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[0:00] My thanks to Jean and Eleanor for ministering to us there. Thank you. Well, this morning we're going to turn to John chapter 4 and continue our summer series on the signs in John.

[0:15] This morning we're looking at the second sign, which is in John chapter 4 at the end of the chapter. We're going to be reading from verse 39. It's really from 46, but to get the context we're going to be reading from verse 39.

[0:31] If you have a Bible, please turn to that. If not, it will be up on the screen. Let me read John chapter 4. Jesus has just been in Samaria in a town called Sychar.

[0:53] He's been speaking to a woman and she believed that he was the Christ and she went and told everybody. And they believed on account of her word, but then they came out and heard Jesus themselves and they believed on account of his word.

[1:07] And so from verse 39, many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the women's testimony. He told me all that I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them and he stayed there two days.

[1:24] And many more believed because of his word. They said to the women, it's no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves. And we know that this is indeed the savior of the world.

[1:39] After the two days, he departed for Galilee, for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his hometown. So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast.

[1:59] So he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum, there was an official whose son was ill.

[2:09] When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

[2:22] So Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The official said to him, sir, come down before my child dies.

[2:34] Jesus said to him, go, your son will live. The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

[2:48] As he was going down, his servant met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better. And they said to him, yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.

[3:04] The father knew that that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, your son will live. And he himself believed and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

[3:20] Now we pray that God would bless the reading of his word. Amen. What do you use to do your work?

[3:30] For instance, a carpenter will use a saw, a mallet, chisels, a tape measure, spirit level, a drill and so on.

[3:42] A mechanic will use a hammer, a wrench, a socket set, pliers, pry bar, screwdriver. A surgeon will use a scalpel, scissors, forceps, needles and so on.

[3:53] An artist will use an easel, a canvas, pallets, a brush. All of these jobs is a common theme. To get your work done, you need to use your hands.

[4:06] You need to use these tools. You could say that in all of these, a hand without a tool is not much use. You could also say that a tool without a hand is not much use either.

[4:17] Unless you're verbally communicating knowledge, most tasks require us to physically act, don't they? So you've heard the saying, all talk, no action.

[4:32] Maybe you've said it before to someone. Maybe you've said it to your husband when you're waiting on him cleaning the house. Jennifer could say that to me many times. I want you to think just for a moment about your words.

[4:48] What do your own words do? What do your words achieve? You've also heard the saying, I give you my word. How reliable are our words that they can be a pledge?

[5:04] For instance, could your word be used to secure a loan or a mortgage at the bank? I give you my word. No, they will not accept that. See, many words leave our lips every single day.

[5:18] But how reliable are they? What do they do? How effective are they? What do all these words of ours do? Wouldn't it be great to arrive home and just say, Dinner.

[5:31] And it appears. Now, I know that some people live like that. But it's not the power of their word. It's more like the love and patience of their family.

[5:41] Who make the dinner. But wouldn't it be great to just say something and it happens? I know as a father of toddlers, It would be great to stand in the middle of the house and say, Tidy.

[5:55] And it just happens. Lego go away. Toys in the drawers. And it just happens. Or to say, Grow.

[6:06] And the vegetables in your garden just suddenly appear. Or be gone and the weeds are all away. Or to say, Healed. And the ailment disappears.

[6:18] Wouldn't that be great? We just don't have that kind of power. Our words just don't do that. But John, Who wrote this account, John was one of Jesus' closest friends and disciples.

[6:33] And he says in his later letter, We have heard. We have seen with our own eyes. And touched with our hands. At the end of this gospel, He says, This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things.

[6:47] And who has written these things. And we know his testimony is true. John was there with Jesus. He could reach out and touch him. He saw it. Heard it. Imagine being close enough to reach out and touch Jesus.

[7:01] Seeing his lips move as you hear his words. See, John's experience of spending all this time with Jesus Is simply summed up when John says, We beheld his glory.

[7:16] Glory as of the only begotten son of the father. Full of grace and truth. That's what it was like to spend time with Jesus. John was with him.

[7:28] He's seen it and heard it all. And there was simply not enough parchment in the world to write it all down. But this account that we're looking at this morning is something that he thought would invite us to see Jesus and believe in him.

[7:44] And behold his glory. John sharing this is inviting us to see Jesus and behold his glory and believe in him. Now Jesus is back in Cana in Galilee.

[7:58] Last time he was here was a wedding and he turned the water into wine. So he's back in Cana and suddenly this man appears. And he's seeking Jesus. But he's not from Cana.

[8:11] He wasn't at the wedding. He doesn't have questions from Jesus' previous visit. He hasn't been sitting waiting about for Jesus to come back. This man's from Capernaum. That's roughly about 15 to 20 miles northeast.

[8:25] The coast. The Sea of Galilee. This man left his work. Left his family. Left his duties to travel uphill. About 20 miles out of his way.

[8:37] Not just to see Jesus but to get him. This is not a convenient trip for the man. It's a desperate trip. This is like when you get a bag diagnosis.

[8:50] And the outlook is just not good. But you hear that there's a specialist in Boston. Who might offer you a better chance. So you start a GoFundMe page.

[9:01] To raise the money. So that you can make the trip. And get the specialist. And hopefully. Hopefully you can get the help that you cannot find anywhere else. Why is this man seeking Jesus?

[9:15] Who does he think Jesus is? What kind of thing does he think Jesus specializes in? See what is it about this Jesus that warrants such a journey?

[9:29] Well of course we have the answer in the text. The man's son is dying. But why Jesus? What is it about Jesus? Why not a doctor? Why not somebody who specializes in whatever illness the boy has?

[9:43] Why not go to the Capernaum Hospital? I know we know the answer. But let's explore this. What's going through this man's mind to make the journey to Jesus?

[9:56] Maybe the man didn't have life insurance. Maybe he was poor. Maybe he couldn't afford the treatment. Maybe he was going to Jesus for charity.

[10:06] Well if no one else helps. I know he's good to the poor. He'll help me out. Is that why he seeks Jesus? Is it for charity?

[10:17] Now we know it wasn't. We know it wasn't for charity. But is that sometimes how we view the church? That all we have to offer is charity to the world.

[10:30] Or more so is that how the world views the church? Only go to the church for charity. Only go to the church if you need charity. And then when you get it you can leave.

[10:44] This man's not looking for charity. This man is a basilicos. He's a royal official. He's in the service of the king. Probably Herod.

[10:56] He would have at his disposal the best health care. Where money could pay for. He would be able to call in any doctor. And perhaps he did. This man's not looking for charity.

[11:08] He doesn't need charity. See he's currently experiencing the reality. That all of his wealth and position. And power and connections.

[11:20] Cannot save his son. That's the reality he's facing. Everything that he's got. All the wealth and power. All the position and connections.

[11:31] Can't save his son. Nothing that comes from this world. Will prevent the inevitability of death. Nothing. We might be able to treat it. We might be able to delay it a little while.

[11:43] But in the end no amount of money. Or medicine. Will give you eternal life. He knows the diagnosis. This man's probably exhausted every avenue.

[11:55] He knows the diagnosis. So he seeks the specialist. What is it we are offering the world in Jesus name. Do we really act like we know the diagnosis of humanity.

[12:10] The diagnosis of our friends and family and neighbours. Do we really know what Jesus specialises in.

[12:20] Wouldn't we. If we knew the specialist. Offer help to our friend. Who has a terminal condition. Of course we would. Wouldn't we point them to the specialist.

[12:32] Give them his number. Tell them he will treat them without cost. You don't need to start a GoFundMe page. I've got his number. He'll do it for nothing. Of course we would.

[12:43] But the condition of humanity cannot be cured. By anything or anyone in this world. It cannot. No amount of money or power. No position or contact in this world.

[12:55] Can cure us. But this man knows something about Jesus. He knows something that transcends all of these things. And we know from John's gospel. That Jesus is the one.

[13:06] Who was the word in the beginning. We know if we know John's gospel. That Jesus is the author and creator of life. He's the one who has life in himself.

[13:17] The one whose words are spirit and life. The one who gives life in abundance. The one who has authority over all flesh. To give eternal life to all that the father has given him.

[13:30] We know that from John. This is John's account to us. But at this point. All the man knows. Is that in the face of certain death. This man Jesus specializes in life.

[13:43] That's all he knows. In his hopeless situation. All he knows. Is Jesus can offer something. That all his wealth and power and position. And all of his health care and contacts cannot offer.

[13:57] You see until people realize. That Jesus offers something. That this world cannot give. They will not seek him. Or at least they will not trust him. For more than the world can give.

[14:10] And so this is what happens. This is what happens when churches. And we know about it. We know churches in this country. And across the world. When churches don't give the proper diagnosis. They either offer the wrong medicine.

[14:24] Or they offer a specialist. That has no relevance. To the diagnosis. Seeking Jesus.

[14:36] Is realizing. That he can offer something. That this world cannot. And it therefore results. In trusting Jesus. For something that this world cannot give.

[14:46] Namely forgiveness. And eternal life. We don't need to wonder. About the diagnosis. Nor do we need to wonder. About the specialist. We just need to make known.

[14:57] The grim truth. Of the diagnosis. And the glorious good news. Of the specialist. The truth is. Jesus himself. Was the one who came seeking.

[15:08] He is the one who came to seek. And save sinners. He came seeking us. Before we came seeking him. But we all must come.

[15:20] And anyone who does come to him. He will not turn away. And the outcome of that. Will be whether or not. You trust his word. So this man.

[15:32] Will he trust Jesus' word? The official finally arrives in Cana. Finds Jesus. He's been traveling for miles. And miles. Despite all the anxiety.

[15:47] And despair of his situation. Back home. What a relief. What a relief. When he arrives in Cana. And finally makes contact. With Jesus. Finally makes contact.

[15:59] With the specialist. He's been looking for. He now has before him. Within arm's reach. The solution to his problem. Maybe he heard about.

[16:10] The previous miracle in Cana. Maybe. He's likely heard about. The things that Jesus was doing. In Judea. At Passover. Remember. See chapter 2. Verse 23.

[16:21] Says that. Many believed in his name. When they saw the signs. That he was doing. These are signs. That John didn't record for us. Signs that John doesn't record. But signs that no doubt.

[16:32] Increased his fame. Now it's worth noting. At this point. That Jesus does not do. Such signs and wonders. For the fame. Jesus didn't come.

[16:43] To make a show for himself. In fact. He often criticized. Those who were seeking signs. Those who would only believe. When they see. And you'll meet this. Throughout John's gospel.

[16:55] He often criticizes. Those who would only believe. When they see. They come seeking signs. So then. Why does John say. That he's written these signs.

[17:06] So that we may believe. Is that a contradiction? I don't think so. See. I don't think the signs themselves. Are negative. But rather. The heart. That won't believe. Without the eyes.

[17:17] Is the thing he criticizes. John's not asking us. To rely on our own eyes. Is he? But his eyes. And his testimony.

[17:28] His words. John's gospel. Is his eyewitness account. John is our eyes. And he asks us. To believe. On account of his word. To us.

[17:40] To trust the testimony. To be true. That we may believe. In Jesus. The Jesus. That he has seen. And that he has walked with. See.

[17:50] John is asking us. To believe. On account of these signs. It's not like those. Who are seeking a sign. See. Those in Jesus day. Those who were always. Seeking a sign.

[18:01] Would not believe. Without seeing. You see this. In chapter 2. Verse 18. Jesus has just drove. The money changers. Out of the temple. And the Jews say to him.

[18:14] What sign do you show us. For doing these things. And Jesus says. This is the only sign you'll get. Destroy this temple. In three days. I will raise it up. You see.

[18:26] In response. To their desire. For a sign. Jesus says. That this will be the sign. That they will kill him. And after three days. He will rise. In chapter 6.

[18:36] After feeding thousands. They followed him. For more food. He said. And so he says to them. Do not work. For the food that perishes.

[18:47] But for the food that endures. To eternal life. Which the son of man. Will give to you. And so they say. Well what must we do. To be doing the work of God. And Jesus answered them.

[18:58] And said. This is the work of God. That you believe in him. Whom God has sent. And after all. That they've seen already. You would think.

[19:09] It wouldn't be hard. To believe then. When Jesus said. This is the thing to do. But this is what they say. Then what sign do you do. That we may see.

[19:20] And believe in you. Unbelievable. They've seen him feed thousands. And he says. This is the work of God. Believe. And they want another sign.

[19:31] What are you going to do for us. So that we can see it. And then believe. Unbelievable. Jesus doesn't give them a sign. Instead. He explains. How he is the bread from heaven.

[19:43] Yet when he gives them a word. Instead of a sign. Most of them turn away. We won't believe. Unless we see. Yet they didn't believe.

[19:55] Even when they saw his signs before. And this is what Jesus meant. When he criticizes those. Who seek for a sign. Yet John. Expecting us to believe in Jesus. By his testimony.

[20:07] About the signs. Is not asking us. To do what they are doing. He's asking us. To trust in his word. To walk by faith. And not by sight. Just as Jesus.

[20:17] Asks this man. To walk by faith. And not by sight. See it's likely. That all the signs. That Jesus did in Judea. The things that this. Officials heard about. Were all with Jesus.

[20:29] Being present. So this man. Doesn't. Just come to see Jesus. He comes to get Jesus. Jesus. You need to come. Please.

[20:39] My son is dying. Please come with me. He's going to die. If you don't come down. There's a very similar story. You might remember. In Matthew chapter 8. Also in Luke.

[20:51] Which actually takes place. In Capernaum. Jesus is in Capernaum. At this other point. And a centurion. Appeals to Jesus. On account of his paralyzed servant.

[21:02] Who is suffering. And Jesus said. That he would go and heal him. But the centurion says. That he doesn't need Jesus to come. But just say the word. And it will be done. And Jesus marvels at his faith.

[21:14] It's a different account. So we might give this official. A hard time. Because we look at the centurion. And say. What faith? But it might be quite likely.

[21:27] That the centurion. Came to Jesus. Sometime after this event. With the official. Whether or not this event. Influenced the centurion's faith.

[21:38] We don't know. But we shouldn't think. That the official. Should have learned. From the good centurion. It may be likely. That the official's son. Was the first miracle.

[21:50] In Capernaum. In any case. I don't think. That the official. Is being unrealistically. Faithless. I don't think he is. A man of his position.

[22:01] Coming to Jesus. Begging him to come. Given that people. Normally need to be present. To do their work. I don't think. It's too unreasonable. Just think about.

[22:13] Your experience. All your life. Think about your experience. Of people's words. Would you ever expect. That a man's words. Alone.

[22:24] Could do what they need to do. In this account. You would never think that. Given your experience. In this life. No one's words. Do that. No man's words.

[22:34] Do that. You see. Even after Jesus. Gently rebukes. This man. He still persists. To ask Jesus. To come. Imagine you're in that position.

[22:46] Imagine that. Outside of this. One option. There's no hope. You've traveled. To see the only. The only person. Who can do something. You know your son. Will die.

[22:57] But this man. This specialist. There's at least. A chance. After you've exhausted. Every avenue. This is the last. Hope. You've traveled far.

[23:08] To find the cure. You've traveled. And you've found the antidote. The specialist. Has been located. Your wife. Has said to you. Do not come back.

[23:19] Without him. Imagine you were in his position. Jesus says. Go. I'm not going to come with you. Go. Your son will live.

[23:30] You just need to trust my word. Are you going to return. Without him. You're going to turn away. From the only hope. That you have. But the only hope.

[23:44] That you have. Is not just in his presence. But in his word. See the man. Doesn't go home. Empty handed. He goes home. With a word. Does he trust in it?

[23:57] Are you going to walk away. From your only hope. How hard. Must that have been. How hard. But verse 50. Is amazing. Jesus spoke. And at his word.

[24:09] The man believed. And went on his way. He goes home. With nothing to show. But faith in a word. The man's faith.

[24:19] Has increased. At first. He had faith enough. To believe. That Jesus could do something. About this. If only he came. Now he trusts. That this word. Will bring into effect. What he hoped.

[24:30] Jesus presence would. Do we have faith. In Jesus word. Like that. See the thing is. We have the bigger picture. Of who Jesus is.

[24:41] And what he has done. Or at the very least. Who he has claimed to be. We have it. In the pages of this book. So we may not be.

[24:52] As taken aback. By moments like these. As the people. In these scenarios. The official. Is standing. Before a man. Make no mistake. About it. Jesus is fully human.

[25:03] And fully God. All this man sees. Is a man standing. Before him. And he knows. That men. The words of men. Do not normally do this.

[25:15] No other man. In history. Has. A powerful word. Like this. And he's standing. Before a man. Being asked. To have faith. In a word. He knows enough.

[25:31] That the man. Is able to heal. But he is looking. At a man. What kind of man. Can heal another man. With nothing. But a word. And from many miles. Away at that. This is unbelievable.

[25:44] This is. Absolutely astounding. That someone. Can do something. Like this. Who can do. Such a thing. Think about. All the people. That you have ever known.

[25:55] You might have seen. Your mother. When you were growing up. Saying a word. And your dad. Just doing it. Because he was scared. But who has power. Like this. Who can speak.

[26:06] With such words. Like these. Who else. Can do something. Like this. What doctor. Or surgeon. Can perform. A life-saving. Procedure.

[26:17] On someone. Who is miles away. Someone. Who they cannot see. Or touch. This is not. NHS 24. He's not on the phone. The word given.

[26:27] To the official. Here is not merely. Medical advice. It wasn't a task. For the father. Or his son. To do. It was the word. Itself. The very word. Of Jesus.

[26:37] Itself. That brought life. To the boy. That's unbelievable. Words. Don't normally. Do that. It makes me. Think of. I don't know. If you've ever seen this.

[26:47] But you'll know. What I'm talking about. Makes me think. Of the moment. In the film. Gladiator. When the gladiator. And the Roman times. Are fighting the slaves. And before they kill them.

[26:58] They look to the emperor. To see whether they should kill them. Or let them live. The emperor holds his hand out. With his thumb. Neither up nor down. And everyone's waiting to see.

[27:10] What will he decide? He has life and death. In his hands. The power of life and death. Will he put his thumb down. And the man will die.

[27:21] Or will he put his thumb out. And the man will live. Well let me tell you. That might seem like power. But it's nothing. Nothing compared to this. See the emperor. Doesn't really have the power of life or death.

[27:32] He doesn't give life. He just decides. Whether one of his employees. Should murder a man or not. That's all. He doesn't have power. He doesn't hold the power of life and death.

[27:44] In his thumb or his word. Imagine if any of us had that kind of power. In our words. Imagine the havoc. That we would make on earth.

[27:56] With how careless we are with words. How lacking in wisdom. The wisdom required to rule the earth. If we could say a thing. And it just happens.

[28:08] I honestly think that our mouths. Would become weapons of mass destruction. If we had that kind of power. We might do a couple of good things.

[28:19] But. The next person that cuts us up in the road. Would be gone. Jesus does have that kind of power. But look at what he does with it.

[28:32] He could have said. Go. Your son will die. That was going to happen anyway. But one simple word at the end of his sentence. Ze.

[28:46] Your son lives. When Jesus uttered that one word. It was with the same power that is in Genesis 1. When God said. Let there be light.

[28:57] And there was light. Jesus said. Let there be life. And there is life. Go. Your son lives. And immediately. It happens.

[29:10] Jesus utters a word. And nearly 20 miles away. A young boy's body reacts. His word causes something to take place.

[29:20] Immediately. In the cells and atoms. Of a person. Miles away. What power. In the word. See after all.

[29:31] John tells us in chapter 17. Verse 2. Jesus has authority over all flesh. And he doesn't even need to be anywhere near you.

[29:42] For his word to powerfully affect you. For this man. It was the distance between Cana and Capernaum. For us. It's the distance between heaven and earth.

[29:54] Do you realize that the words of Jesus have an effect on you. Without him being anywhere near you. Does Jesus need to leave his father's side. Every time we need something. Walking by faith.

[30:06] And not by sight. Isn't just a cop out. For living in a time when Jesus isn't on earth. Performing signs and wonders. It's not just a mantra. To get people to believe.

[30:17] Without having to prove anything. Walking by faith. Is an exercise in trusting his word. It's been that way ever since the beginning.

[30:29] That such trust in his word. Is more firm. And enduring. Than believing from seeing. You may have noticed. At this point.

[30:39] And this is why we read. The verses before. That the contrast in John's gospel. At this point. Is actually. A lack of faith from the Jews. Who want to see signs. And a stronger faith.

[30:51] In the Samaritans. Who believe. On account of his word. Without signs. Now I have no doubt. That if you are a Christian. You believe. That Jesus is powerful. No doubt.

[31:02] That you believe that. But do you really think. That his word. Is as powerful. That his word. Is living and active. Jesus words.

[31:12] Recorded in this book. Still have. Physical and spiritual. Effects. On all flesh. See what we are meant to learn.

[31:23] Is to walk by faith. And not by sight. To trust in the words of Jesus. As being active. And effective. And powerful. That they will yield.

[31:33] A firmer and deeper. And more enduring faith. Than we've ever had. And what does his word do? What does his word do? His word. Brings life.

[31:45] Again. If it were up to us. Some people. Might not be so fortunate. As the official's son. And if anyone. Was justified. In using such power.

[31:55] To bring death. It was Jesus. If anyone. Was justified. Not only has he. Power in his word. Alone. Effortless. And awesome. Power. In comparison.

[32:06] To us men. But even when. His own creatures. Put him to death. Death on a cross. His dying. Yet powerful words. Were meant for life.

[32:17] And not death. How justified. Would he have been. To say die. But yet. He says of his executioners. Father.

[32:28] Forgive them. Unbelievable. The man that yields. That kind of power. Uses it for life. And life only. He's good. He could have just said.

[32:39] Die. And they would have. Dropped down dead. But he is a specialist. In life. Now it reminds me. Reminds me. Of the quote. In C.S.

[32:49] Lewis. Narnia books. When the children. Are first in Narnia. And they learn about. The white queen. And her terrible rule. And then they meet the beavers.

[33:00] Who tell them. Aslan is on the move. He is king. Aslan. Aslan. They don't yet know. That he's a lion. But when they find out.

[33:11] They become quite nervous. About meeting him. Is he a man? Asked Lucy. Aslan a man? Said beaver sternly.

[33:21] Certainly not. I tell you. He's the king of the wood. And the son of the great emperor. Beyond the sea. Don't you know. Who is the king of the beasts? Aslan is a lion. The lion.

[33:33] The great lion. Oh. Said Susan. I thought he was a man. Is he. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous.

[33:43] About meeting a lion. That you will dearie. And make no mistake. If there's anyone. Who can appear. Before Aslan. Without their knees knocking. They're either braver. Braver than most.

[33:54] Or just silly. Then he isn't safe. Asked Lucy. Safe? Said Mr. Beaver. Don't you hear. What Mrs. Beaver tells you.

[34:05] Who said anything. About safe? Course he isn't safe. But he is good. He's the king. I tell you. When we think about.

[34:16] The power that Jesus has. Even in his word alone. We realize. That he's not just a man. Like me or you. He's supremely powerful. His power.

[34:28] In the universe. The universe. Is upheld. By the word of his power. Yet reassuringly. He is good. John tells us.

[34:38] In the next chapter. That as the father. Has life in himself. So he has granted. The son also. To have life in himself. You see. Jesus. Is full. Of self existing.

[34:49] Life. He's the source. Of all life. Unlike me. And you. He doesn't depend. On anything. Outside himself. For life. And existence. Wherever he goes. Life.

[35:00] Just emanates. From him. Whatever he touches. Whatever he speaks. Flows out. With the power. And energy. Of eternal life. Some people.

[35:10] Go around. With havoc. And destruction. In their wake. But evidence. Of Jesus. Being on the scene. Is life. And light. So when John. Says that these things.

[35:21] Have been written. That you may believe. And that by believing. You may have life. In his name. That is by believing. The words of Jesus. The words of life. That he speaks.

[35:31] To me and you. And all who are called. To believe in him. When he says. That he will give. Eternal life. To all who believe in him. Do you believe it? His word.

[35:42] Is powerful. To do it. Do you believe. His word. Is as powerful. Today. And now. And here. Even when Jesus. Is some miles away.

[35:53] Do you believe. That it has the effect. That Jesus said it would. Jesus doesn't lie. Not once. Can he lie. He only would have had to sin. One time. The whole of.

[36:05] Creation. Would have imploded. If he says. He will give you life. He will. By believing. In his word. Your faith. Will be firmer. And deeper. And more enduring.

[36:19] Than it's ever been. And when you arrive. Home. You will find. That what he said. Is indeed so. See. Talk about distance. Between Cana and Capernaum.

[36:29] Between heaven and earth. What about distance. Between life and death. Do you not think. When you're sitting. In the grave. That Jesus word. Is as powerful. It is.

[36:40] If he said. He will give you life. He will give you life. If he said. He will raise you. He will raise you. If he said. There will be no more sorrow. There will be no more sorrow. You may long.

[36:53] To see him. And it's a good thing. Because. He is your good king. But do not think. That he needs to come to you. To do something. That his word. Already does.

[37:05] His word. Is powerful. Seek him. Yes. But when you find him. Trust in his word. And you will find. That it leads to life.

[37:16] Let me pray. God. Our heavenly father. We thank you so much. That you have been made known to us. In your son Jesus.

[37:28] Jesus. That his glory. Was manifest. Among people. Glory. As of the only son.

[37:38] From the father. Full of grace. And truth. No one. Has ever seen the father. Except the son. Who is God. Who is by the father's side. He has made him known.

[37:51] And so father. We thank you. For your son. Jesus. Your son. Who was the word. From the beginning. Your son. Who. Through whom. All things were created.

[38:03] And without him. Nothing that was created. Would be. Your son. Who has the authority. Over all flesh. To give eternal life. To all you have given him.

[38:14] We thank you. For your son. Jesus. We thank you. That his word. Is true. His word. Is faithful. And his word. Is powerful. And Lord.

[38:26] We thank you. That you came. Seeking us. Before we came. Seeking you. We thank you. That you came. Seeking us. Sinners. And that you have made yourself.

[38:37] Known through Jesus. Help us. To trust. In his word. And through that. May we have life. And life everlasting. Lord.

[38:48] May you be glorified. In our lives. And may we trust. Your word. As it. As it affects. Our life. And trust. Your word.

[38:58] As it is the answer. To the diagnosis. Of humanity. Lord. We bless you. And we praise you. And we give you. All the glory. Through Jesus Christ. Your son. Amen.

[39:09]  Amen. Well. We're going to sing. One last song.