WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.339 Well, it's my privilege to have the chance to preach this morning, and I will continue 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:11.720 in the book of John like Jonathan just said. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.380 We'll continue in chapter 1, and we'll finish chapter 1 today. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:19.920 But I do want to mention this, that when we were reading, or when the passage from Genesis 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:21.719 was read, did you catch that last phrase? 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.539 That last phrase says, Jehovah's in this place. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:32.379 You know, the Word of God declares this, where two or more are gathered in His name, there 00:00:32.379 --> 00:00:33.179 He is in the midst. 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:39.560 And so it's this morning we come with this understanding that Jehovah's in this place, and it's my prayer 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:45.200 that the words of Jehovah, through His Word, would touch us deeply. 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:54.480 So this morning we turn to chapter 1, and we're going to read starting in verse 35, but before 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:02.439 I read, I just want to share a couple of things about this passage and about this chapter 1. 00:01:03.059 --> 00:01:06.700 I don't know if you would have picked it up unless you've dug a little bit to see this, 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:13.659 but do you realize that the place where John is baptizing, this place on the east side of 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:21.679 the Jordan is roughly 20 miles from Jerusalem, and it's roughly 85 miles to Bethsaida. 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:23.920 Now why would I share that? 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:25.599 Why is this geography important? 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:33.239 Because what we see is we see these men, what will be introduced to these men, Andrew and 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:39.640 Philip and Peter, Nathaniel, will be introduced to these men this morning. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:46.640 And it's interesting to note that they're from Bethsaida, which is on the northern side 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:49.219 of the Sea of Galilee, roughly 85 miles. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:55.019 And in that day, it takes a long time to travel 85 miles, and it begs the question, why are 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:55.760 you down there? 00:01:57.060 --> 00:01:59.280 Why are you spending time with John? 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:00.840 What is the occasion? 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:08.759 And what we can glean here is that they're by foot roughly five days journey down to this 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:17.379 area, and they're disciples of John the Baptist, meaning they consider him their rabbi. 00:02:18.140 --> 00:02:21.599 They have sat at his feet to learn from him. 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:30.000 And it means evidently that they had spent some measure of time with him, so they had been 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.180 following him for quite some time. 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:36.219 They were seekers of truth. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:40.860 You know what's interesting? 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:49.240 That these blue-collar guys, these rough guys, these fishermen, you know they didn't go to 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:55.400 Jerusalem to find the rabbis in Jerusalem, to find the greatest of the Pharisees or the 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:56.979 greatest of the Sadducees. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:01.379 They didn't even go to the synagogue to seek truth. 00:03:01.459 --> 00:03:02.219 You know where they went? 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:08.120 They went where God had stirred them, to this guy who's in the wilderness who's preaching 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:10.679 this message of repentance. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:18.060 There's something in them that was stirred by the truth that was being proclaimed by this 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:20.179 guy who dressed differently. 00:03:21.079 --> 00:03:25.280 He didn't have the religious garb that most would have. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:27.960 He wasn't looking for the applause of men. 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:30.840 He didn't wear tassels on the bottom of his garment. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:37.560 But he had come proclaiming a gospel of the coming Messiah. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:40.340 And they were drawn to it. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:42.159 They were seeking truth. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:49.620 And I think that's important for us to understand as we look at these encounters. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:53.980 This morning we're going to look at five encounters with Jesus. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:59.580 From the text we read this morning we'll see four, but I'm going to back up a little bit 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:03.319 and we're going to talk about the encounter of John the Baptist with Christ as well. 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:06.080 That would be five encounters with Christ. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:15.280 And it's my hope this morning that we consider if we've had an encounter with Jesus. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:22.100 And if we have had an encounter with Jesus, what did he say to us? 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:28.420 What is it that stirred in our hearts when we had this encounter with Jesus? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:35.280 And it's in my hope that as believers, for those of us who are in the kingdom, born again, 00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:40.060 that we would not just have one encounter with Jesus, but it would be continual. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:44.600 That we would fellowship with the Lord often. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:50.280 So if you would turn to verse 35 in chapter 1, 00:04:51.200 --> 00:04:54.939 as we read from the scriptures this morning, I would ask you to follow along. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:05:00.180 It's my hope that you would bring your Bible and you would be so familiar with your Bible 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:02.000 that you would not want to leave it at home. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:04.100 That it would be with you often. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:10.800 And hopefully the pages would get quite fragile because you've turned there so many times. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:15.279 And hopefully you've got highlights and notes and such in your Bible 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.639 because you treasure the time you spend there. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:22.779 This is the very word of God we read, starting in verse 35, and it says this. 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:28.659 The next day, that is the day after the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:33.459 The next day, again, John was standing with two of his disciples 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:37.939 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, 00:05:38.219 --> 00:05:40.639 Behold, the Lamb of God. 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:46.479 The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:51.420 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:52.660 What are you seeking? 00:05:54.020 --> 00:05:57.379 And they said to him, Rabbi, where are you staying? 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:01.460 He said to them, Come and you will see. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.360 So they came and they saw where he was staying 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:09.020 and they stayed with him that day for it was about the tenth hour. 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:16.699 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 00:06:17.339 --> 00:06:20.159 He first found his own brother Simon and he said to him, 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:23.479 We have found the Messiah, which means Christ. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:26.459 And he brought him to Jesus. 00:06:27.799 --> 00:06:29.060 Jesus looked at him and said, 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:32.219 You are Simon, the son of John. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:38.940 You shall be called Cephas, which means Peter or rock. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:43.000 The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:46.400 He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:52.020 Now, Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:54.900 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 00:06:54.900 --> 00:07:00.780 We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:03.739 Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:07.359 Nathanael said, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:10.579 Philip said to him, Come and see. 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.759 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, 00:07:15.179 --> 00:07:19.399 Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceit. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:22.639 Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? 00:07:24.059 --> 00:07:25.199 Jesus answered him, 00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:27.459 Before Philip called you, 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:31.159 When you were under the fig tree, I saw you. 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:32.639 Nathanael answered him, 00:07:32.919 --> 00:07:35.599 Rabbi, you are the son of God. 00:07:35.799 --> 00:07:37.439 You are the king of Israel. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:38.819 Jesus answered him, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:42.000 Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:45.399 You will see greater things than these. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.179 And he said to him, 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.819 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.979 You will see heaven opened 00:07:50.979 --> 00:07:55.679 and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of man. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:56.339 Let's pray again. 00:07:56.339 --> 00:08:01.000 Father, this morning I ask that you would open our spiritual eyes, 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:02.799 that as we look at your word, 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:04.839 we would see your truth for what it is, 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:06.899 and you would open our understanding. 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:09.879 God, as we read, we would understand the truths here. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:13.039 And God, I pray that you would touch our heart with your word. 00:08:15.539 --> 00:08:19.799 Father, may your word plant itself deep within our heart. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:24.720 This morning may your word move us to desire you, 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.020 and to seek you more, 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:28.680 and to follow you, 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.139 and to love you, 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:31.240 and to serve you. 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:32.139 And I pray in your name. 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:32.740 Amen. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:40.340 I want you to see this about the encounter of John with Jesus. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:47.560 It would help us to understand what John thinks about himself, 00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:50.100 who John sees himself to be. 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:54.139 Very interesting in the word. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:55.780 It says this, 00:08:55.840 --> 00:08:57.620 John says this in verse 23, 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.379 I am the voice. 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:02.019 I am the voice. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.139 What voice, John? 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:07.240 I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:10.559 Make straight the way of the Lord, 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:13.460 as the prophet Isaiah said. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:16.279 Do you hear what he's saying about himself? 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:18.580 He's saying this, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:23.360 that the prophet Isaiah foretold of this guy 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.759 who was coming before the Messiah, 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:28.899 and this guy was going to be a voice in the wilderness, 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.899 and he was going to be proclaiming a message. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:35.860 Before Jesus the Messiah came. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:40.659 If we look at Mark chapter 1, 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:44.480 Mark starts his gospel talking about this voice. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:48.639 And Mark says it like this. 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:50.799 Chapter 1, he says, 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:53.399 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.600 the Son of God, 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:56.980 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 00:09:57.439 --> 00:10:01.220 Behold, I send my messenger before your face, 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:03.480 who will prepare your way. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:06.100 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.879 prepare the way of the Lord. 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:10.220 Make his paths straight. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.060 John appeared baptizing in the wilderness 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:16.100 and proclaiming a baptism of repentance 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:18.200 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:19.700 I want you to notice something here. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:24.960 Mark shares with us something vital 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:27.980 that we need to understand about John. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.539 He says this, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.259 Behold, this God speaking, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.659 Behold, he's speaking through his prophet Isaiah, 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.060 and he says, 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.820 Behold, I send. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:36.980 I send. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.759 God sent. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:43.659 John the Baptist was sent by God, 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:45.639 and John knew it. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:51.259 John realized that he had been sent by God. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:53.819 And notice what he says about John. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.200 He says, 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.480 My messenger. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:59.879 Behold, I send my messenger. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:04.840 The person that I have moved in his life, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:08.240 the person that I have put my words in his mouth, 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:10.139 it's that person that I've sent 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.600 to be the forerunner of the Messiah. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.740 It's John. 00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:18.120 And he is a voice crying in the wilderness. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:18.879 It's interesting. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.299 He's crying in the wilderness, 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:21.120 not in the synagogue. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.519 Not in the temple. 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:25.539 He's crying in the wilderness. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:31.120 It's John who's not dressed like rabbis. 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.059 It's John who doesn't act like rabbis. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:37.159 It's John who's not religious. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:40.840 He's not part of the religious system. 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:43.519 It's this guy who's coming out of the wilderness, 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.879 likely a nomadic scenario 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.559 where he's been in the wilderness. 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:49.879 Do you all realize his parents were very old when he was born? 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.919 It was a miraculous birth. 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:57.419 Do you all remember Elizabeth? 00:12:01.719 --> 00:12:03.579 She who was barren, 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:09.339 who was the laughing stock of their city, 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:09.959 their town, 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:14.419 who obviously had not been blessed by God 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.559 because she was barren. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.039 You know that barren women were pushed to the sidelines of society? 00:12:21.479 --> 00:12:23.399 And in her old age, 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.779 through much prayer, 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.159 you can be sure, 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:28.779 from her and her husband, 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.579 Zechariah, 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:31.639 she became pregnant. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.759 In her old age. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.519 Miraculous. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.339 It can't happen. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.279 Can it? 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:38.639 Nothing's impossible for God. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:41.580 And what did she do? 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.779 Paraded around town? 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.080 No, 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.319 she stayed in her house. 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:45.100 And she said, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.379 this is too good to be true. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:48.580 And Mary, 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:50.759 the mother of the coming Messiah, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.939 received this encounter from an angel, 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:56.439 Gabriel, 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:56.939 who said, 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:57.779 and by the way, 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:00.679 your relative Elizabeth is with child. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.699 And in her excitement, 00:13:02.859 --> 00:13:06.500 she leaves and she goes down to the city where her relative stays. 00:13:06.739 --> 00:13:09.719 And as she's walking across the threshold of the door, 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:11.979 Elizabeth prophesies. 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:14.620 And you know what she prophesied? 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:16.759 You know what she said? 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:19.559 She said exactly what God put in her mouth. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:22.239 And what did God put in her mouth? 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:24.659 Who am I? 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:27.079 That the mother of my Lord. 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:27.160 God. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:31.340 I'm going to turn there so I don't mess it up. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:36.560 And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.320 For behold, 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:39.879 when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.700 the baby, 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.680 John the Baptist, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.400 leaped in my womb. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.040 And it has a nice little phrase at the end. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.180 You remember what it says? 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:50.280 Leaped in my womb for joy. 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:56.580 Do you know in the womb of Elizabeth was John the Baptist? 00:13:57.080 --> 00:14:00.240 Who leaped when the Messiah arrived. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.259 You know, 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:03.480 there's something strongly spiritual about that, 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:03.800 isn't there? 00:14:10.280 --> 00:14:13.200 So I want you to hear from Luke 1 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:20.420 what John the Baptist's father prophesied about him. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:26.820 So you understand that Elizabeth and Zechariah were very old in age. 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.560 Likely, 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:30.500 John was very young when they passed away. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.920 And so he would have been raised by relatives, 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:35.100 possibly been raised by relatives. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.600 There's no way to know this for sure. 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:42.500 But there's evidence that would lead us to think that perhaps he was raised in a nomadic setting in the wilderness. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.960 That's what nomads did. 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:47.860 They wandered in the wilderness so their flocks could be fed. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:51.600 No way to know for sure. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:57.040 But it is interesting that he wasn't surrounded by the religious system. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:59.080 He was free to be led by God. 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:04.600 And Zechariah shares something of importance with us that I want you to hear this morning. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.700 So Zechariah, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.659 you'll remember the story. 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:10.420 He goes into the holy place. 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:17.080 It was the greatest gift of life for a priest to be allowed to have the privilege to go and walk in. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:19.900 And he took incense to put on the altar, 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.780 which represents the prayers of the saints. 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:24.920 And he goes in and he puts incense on the altar. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.000 And what happens? 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.160 He has an encounter, 00:15:28.300 --> 00:15:28.680 doesn't he? 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.500 And in that encounter, 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.320 he is mute. 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.480 He can't speak. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.920 As he walks out, 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:38.160 he was greeted by an angel in that setting. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:38.720 He walks out. 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:39.620 He can't talk anymore. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.440 And he doesn't talk again until when? 00:15:41.640 --> 00:15:42.560 Until his son, 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.600 John the Baptist, 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:45.820 is dedicated on the eighth day. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:50.420 So can you picture this? 00:15:51.260 --> 00:15:54.960 The first words out of his mouth are not even his words. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:58.140 He prophesies as the Holy Spirit moves upon him. 00:15:58.420 --> 00:15:59.620 And he speaks these words. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.640 He talks about Christ and the Messiah. 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:05.640 And then in verse 76 of chapter 1 of Luke, 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.240 it says this, 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:07.340 And you, child, 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:11.160 I can just picture him holding this child in his hands. 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.320 John the Baptist, 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:15.620 his eight-day-old son in his old age. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.700 Can you imagine 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:22.860 waiting all those years for a child 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.840 and his child to be born? 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:26.120 And he's holding his child here. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.580 And his mouth has been mute. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.679 And when he opens it up, 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.500 God's word spills out of his mouth. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.159 And he says, 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.019 And you, child, 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.940 you will be called prophet, 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.960 the prophet of the Most High. 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.759 There's a lot in that phrase. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.919 The prophet of the Most High. 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:45.259 For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:48.299 to give knowledge of salvation to his people 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:50.259 in the forgiveness of their sins. 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:51.659 Wow. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:55.819 Now, John's eight days old, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.579 and I doubt he remembers hearing that. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.620 But don't you know 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:03.819 that Elizabeth and Zechariah 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:07.700 sensed this powerful movement of God, 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.720 this miraculous thing that God is doing 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.440 in the life of John the Baptist? 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:15.519 And we go back, 00:17:15.580 --> 00:17:16.779 and I want you to see this 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.380 about John the Baptist. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.740 And we're getting to the encounter. 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.960 We're not to the encounter yet, 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.400 because I want you to realize 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.660 these things. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:26.320 Is that John is a prophet. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.960 And you remember what Christ said 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.820 about John the Baptist? 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.640 Listen to what he said. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:35.340 What did you go in the wilderness to see? 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:38.000 You know what the people were doing? 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:40.080 They heard about this guy 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:42.080 who was so different, 00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:43.560 radically different 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:45.280 than any other religious message 00:17:45.280 --> 00:17:46.340 they'd ever heard. 00:17:47.280 --> 00:17:50.100 And word began to spread in that culture, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.060 and people began to go to him 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:53.280 from all kind of places 00:17:53.280 --> 00:17:55.020 to where he was baptizing. 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.980 And they were hearing the message 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.780 of John the Baptist, 00:17:57.780 --> 00:17:59.840 and Christ asked this question 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.780 to his disciples. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.180 He says this, 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:03.859 What did you go out 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.660 to the wilderness to see? 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.099 A prophet? 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.240 Yes, I tell you. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.639 And more than a prophet. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.619 You hear what he says there? 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.099 Christ said, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.220 yes, he was a prophet. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:16.579 He was the spokesperson for God. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.000 You know what a prophet is? 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:20.720 Prophet is one that God chooses 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.559 to speak through to the people. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.420 God moves in their heart 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.879 to put his message in their heart. 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:28.119 They open their mouths, 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.879 and the word of God 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.839 spills out of their mouth. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.559 The Holy Spirit 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.240 is the one that speaks 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:33.879 to these men. 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:37.519 He is more than a prophet. 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:39.000 This is he, him, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.919 the one 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:41.539 that is written about. 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:43.220 Behold, I send my messenger 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.899 before your face, 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:47.119 who will prepare your way 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:47.740 before you. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:49.179 Truly, I say to you, 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.779 and we've heard this before 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.619 in the book of John, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.899 as Jonathan was preaching, 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.959 I say to you, 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.279 among those born of women, 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.000 there has arisen 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.059 no one greater 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.980 than John the Baptist. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.619 And remember what it is 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:01.000 to be great in the kingdom of God? 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.240 Go lower. 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.460 Go lower. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:08.599 Do you think John saw himself 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.679 as someone who was low? 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.079 Listen to what it says. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.599 Listen to it. 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.899 He said he knows about himself, 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.500 these things, 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:18.139 that he is that voice, 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:20.220 that he is the person 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.659 that was prophesied about 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.759 in the Old Testament. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.920 He is the one. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.759 And it's validated 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.379 by the Holy Spirit 00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.240 through Zechariah, 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.960 his father. 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:33.879 He is the voice 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.839 from the wilderness. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.039 And if you look down 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.039 to verse 33, 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.400 chapter 1, 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:39.700 it says, 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.039 I myself did not know him. 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.579 That is, 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.700 in the natural, 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.619 I've never seen Jesus before. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.299 I didn't know who he was. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.779 I could not have 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.839 visibly recognized him. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:54.599 Though he saw him, 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.299 in a sense, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.059 saw him, 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:57.399 experienced him 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:59.379 in the womb of Elizabeth 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.220 when Jesus walked 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.259 across the threshold, 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.679 he had never seen him 00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.480 with his eyes. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.220 He said, 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.799 I myself did not know him, 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.559 but he who sent me 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.439 said to me. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.179 Y'all realize 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.539 the importance of that phrase? 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.599 He who sent me, 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.319 who sent him? 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.399 John, 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:21.399 you remember in Mark? 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.579 It said this, 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.220 Behold, 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.000 I send my messenger. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.579 You know what it is? 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.720 It's God's messenger 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:29.740 with God's message. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:34.480 John is the messenger 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.559 sent by God. 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.240 He says, 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.179 I'm the voice, 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.659 and he who sent me 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.299 said to me, 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.059 you know what? 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.559 God spoke 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:43.000 to John the Baptist. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.639 God validated 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:46.179 to John the Baptist 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:47.319 who was the Christ. 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.879 Christ. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.099 And what was the response 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.960 of John the Baptist 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.879 when he saw Jesus? 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.039 Behold, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.779 the Lamb of God. 00:20:58.639 --> 00:21:00.139 Let me just ask this 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.819 of you and I. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:04.200 Is that true for us? 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.960 Have you seen Jesus? 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.799 Have you experienced Jesus? 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.059 When you walk away 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.879 from your experience 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:14.379 with Christ, 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.940 do you find yourself 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.200 saying, 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.100 Behold, 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.320 the Lamb of God. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.060 There He is. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.220 Do you find yourself 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.980 pointing at Jesus? 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.740 Do you find yourself 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.880 sharing it with people 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:30.000 you come in contact with? 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.340 There He is. 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.800 You need Jesus. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.920 We all need Jesus. 00:21:36.520 --> 00:21:37.200 Do you think 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.900 with John understanding 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.720 who He was, 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.579 and with John 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.200 receiving these words 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.380 from God the Father, 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.339 you would think 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.519 that he would be tempted 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.059 to think of himself 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.600 more highly 00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:48.440 than he ought to think. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:48.680 Correct? 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.380 I mean, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.339 he's in a role 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.600 that he knows 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:54.200 God has placed him in. 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.000 But I want you to hear, 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.480 oh man, 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.440 I want you to hear 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.420 the heart of John. 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:05.600 He encounters Christ 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.399 as the forerunner, 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.579 the one that was called 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.939 by God as a messenger. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.619 And here's the interaction. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.679 We see it a little differently 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:15.299 through the eyes of Matthew. 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:17.740 If we look in Matthew chapter 3, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.459 listen to the encounter 00:22:19.459 --> 00:22:21.619 when Jesus comes to John 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.359 to be baptized. 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.199 Here it is. 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.459 Then Jesus came from Galilee 00:22:27.459 --> 00:22:28.199 to the Jordan 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.819 to John 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.159 to be baptized by Him. 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:32.639 John would have prevented it. 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:35.880 Does that not strike you? 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.880 John's like, 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:39.100 no. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.400 I'm baptizing all these people. 00:22:42.540 --> 00:22:43.759 They need to repent. 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.700 They need to be baptized. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:47.320 You don't need to be baptized. 00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:50.200 Who am I 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.580 that you would even come to me? 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.080 You remember what he said 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:54.240 about the sandals of Jesus? 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.820 I'm not worthy 00:22:56.820 --> 00:22:58.980 to be the lowest servant 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.500 in the house of my God 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.860 to even untie 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.339 the latchet of the sandal 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.099 of Jesus. 00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:06.459 I'm not worthy 00:23:06.459 --> 00:23:08.859 to be the lowest servant 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.699 in the house of my God. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.779 Does that echo with you? 00:23:15.979 --> 00:23:17.559 How do we view ourselves? 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:27.439 Are we going lower? 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.119 Are we recognizing 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.419 realizing more and more 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.039 and more 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.379 that apart from Jesus 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.039 we're nothing? 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.759 We don't deserve 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.619 to be in the house 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.759 of our God, do we? 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.979 You know it's a gift 00:23:39.979 --> 00:23:40.599 for you and I 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.339 that He gave us? 00:23:41.739 --> 00:23:42.739 That we would be allowed 00:23:42.739 --> 00:23:43.459 to be in the house 00:23:43.459 --> 00:23:43.879 of our God? 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.819 That we would be allowed 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.679 to be a servant 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:49.059 in the house of our God? 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.699 Listen to what happened. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:50.959 He said, 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.079 John would have prevented 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.759 him saying, 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.559 I need to be baptized 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.399 by you 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:57.679 and you come to me? 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.559 But Jesus answered, 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.399 let it be so 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.480 for now 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:07.059 for thus it is fitting 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.779 to fulfill 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.819 all righteousness. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.240 Let me just make 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.759 this point. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.500 Do you think 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.460 that in that encounter 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.519 John would have been 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:14.859 in awe? 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.139 I think right here 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:19.000 it reveals 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.659 that he's like 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:25.200 it probably 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.519 can't get words out 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.240 to start with 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.800 because 00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:31.120 the Holy Spirit 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:31.880 or the Father 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.720 is indicated 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.300 there He is, 00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:34.080 there He is, 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.800 there He is, 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.460 there He is, 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.800 He's coming, 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.440 He's coming to you 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:37.640 right now. 00:24:37.800 --> 00:24:38.300 That's Him. 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.940 That's the Lamb of God 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:41.400 and He's hearing all this 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.900 and He knows it 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.980 and He's like, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:49.779 I'm not worthy 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.440 that you would come 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.299 that close to me. 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.000 Who am I 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.860 that you would even 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.680 approach me? 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.380 And in awe 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:56.779 He says, 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.380 I understand 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.460 who you are. 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:02.120 I need to be baptized. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.160 I'm nothing. 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.940 I'm nobody. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.180 So here's what I see. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.620 I see an awe 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.240 in the heart 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.940 of John the Baptist. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.980 This greatest 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.940 of all 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.420 who have ever 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.559 been born by a woman. 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.940 He is deeply 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.400 humble. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.920 And He's obedient, 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.400 isn't He? 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.980 Though He knew 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.120 that He should not 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.580 baptize the Messiah, 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.320 the Messiah said, 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.660 I want you to baptize me. 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.820 This is just the way 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.680 it needs to be. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.059 Yes, Lord. 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.660 You know, 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:33.100 when we encounter Christ, 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:35.759 is that the response 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.340 that we have? 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:39.360 Do we see ourselves 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.460 for who we really are 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.259 that we're nobody 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.900 apart from Him? 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.920 Do we shout, 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.340 behold the Lamb of God? 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.480 Is that something 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.480 that often comes 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.000 from our lips? 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.600 Do people look at us 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.039 and see, 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.480 there's that guy, 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.640 that radical dude, 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:54.940 man. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.620 I wish he'd shut up 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.140 sometimes. 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.059 I'm tired of hearing 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.080 him talk about Jesus 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.720 all the time. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.259 Does that characterize 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.519 the way we walk 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.400 and the way we live 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.220 and the way we interact 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.700 with people? 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.460 I hope it does. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.779 We move on here. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.039 So you can picture 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.620 these two disciples 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.200 of John 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.440 who've been following Him 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.819 and who've been 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.640 learning from Him, 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.700 who've been seeking 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.259 truth, 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.480 who've been seeking 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.100 the Messiah, 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.600 the Lord, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.080 the truth, 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.600 the Father, 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.140 and they're following 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.600 John because they know 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.539 something is 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:31.460 from God. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.580 Something about John 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.500 is from God. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.799 Something about John 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.220 can't be explained. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.279 There's something 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:40.639 supernatural going on here 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:42.480 and they're following Him 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.579 and you know what He says? 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.220 Jesus walks by them 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.940 and as He's walking by, 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.460 He says to them, 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.379 Behold, 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.440 there He is, 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.500 the Lamb of God. 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.579 He says it again. 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.980 He can't contain Himself. 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:56.500 You know He had lived 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.399 for this very day? 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.299 Do y'all realize 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.339 that John had lived 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.339 all these years 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.680 for that very day? 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.259 Do you realize 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.259 that was the purpose 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.180 for which He was sent? 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:08.879 That when Christ came 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:10.319 and was baptized, 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.119 do you realize 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.919 that the purpose 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.279 for John was fulfilled? 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:17.480 And He makes a statement, 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:19.019 He must increase, 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.599 I must decrease. 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:23.440 My role is finished. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:25.379 His role is beginning 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.539 as the Messiah. 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:29.559 And He turns, 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:29.899 He says, 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.500 there they are. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.159 And so what did 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:33.200 the disciples do? 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:34.319 They had come 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.039 and they had learned, 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.779 they knew something 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:37.039 was supernatural about John. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.559 Would you depart from that? 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.240 Would you leave? 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.759 Wouldn't you want 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.519 to be around John? 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:42.420 This guy that absolutely 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.839 is obvious that God 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.559 is doing something 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.940 incredible in his life. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.119 What did they do? 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.200 They left. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.240 Listen to what it says. 00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:53.799 And He looked at Jesus, 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.740 John the Baptist did, 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.599 as He walked by and said, 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:56.899 Behold the Lamb of God. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.920 The two disciples 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.819 heard Him say this 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.559 and they did what? 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.440 They followed Jesus. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.440 Let me ask you this question. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.519 For all of us, 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:04.940 you know, 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.840 we live in the South. 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.460 There's steeples 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.640 all over town. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.000 You know, 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.080 especially go look 00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:09.660 over the bridge 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.080 or Avonel, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.620 you look down. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.200 Steeples, 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:11.500 steeples, 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:11.680 steeples, 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.519 all over the place. 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.720 Churches on most corners. 00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:16.059 You've heard about Jesus, 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.460 haven't you? 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.120 What is the effect 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.080 in your heart 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:22.600 when you've heard 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:23.299 about Jesus, 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.559 when Jesus has been 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.259 presented to you, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.500 when you see Jesus 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.519 in the pages of the Word, 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.059 have you followed Him? 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.500 Church, 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:36.460 have you followed Him? 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.279 Have you sought Him 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.839 with all your heart? 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:43.019 Are you seeking after Jesus 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.079 to know Him? 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.759 Not just to know about Him, 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.000 not just to know doctrine. 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.799 Do you want to know Him 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:52.079 personally, 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.259 deeply, 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.000 intimately? 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.259 He invites us all there. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.920 notice what it says. 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.079 They followed Jesus 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.160 and what did Jesus do? 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.240 He had just walked by them, 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.559 hadn't He? 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.440 And they start following Him. 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:04.839 What does He do? 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.599 Do you realize that 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:11.660 anybody who seeks Jesus, 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:12.799 Jesus always turns? 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:18.200 For anybody that is seeking, 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.700 truly seeking, 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.359 you know what He does? 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:20.819 He turns. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.779 But it's an interesting question 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.619 He throws their way. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.619 Do you know what the question is? 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.559 In the text it says this, 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.259 what are you seeking? 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.619 Why are you following me? 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.599 What are you doing? 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.500 What is He asking? 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.259 He's asking for their motive. 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:37.140 Why do you want to spend time with me? 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.960 What is your motive? 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:39.819 You know, 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.319 we can glimpse ahead 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.460 to chapter 6. 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.839 And it says this, 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.799 when He had fed 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.180 many in the wilderness 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.019 and He left 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.200 and He went to another place, 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.779 a large crowd followed Jesus. 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.339 You remember chapter 6. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.619 And Jesus answered them. 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.819 He said, 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.799 why did you, 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.839 why have you come across 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.839 to the other side of the sea? 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.740 And He answered them and said, 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.480 Jesus, 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:03.920 He said, 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.539 truly, truly, 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:05.220 I say to you, 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:06.619 you are seeking me 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:09.059 not because you saw signs 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.420 and saw something supernatural, 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.059 but because you ate 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.039 and you're in, 00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:13.960 excuse me, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:16.440 you ate your fill 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.539 of the loaves. 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.039 Their belly was full. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.480 They received food. 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.259 They're chasing Him 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.399 because He's a provider. 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:27.159 He can provide for 5,000 00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:29.519 with a small handful of loaves 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.279 and some fish. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.139 There's something supernatural 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:33.019 about this guy. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.619 I love the fact 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:36.000 that I can eat and be full. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:38.019 And they're chasing Him for why? 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.659 For what they can get. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.599 You know what begs the question 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.139 for you and me? 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.200 Why are we following Jesus? 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.700 Are we following Jesus 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.639 for what we can get? 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:52.000 Are we following Him 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.980 for who He is? 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.740 Jesus said to these, 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.680 Do not work for food 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.460 that perishes, 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.420 but for the food 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:02.059 that endures to eternal life. 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.960 Don't live for the temporal. 00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:05.460 Live for the spiritual. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.940 Live for my kingdom. 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.240 Live for me. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:15.759 And so they said to Him, 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.380 Rabbi, where are you staying? 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.079 In other words, 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.259 wherever you're going, 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.759 I'm going. 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.559 Wherever you're staying, 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.140 I'm staying. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:26.859 We want to be at Your feet. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:29.220 We want to be taught by You. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.460 We want to learn. 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:32.140 We want to be in Your presence. 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:34.559 We're hungry for You. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:36.859 We believe that You really are 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.419 the Messiah. 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:40.859 We've been looking for all these years 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:42.879 and now we know it for sure 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.960 that You're the One. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.460 We want to be with You. 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.799 What did He say? 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.460 Nah. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:49.779 Nah. 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:51.940 I don't think you're ready. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.819 That isn't what He said, is He? 00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.460 He says, come. 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.659 You know, for all who seek Him, 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.399 you know what Jesus says? 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:58.799 Come. 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.019 Come. 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.220 And when He says come, 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.220 what is He going to show you? 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.819 He's going to show you Himself. 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:07.079 He's going to reveal to you 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.879 something so powerful. 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:10.779 Himself. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.839 The author of life. 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:15.419 So they came and they saw 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:15.980 where He was staying 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.359 and they stayed with Him for a day 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:18.619 and it was about the tenth hour. 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:21.059 One of the two who heard Him speak 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:23.619 followed Jesus and followed Jesus 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:25.179 was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:27.079 And what did Andrew do 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:30.059 when he spent time with Jesus? 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:32.519 What was the effect on Andrew? 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:35.940 Do you notice? 00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:39.299 He left and went and found Simon 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.419 and said, man, come on. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:40.839 Come on. 00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.579 You got to come, man. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.639 You don't want to miss out on this. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.579 He's right over there. 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:43.940 Come on. 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.179 Let's go. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.579 Let's go. 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:46.740 And he takes his brother, Simon, 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.299 and he does what? 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:48.579 He takes him to Jesus. 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:51.699 Do you know if we chased Andrew 00:32:51.699 --> 00:32:53.259 through the Gospels, 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.259 you know what he does? 00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.579 He takes people to Jesus. 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.159 That's who he is. 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.259 He's like, I don't have all the answers, 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.720 but I know who does. 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.079 Come on. 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.059 I'm going to take you. 00:33:03.139 --> 00:33:03.500 I'll show him. 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:06.399 Church, do we do the same thing? 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:09.279 We don't have all the answers. 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.679 Do you find yourself 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:11.899 taking people to Jesus? 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.599 Do you find yourself 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.419 that the problems 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:15.639 and the lives of people 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.839 that you come in contact with 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.619 are spiritual? 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:21.839 And if they're spiritual, 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.359 there's one who has an answer 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.579 for those spiritual things. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.939 His name is Jesus. 00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:29.399 And then, 00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:31.099 we love this third encounter, 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.740 this encounter of Simon Peter, 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:33.960 of Peter, 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.879 we're going to call him Simon 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:38.599 because when they say here 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.139 in the text, 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.839 Simon Peter, 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:41.019 they're looking backwards 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:42.179 as they're writing this thing. 00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:43.500 But you know who he was? 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.079 He was Simon. 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.799 His name was not Peter 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.980 until after the encounter. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.599 Do you all know that? 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:50.339 Listen to what it says. 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.659 And by the way, 00:33:52.219 --> 00:33:53.179 you know what I was struck by 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:53.980 when I was studying this? 00:33:54.639 --> 00:33:56.019 You know who Simon Peter is? 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:58.139 As we read through the scriptures, 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.159 read through the book of Acts, 00:33:59.199 --> 00:33:59.519 you know what it is? 00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:00.759 He's this loud, 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.059 impetuous, 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.980 he puts his foot in his mouth, 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:04.980 he talks before he, 00:34:05.219 --> 00:34:05.459 I mean, 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.179 he just, 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.879 he says things 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:09.119 that before he thinks about things. 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.219 He's just this 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:11.960 fire type of a guy, 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.159 fiery type of a guy. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:16.119 And here's the encounter with Jesus. 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.460 Jesus looked at him and said, 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.619 you are Simon. 00:34:20.319 --> 00:34:21.699 You shall be Peter. 00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:23.239 Think about that. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.039 You are, 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.839 but you shall be. 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.319 You know, 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.879 before we were in the kingdom, 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.879 we were somebody, 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.500 but since we've come into the kingdom, 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.239 we're somebody else. 00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:31.960 Do you all realize that? 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.559 Do you realize 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:36.279 that a true encounter with Christ 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.619 leads to being born again? 00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:39.079 It leads to salvation. 00:34:39.319 --> 00:34:40.699 It leads to a change. 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:41.960 It leads to newness of life. 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.199 You know, 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:44.259 Romans 6 says that. 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:47.259 We've been united with Christ, 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:49.679 so now walk in newness of life. 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.639 You've been born again. 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.719 You're no longer bound by sin, 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:55.400 but you're new creatures. 00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:58.460 I've put my desires in your heart. 00:34:58.699 --> 00:35:00.039 I've changed your heart of stone 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.199 and made it a heart of flesh. 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:06.359 And Peter was dumbstruck, 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.079 I'm just guessing. 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.599 There's no words 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.779 that seem to go from Peter. 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.219 He's like, 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.420 huh? 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:12.980 What do you mean 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.980 I'm going to be another guy? 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.400 Radically different guy. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.139 Do you think that's true 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.799 in the life of Peter? 00:35:18.279 --> 00:35:19.360 Do you see a different guy 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.099 after Pentecost? 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.159 You know, 00:35:22.219 --> 00:35:23.099 Peter's the same one 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.559 that was scared 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.340 of the servant girl 00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:24.860 at the gate 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.440 when he was going 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.179 to warm his hands 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.699 after Jesus had been arrested. 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:29.579 And you know, 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.380 that same guy 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.679 is the guy after Pentecost 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.719 that stood up 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.420 to the Pharisees 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.719 and said, 00:35:33.759 --> 00:35:35.900 that's Jesus, man. 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:38.039 You need to be saved. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:38.559 I mean, 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.300 he's saying, 00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:41.539 in his first sermon, 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.119 he talks about, 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.220 you think these guys 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:43.680 are drunk 00:35:43.680 --> 00:35:45.300 because they've had this, 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.280 the Holy Spirit 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:46.960 come upon them 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:48.960 in this Pentecostal thing. 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:50.079 You think they're drunk. 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.840 They're not drunk. 00:35:51.680 --> 00:35:53.260 This is what was talked about 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.160 in the prophets. 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:56.019 This is the movement of God 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.680 that Joel spoke about. 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.340 I mean, 00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:59.960 he's bold as a lion. 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:02.059 You go from this timid guy 00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.500 that's scared 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.079 of getting hurt 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:04.360 to this bold guy 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.199 who's willing to die. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.440 Is that true for you? 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.980 Do you find that now 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.000 that you're a Christian, 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.119 do you find that there's 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.240 a willingness in your life 00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:15.659 and your heart 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:16.400 to be willing even 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.559 to die for the kingdom? 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:17.639 Amen. 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.219 You know, 00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.199 that's the high call of God. 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.940 This soft, 00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:30.199 mushy Christianity 00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:31.360 that's being served up 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:31.920 on platters 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.659 is not what the Scriptures 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.400 talk about. 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.039 You know what the Scripture 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:36.619 talks about? 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.259 They talk about, 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.239 the Scripture talks about 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:38.980 a radical 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:41.239 giving my life away 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:44.519 to become a bondservant 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.460 of Christ 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:46.759 to set my eyes 00:36:46.760 --> 00:36:47.880 and fix them on Jesus 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:50.040 to seek first 00:36:50.040 --> 00:36:51.020 the kingdom of God 00:36:51.020 --> 00:36:51.960 and His righteousness. 00:36:52.740 --> 00:36:54.480 That that's the way I live. 00:36:54.540 --> 00:36:55.120 I don't live 00:36:55.120 --> 00:36:56.080 for the world anymore. 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.820 I don't live 00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:57.840 for temporal things. 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:59.400 I live for Him now. 00:37:01.020 --> 00:37:01.940 And let me just say this, 00:37:02.060 --> 00:37:03.000 for those of us 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:04.440 who genuinely desire 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.660 to seek and live for Him, 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:06.220 you know what's going 00:37:06.220 --> 00:37:07.280 to happen in your heart. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:10.140 Even though our personalities 00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:12.660 might not be like Peter's, 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.720 there's going to be 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:14.880 a boldness that comes 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.680 through the indwelling 00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:16.380 Holy Spirit. 00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:20.280 the fourth encounter. 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.520 The next day, 00:37:21.600 --> 00:37:23.060 Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 00:37:23.160 --> 00:37:23.900 He found Philip 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.600 and said to him, 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:25.940 Philip, follow me. 00:37:27.080 --> 00:37:28.740 And you know what 00:37:28.740 --> 00:37:29.720 some would think, 00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:30.080 wait a minute, 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.640 Jesus, I've got things 00:37:31.640 --> 00:37:32.660 at home I've got to do. 00:37:32.780 --> 00:37:35.040 I left the garden unattended. 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:36.060 It's got some weeds in it. 00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:39.120 I've got fishing plans 00:37:39.120 --> 00:37:39.640 for my buddy. 00:37:40.160 --> 00:37:41.100 I've got things 00:37:41.100 --> 00:37:42.120 on the calendar, Jesus. 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:43.120 He says, follow me. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:45.960 What did Philip say? 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.339 He said, 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:48.119 everything else 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:50.179 doesn't have any meaning 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:52.859 compared to the invitation. 00:37:54.739 --> 00:37:55.599 Follow me. 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.699 And what does he do? 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.599 Very similar. 00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:04.079 He found Nathaniel 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:04.639 and he said, 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.599 he said something different. 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.699 I want you to hear this. 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.819 And we're going to end 00:38:08.819 --> 00:38:11.299 with Nathaniel's encounter. 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:12.299 But I want you to see 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.299 what Philip said 00:38:13.299 --> 00:38:13.980 to Nathaniel. 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.599 Philip found Nathaniel. 00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:16.759 So there he is again. 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.779 What is the effect 00:38:18.779 --> 00:38:19.839 of experiencing 00:38:19.839 --> 00:38:21.019 the presence of Jesus? 00:38:21.179 --> 00:38:22.420 What is the impact 00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:23.319 of the encounter 00:38:23.319 --> 00:38:23.880 with Jesus? 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:24.739 On Philip, 00:38:24.819 --> 00:38:25.319 you know what he did? 00:38:25.659 --> 00:38:26.839 He went and told people. 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:28.380 He found him. 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:29.159 And he said, 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:29.739 come and see. 00:38:29.839 --> 00:38:30.179 Come on, 00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:30.799 let's go see. 00:38:31.120 --> 00:38:32.120 I want you to see, 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:32.600 Jesus, 00:38:32.700 --> 00:38:33.580 I want you to see 00:38:33.580 --> 00:38:35.100 that he really is the Messiah. 00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:36.840 And so he goes 00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.519 and he says, 00:38:37.600 --> 00:38:38.700 we found him. 00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:39.260 Who? 00:38:40.600 --> 00:38:41.980 The one that Moses 00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:42.800 and the prophets 00:38:42.800 --> 00:38:43.400 talk about. 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.580 Why would he bring that up? 00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:46.300 Let me just say 00:38:46.300 --> 00:38:47.760 that it gives insight 00:38:47.760 --> 00:38:48.660 in the scripture here 00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:50.260 that these two men 00:38:50.260 --> 00:38:50.960 were seekers 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.340 of truth in the word. 00:38:53.640 --> 00:38:55.039 They knew the law 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:57.240 and they knew the prophets. 00:38:57.660 --> 00:38:59.220 They had been seeking hard. 00:38:59.219 --> 00:39:01.639 They knew the prophecies 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.939 about the coming Messiah. 00:39:03.239 --> 00:39:04.579 That's why it's interesting 00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:05.819 to see the response 00:39:05.819 --> 00:39:06.419 of Nathanael. 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.000 Listen. 00:39:08.919 --> 00:39:10.119 We found him 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:10.899 of whom Moses 00:39:10.899 --> 00:39:11.500 and the law 00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:12.519 and also the prophets 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:14.539 wrote Jesus of Nazareth, 00:39:14.919 --> 00:39:15.919 the son of Joseph. 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:16.919 Nathanael said, 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:17.619 can any good thing 00:39:17.619 --> 00:39:18.519 come out of Nazareth? 00:39:19.859 --> 00:39:21.179 I want us to see 00:39:21.179 --> 00:39:22.739 why he makes that comment. 00:39:22.839 --> 00:39:23.219 You know why? 00:39:23.339 --> 00:39:24.039 Because he knew 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.739 the scriptures. 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.679 And what do the scriptures 00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:27.579 say about where 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:28.980 the Messiah is coming from? 00:39:29.219 --> 00:39:31.159 They don't ever mention Nazareth. 00:39:32.959 --> 00:39:34.259 Nazareth is in that 00:39:34.259 --> 00:39:35.539 part of Israel 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.879 that's not even pure. 00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:40.579 You know when the temple 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.099 was built 00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:42.739 and David was receiving 00:39:42.739 --> 00:39:43.899 all the wood 00:39:43.899 --> 00:39:44.539 and the cypress 00:39:44.539 --> 00:39:45.239 and all the trees 00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:45.899 from Hiram 00:39:45.899 --> 00:39:46.439 and he was cutting 00:39:46.439 --> 00:39:47.019 all this wood 00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:48.039 and then afterwards 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:49.679 he gifted 20 cities 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:50.259 to Hiram 00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:52.159 and it was in the region 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.159 where Nazareth is. 00:39:53.339 --> 00:39:54.619 This region that was 00:39:54.619 --> 00:39:56.139 kind of black eye 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.239 because of this. 00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:58.379 And that's where 00:39:58.379 --> 00:39:59.239 Jesus came from 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.399 this place called Nazareth. 00:40:00.759 --> 00:40:01.439 But he's saying 00:40:01.439 --> 00:40:02.219 wait a minute 00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:03.000 there's no way 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.559 Nazareth 00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:05.059 nothing good ever 00:40:05.059 --> 00:40:06.000 comes out of Nazareth. 00:40:06.419 --> 00:40:07.379 It's not pure. 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:09.399 And on top of that 00:40:09.399 --> 00:40:10.399 the scriptures say 00:40:10.399 --> 00:40:11.259 it's Bethlehem. 00:40:11.879 --> 00:40:12.639 Why do you think 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.459 the Messiah is coming 00:40:13.459 --> 00:40:14.079 from Nazareth? 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:15.419 You've got to be wrong. 00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:17.099 And he says 00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:17.859 well come and see. 00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:19.239 You come and experience 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:20.199 and see for yourself. 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:20.959 He said well 00:40:20.959 --> 00:40:21.799 I trust you. 00:40:22.279 --> 00:40:23.159 I believe you. 00:40:23.279 --> 00:40:24.459 You're a deep friend of mine 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:25.480 and I'm going to trust 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:26.599 that you have the perspective. 00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:27.320 I'll go. 00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:28.880 And what happens 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:29.539 when he gets there? 00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:32.119 It's the encounter 00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:33.019 of Nathaniel 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:34.119 with Jesus. 00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:35.900 And listen to the encounter. 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.099 He says 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:39.179 how do you know me? 00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:42.000 Did somebody tell you 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:42.480 about me? 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.460 I mean how do you know? 00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.699 How do you know 00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:47.119 that I'm not deceitful? 00:40:47.179 --> 00:40:47.659 How do you know 00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:48.539 I live like that? 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:50.199 Well you know 00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:51.300 a caveat here 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:51.920 you know how 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.860 I know he knows? 00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:55.039 He's omniscient. 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:58.180 Jesus knows our thoughts. 00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:59.840 Jesus knows our desires. 00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:02.180 Jesus knows all about him. 00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.200 That's why Jesus 00:41:03.200 --> 00:41:03.920 could say to Peter 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:04.380 you're going to be 00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:05.300 somebody totally different. 00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.280 You're going to be 00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:07.960 using the kingdom 00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:09.220 like you have no idea 00:41:09.220 --> 00:41:11.260 that I've got a plan for you. 00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:11.940 And he says 00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.539 Nathaniel 00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:14.579 when you were under 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.180 the fig tree 00:41:15.180 --> 00:41:15.880 I saw you. 00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.740 Now understand 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:18.000 it's hard to understand 00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:18.639 what's going on here 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:19.420 but here's what I believe. 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.519 I believe that 00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:21.639 Philip was in the habit 00:41:21.639 --> 00:41:22.879 of getting alone with God. 00:41:23.900 --> 00:41:25.559 And I hope all of us are. 00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:28.059 And he had this hiding place. 00:41:28.139 --> 00:41:29.219 Have you all ever seen a fig 00:41:29.219 --> 00:41:29.679 when it's 00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:31.339 figs are heavy on the limbs? 00:41:32.659 --> 00:41:34.440 And when it hangs down? 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:36.539 Some of these fig trees 00:41:36.539 --> 00:41:37.739 get humongous. 00:41:37.819 --> 00:41:38.440 They're big. 00:41:38.699 --> 00:41:39.259 And you know 00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:40.940 there's a whole canopy of limbs. 00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:42.079 You could go up under it 00:41:42.079 --> 00:41:43.039 and it's like a whole 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:45.039 a nice little area 00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.879 that the limbs 00:41:45.879 --> 00:41:46.739 have sagged down 00:41:46.739 --> 00:41:47.420 and they're kind of 00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:48.579 protected this quiet place. 00:41:48.779 --> 00:41:49.639 It's my belief 00:41:49.639 --> 00:41:51.159 that likely he had gone there 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:52.440 for his quiet place 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.779 and nobody else knew about it. 00:41:54.359 --> 00:41:55.679 He had found this spot 00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:56.699 to get along with God 00:41:56.699 --> 00:41:57.739 and even that morning 00:41:57.739 --> 00:41:58.699 he was talking to God 00:41:58.699 --> 00:42:00.399 and maybe even that morning 00:42:00.399 --> 00:42:01.819 God had pricked his heart 00:42:01.819 --> 00:42:02.779 with something powerful. 00:42:03.679 --> 00:42:04.460 And so he says 00:42:04.460 --> 00:42:05.359 I saw you 00:42:05.359 --> 00:42:05.879 when you were under 00:42:05.879 --> 00:42:06.460 the fig tree 00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:07.699 and immediately 00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:08.399 Nathaniel's mind 00:42:08.399 --> 00:42:08.639 was like 00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:09.559 uh-uh 00:42:09.559 --> 00:42:11.420 nobody knows I was there. 00:42:11.659 --> 00:42:12.839 Not a soul in the world 00:42:12.839 --> 00:42:13.859 knows that's the greatest 00:42:13.859 --> 00:42:14.379 hiding place 00:42:14.379 --> 00:42:15.139 you've ever seen. 00:42:15.399 --> 00:42:16.000 How do you know 00:42:16.000 --> 00:42:16.519 I was there? 00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:18.639 And he goes 00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:19.920 you are God. 00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:21.000 There's nobody 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:22.159 that could possibly know 00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:22.320 that. 00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:23.659 There's nobody 00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:24.699 that could possibly know 00:42:24.699 --> 00:42:25.960 what God spoke 00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:26.960 to my heart this morning 00:42:26.960 --> 00:42:27.840 but it's as if 00:42:27.840 --> 00:42:28.480 Christ knew 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:29.239 every thought 00:42:29.239 --> 00:42:29.880 that he had. 00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:31.920 And he said 00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:33.380 you're the son of God 00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:34.619 you're the king of Israel. 00:42:36.420 --> 00:42:36.940 Church 00:42:36.940 --> 00:42:40.579 why do I spend 00:42:40.579 --> 00:42:41.519 all this time 00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:42.079 talking about 00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:42.739 these encounters 00:42:42.739 --> 00:42:43.300 with Jesus 00:42:43.300 --> 00:42:43.759 is because 00:42:43.760 --> 00:42:44.780 the message 00:42:44.780 --> 00:42:45.760 is for you and me. 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.760 How has it affected 00:42:47.760 --> 00:42:48.360 your life? 00:42:49.580 --> 00:42:50.200 I realize 00:42:50.200 --> 00:42:50.960 there might be 00:42:50.960 --> 00:42:51.580 some here 00:42:51.580 --> 00:42:52.760 that would say 00:42:52.760 --> 00:42:54.400 I'm not a Christian. 00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:57.380 I'm still investigating. 00:42:57.720 --> 00:42:58.660 I'm still listening. 00:42:59.120 --> 00:42:59.780 I'm still trying 00:42:59.780 --> 00:43:00.300 to understand 00:43:00.300 --> 00:43:01.160 what this is all about. 00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:01.940 I'm drawn. 00:43:02.060 --> 00:43:02.660 There's something 00:43:02.660 --> 00:43:03.780 dragging me back 00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.340 to church 00:43:04.340 --> 00:43:05.600 dragging me back 00:43:05.600 --> 00:43:06.500 to this whole idea 00:43:06.500 --> 00:43:06.940 of Christ 00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:07.820 and what it's all about. 00:43:08.080 --> 00:43:08.900 I don't know 00:43:08.900 --> 00:43:09.580 what it is 00:43:09.580 --> 00:43:10.500 but I sense 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.460 something going on. 00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:12.700 Let me just say 00:43:12.700 --> 00:43:13.080 to you 00:43:13.079 --> 00:43:13.579 if you're 00:43:13.579 --> 00:43:14.340 in that 00:43:14.340 --> 00:43:15.659 place 00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:17.460 come and see. 00:43:19.579 --> 00:43:20.279 Christ would say 00:43:20.279 --> 00:43:20.739 why are you 00:43:20.739 --> 00:43:21.139 following me? 00:43:21.199 --> 00:43:21.519 Come on. 00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:22.139 Come and see. 00:43:22.279 --> 00:43:23.199 I will show you 00:43:23.199 --> 00:43:23.699 who I am. 00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:24.920 I will show you 00:43:24.920 --> 00:43:25.400 who you are. 00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.420 I will show you 00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:27.039 what you need. 00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:29.759 And for us church 00:43:29.759 --> 00:43:30.440 for those of y'all 00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:31.199 who are born again 00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:31.759 those of y'all 00:43:31.759 --> 00:43:32.619 who are genuinely 00:43:32.619 --> 00:43:33.159 believers 00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:33.940 you know what he says? 00:43:34.000 --> 00:43:34.759 He says follow me. 00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:36.900 And let me just 00:43:36.900 --> 00:43:39.460 encourage all of us 00:43:39.460 --> 00:43:40.500 when he says 00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:41.199 follow me 00:43:41.199 --> 00:43:42.000 he doesn't mean 00:43:42.000 --> 00:43:42.879 just come to church 00:43:42.879 --> 00:43:43.299 on Sunday. 00:43:43.359 --> 00:43:43.899 You know what he means? 00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:45.139 It's to give your life 00:43:45.139 --> 00:43:46.439 away in service 00:43:46.439 --> 00:43:47.460 to the king 00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:48.079 that you would be 00:43:48.079 --> 00:43:48.719 willing to be 00:43:48.719 --> 00:43:49.759 the lowest servant 00:43:49.759 --> 00:43:50.599 in the house 00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.159 of your God. 00:43:51.239 --> 00:43:51.559 Let's pray. 00:43:53.319 --> 00:43:53.779 Father 00:43:53.779 --> 00:43:55.859 I pray that your word 00:43:55.859 --> 00:43:58.000 would move us 00:43:58.000 --> 00:43:58.639 this morning 00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.799 to turn 00:43:59.799 --> 00:44:01.339 and follow you 00:44:01.339 --> 00:44:02.539 all the days 00:44:02.539 --> 00:44:03.179 of our life 00:44:03.179 --> 00:44:04.179 to never veer 00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:04.839 to the left 00:44:04.839 --> 00:44:05.599 or to the right 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:08.279 but by your strength 00:44:08.279 --> 00:44:09.019 and your power 00:44:09.019 --> 00:44:10.000 and your supernatural 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:12.059 ability to move us 00:44:12.059 --> 00:44:12.519 in our heart 00:44:12.519 --> 00:44:12.759 Father 00:44:12.759 --> 00:44:14.199 give us a courage 00:44:14.199 --> 00:44:15.980 give us a desire 00:44:15.980 --> 00:44:18.000 to want you 00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:19.159 more than anything else. 00:44:22.039 --> 00:44:22.699 And Father 00:44:22.699 --> 00:44:23.279 I pray that you 00:44:23.279 --> 00:44:24.219 sustain us 00:44:24.219 --> 00:44:25.839 and you would lead us 00:44:25.839 --> 00:44:26.920 and you would 00:44:26.920 --> 00:44:28.360 draw us into 00:44:28.360 --> 00:44:29.339 an intimate relationship 00:44:29.339 --> 00:44:29.779 with you 00:44:29.779 --> 00:44:30.319 in this I pray 00:44:30.319 --> 00:44:30.799 in your name. 00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.219 Amen. 00:44:31.219 --> 00:44:31.319 Amen. 00:44:31.319 --> 00:44:31.360 Amen. 00:44:31.360 --> 00:44:31.400 Amen.