WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.620 Good morning. Please take your copy of God's Word. Join me in John chapter 1. Our text for this morning is John chapter 1. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:21.620 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:46.700 A little over a year. On the first Lord's Day, I introduced the book and gave a summary of it. We spent the last two Sundays looking at John's prologue where he introduces Jesus to us with three titles and two characteristics. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:01:07.200 First, we see that Jesus is the Word, the physical representation of God. We see that he is preexistent, that he is the creator, that he is self-existent, and that he is the unquenchable light. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:21.200 God stands, conquers darkness. John spends the first five verses establishing Jesus' deity. This is the aim of what he is doing in the prologue. 00:01:21.740 --> 00:01:28.120 Jesus is God. It is a decorative statement. This is what he is trying to accomplish. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:40.859 C.S. Lewis, speaking in 1942 and then published in Mere Christianity in 1952, gave the following argument concerning Christ. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:42.000 And I quote, 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:50.000 I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:57.100 I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:07.359 That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:16.379 He would either be a lunatic on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he would be the devil of hell. 00:02:17.459 --> 00:02:25.819 You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:35.359 You can't shut him up for a fool. You can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:40.519 But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:44.419 He has not left that open to us. 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:46.319 He did not intend to. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:56.079 Now it seems to me obvious that he was neither a lunatic nor a friend, and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, 00:02:56.359 --> 00:03:01.699 I have to accept the view that he was and is God. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:03.000 End quote. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:15.620 John makes some audacious claims in the first five verses, and they are claims that Jesus is going to reinforce again and again and again across the book. 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:23.240 How we respond to these claims makes all the difference in the world. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:29.439 And we're going to see two responses to these claims in our text today. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:34.080 Before I read it, I want to remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:03:34.140 --> 00:03:37.080 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:43.400 That we might believe its promises, obey its commands, and have affection for its author. 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:48.540 May we hear it and respond accordingly to it. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:51.300 John chapter 1, verse 6 and following. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:56.439 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:03:57.200 --> 00:04:02.340 He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through him. 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:06.939 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:11.720 The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:17.100 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:21.400 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 00:04:22.400 --> 00:04:27.939 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 00:04:28.320 --> 00:04:36.200 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:42.019 So we see in our text today three simple points. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:45.199 Number one, a reliable witness. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:48.519 And we're going to see witnesses again and again and again. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:54.279 Sometimes Jesus himself, sometimes his works, sometimes people saying things about him, 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:56.419 and that's the case this morning. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:04.780 We're going to see then rejecters of who Jesus is, and then we're going to see believers. 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:09.240 So first, a reliable witness. 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:12.500 And we can see this in verses 6 through 9. 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:15.379 And John continues to pick up this language of light. 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:18.840 So when we're seeing all of this language about light, we're thinking about Jesus. 00:05:19.020 --> 00:05:22.379 Jesus is the light of the world. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:27.740 And there we see a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:30.079 A different John than the John that wrote this. 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:31.540 That's John the Apostle. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:34.500 Here we're talking about John the Baptist. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:40.620 I think it'd be better to say John the Baptizer, although I don't mind claiming him at all. 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:44.680 So we will call him John the Baptist. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:47.860 And he comes as a witness. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:49.600 Witness to what? 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:50.600 To Jesus. 00:05:50.760 --> 00:05:52.360 To who Jesus is. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.640 That people would believe. 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:02.160 John the Baptist's intention, his point of his ministry, was the very same as that of John the Apostle. 00:06:02.260 --> 00:06:09.140 That people would repent and believe in Christ, have deliverance from their sin, and eternal life in him. 00:06:10.140 --> 00:06:15.700 John the Baptist, I'm making the case, was a reliable witness to Jesus as the Christ. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.719 Because he was divinely appointed. 00:06:20.159 --> 00:06:25.039 He was sent by God to be a witness to Jesus as the Christ. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:26.699 We see that there in verse 6. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:31.139 There was a man sent from God. 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:38.300 John the Apostle is telling us that John the Baptist was sent by God himself. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:45.620 We can read a bit of John the Baptist's ministry and then his predicted birth. 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:48.300 Matthew chapter 3, verse 1 through 3 says, 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:52.939 In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:57.259 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:05.180 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40, verse 3. 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:08.319 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:10.980 Prepare the way of the Lord. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:13.759 Make his paths straight. 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:21.039 So Matthew tells us that this is the prophet of Isaiah chapter 40 and verse 3. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:23.519 Sent from God. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:27.879 And in Luke chapter 1, verse 13 and following, we can learn, 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:33.459 An angel says to Zachariah, John the Baptist's father, 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:38.319 Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:41.139 and you shall call his name John. 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:45.680 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:48.539 For he will be great before the Lord. 00:07:49.039 --> 00:07:51.120 And he must not drink wine or strong drink, 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:55.199 and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:59.139 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:02.579 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:05.300 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:08.439 and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:13.000 to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:17.060 So John the Baptist's entire mission 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:21.460 was to prepare the way for the Messiah, for the Christ, 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:26.800 and point others to him, not to himself. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:30.160 John the Apostle, who wrote the text before us, 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:32.259 is careful to note in verse 8, 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:34.639 he was not the light. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:36.680 John the Baptist, not the light, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:40.379 but came to bear witness about the light. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:44.860 John the Baptist was also clear on this matter. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:49.720 He famously declared in John chapter 3 and verse 30, 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:55.080 He, Christ, must increase, but I must decrease. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:58.840 He sought to magnify Christ with his life. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:04.800 John fearlessly called people to repentance and faith. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:08.259 John the Baptist suffered and died 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:10.840 rather than compromising the truth. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.420 In every way, John's testimony calls us 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:15.860 to look away from ourselves 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:19.800 and behold the true light, Jesus Christ. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:22.200 John the Baptist's ministry 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:25.980 was about drawing people's gaze to behold Jesus. 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:29.560 And John the Apostle employs him 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.560 in what fairly could be framed 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:33.399 as the introduction to this book 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.860 to do that very same thing, 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.300 to draw our attention off ourselves 00:09:38.300 --> 00:09:41.860 and draw our gaze toward Christ. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:44.539 So we see a reliable witness, 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:46.559 and we'll see that pattern again and again 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:50.179 throughout John the Apostle's book. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:55.019 Secondly, though, we see responses to this declaration, 00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:57.860 Jesus is the Christ. 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:01.839 We see rejecters, verses 10 and 11. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.399 There it says, 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:05.339 He was in the world, 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.159 and the world was made through him, 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:10.759 yet the world did not know him. 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:12.860 He came to his own, 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:16.340 and his own people did not receive him. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:20.840 This is a theme developed through John's writing, 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:26.120 the tragic rejection of the divine Jesus as the Christ, 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:29.980 specifically the rejection of him by the Jewish people. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:34.019 Praise God, not all Jewish people rejected Christ. 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:38.299 You can even back up a little bit to what Luke had to say 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:41.220 about John the Baptist and the people being prepared. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:46.519 But largely, there was a rejection of Jesus as the Christ 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.240 by the Jewish people. 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:52.019 Let me just show you with some selected texts throughout John. 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:55.259 There's a pattern that repeats again and again, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:57.939 a theme that's being developed, 00:10:58.199 --> 00:10:59.639 and I believe it's being developed, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:03.840 that we would not be a people who reject Jesus as the Christ. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:06.360 So John chapter 5 and verse 18, 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:10.740 this is why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:13.519 because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:17.139 but he was even calling God his own Father, 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:20.620 making himself equal with God. 00:11:21.199 --> 00:11:22.699 That was a blasphemy in their mind, 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:25.779 and it would have been if it wasn't true. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:30.360 The Spirit who gives life, verse 63 and following. 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.120 There it says, 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.620 It is the Spirit who gives life. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.779 The flesh is no help at all. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:39.879 The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 00:11:40.459 --> 00:11:43.159 But there are some of you who do not believe, 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:45.159 for Jesus knew from the beginning 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:47.319 who those were who did not believe, 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:50.159 and who it was who would betray him. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.699 And he said, 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:53.899 This is why I told you that no one can come to me 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:56.959 unless it is granted him by the Father. 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:59.399 And then verse 66 says, 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:02.840 After this, many of his disciples turned back 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.500 and no longer walked with him. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:08.340 So when the teaching got difficult, 00:12:08.959 --> 00:12:10.199 they bailed. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:14.779 John chapter 7, verse 28 and following. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.139 Jesus proclaimed as he taught in the temple, 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:20.379 You know me and you know where I come from, 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.759 but I have not come of my own accord. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:24.779 He who sent me is true, 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.799 and him you do not know. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:29.259 I know him, for I come from him, 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.000 and he sent me. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.620 So they were seeking to arrest him. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.559 But no one laid a hand on him, 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:37.980 because his hour had not had come. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.379 He says, 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.360 You don't know God, 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:40.980 but I do, 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:42.500 because I came from him. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:44.200 God sent me, 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:46.980 and they sought to kill him as a result. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:49.419 John chapter 10, verse 20. 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.299 Many of them said, 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:52.879 He has a demon and is insane. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:53.479 Why? 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.379 Listen to him. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:58.179 John chapter 12, verse 37. 00:12:58.819 --> 00:13:01.459 Though he had done so many signs before them, 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:05.099 they still did not believe in him. 00:13:05.839 --> 00:13:07.899 And this rejection, we know, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:12.079 ends in Christ's suffering and death on the cross. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.939 Widespread by the Jewish people, 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:17.300 and in our day, 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:18.840 this rejection of Jesus, 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:20.460 of the Christ. 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:23.100 Why does this happen? 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:26.020 Paul tells us in Romans chapter 1, 00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:29.060 verse 18 and beyond says, 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:30.920 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:32.960 against all ungodliness 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.860 and unrighteousness of men, 00:13:35.260 --> 00:13:37.300 who by their unrighteousness 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:39.480 suppress the truth. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:41.680 For what can be known about God 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.340 is plain to them, 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:44.800 because God has shown it to them. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.740 For his invisible attributes, 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:49.100 namely his eternal power and divine nature, 00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:50.820 have been clearly perceived 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:53.259 ever since the creation of the world 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:55.779 and the things that have been made. 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:58.899 So they are without excuse. 00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:01.820 Darkness doesn't love light. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:05.480 Light causes darkness to scatter. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.539 And so man in his sinful state 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:11.120 wants to hide away from Jesus 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:15.800 that their sins would not be exposed. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:19.980 And this category of people, 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:23.080 if you want to reduce us most simply, 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.620 we have those who will reject Jesus 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.180 as the Christ 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:30.519 and those who will receive Jesus 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:32.220 as the Christ. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:35.420 which brings us to our third 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:38.540 and more expansive point. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:42.200 Third, believers. 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:43.500 Believers. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:46.840 Verses 12 and 13. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.399 There John writes, 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.879 But to all who did receive him, 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.399 who believed in his name, 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:55.580 he gave the right to become children of God, 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.120 who were born not of blood 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.120 nor of the will of the flesh, 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.240 nor of the will of man, 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:01.420 but of God. 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.940 Now I was careful here 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.940 to use the word believers 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:08.580 rather than receivers, 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:10.259 which is in the text. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.200 I so wanted to alliterate my point, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.820 reliable witness, 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:15.960 rejecters, 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:16.980 receivers, 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.620 that work so well together. 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:22.480 But I think clarity 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.840 is very necessary at this point, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:28.660 and I think that John thought so too. 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:31.419 He states in verse 11, 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.659 his own people 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:35.379 did not receive him, 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.139 or as I've said, 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.379 rejected him. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:41.079 And then at the beginning of verse 12, 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:42.179 he turns his attention 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:43.539 to others, 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:45.019 the other group 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.919 who did not reject, 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:49.019 but received him. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.059 At this moment, however, 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:54.419 he does something peculiar. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.899 He qualifies 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.860 his previous statement. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.919 He doesn't just leave off there, 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.679 but who did receive him, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.579 he gave the right 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.939 to become children of God. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.000 He could have done that. 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.179 I think he certainly 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.579 could have, 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.139 but he qualifies 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.879 and he adds clarity 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.639 to what he means. 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:14.459 And I think we should 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.679 especially stop 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.199 when things like that happen 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:18.599 in the scripture. 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.059 Why? 00:16:19.219 --> 00:16:19.480 Why? 00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:20.959 It feels like a redundancy, 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:21.759 doesn't it? 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.919 What's he doing here? 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.439 What does it mean 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:28.120 to receive Jesus? 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.539 John's telling us 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.559 that very thing. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.720 If we are to receive him, 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.980 then we need to 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:37.639 believe in his name. 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.659 That's what it means 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.700 to receive Jesus. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.360 It is to believe 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:43.240 in his name. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.679 The word rendered, 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.139 believe, 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.960 is the Greek verb 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.840 pistou, 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.860 which conveys 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.980 far more 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.200 than mere intellectual 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.220 agreement 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.680 with a set 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.960 of facts. 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.700 It's far more 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.120 than that. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.300 The original readers 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.259 would have understood 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.940 the word 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.200 in that way, 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.259 but we tend 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.980 not to. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.259 It carries 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.700 the kind of idea 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:10.000 that we're so 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.960 confident 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.779 in a thing 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.559 that it's going to 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.960 shape how we act 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.480 in relation 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.799 to that thing. 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.879 It's not 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:19.119 just an assent. 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.940 It's just not 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:21.740 intellectual agreement. 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.279 There's so many 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.119 people today 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.480 who will go, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.259 I believe in Jesus. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.480 Just saying it 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.639 with your words 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.940 doesn't necessarily 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.659 mean 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.000 you believe 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.039 the way the Bible 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.259 uses this 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.460 word. 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.059 This is critical. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.220 We need such 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.319 careful clarity 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.579 at this point. 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.379 To believe 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.299 carries the idea 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.079 of full trust, 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.799 personal reliance, 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:49.059 and wholehearted 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.460 commitment. 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.220 You may have 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.839 heard the example 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.879 before of the 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:54.339 parachute. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:54.879 I did this 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.480 with my boys 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.139 on our couch 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:56.619 where we jumped 00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.099 off the couch 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.480 like we were 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:57.919 jumping out 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.460 of a plane. 00:17:58.659 --> 00:17:58.759 Well, 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.220 catch me 00:17:59.220 --> 00:17:59.759 if I fall 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.659 on the ground 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.240 is an easy 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.919 thing to do. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.399 It's different 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:04.000 altogether 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.779 when you're 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.379 the next one 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:06.339 out the door. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.019 It's that kind 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.599 of confidence. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.039 You put it on 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.980 and you know 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.599 it's going to 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.519 do the thing 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.160 that it's 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.639 designed to do. 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.799 That's how 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.000 we're to believe 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.299 in Jesus. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.700 To believe 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.539 is not simply 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.339 to acknowledge 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.599 the historical 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.220 existence 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.099 of Jesus 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.460 but to 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.119 entrust 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.619 yourself 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.420 entirely 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.599 to him. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.700 All that 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.319 his name 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.500 represents 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.259 his person 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.500 and his 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.000 work 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.539 his saving 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.859 power 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:39.839 and implies 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.519 a surrender 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.299 of the will 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.180 a confidence 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.419 that Jesus 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.299 alone 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.419 can save 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:46.119 and an 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.680 active 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.779 ongoing 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.539 dependence 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.759 upon him. 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.899 That word 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:52.019 is packed 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.559 full 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.839 of meaning 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.779 in the original. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.700 The text 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.139 before us 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.700 doesn't mention 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:57.960 it 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.079 but we also 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.680 must be sure 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.460 to understand 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.720 that true 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.680 pistuo 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.519 is in 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.440 step 14 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.940 and 15. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.220 Now, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.480 after John 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.399 the Baptist 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.060 was arrested, 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.480 Jesus came 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.040 into Galilee 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:11.940 proclaiming 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.660 the gospel 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.120 of God. 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.660 Listen to the 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.420 words that 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.019 Jesus says, 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:16.960 proclaiming 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.560 the gospel 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:18.440 of God 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.259 as Mark 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.759 records it 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.200 for us. 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:20.940 This is the 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.460 good news. 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.160 The time 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.280 is fulfilled 00:19:23.280 --> 00:19:24.180 and the 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.840 kingdom of 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.240 God 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.120 is at hand. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.480 Repent 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.259 and believe 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.740 in the gospel. 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:31.920 Now, 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.519 there's much 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.960 to be said 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.280 about what 00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:33.800 the gospel 00:19:33.800 --> 00:19:35.080 itself is 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.500 but what 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.919 are Jesus' 00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:37.199 instructions 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.480 in response 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.740 to the gospel? 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.220 The way 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:40.980 he calls 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.439 people 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:42.199 as he says, 00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:43.059 repent 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:45.159 and believe 00:19:45.159 --> 00:19:46.480 in the gospel. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.619 Repentance, 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.339 that word 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.879 at its very 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.259 core 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.039 means to 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.379 change 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:52.299 one's mind. 00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:53.299 So, 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:53.919 contextually 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.740 we understand 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.379 that it is 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:56.399 a turning 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:56.980 away 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.339 from sin. 00:19:58.699 --> 00:19:59.399 It's a 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:00.299 rejecting 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.119 of the 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:01.339 way 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.939 of this 00:20:01.939 --> 00:20:02.579 world 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:04.379 and belief 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.360 is what 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:05.500 we're 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:05.860 turning 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.780 to. 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.500 So, 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:07.600 we're 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:07.760 turning 00:20:07.760 --> 00:20:08.220 away 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.540 from 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:08.880 sin. 00:20:10.040 --> 00:20:10.760 Repentance 00:20:10.760 --> 00:20:11.340 rejects 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:11.840 the world. 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.800 Belief 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:13.560 takes 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:13.860 hold 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.180 of, 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.280 receives 00:20:15.280 --> 00:20:16.280 Christ. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:17.820 Belief 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:18.180 is not 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.040 passive 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.400 ascent 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.380 but active, 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.580 living faith 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.460 that transforms 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.020 the heart 00:20:23.020 --> 00:20:23.880 and produces 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.340 obedience. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:26.960 Biblical 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.480 belief 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:27.880 is the 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.040 very 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:28.640 foundation 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.720 of saving 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.500 grace, 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.180 a total 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.140 entrusting 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.640 of oneself 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.380 to Christ 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.700 as Lord 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.980 and Savior. 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:37.660 So, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.600 why all 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.000 the time 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.300 on this 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:41.600 matter? 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.480 Why be so 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.060 careful at 00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:43.560 this point? 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.480 I think 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:44.960 that John's 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.320 being very 00:20:45.320 --> 00:20:45.620 careful 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.720 at this 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.040 point. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.760 Because the 00:20:48.760 --> 00:20:49.260 gospel of 00:20:49.260 --> 00:20:50.000 Jesus Christ 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.400 needs to 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.800 be 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:52.920 clear. 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.260 If we're 00:20:54.260 --> 00:20:54.520 going to be 00:20:54.520 --> 00:20:54.980 sorted into 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.040 two categories, 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.540 those who 00:20:56.540 --> 00:20:57.500 receive 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.620 Jesus Christ, 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.300 those who 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:00.080 reject 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:01.180 Jesus Christ, 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.140 and this 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.920 message is 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.840 the saving 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:04.519 message, 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.220 we have 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.600 to be 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.240 so 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.440 clear. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.380 The 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.420 gospel is 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:12.120 by itself 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:13.620 an offense. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.140 Just by 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.740 itself, 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.620 the gospel 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.000 is 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.940 offensive. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.360 It first 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.220 kills 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.640 so that 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.340 we can 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.400 live. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.820 It first 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.720 shows us 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.500 how wretched 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.279 we are 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.019 so that 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.820 we turn 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.519 from that 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.220 wretchedness, 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.980 we repent, 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:31.700 and we 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.740 turn to 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.460 the 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:33.839 righteousness 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.480 of Christ. 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.140 When we 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.559 get it 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.579 just right, 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.100 it's 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:38.799 offensive. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.920 We should 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.680 not add 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.220 to that 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.259 a lack 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.900 of clarity 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:45.160 or a 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.660 lack of 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.500 depth. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:47.640 We should 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:47.960 be so 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.740 careful here. 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.460 I worry, 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.819 and I mean 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.240 this from the 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.960 very bottom 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.319 of my 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.740 heart, 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.220 I worry 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.839 with great 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.519 anguish, 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.819 probably more 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.279 than I 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.799 should, 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:59.420 that much 00:21:59.420 --> 00:21:59.700 of our 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.039 modern 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.420 Christian 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:00.880 practice 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.700 is creating 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.840 vast 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:04.080 swaths 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:04.720 of false 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.060 converts. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.820 And I'm 00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:07.560 not suggesting 00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.019 that we're 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.180 immune to 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.560 this. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:10.960 False 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.460 converts, 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.700 people who 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.180 think that 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.640 they are in 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.940 Christ and 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.580 they are not. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.360 I am grieved 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:18.900 to think that 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:19.420 this morning 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.920 there are 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.440 many well-meaning 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.980 people giving 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.759 lip service 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.380 to God, 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.340 but their 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.160 hearts are 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.500 far from 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:27.759 Him. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:28.779 And that 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.480 there are 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.140 churches 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.380 that don't 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:31.920 seem to be 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.099 pressing against 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.819 that at 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.480 all. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.920 Just think 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.279 with me for 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.660 a moment 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.119 about some 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.420 of the 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.740 language used 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.640 in calling 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.819 people to 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.539 saving faith. 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:42.980 So, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.180 if you back 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.480 your mind 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:44.799 up just 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.059 for a 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.339 moment, 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.019 I met 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.420 you from 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.759 Mark 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.400 chapter 1 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.099 and verse 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.720 15, 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.779 how is it 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.140 that Jesus 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.799 called people 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.839 repent and 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.259 believe in 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.700 the gospel? 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.720 This is what 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.819 he said 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:56.879 said, 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.980 but we 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.460 get phrases 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.000 like, 00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:02.099 say yes 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:03.379 to Jesus. 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.220 Salvation 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.460 is a 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.439 miraculous, 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.119 divinely 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.659 wrought 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.319 miracle 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.240 worked in 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.819 the heart, 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.279 not a 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.859 casual 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:16.000 agreement. 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.240 Ephesians 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.819 chapter 2 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.259 verse 1 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.799 and following, 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.559 Paul there 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:20.859 writes, 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.259 and you 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.279 were dead 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.539 in the 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.279 trespasses 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.939 and sins 00:23:23.939 --> 00:23:24.279 in which 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.759 you once 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.220 walked, 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:26.480 following 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.160 the course 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.559 of this 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:27.900 world, 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.420 following 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.160 the prince 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.579 of the 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.019 power 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.460 of the 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.799 air, 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.779 the spirit 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.079 that is 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.519 now at 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.940 work in 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.420 the sons 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.319 of disobedience, 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.220 among whom 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.000 we all once 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.759 lived in the 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.360 passions of 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:37.819 our flesh, 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.759 carrying out 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.299 the desires 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.940 of the body 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.259 and the 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.620 mind, 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.240 and were 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.039 by nature 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.180 children of 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.860 wrath like 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.480 the rest 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.220 of mankind. 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.519 That should 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.920 hit. 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.440 If you 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:47.860 were not 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.319 in Christ, 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:48.700 that should 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.400 convict your 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:49.700 heart. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.319 If you 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.740 are, 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.339 you should 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.019 remember, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.579 yes, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.200 that's who 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.900 I once 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.420 was, 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.460 dead, 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.860 a servant 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.299 of the 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.819 devil, 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.700 and destined 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.460 for wrath. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:00.840 And then you 00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.160 get this 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.600 beautiful 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.120 conjunction 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.819 in verse 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.160 4, 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:05.600 but God, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.600 being rich 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.180 in mercy, 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.200 because of the 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.819 great love 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.240 with which he 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.660 loved us, 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.500 even when we 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.380 were dead 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.019 in our 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.740 trespasses, 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.019 made us 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.759 alive together 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.340 with Christ. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.140 By grace, 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.360 you have 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.700 been saved. 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:21.319 This is a 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.380 miraculous, 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:24.279 divinely wrought, 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.400 beautiful 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:27.120 thing that 00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:28.340 happens in 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:29.059 all those who 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.460 believe in 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:29.900 Christ. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.059 To say 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.440 yes to 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.180 Jesus makes 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.680 it so 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.539 paltry. 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.480 Ask Jesus 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.900 into your 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.240 heart. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.940 That's another 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.400 phrase. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.360 The Bible 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.580 nowhere portrays 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.279 Jesus as 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.779 some destitute 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.880 stranger that 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.620 needs your 00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.680 invitation to 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.580 do anything 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:51.519 He is the 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.659 Lord of the 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.139 universe. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:53.859 Think about 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.259 how He's 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.819 been introduced 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.460 to us in 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.519 John chapter 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:56.919 1. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.939 He's not 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.759 asking your 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.399 permission. 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:00.859 I don't care 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.619 how you work 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.179 out God's 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.639 sovereignty and 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.199 all the details 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:03.799 of your life. 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.639 He doesn't 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.799 need you to 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:07.019 ask Him to 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.819 do the things 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.980 He intends 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.319 to do. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.679 John chapter 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:11.960 10, 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.279 verse 27 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.659 and following, 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.119 My sheep 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.819 hear my voice 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.819 and I know 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.759 them and they 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.480 follow me. 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.799 I give them 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.480 eternal life 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:19.740 and they 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.120 will never 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.700 perish and 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.240 no one 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.680 will snatch 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:21.980 them out 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.180 of my 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.559 hand. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.339 My 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.900 Father who 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.220 has given 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.579 them to 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:24.960 me is 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.559 greater than 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.019 all and 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.579 no one is 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:26.860 able to 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.420 snatch them 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.120 out of the 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.640 Father's 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.220 hand. 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.759 That's a 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.759 declaration of 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.559 power to 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.019 save. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.779 You have 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.519 not once, 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.620 nor will you 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.059 ever, 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:37.920 we don't have 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.339 sheep around 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.660 here, 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.680 you'll never 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.620 see a sheep 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.839 asking a 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.559 shepherd for 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:42.920 anything. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.380 Another one, 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.220 make a decision 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.539 for Christ. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.740 I won't 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.940 unpack the 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.539 problems with 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.059 this phrase 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.860 at the 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.140 moment, 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.180 but today's 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.660 text has 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.460 something to 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.220 say concerning 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.579 it, which 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:57.920 we will 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.740 address 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.480 momentarily. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:01.980 And then 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.500 my final 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.000 example, 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.500 this brings 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.920 us back to 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.360 our text, 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:07.319 receive Jesus 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.860 into your 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.160 heart. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.079 Beloved, 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.519 we need to 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.160 use biblical 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.839 language when 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.579 calling people 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.480 to respond 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.899 to the 00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.319 saving 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.279 message 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.299 of the 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.639 gospel. 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.099 Yes, 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:19.599 people need 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.079 to respond 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.500 to a 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:20.879 call, 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:21.859 but a 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.960 call to 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.099 what? 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.059 Repentance 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.480 and faith. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:27.779 Repent 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.879 and believe. 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.559 This is the 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.000 language we 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.500 use because 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.740 it's the 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.240 language that 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.919 the Bible 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.519 uses. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.119 It's the 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:36.419 language that 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:38.339 Jesus uses. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.759 We ought 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.159 to call 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:40.839 people to 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.299 repentance 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.199 and faith 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.720 with great 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.640 earnestness 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:46.039 and explain 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.740 with great 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.559 care what 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.000 repentance 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.180 is and 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.559 what belief 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.840 is. 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.200 We have 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.960 to be sure 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.860 the gospel 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.360 of Jesus 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.160 Christ is 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.140 clear and 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.519 the way 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.120 people should 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:59.120 respond to 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.900 it is 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.420 also 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.640 clear. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.819 Now, 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.460 John says 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.880 that those 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.539 who believe 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:06.940 in his 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.340 name, 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.299 Jesus gave 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.840 the right 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.519 to become 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.460 children 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.980 of God. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.660 to be a 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.140 child of 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.640 God is 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:14.960 to be 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.039 lifted from 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.580 the ash 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:16.940 heap of 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.500 sin and 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.480 set among 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.360 the princes 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:20.840 of heaven. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.420 He who 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.920 was once 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.480 a rebel 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.740 is now 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.220 called 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.180 beloved. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.400 He who 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:27.799 was once 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.700 far off 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.180 is brought 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.840 near and 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:31.000 has a 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.440 forever 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.819 home. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.460 The child 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.840 of God 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:34.440 is adopted 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:34.960 into the 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.600 divine 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.340 family, 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.519 clothed 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.259 with Christ's 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.680 righteousness, 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.580 loved with 00:27:39.580 --> 00:27:40.640 an unshakable 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.640 love and 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.340 granted an 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:42.920 inheritance 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.420 that neither 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.560 time nor 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.440 any power 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.420 can take 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:46.759 away. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.540 To be 00:27:48.540 --> 00:27:48.880 God's 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.580 child is 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.259 to walk 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.320 under his 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:52.460 smile, 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.040 to rest 00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:54.620 in his 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.200 promises, 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.960 to bear 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.860 his discipline 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:59.620 with hope, 00:28:00.020 --> 00:28:00.680 and to 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.240 await his 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.720 glorious 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.220 appearing 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.640 with joy. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.580 To be a 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.040 child of 00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:07.240 God is 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.980 not an 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.460 abstract 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.180 principle, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.319 but a 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.980 felt 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:12.340 reality. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.079 Oh, I 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.539 hope you 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.559 feel what 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.059 it means 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.539 to be 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.559 a child 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:16.980 of God. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.740 How good 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.579 it is 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:20.019 to belong. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.799 Oh, how 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.620 wonderful to 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.180 have God 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.660 look at 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.579 you and 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.220 declare 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.740 mine. 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.340 Those who 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:29.400 believe in 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.039 Jesus' name, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.720 he gives 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.360 the right 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.140 to become 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.160 children 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.880 of God. 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.160 God 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.160 how? 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.640 How? 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:39.140 How does 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.640 this happen? 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.360 What is 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.180 the impulse 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.820 for it? 00:28:42.780 --> 00:28:43.300 John doesn't 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.080 pull any 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:44.860 punches 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.700 here. 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.460 He wastes 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.420 no time 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.240 dropping his 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.140 plum into 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.020 the depths 00:28:51.020 --> 00:28:51.940 of God's 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.680 magnificent 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.900 grace. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.520 John tells 00:28:55.520 --> 00:28:55.820 us in 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.640 verse 13 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.360 that those 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:57.820 who Jesus 00:28:57.820 --> 00:28:58.380 gave the 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:58.700 right to 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:58.980 become 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.440 children of 00:28:59.440 --> 00:28:59.760 God 00:28:59.760 --> 00:29:00.480 became 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.960 children, 00:29:01.560 --> 00:29:02.380 not of 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:02.720 blood, 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.500 nor of 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.780 the will 00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:04.020 of the 00:29:04.020 --> 00:29:04.420 flesh, 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.380 nor of 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.560 the will 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:06.039 of man, 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.660 but of 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.840 God. 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.940 John makes 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.860 three negative 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.580 statements and 00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.560 one positive 00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.420 in answering 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.640 this question. 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.680 How is a 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.440 person born 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.700 again? 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.779 He says, 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.340 negative 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:22.800 statements, 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.900 not of 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.259 blood. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.259 No ethnic 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.960 or national 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.400 claims can 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:29.940 save us. 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.140 Can't say we 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.820 belong to a 00:29:31.820 --> 00:29:32.460 certain people 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.019 group and 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.680 therefore, 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:35.259 we are 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.799 saved. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.259 He says, 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:37.920 nor of 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.160 the will 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.940 of the 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.519 flesh. 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.140 No desire 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.620 of the 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.080 will, 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.640 apart from 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.200 grace, 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.700 can save 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.000 us. 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.860 You can't 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.600 effort your 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:47.900 way. 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:48.980 I'm going 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.400 to do it. 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.140 I desire to 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.340 do it, 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:50.779 therefore I'm 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:50.980 going to 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.200 do it. 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.700 You need 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.240 the grace 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.900 to respond 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.600 in faith 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.480 to the 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.039 call of 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.519 the gospel. 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.779 Nor of 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.480 the will 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.480 man. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.660 No religious 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:03.059 system can 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.400 save us. 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.079 Not following 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.720 the rules and 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.740 checking the 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.860 boxes. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.860 How is a 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.860 person born 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.120 again? 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.140 He makes 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.779 one positive 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.259 statement and 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.900 he needs 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:17.120 only one, 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.380 as he says 00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:19.120 summarily, 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.500 but of 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.860 God. 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.859 those three 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.419 little words 00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:25.839 could take 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.159 up our 00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:26.759 time for 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.279 the rest 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.519 of the 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.139 spring and 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.019 on into 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.399 the summer. 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.539 In fact, 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.079 I could argue 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.379 that those 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:32.759 three little 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.259 words will 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.759 be our 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.479 awe-filled 00:30:34.479 --> 00:30:35.419 contemplation 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.259 for all 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.919 of 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.819 eternity. 00:30:39.439 --> 00:30:40.099 The point 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.359 is, 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.559 we have 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:41.899 not nearly 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.240 the time 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.559 this morning 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.019 to unpack 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.219 them. 00:30:44.199 --> 00:30:44.399 And, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.099 frankly, 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.679 I don't 00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:46.240 think John 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.740 would want 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.179 us to 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:48.159 delay too 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:48.819 long 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.639 here. 00:30:50.199 --> 00:30:50.500 He's going 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.679 to give 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:51.579 us plenty 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.199 of opportunity 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.819 in his 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.220 writing to 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.220 consider the 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.100 doctrine of 00:30:55.100 --> 00:30:55.539 divine 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.720 election. 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.660 So, 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.100 for our 00:30:59.100 --> 00:30:59.620 attention to 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.259 verse 13 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.759 this morning, 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.160 I want to 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.880 address those 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:03.620 of you who 00:31:03.620 --> 00:31:03.980 may have 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.580 your fists 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.080 up at the 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:05.860 very idea 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.860 that God 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.620 does all 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.200 the saving 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.059 work, 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.880 that we 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.620 contribute 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:12.660 nothing to 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.259 our salvation. 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.220 Just put 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.600 them down. 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:18.960 I think 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.400 that the 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:21.059 doctrine of 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.440 divine 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:21.880 election 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.420 has been 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.860 the focal 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.460 point of 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.420 so much 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.200 unnecessary 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.740 division. 00:31:28.520 --> 00:31:28.800 So, 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.720 just keep 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.020 your hands 00:31:30.020 --> 00:31:30.260 at your 00:31:30.260 --> 00:31:30.660 side and 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:30.980 let me 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.600 ask you 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.060 a couple 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:32.500 of 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.760 questions. 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.260 Let's 00:31:34.260 --> 00:31:34.900 see if 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.300 you answer 00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:35.840 them the 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.480 same way 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.200 that I 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.440 do. 00:31:37.780 --> 00:31:38.180 I'm asking 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:38.420 you the 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:38.760 questions, 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:39.080 I'm going 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:39.740 to answer 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.380 my own 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:40.920 questions. 00:31:42.760 --> 00:31:43.000 Number 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.320 one, 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:43.740 apart 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.660 from 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.220 Christ, 00:31:46.020 --> 00:31:46.580 apart from 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:47.020 Christ, 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.720 are you 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.620 utterly 00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:50.039 sinful? 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.559 Left to 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.200 yourself, 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.100 do you 00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.420 possess 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.319 within you 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.799 any 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.819 good? 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.140 Apart 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:56.339 from 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:56.640 Christ, 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:56.980 are you 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.600 utterly 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:59.160 sinful? 00:31:59.519 --> 00:31:59.839 And I 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.380 would say 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.420 yes. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.000 Apart 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.200 from 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.539 Christ, 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.000 apart from 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.559 his saving 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:04.860 work, 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.319 apart from 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.160 his imputed 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.680 righteousness 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.259 given to 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.480 me, 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.019 I am 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.860 utterly 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.640 sinful. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:09.900 I'm 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.339 sinful to 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.960 my very 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.460 core 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.740 before that 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.140 happened, 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.559 before he 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.319 gave me 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.980 his 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.259 righteousness. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.259 I believe 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.700 this because 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.140 of Ephesians 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:20.600 2 verse 00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:20.980 1, I 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.319 read it to 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.779 you earlier, 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.579 you were 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:24.120 dead in 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.940 the trespasses 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:26.680 and sins. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.980 Secondly, 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.660 do you 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.340 think that 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:32.460 apart from 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.860 Christ? 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:34.500 You can 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.440 recommend 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.220 yourself to 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.720 God by 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.460 anything 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:39.019 that you 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.559 have done. 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.600 If you 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:40.880 were to 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.860 stand before 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.320 God and 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.820 plead your 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:43.640 case before 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:43.960 him, 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.700 why do 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.160 you not 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.680 deserve 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.380 eternal 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.960 damnation? 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:47.420 Why do 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.120 you instead 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.920 deserve to 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.480 be his 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.580 child? 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:51.660 Do you 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.400 have anything 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.140 in you that 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:53.520 you have 00:32:53.520 --> 00:32:54.100 done that 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.440 you think 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:54.700 you could 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.520 actually stand 00:32:55.520 --> 00:32:56.100 before him 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.560 and make 00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:58.100 a reasonable 00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:59.560 case? 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.420 To that, 00:33:02.520 --> 00:33:02.700 I would 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.480 say no. 00:33:04.280 --> 00:33:04.640 I would 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.340 say no. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.540 I need 00:33:06.540 --> 00:33:07.680 the righteousness 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.760 of Christ. 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.360 I need my 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.760 penalty paid 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.200 by his 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.599 death. 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.160 I need 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.779 his perfect 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.579 life given 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.279 to me in 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.779 that beautiful 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.259 thing called 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.879 the great 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.379 exchange where 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:17.980 I am 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.819 justified. 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:20.000 That way I 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.259 can be 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.119 declared in 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:21.619 God's 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.299 court. 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.319 Not guilty. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.339 Not only 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:26.039 not guilty, 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.839 but perfect. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.319 You have 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.259 kept my 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.420 law and 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:29.879 you are 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:31.519 welcome here. 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.200 I can't 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.619 plead my 00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:33.160 own case. 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.799 All I can 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.740 plead is 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.759 Christ. 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.240 He did it. 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.720 He 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.339 accomplished 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.160 it on 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:39.599 my 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:41.200 behalf. 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:42.859 So do 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.240 you think, 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:43.640 apart from 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:43.900 Christ, 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.180 you can 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:44.559 recommend 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.059 yourself to 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.380 God by 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:45.880 anything you 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.299 have done? 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.099 I derive 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.059 this in 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.819 Ephesians 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.779 chapter 2 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:52.240 verse 8 and 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.440 9. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.980 For by grace 00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:53.359 you have been 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:53.880 saved through 00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.380 faith and 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:54.880 this is not 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.279 your own 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.539 doing. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:56.019 It is the 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.400 gift of 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:56.720 God, 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.220 not a 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:57.819 result of 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.380 works, 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.599 so that 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:00.240 no one 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.500 may boast. 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.839 I have 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.579 nothing to 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.200 boast in 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.299 in myself 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.539 except 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.660 Christ. 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.719 Thirdly, 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.519 if you 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.840 have been 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.820 saved by 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.400 Christ, 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.659 are you 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.519 now meant 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.519 to sustain 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.460 your faith 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.579 by your 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.099 own 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.139 power? 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.920 I would 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.300 answer to 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:22.820 that question 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.719 no. 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.880 I was 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.780 saved by 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.260 him. 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.639 His 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.800 spirit made 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.980 me alive. 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:31.019 I was 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:32.900 capable of 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.659 turning from 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.400 my sin and 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.780 turning to 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:36.619 him. 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.800 He saved 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:39.079 me and 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:39.800 I now am 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:41.099 sustained by 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:41.800 that very 00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:43.440 same power. 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:43.759 He didn't 00:34:43.759 --> 00:34:44.559 save me and 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.340 then leave me 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:45.900 alone to my 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.460 own devices. 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:48.300 Praise God. 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.039 Paul says in 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.860 Philippians 1.6, 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.400 I'm sure of 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:51.840 this, that he 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.679 who began a 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.219 good work in 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:54.119 you will 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.960 bring it to 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.159 completion at 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:57.920 the day of 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.759 Jesus Christ. 00:34:59.460 --> 00:34:59.900 If you have 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.420 been saved by 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.820 Christ, are 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.120 you now 00:35:01.120 --> 00:35:01.440 meant to 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.300 sustain your 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:02.900 faith by 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.720 your own 00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:05.880 power? 00:35:06.240 --> 00:35:06.519 No. 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:10.000 Fourth, if 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.380 you have been 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:11.000 saved by 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.280 Christ, are 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.880 you being 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.880 kept by 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.900 grace until 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:16.220 God calls 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:16.960 you home 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:19.180 or Christ 00:35:19.180 --> 00:35:20.280 returns? 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.300 If you have 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.720 been saved by 00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:22.120 Christ, are 00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.420 you being 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.360 kept by 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.260 grace, by 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:25.640 Christ, until 00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:26.280 God calls you 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.460 home or 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.180 Christ returns? 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:28.640 And to this 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.119 I would say 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.839 yes. 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.859 John 10, 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:32.900 verse 27 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.659 through 29, I 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.199 read it to 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.920 you already. 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.460 My sheep 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:36.699 are my 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.199 voice and I 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.839 know them and 00:35:37.839 --> 00:35:38.339 they follow 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:38.539 me. 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.179 I give them 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.119 eternal life and 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.779 they will never 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:42.379 perish and no 00:35:42.379 --> 00:35:43.279 one will snatch 00:35:43.279 --> 00:35:43.920 them out of my 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.319 hand. 00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:45.699 My Father who 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.139 has given them 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.599 to me is 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.119 greater than 00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:47.799 all and no 00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.400 one is able to 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.099 snatch them out 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.440 of the 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:51.920 Father's hand. 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.880 God 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:53.900 now 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:55.980 there are a 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.519 lot of people 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:56.760 who would 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.159 answer these 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:58.119 questions differently. 00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:59.079 There are people 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.900 who claim to be 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.599 Christ followers 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:01.280 who would answer 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:02.420 them differently 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.180 and that opens 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:04.619 up all sorts 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.500 of problems. 00:36:06.680 --> 00:36:07.480 I hope 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:08.440 you answer these 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.000 questions the 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.300 same way that 00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:11.680 I did and 00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:12.360 if you did 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.260 then we have 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.860 much to 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.420 agree upon. 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.480 We can get 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.119 into the nuance 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.019 of it all but 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:19.400 at the end of 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:20.680 the day this 00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:21.419 is my understanding 00:36:21.419 --> 00:36:22.119 of deprivity, 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.799 divine election, 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.440 justification by 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.139 grace alone 00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.919 through faith alone 00:36:26.919 --> 00:36:27.819 in Christ alone 00:36:27.819 --> 00:36:29.059 and my perseverance 00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:29.940 and preservation 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:31.440 to the end. 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.339 That's it. 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.119 If you answer 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:33.619 those questions 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.339 the way I answer 00:36:34.339 --> 00:36:34.919 those questions 00:36:34.919 --> 00:36:35.940 we are on the 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.419 same page. 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:40.619 So preserve 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:41.480 your armaments 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.619 for real battles 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:44.559 and settle into 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.199 John's gospel 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:45.919 account with me 00:36:45.919 --> 00:36:47.319 as we observe 00:36:47.319 --> 00:36:49.239 reliable witness 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.319 again and again 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:51.320 truth 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:53.300 and find 00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:54.460 yourself 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:56.140 believing. 00:36:56.720 --> 00:36:57.780 Jesus is 00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.559 the Christ 00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.320 the anointed 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.000 one sent 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.940 by God 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:03.000 that by grace 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:04.059 through faith 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:05.140 in him 00:37:05.140 --> 00:37:06.120 we would be 00:37:06.120 --> 00:37:06.680 called 00:37:06.680 --> 00:37:07.300 his 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.720 children. 00:37:10.120 --> 00:37:10.820 This is after 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.740 all why 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:13.080 John wrote 00:37:13.080 --> 00:37:14.820 this book. 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:15.559 He's going to say 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.620 some stark things 00:37:16.620 --> 00:37:17.180 to us 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:18.039 but don't 00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.679 forget 00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:19.559 John 20 00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.239 verse 30 00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:21.480 and 31 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:21.980 and I'll read 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.719 this and then 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.139 we'll pray. 00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.579 Now Jesus 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.139 did many other 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.699 signs in the 00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:26.279 presence of the 00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:26.659 disciples 00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:27.899 which are not 00:37:27.899 --> 00:37:28.960 written in this 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.239 book 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:30.659 but these are 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.739 written so that 00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:32.719 you may believe 00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.399 that Jesus 00:37:33.399 --> 00:37:34.379 is the Christ 00:37:34.379 --> 00:37:35.279 the Son of God 00:37:35.279 --> 00:37:36.960 and that by 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.460 believing 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.159 you may have 00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:38.639 life 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.980 in his name. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.179 Let's pray 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.460 together.