Well, good morning, everyone. What a wonderful hymn to sing, eh? What a wonderful hymn. Now, good to welcome back all the second, third, and fourth years. We've been, as the first years, we went through the series. So we want to see Jesus. And I think many of you remember, we looked at the Greeks who came to Philip. Then we looked at little Zacchaeus, remember the short guy who climbed the tree to see Jesus. Then we looked at the woman at the well, remember, and everyone, they wanted to see Jesus because what she had said, and she led many to go and see him. I think after that, we looked at blind Bartimaeus, the man who just wanted to see Jesus. That's what he said, isn't it? Then we looked at Nicodemus, and he wanted to see Jesus, didn't he? And he came at night. Now, I know it's the beginning of the year. And we're still sticking with this theme, but the theme is going to take a little bit of a turn now, today, because certainly we are not so much looking at people who wanted to see Jesus for the right reason, we're going to look at someone who wanted to see Jesus for the wrong reason. And we're going to pick out some lessons and some truths from that, hopefully. So if you have a Bible, please turn with me to Luke chapter 9. And also, if you can, put your finger in Luke 23. I'm going to look at just, well, actually, turn to Luke 23 and I'll read the passage from Luke 9. Luke 9, verse 7. Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had arisen. Herod said, John, I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. That's Jesus. Now Luke 23, beginning at verse one. Then the whole company of them arose and brought him, that is Jesus, before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, we found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, the King. And Pilate asked him, are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus answered him, you have said so. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, I find no guilt in this man. But they were urgent, saying, he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place. When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. For before this, they had been at enmity with each other. Amen. So, sir, we want to see Jesus. Number six, Herod. Let's pray. Father, speak to us, help us to hear, help us to listen, help us to learn, and help us to do that which is right in your sight. Amen. So this Herod, the tetrarch, and tetrarch means in the Roman Empire the governor of one of four divisions of a country or province, is also known in the Bible as Herod Antipas, who ruled from 4 BC to AD 39. Jesus calls Herod the fox in Luke 13 and We know that Herod received a quarter of his father's territory. His father, I think, was called Herod as well. It's said that Herod divorced his first wife and married Herodias, the wife of his brother, who was also called Herod, lots of Herods. And this, of course, we know from the two passages we read, this is the same Herod that killed John the Baptist, a thoroughly wicked man. He says, doesn't he, in chapter nine, verse nine, John, I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. And chapter 23, verse eight, when Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. for he had long desired to see him because he heard about him and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So Herod wanted to see Jesus. And of my first point, it's very simple. Even the wicked want to see Jesus. Isn't that amazing? Now, why is that? Well, I think the obvious answer is this, because the wicked do not believe in the judgment. They do not believe in the judgment. Now, we shouldn't be surprised at this, should we? Because you see, it's not only the Jehovah's Witnesses, it's not only the Seventh-dayers, it's not only the Catholics who don't believe in it or preach it. The many liberal churches refuse to believe it and certainly will not preach it. It's not spoken of. Even in some of what we call the most evangelical churches, they will not speak about the judgment. But the Bible is clear, let me remind you now, the Bible is clear. It says in Hebrews 9, 27, and you've heard me say it nearly every sermon, it is appointed for man to die once, and after that, judgment. 2 Corinthians 5.10, there are about 15 verses and I've just picked a few. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Acts 17 31, for he that is God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by reasoning from the dead. So if you believe in the resurrection, you ought to believe in the judgment too. And if you're preaching the resurrection, you ought to be preaching the judgment as well. So why are men not preaching it? Well, I think it's because they don't want to upset anyone, do they? They also think God is like them, foolish and effeminate in their thinking. Men are scared to warn other men. Why? Well, we heard yesterday, didn't we, from Chad, they would rather fit in. I would rather fit in with the crowd. If I start mentioning hell and judgment, well, they're not gonna want me with them. I wonder, is that you? And I'm speaking here, not just to the men, to the women as well. When you're witnessing and preaching, are you lying? Are you lying to men and women, boys and girls, about the judgment to come because you don't want to hurt their feelings? Is that you? You know, if you are, then you're no different to the liars in the passage that we read, accusing Jesus of things he didn't do. By not telling people about the judgment to come, you're lying. And you're making them believe a lie that they're okay. You see these people in the Bible, they don't like the truth either, do they? They didn't like the things Jesus said. They're like their father, the devil. They like lies and they will receive their just reward on that same judgment day. Another reason the wicked desire to see Jesus is also based on a similar lie. And that is that Jesus is a helpless, nailed to the cross, still in the manger, gee, what a nice guy, couldn't harm a fly, failure. Just look at the world around you, they say, don't they? Look at it. There's wickedness, sin, murder, drugs, violence, terrorism. Where is God? There is no God. And if there is, well, he's pretty useless. Yeah, we know, don't we? That's not true. We know that God is there for those who call upon him. He promises that in his word, that he will hear us. And in our time of need, he will come to our rescue. So where is he? And what do we do when someone says to you, where is God? Look at all this going on, where is God in COVID? Where is God in terrorism? Well, you know, I'm going to answer that by, I'm reminded, I believe it was Billy Graham's daughter was asked the same question after the 9-11 attack on the Twin Towers. You remember that, don't you? Some of you probably, were you all born? Some of you might not be born. And these terrorists attacked the Pentagon and the Twin Towers. And they asked her on television, Billy Graham's daughter, where was God when this happened? And her answer went something like this, and it's very profound. She said this, she said, we had God in our families, but we said, we don't want you. Go away. We want to make our own rules in, sorry, in our families. We want divorce. We want affairs. We want to be sexually liberal. Go away. She said we had God in the courts, but we said we don't want you. We want to make the rules ourselves. We want to decide if abortion is right or wrong. We want to decide if someone should die for murder or not. Go away. She said, we had God in our businesses, but we said, we don't want you, go away. We want corruption, we want to cheat, and we want to be dishonest. And we had God in our schools, but we said, we don't want you, go away. We want homosexuality, free sex, free thinking, to do as we please. And when 9-11 came, we asked, God, where are you? And God answered, where you told me. We don't want you, so away I went. Isn't that profound? You see the trouble with the wicked is, they don't want God, and so they push him away. And when the time of need comes, oh, where is he? You see the wicked, they have no God. They pushed him away. Now they think he's the one who's helpless. Isn't that ironic? Owen there at the back, his sister was here with us on Sunday. She's with one of our alumni today, but she was once on an airplane. And she said, suddenly the lights went out on the aeroplane and the aeroplane began to fall from the sky. It went through turbulence and began to fall. What did she hear? Screaming and praying, screaming and praying. You see the wicked and the foolish, they say there is no God, but come the time of trouble and torment, they either pray to God or blame God. Even Richard Dawkins, the famous evolutionist, who says there is no God, he was asked a tricky question once on stage, on television, and he said, oh God. You see, the problem is with the wicked is not that they don't believe it, but they've lost all perspective of who God really is. And he's not the great God of the Bible for them who defeats great armies, or who sends great plagues, who parts great seas, and has given us great salvation. No, for them, he's a wimpy nice guy who loves everybody. And you see, that is why Herod is not fearful of Jesus. Because you see, Herod is like the wicked today. He thinks he can boss Jesus around, doesn't he? He thinks that Jesus has come and he can just demand a miracle. He thinks he can command him to speak and provide him with entertainment. Three things, yeah? Remember those, but he's wrong. Always so wrong. What does Jesus say to him? Nothing, nothing at all. And what does the Bible say? It's a wicked and evil generation that seek a sign. You know, miracles are not cheap, but many today think they are. They think they can just turn up at church and demand a miracle, demand Jesus to speak. Have Jesus entertain them on a Sunday morning. The Bible says, they say, didn't we cast out demons for you? Didn't we prophesy in your name? No, no, you never. Their contempt for God and his son and the works of the spirit will condemn them. It's blasphemy, really, these people, what they're doing in the churches, saying it's all in the name of God. They're no different to Herod, are they? Yet what do we see in the Bible? All the others who wanted to see Jesus, the tax collectors, the short guys, the blind guys, the deaf guys, the adulterous women, Jesus spoke to them, didn't he? And he blessed them, he touched them, and he saved them. Even beggars receive miracles. The woman with the flower of blood, however smelly she was, he saved her and healed her. But he did not speak to Herod. And he said very little to Pilate, except to affirm his own authority over Pilate. Now, I wonder if Jesus will ever speak to Herod, even at the judgment. Now the Bible does say that Jesus will say to some who also demanded miracles, commanded him to speak and provide them with entertainment, he will say, depart from me, I never knew you. But I wonder if that's actually more a figure of what he will say in the general judgment. That he will say that depart from me to them all, to all those who have not bowed the knee to him. To all those who say, when I see him, if I see him, I will tell him. But they won't tell him anything, will they? They won't be telling Jesus anything. Their lips will be silent before the judge. Have you seen that Judge Judy on the television? Have you seen that? What does she say when they move their mouths? Be quiet! And they shut up. Because you see, she's the judge. What are they going to be like before Jesus? Oh, they're going to be silent. They'll have their faces in the dirt. They will see Jesus. All of us will see Jesus, but they will not get the response they desire. Herod was glad, we read, but his gladness soon turned to disappointment. And one day it will turn to dread. You know, the wicked can be so deceived, they think Jesus will receive them and dance for them. But there will be no dancing on the judgment day. And there will certainly be no dancing in hell. Have you seen these people writing it? Oh, we'll all have a party when we meet up in hell. Fools, fools, that's what they are. It'll be dark. They won't see anything, just only know their own misery. You see, even the wicked want to see Jesus because they don't know him. They don't know their Bibles and they haven't read them. Have you? Do you read your Bible? How can you be sure you will see Jesus? Know his word and you will know him. Number two, The wicked are united in their contempt and hatred of Jesus. The passage says in verse 8, doesn't it, Herod was hoping to see some sign done by Jesus, so he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. Before this, they'd been at enmity with each other. They'd hated each other. Herod's joy was short-lived. It turned to contempt. And contempt is a feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration. And it seems this contempt was matched by Pilate, who also really got nothing from Jesus. And consequently, it made the two of them friends. Now, we don't have to look too far to see this acted out in the world today. especially in the West, and I'm probably talking more about the West here, but the police, the LGBTQ group, Muslims, feminists, BLM, teachers, academics, TV presenters, the BBC, CNN, ABC, politicians, they are all united against Jesus Christ and the Bible. You know, many years back, even when I was in England, the gay police, there's this thing called the gay police in Britain. They took out a whole page in the London Times and they showed a Bible in a pool of blood. And they quote with the quote in the name of the father. And what they were doing was implying that the Bible is to blame for hate crimes and bloody murder. The whole page in the London Times. Now, there are some in the police who say they're Christians and they love Jesus. Well, you know, these people in these pride marches, they say they love everyone, but believe you me, the truth is very far from that. But again, you see, it's because it's a Jesus of their own imagination. Politicians are the same, aren't they? They say they're conservative, we're for the family, we love Jesus. But you know, they know nothing about the Jesus of the Bible. They support gay marriage and they promote the murder of babies in the womb. How is that conservative? They say they are impartial, unbiased, unfair, but not to Christians, they're not. You know, I know many preachers who have been arrested for preaching on the street for nothing, for spurious crimes. Some pastors have been told in America that they must send their sermons to the governor, to the authorities to be read before they're preached. Christian teachers, I know Christian teachers back where I was teaching who were told to promote transgender and homosexuality beliefs and to shut up about their own beliefs. Shut up about the Bible and the Saviour who came to save the world. And how many people do you know who once attended church and seemed so switched on to God? You don't know where now. Furthermore, how many of those people mock God and the believers they were once so friendly with? There was a famous triple jumper in Britain named after Jonathan Edwards, that was his name. And at the beginning of his career, he would refuse to compete on a Sunday because of his great faith. Well then, after God rewarded him with an Olympic gold medal, he became a bit of a celebrity. working on church programs on the BBC. The next thing he's doing is presenting sports programs on Sunday, competing on Sundays, finally mocking our great God on television. I know another one even now. He was told, you'll never get a job at the BBC if you won't work on Sunday. Well, he doesn't. But the last thing I saw him, he was on this Celebrity Come Dancing. And there's two men dancing together. And there he is, you see, mixing with them. Why? How come? Well, the first guy, Jonathan Edwards, I believe he never knew God. He never knew Jesus. He had a belief based on his parents' Christianity. He never got to know the Savior personally. And if he did, he soon forgot him. when the lights shone from the BBC stage, how sad. And there are many like that today. They think they're so clever and that Jesus and the Christians who follow him, oh, we're so contemptible. We're not even worthy of consideration. But how wrong they are, how foolish they are. Creation testifies there is a God. Just look around you. Their conscience testifies there is a God. And eternity has been placed in their hearts by God. Oh yes, they will see Jesus, but there will be no more contempt. There will be no more mocking and sneering. The Bible says they will beg rocks from the hills to fall on them, to hide them from Jesus. That's what it says, to hide them from the judgment. But Older Carters got it right back in the 1920s. They said, there's no hiding place down here. I run to the rocks to hide my face. But the rocks cried out, no hiding place. There's no hiding place down here. You see, the wicked, they're united in their contempt and hatred of Jesus. And they shall be reunited in their contempt and hatred of Jesus in hell for eternity. Now, what of you and I? What of us? What Jesus are we going to see? Now, we're all going to see Him. We've established that, haven't we? That's a done deal. It's a fact that we've established in this series more than once. But are we going to see the Jesus, the Saviour, who says, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. Is that the Jesus we're going to see? Or are we going to see the Jesus who says, depart from me, I never knew you. Now, if you are chasing signs and wonders, miracles and prophecies, and you know who you are, like Herod, you better be worried. If your Jesus is the Jesus who won't send anybody to hell because he's too nice for that, well, you too better be worried. And if you're not reading your Bible and you're not so sure which Jesus you actually believe in, remember you got one of this in your imagination, then you better start reading your Bible today and every day. And let me take this opportunity to encourage you to start reading your Bible from cover to cover. Don't be dipping it like a pick and mix at the shop. Don't be picking the passages you like. Read it cover to cover, every day, every year. Now if you want a Bible plan, you can find one very easily on the internet. You can email me, I'll send you one. And download that and a Bible version that you will read onto your phone. Have it there. Even some people, Natasha does, Kenny does, I do. We have one where the Bible is actually read to us and you can listen to it. But do it every day, set aside a time in the morning or evening to read it and make a habit of it. It's the best way for you to know, to grow and to go on in the Christian walk of life. The Jesus of the Bible calls you to come to Him. Believe on Him, trust in Him and know Him. And believe you me, he is a wonderful saviour, full of mercy, compassion, saving to the uttermost. Don't leave it too late. Read your Bible and see Jesus. See him for yourself and look forward to that day. As we sang in that last verse, without fear, you will see Jesus and behold him for all eternity. What was that number? Six, five, what? The hymn number? Anyone? Six, four, eight. What does it say there? It says, in mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore thee, in heaven so bright, I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow, if ever I loved thee, my Jesus tis now. And that will be the Jesus that you see if you come to him. Bow the knee and submit your life to him. The Jesus of the Bible, not the one in your head, not the one nailed to a cross, not the one in the crib. We're talking about the living God Jesus found only in the Bible. Read your Bible, know Jesus, know eternal life. Amen. Let's pray. Father God, we thank you for sending your son into the world. We thank you, Lord God, that he died on the cross for our sins, for they are very many. But oh Lord, we thank you for raising him up. And Lord, knowing that because you raised him up, he says that he will raise us up. And at the last day, because we've bowed the knee to him, because we've submitted and given our lives to him, we shall live forever with him in mansions of glory and endless delight. Oh Lord God, we want to glorify you and enjoy you forever. And we want this delight that is ours for eternity. Oh Lord, let us be scared of hell. Let us fear the judgment. Let us fear that the Jesus we know is the right one. And let us not be pursuing these vanities of the world, these vanities in these churches, miracles, testimonies, gobbledygook language. Let us pursue and hear the word that tells us of the Savior who came to save wretches, filthy sinners like us. Help us to meditate on these things for the rest of the day. Forgive our sin. Remember us for good we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.