are extra special so secondly what is the present responsibility of Believers in the first place there is a necessity to recognize this pattern and embrace it you know when we hit those crosses in our Christian Life when we meet with that Affliction or that persecution or when we undergo those trials and those difficulties we seem to lose our theology so let me encourage you to grab hold of this theological principle this christological principle this principle of genuine Christian discipleship is that before you get the crown there will be some cross in the second place we need to live Faithfully in light of such a patter what's the best way to deal with our pride what's the best way to deal with this selfish ambition it is to live Faithfully listen to Spurgeon our practical present business is not to aim at Eminence in the Kingdom but submissively to drink the cup of suffering and plunge into the deeps of humiliation which our Lord appoints for us it is great honor to be allowed to drink of his cup and be baptized with his baptism this he grants to his believing disciples this Fellowship is the essence of the spiritual Kingdom and you know paradoxic paradoxically bre it's the person who isn't jockeying for position it's the person who's genuinely humble it's the person who's genuinely a servant of all it's the person who actually is the least to others he's the one that ultimately is called great in the Kingdom of Heaven Christ basically takes that model that the Gentiles employ where the one man is on top and he preaches or he teaches or he exercises Authority or Lords it over everybody beneath him Christ takes that and turns it on its head so that the guy down here is servant of all and he's the great one who's that ultimately it's Jesus Christ it is the Lord Of Glory who through his sufferings and his death achieves what we could never achieve as well we need to recognize that God is Sovereign over all things our present suffering and our future Glory included our question is not to ask who's going to be on on the right who's going to be on the left who's going to be closest who's going to be nearest who's going to be just be faithful that God rule God's got this he he really has control in these things he knows what he's doing he's perfected it and then as well we need to recognize that Glory does follow the crown see I don't want to get to the point where we say yeah I've got to understand that there's a cross that precedes the the crown but there is a crown there really is a crown we are heavenbound this train is Bound for Glory we are going to be where Christ is this is Peter's point in First Peter 4:13 but Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ sufferings that when his glory is revealed you may also be glad with exceeding Joy isn't that beautiful so yes there's cross now to be sure but never forget the crown never forget the glory that follows the suffering never forget the reality that we will be with him where he is we will think sing whatever however I don't know but that last scanza of 599 will become reality in our lives the bride eyes not her garment but her dear bridegroom's face I will not gaze at glory but on my king of Grace not at the crown he gith but on his pierced hand the lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's lamb so never forget that Brethren doesn't that make the crosses sweet doesn't that make the crosses something we can undergo doesn't it make the crosses doable when we realize that after we have with stod after we have gone through after we have got battled it out we're going to be with our Lord Jesus Christ and then in the final place we ought to recognize in this p passage once again the graciousness of Our Lord the graciousness of Our Lord we need to understand that the best of Believers have issues the best of Believers have issues the Apostle Paul himself says the good that I wish to do I don't do the evil I don't want to do I find myself doing Paul specifies in Galatians 5 that there is this this Spirit flesh combat that goes on in the heart of Believers the the disciples have that what happens to Peter later on Peter will deny his Lord three times Peter will deny his Lord three times but note how gracious our Lord is in this context the Lord instructs them the Lord says look at the Gentiles don't be like them you want to be first be last you want to be great be a slave and then later in Matthew 26 what happens when Jesus goes into the Gethsemane he takes Peter and he takes James and he takes John he doesn't have that disposition that you cross me you will never be in my inner circle again don't we do that to people they cross us they'll never be close to us again because they offended us right they hurt me they offended they did something to me brethren we need to get right with the Lord God if a brother sins against you forgive him if he confesses don't say you're done you're no longer on my friend list we operate like that right I don't have Facebook but I know what Facebook is and I know there's liking and disliking don't we operate that way she said something vicious to me I'll never forgive her dislike defriend praise God that in the church not everybody operates that way because we'd all be sitting on our own I don't know how we would ever do the Lord's Supper we'd all be you know just on our own thankfully some people do exercise forgiveness they're compassionate they're like the Lord Jesus who did not say to these men when it came to the Garden of Gethsemane you know back then you asked to be on my right and on my left and that betrayed something concerning your ambition and your pride and I I don't want anything to do come on the Lord Jesus is gracious in his dealings brethren we need to be gracious in our dealings it's too easy to keep people with arms length if they have somehow ever offended us we need to get over ourselves we need to model what Christ displays for us in this text and we need to ultimately be thankful for verse 28 because if the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many because of that reality we have the Forgiveness of sins we receive the righteousness of God and we by grace are on the road to Christian discipleship you have not believed Believe come to Christ the lord will let us pray Our Father we thank you for the word of God we thank you for our lord Jesus and his excellent instruction to us as disciples and may we never forget this pattern that is so clearly displayed in the gospel record that there will be tribulation there will be persecution there will be suffering and trial there is a glory coming a crown coming that is so wonderful God help us to march on with joy in our hearts with smiles on our face with songs coming from our lips at the reality that the lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land and one day we shall be where he is go with us now we pray and we ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen we'll close with a brief time of meditation and then be dismissed