WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:12.880 It's a great privilege to open the Word of God to you this morning. 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:15.140 It's also an awesome responsibility. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:23.400 But before we open God's Word, why don't we just commit this time in prayer to the Lord? 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:34.359 Our dear, gracious and heavenly Father, we are so grateful to have the opportunity to gather together here in your presence. 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:46.119 I pray that you would soften our hearts, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you want to say to us this morning. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:51.399 And help us, Lord, to know, to take action, to know what to do about it. 00:00:51.399 --> 00:00:55.960 I pray that we would bring our burdens before you this morning. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:01.640 I pray that you would ultimately be honored and glorified. 00:01:02.500 --> 00:01:05.739 In your name, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:15.019 I'd like to open with a question this morning, asking you simply this. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:19.700 How would you describe what God is like? 00:01:19.700 --> 00:01:24.540 If I were to ask you individually, what would you say? 00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:28.960 How would you describe what God is like? 00:01:30.600 --> 00:01:35.980 Some of you might begin by describing God as you relate to Him personally, 00:01:36.300 --> 00:01:38.879 by describing His characteristics. 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:45.759 You may say God is love and how love is central to who He is. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:54.119 You may describe how faithful God is and how He has always been your refuge and strength, 00:01:54.899 --> 00:01:58.039 a very present help in trouble, as the psalmist says. 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:04.320 And you can go on and on describing God, describing His characteristics, 00:02:04.600 --> 00:02:06.400 as it relates to you personally. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:14.620 Some of you here today are watching or will be watching online, 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:20.379 may not have any idea how to describe what God is like. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:26.740 You believe in a higher power, but you're not sure how to describe this higher power. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:31.979 Or you believe God is relative to the individual. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:35.439 God is whoever one wants Him to be. 00:02:36.359 --> 00:02:39.680 Or you may know people who think and feel this way. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:49.120 The good news is that God did not leave us to wonder what He is really like. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:56.300 For it is in Jesus Christ that God is most fully revealed and known. 00:02:57.760 --> 00:03:04.219 And this morning I have the great privilege of calling your attention to John 1, verse 18, 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:09.240 where it describes how, in John Stott's words, 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:13.560 the invisible God has been made visible in Christ. 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:18.780 The invisible God has been made visible in Christ. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:23.159 And we're going to see how Jesus reveals God in two ways. 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:28.539 First, the invisible God has been made visible in the life of Christ. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:36.239 Secondly, God's character was made visible in the death of Christ. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:42.519 In this sermon series, we've been looking at what the cross of Christ has accomplished 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:45.120 and what this means for you and I. 00:03:46.399 --> 00:03:53.259 Today we're going to explore about how God is revealed in the life and death of Jesus 00:03:53.259 --> 00:03:56.620 and what this means for you and I. 00:03:56.620 --> 00:04:03.599 But before this, let me just provide you with a little bit of background to our verse this morning. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:08.520 Also, when reading John's Gospel, we want to keep in mind that 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:13.340 John gives us an eyewitness account to the life of Jesus. 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:18.680 John, the beloved disciple, an eyewitness to Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:04:19.840 --> 00:04:24.300 introduces us to Jesus in the first chapter known as the prologue. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:31.280 Here, John presents Jesus as the eternal, preexistent, incarnate word, 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:35.639 who became flesh and dwelt among his people. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:42.840 Jesus, whom the world was made, is the true light who gives light to everyone. 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:51.000 So just as John begins chapter 1, so he concludes in chapter 1 in verse 18, 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:58.120 where he describes how the invisible God has been made visible in Jesus Christ. 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:03.420 Speaking of Jesus, John says in 1 verse 18, 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:06.899 No one has ever seen God. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:13.540 The only God who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:17.860 John begins by saying, 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:20.340 No one has ever seen God. 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:25.479 In the Old Testament, God revealed himself partially to some, 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:27.879 but never in a complete and full way. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:30.379 To Moses, God says, 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:34.299 You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. 00:05:35.659 --> 00:05:40.879 Paul, in his letter to Timothy, speaks of God dwelling in unapproachable light, 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:44.599 whom no one has ever seen or can see. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:48.360 In his book, The Living Church, 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.780 John Stott asks the question, 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:56.040 How has God solved the problem of his invisibility? 00:05:58.140 --> 00:06:03.680 First, he has revealed himself in the world he has made, 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:09.700 for both the heavens and the earth reveal and declare his glory. 00:06:09.699 --> 00:06:13.459 Second, and supremely, 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:19.620 God has revealed himself by sending his Son into the world. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:23.379 John 1 speaks of Jesus, 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:25.219 the Logos, the Word, 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:27.459 through whom all things were made, 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:32.240 who took on human flesh and reveals God to us. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.419 This is why, in verse 18, 00:06:35.919 --> 00:06:36.879 John tells us, 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:39.120 No one has ever seen God. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:42.699 The only God who is at the Father's side, 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:45.199 he has made him known. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:48.719 This is why Jesus says to Philip, 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:52.259 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:56.139 This is why Paul could describe Jesus 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:59.939 as the image of the invisible God 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:02.120 in his letter to the Colossians. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:06.920 The invisible God being made visible in Jesus Christ 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:10.560 is a conviction that separates Christianity 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:13.079 from all other faiths. 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:16.379 In early church history, 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:18.540 God's revelation of himself 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:20.600 came under fierce attack. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:22.879 Arius, 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:26.399 a 4th century bishop from Alexandria of Egypt, 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:29.279 taught that Jesus was semi-divine 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:31.799 and was something like the angels. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:34.579 In response, 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:36.439 defender of the faith, 00:07:36.739 --> 00:07:38.659 a deacon by the name of Athanasius, 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:42.279 held fast to the truth of Jesus' full divinity, 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.439 eventually affirmed at the Council of Nicaea, 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:49.339 and captured in the Nicene Creed 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:50.319 where we confess 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:52.519 that Jesus is God, 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.839 a very God, 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:55.519 begotten, 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:56.399 not made, 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.420 of one substance 00:07:58.420 --> 00:07:59.480 with the Father. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:03.020 even so, 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:04.960 Arius' views 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:06.400 trickled down 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:08.360 into our world today 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:10.100 in the teachings of 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:11.720 the Jehovah's Witnesses, 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:12.280 for example. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:15.400 Having been raised 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:16.300 as a Jehovah's Witness, 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.200 I was spiritually blind 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:21.300 to the revelation of God 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:22.660 taking on human flesh. 00:08:24.140 --> 00:08:26.140 In 2 Corinthians 4, 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:26.640 verse 4, 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:27.280 Paul says 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:29.259 that the God of this age 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:30.259 the devil 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:32.340 has blinded the minds 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.620 of unbelievers 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:36.019 so they cannot see 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:37.200 the glory of Christ 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:39.399 who is in the image of God. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.980 And several people have asked me, 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:45.759 what was the tipping point 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.439 for you to go from 00:08:48.439 --> 00:08:50.259 unbelief to belief? 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:53.819 The short story is 00:08:53.819 --> 00:08:56.159 it was through the faithful, 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:57.960 persistent, 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:58.160 constant, 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:00.300 and continuous witness 00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:01.980 of a dear friend 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:04.900 pointing me to the Scriptures 00:09:04.900 --> 00:09:08.180 where I began to see Jesus vividly, 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.820 where God Himself 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:12.759 removed the veil, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.280 as it were, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.860 and shunned the light 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:15.820 of the gospel 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.440 of the glory of Christ 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:18.060 on my heart. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.600 It was like being behind a curtain. 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.360 I think this stage 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.000 is a good illustration for this. 00:09:26.920 --> 00:09:28.960 And imagine I'm behind this curtain 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.279 and God, 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:32.100 through the faithful Christian witness 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.080 of another, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.560 pulls back the curtain 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:36.759 and shines the light 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:37.540 of the gospel 00:09:37.540 --> 00:09:38.899 of the glory of Christ 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:39.560 on my heart, 00:09:41.040 --> 00:09:42.879 granting me spiritual sight 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.580 to know Him 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:45.920 as He is revealed in Christ. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.160 That's what Paul talks about 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:49.379 in 2 Corinthians 4. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:52.519 I pray that this would encourage you, 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:55.019 those of you who have loved ones 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.039 who don't know Christ, 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:58.379 as you bear witness 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.399 to the love of Jesus 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:00.939 and pray for them 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:01.600 that God 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.000 would shine the light 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.820 of the gospel 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:04.620 of the glory of Christ 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.299 on their hearts. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:09.000 Because the only way 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.659 to know God 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:13.720 is as He has revealed Himself 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.860 in Christ. 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:18.360 No one has ever seen God, 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:20.040 the only God 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:21.340 who was at the Father's side. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.220 He has made Him known. 00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.040 In what ways? 00:10:26.160 --> 00:10:26.340 Well, 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:27.860 first, 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.040 God was made visible 00:10:29.040 --> 00:10:31.320 in the life of Christ. 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:32.940 God was made visible 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:35.060 in the life of Christ. 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:36.840 God was made visible 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:37.600 in the life of Christ 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:38.300 through the performing 00:10:38.300 --> 00:10:39.440 of many miracles, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.259 demonstrating that He Himself 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.899 is sovereign creator 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.819 and ruler of the universe, 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.679 who shows mercy 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:49.639 and provides for His people. 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.279 John gives us 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:52.939 a number of examples. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.679 God was made visible 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.759 in the life of Christ 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:58.240 at a wedding in Cana 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.179 in Galilee, 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:01.379 where Jesus turned water 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.100 into wine, 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:03.840 after which His disciples 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.620 believed in Him. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.080 God was made visible 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:07.899 in the life of Christ 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.120 when Jesus healed 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.819 a royal official's sick son. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:13.060 for only the Lord 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:14.140 of all creation, 00:11:14.760 --> 00:11:16.180 by the sheer power 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:17.000 of His Word, 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.660 can heal the sick 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:21.120 from such a long distance away. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.160 God was made visible 00:11:24.160 --> 00:11:25.000 in the life of Christ 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.160 when Jesus healed a man 00:11:26.160 --> 00:11:27.140 who had been paralyzed 00:11:27.140 --> 00:11:28.980 for 38 years. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.740 Only a person 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.700 who shares 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.480 the same divine nature 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.540 as God 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:37.639 has such power 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.759 and can demonstrate 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:41.219 such infinite mercy. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.219 God was made visible 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:45.039 in the life of Christ 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.980 when Jesus fed 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.159 5,000 people, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:49.199 demonstrating God's provision. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.779 For only the creator 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.659 and sustainer 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.699 of everyone 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.719 and everything 00:11:54.719 --> 00:11:56.899 can feed a multitude 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.519 and claim to be 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.659 the only one 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.199 who can satisfy 00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:01.899 the deep 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.799 spiritual longings 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.479 of our heart 00:12:04.479 --> 00:12:06.379 as the bread of life. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.319 God was made visible 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:10.139 in the life of Christ 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.659 when Jesus 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.759 walked on water, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.079 John 6, 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:14.279 healed a man 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.559 from lifelong blindness 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:18.299 and raised Lazarus 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:18.839 from the dead 00:12:18.839 --> 00:12:19.919 after four days 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.500 in the tomb. 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:24.319 For only the God 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:24.839 through whom 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.539 the world 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.479 was made, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.459 who became flesh, 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.439 can walk on water, 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:32.179 calm the sea, 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:34.079 heal the sick 00:12:34.079 --> 00:12:34.839 and raise the dead. 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:38.639 John tells us 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.319 that there were 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.299 many other things 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.279 that Jesus did 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.379 which, 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:43.699 if they were written 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.620 one by one, 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:47.120 that even the world 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.899 itself 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:49.679 could not contain 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:50.279 the books 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.979 that would be written. 00:12:53.579 --> 00:12:55.059 But these miracles 00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:57.279 were recorded. 00:12:57.479 --> 00:12:57.659 Why? 00:12:57.659 --> 00:13:00.459 so that you 00:13:00.459 --> 00:13:01.899 would believe 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.579 that Jesus 00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.799 is the Christ, 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.539 the Son of God 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.419 and that by believing 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.639 you may have life 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.759 in His name. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.319 So not only 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:11.779 was God 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.419 made visible 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.659 in the life of Christ 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.860 through all the miracles, 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.860 but Jesus 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.959 came in the flesh 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:19.759 to bring us back 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:21.679 into a relationship 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.419 with God 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.899 through His death 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.919 and resurrection. 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.019 resurrection. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.799 It's very sad 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.759 to see 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.500 what's happening 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.500 in the world 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.740 around us today. 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.799 And I think 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:38.819 we can all agree 00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:39.579 that 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:41.199 this world 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:43.179 is broken, 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:44.599 disordered, 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.139 and sinful. 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.259 But what we see 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:49.139 around us 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:50.539 is really 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.199 a reflection 00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:53.399 of our broken, 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.480 disordered, 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.179 and sinful nature. 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:58.360 Tim Keller 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.919 reminds us 00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.399 that when we 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.259 open the Bible 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.539 and see ourselves 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.019 in light 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.039 of a holy God, 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.639 we see that 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.439 we are sinners, 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.620 enslaved to sin, 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:09.179 to idols 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:10.000 and the prince 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.659 of power 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.319 of the air. 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.139 And yet, 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:15.699 the God 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:17.199 of the universe 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:19.259 comes to you 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.439 and I 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.360 as broken 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.939 as we are. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:25.579 poor 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.240 and wretched, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.220 weak 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:28.980 and wounded, 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:30.439 sick 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.059 and sore, 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.500 as that 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.679 old hymn 00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:33.159 says. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.519 The promised 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:35.980 Messiah 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.860 of the Old Testament, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.959 the eternal 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:39.879 Son of God, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.480 came in human 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:41.879 flesh, 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.279 lived 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.379 in perfect 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.019 obedience, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.899 died the death 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.819 that we deserved, 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.460 and was raised 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.139 on the third day 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:49.539 so that He 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.519 could rescue us, 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.439 free us 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:51.860 from the grip 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.320 of sin, 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:53.700 give us a new 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:53.980 heart, 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.980 and grant us 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.200 eternal life. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.440 If you look 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.539 again at verse 18, 00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:02.320 the phrase, 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.700 who is at 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.860 the Father's side, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.560 literally means 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:09.460 in the bosom 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.320 of the Father. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.019 Early church 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:13.360 father, 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.399 John Chrysostom, 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.019 points out 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.480 how this phrase 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.420 paints a picture 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.819 of an intimate 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.539 union 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:21.000 of oneness 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.599 between the 00:15:22.599 --> 00:15:22.939 Father 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:24.459 and the Son. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:26.699 The Bible 00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.259 teaches that 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.019 there is one 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.579 true 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.879 living God 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.579 who exists 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.959 in an 00:15:32.959 --> 00:15:33.459 eternal 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.459 loving unity 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:35.659 of three persons, 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.179 Father, 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.539 Son, 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.259 and Holy Spirit. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.939 In love, 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.639 the triune 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.039 God 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.219 created you 00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:44.059 and I 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.299 to be 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.139 in relationship 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.100 with Him. 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:50.240 The phrase, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.919 in the bosom, 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.639 shows up again 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.419 in John 13 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.519 where it speaks 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.139 of John, 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.220 the beloved 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.799 disciple, 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.279 reclining 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.980 on Jesus' 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.600 bosom. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.600 Again, 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.460 speaking of 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:03.139 that relationship 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.840 he had 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.460 with Christ. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:07.379 and when you 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:07.759 put your 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.240 trust 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:08.900 and faith 00:16:08.900 --> 00:16:09.940 in Jesus, 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:12.220 you enter 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.700 into a 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.340 relationship 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.240 of love 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.019 that had 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.580 existed 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.259 before the 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.700 world 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.340 began. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.980 So not only 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.519 was God 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.139 made visible 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.600 in the life 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.000 of Christ 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.420 through all 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:24.200 those miracles 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:25.840 whom John 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.580 was eyewitness 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:26.860 to, 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.680 but Jesus 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.480 came in the 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:29.860 flesh 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.519 for the purpose 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.280 of bringing us 00:16:32.280 --> 00:16:32.820 back into 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.379 relationship 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.900 with God. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:37.820 Secondly, 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.820 God's character 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.120 was made 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.600 visible 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.860 in the death 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.480 of Christ. 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.740 God's character 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.180 was made 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:45.700 visible 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.900 in the death 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:48.440 of Christ. 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:49.800 At the cross, 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:51.600 we see 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.740 God's character 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.600 of justice 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.240 and mercy. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.680 Reverend George 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.560 spoke about this 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:58.120 last week 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.620 and I think 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.120 it's worth 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.480 reviewing again 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:00.820 here. 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.039 As fully 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.539 God and 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.079 fully man, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.799 Jesus died 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.539 in our place, 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.980 paid the debt 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.620 that we owed 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.259 for our own 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:08.579 sin, 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.819 and conquered 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.660 sin and death. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.620 At the cross, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.140 God in His 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:15.779 justice 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.640 did not allow 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.940 the horror 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.480 of sin 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.440 to go unpunished. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.160 At the cross, 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.279 God in His 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.779 mercy 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.240 met the 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.839 demand 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.599 of justice 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.779 through the 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.079 death 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.119 of His 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:30.339 Son, 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:30.779 Jesus. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.559 Webster's 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:33.879 dictionary 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.379 defines 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:34.879 injustice 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.639 as an 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.000 absence 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.799 of justice, 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.519 violation 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.559 of right 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.019 or of the 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.379 rights 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:40.899 of another. 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:43.259 Because we 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.759 live in a 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.079 broken, 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.339 disordered, 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:45.779 and sinful 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.339 world, 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.419 because of 00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:47.859 our sin 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.299 nature, 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.599 the reality 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.819 is that 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.719 all kinds 00:17:51.719 --> 00:17:52.619 of injustices 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.659 occur on a 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.359 daily basis 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.980 all around 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.319 us. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:57.679 we live 00:17:57.679 --> 00:17:58.220 in an 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.759 unjust 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.319 world, 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:01.159 with 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.859 unjust 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.879 societies, 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.519 unjust 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.299 systems, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.579 unjust 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.099 people. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.579 Perhaps 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:09.919 some of 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.240 you have 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.480 been 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.259 victims 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:11.939 of some 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:12.539 form 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.119 of 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.700 injustice. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.619 But when 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.859 we reflect 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.399 on the 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:18.899 cross 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:20.259 and see 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.819 Jesus, 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.299 we see 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.839 a just 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:25.000 and holy 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.399 God, 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.980 who won't 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.619 allow sin 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:27.939 to go 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:28.559 unpunished. 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:31.299 God 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.000 will have 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.799 the final 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.220 say. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.579 Hebrews 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.419 4, 13, 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:36.939 for no 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.439 creature 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:38.519 is hidden 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:38.980 from his 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.240 sight, 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.939 but all 00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:41.379 are naked 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.059 and exposed 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.519 to the 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.000 eyes of 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.779 him to 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.679 whom we 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.079 must give 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.539 an account. 00:18:47.699 --> 00:18:47.939 Now, 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.279 as I said 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.759 this morning, 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:51.180 we must 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.619 make no 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.099 mistake 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.180 that as 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:53.460 Christ 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:53.960 followers, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.599 we are 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.220 all 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.019 called 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.180 to do 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.779 justice, 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.079 to love 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.559 mercy, 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.559 and to 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.220 walk humbly 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.980 before God. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.420 We're all 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:05.799 called. 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.160 But at the 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.500 end of the 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.779 day, 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.660 we also 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.000 know that 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.440 God will 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.900 have the 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.559 final say. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.919 And yet, 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.500 on this 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.220 side of 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.700 eternity 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.559 and judgment 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:18.940 day, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.419 there is 00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:20.940 hope for 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.399 the hopeless. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.819 When we 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.579 see Jesus 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.519 on the 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.940 cross, 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.019 we also 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.700 see a 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.839 God who 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.759 shows mercy 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:31.419 and grants 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:32.039 those who 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.460 put their 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:32.980 trust in 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.759 him newness 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.419 of life, 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.960 adopting them 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.919 as sons 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.519 and daughters, 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.319 where they 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.940 become a 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.519 part of the 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:41.919 family of 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:42.200 God. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:45.740 Secondly, 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.079 at the 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.339 cross, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.740 we see 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.099 God's 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:47.440 love. 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.839 God 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.119 doesn't 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.599 meet us 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:53.679 when we 00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:54.240 try to 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.679 be a 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:54.819 good 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.259 person. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.759 He 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.059 doesn't 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.599 meet us 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:57.960 when we 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.220 have 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.720 everything 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.200 together. 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.740 He 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.319 meets us 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.740 in our 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.519 mess and 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.039 rebellion, 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.839 following the 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.659 devices of 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:05.980 our own 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.279 heart. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.179 God 00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.819 shows his 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.339 love for 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:12.000 us in 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.660 that while 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.099 we were 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.380 still 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.880 sinners, 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.259 Christ 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.740 died for 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.119 us. 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.200 This is 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.440 love, 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.099 John says, 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.839 not that 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.380 we loved 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:19.900 God, 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.119 but that 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.619 he loved 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:23.119 us and 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.619 sent his 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.680 son to 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.119 be the 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.940 propitiation 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.339 of our 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.720 sins. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.619 Presbyterian 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.859 minister and 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.380 the late 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.019 Bible, 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.559 radio Bible 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:34.940 teacher, 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.279 J. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:35.900 Vernon McGee, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.460 once said, 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:38.039 the cross 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.539 tells the 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:38.840 greatest 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.360 story. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.819 It sings 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.600 the sweetest 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.059 music. 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:43.440 It brings 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.960 the best 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.620 news and 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:44.980 the most 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.700 glorious 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.240 truth, 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.579 and it 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.319 whispers the 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.100 infinite love 00:20:49.100 --> 00:20:49.620 of God 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.360 to your 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.100 heart and 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:51.380 to my 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:51.680 heart. 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.400 Look into 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:53.860 the heavens 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.340 tonight and 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:54.779 you'll see 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.319 something of 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:55.799 the glory 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.460 of God. 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:57.920 Look at 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.279 the mighty 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.059 mountains that 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.480 are around 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.600 us and 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.140 you can see 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:01.779 something of 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.299 his greatness. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:06.940 look into 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.559 the fragile 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.339 little flower 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.299 and it 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.700 will tell 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.180 you something 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.940 about God. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.539 But listen, 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:13.339 McGee says, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.720 if you're 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.220 going to 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.180 know about 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.599 the love 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.159 of God, 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.240 you will 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.740 have to 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.639 look at 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.200 the cross 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.119 of Christ. 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.859 God's 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.240 love was 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.980 made visible 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.440 at the 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.859 cross. 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.460 As 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.519 COVID-19 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.480 continues to 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.940 disrupt 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.620 lives, 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:33.980 societies, 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.059 and nations 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.539 alike, 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.920 many of 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.259 us are 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.840 left wondering 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.460 if life 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.240 will ever 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.500 be the 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:41.759 same. 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:44.539 Some of 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.820 you may 00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:45.539 be feeling 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.259 pandemic 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:48.080 weariness 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:49.980 or Zoom 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.680 exhaustion 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.600 or Zoomed 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:52.860 out 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:55.660 or cabin 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.080 fever 00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:57.279 where you're 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.259 tired of 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.539 being 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:00.259 stuck at 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.559 home. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.539 some of 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.059 you have 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.279 been 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.859 also, 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.619 some of 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:04.759 you, 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.179 not all 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.399 of you, 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:05.599 but 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.139 experiencing 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:08.099 an increase 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.799 of isolation, 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.399 loneliness, 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.220 depression, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.559 and anxiety 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.399 like never 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:14.039 before as 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.440 you deal 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.319 with a 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.720 number of 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.460 question marks 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.559 of uncertainty. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.659 uncertainty. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.039 If this 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.579 is you, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.440 I want to 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.139 encourage you 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.859 to focus 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.839 not what 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:26.279 is uncertain, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.019 but what 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.539 is certain. 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.720 Christian 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.200 counselor 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.899 Edward T. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.319 Welch 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.879 reminds us 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.220 that there 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.639 are all 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.159 kinds of 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:35.119 things every 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.759 single day 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.240 that we do 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.759 not know. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.579 There are 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.839 mysteries galore 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.639 in life. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:44.560 And in 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:44.920 the midst 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.460 of that 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.100 and what 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:46.800 we anticipate, 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.180 there is 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.600 plenty 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.440 that we 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.020 do know. 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.120 In the 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.560 midst of 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.060 life's 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:53.900 uncertainties, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.700 focus 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.020 on the 00:22:57.020 --> 00:22:57.520 certainty 00:22:57.520 --> 00:22:58.500 of God's 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.820 love. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.620 Dear 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.000 friends, 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:02.580 should there 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.140 ever 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.360 be a 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.740 time 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.840 when in 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:07.680 moments of 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.340 despair or 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:08.920 wherever you're 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.580 at in your 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.080 walk with 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.439 God, 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.799 where you 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.319 begin to 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.899 doubt the 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.500 certainty of 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.819 God's 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.119 love. 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.639 Then look 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.559 to the 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.000 cross. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.399 Lean on 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:21.960 God's 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.359 word and 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.859 the promises 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.819 of his 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.159 word. 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.699 Consider him 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:29.720 who loved 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.199 you with 00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:30.899 immeasurable 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.439 love and 00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:33.099 pursued you 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.059 even to 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.879 death on 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.480 the cross. 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.039 Whatever is 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.379 true, 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:38.960 whatever is 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.359 honorable, 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.539 whatever is 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:40.899 just, 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.500 pure, 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:42.480 lovely, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.159 commendable, 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.519 if there's 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.379 any excellence, 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.220 if there's 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.299 anything worthy 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.079 of praise, 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.439 think, 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.659 meditate on 00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.299 these things. 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.859 Focus on 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.500 the certainty 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.619 of God's 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:55.899 love. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.900 God's 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.360 love and 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.900 love and 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.040 love. 00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.240 If you don't 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.940 know Christ, 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.800 my prayer 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:03.540 is that you 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:04.060 will put your 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.600 trust and 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:05.220 faith in 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.519 the living 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.940 God, 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:09.259 the Lord 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.600 of all 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.080 creation, 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.300 the Redeemer 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:11.980 and risen 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.380 Savior, 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.220 who is 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.880 good and 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.320 forgiving, 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.480 abounding in 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.360 love to all 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:17.120 who call upon 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.380 him. 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:19.380 God's 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.380 love and 00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:21.020 God's 00:24:21.020 --> 00:24:21.380 love and 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.960 hope. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.380 God's 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.380 love and 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:25.380 hope and 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.200 guarantee, 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.880 our only 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.140 certainty in this life. 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.740 John 1, 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.780 18 has 00:24:31.780 --> 00:24:33.120 great practical 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.740 implications for 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.580 the church. 00:24:37.020 --> 00:24:38.480 Just as God, 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.620 just as the 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.500 invisible God 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.040 has been made 00:24:41.040 --> 00:24:42.640 visible in 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.120 Jesus, 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.959 those who 00:24:44.959 --> 00:24:45.599 trust in 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.059 Jesus, 00:24:46.719 --> 00:24:47.939 we have 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.359 been called 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.719 to make 00:24:48.719 --> 00:24:49.339 him visible. 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.439 Because 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:52.339 Jesus is 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:52.979 Lord over 00:24:52.979 --> 00:24:53.919 all creation, 00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:55.859 because he 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.339 is our 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:56.899 Redeemer, 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.699 the Christian 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.939 life is a 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.699 life of 00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:01.799 submission to 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.219 Jesus. 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.299 Our 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.579 sole purpose 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.639 in life 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:09.379 is to know 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.079 Christ and 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.659 to make him 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.000 known. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:13.660 it is to 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.000 make, 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.259 as we've 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.640 heard so 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.160 many times, 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.940 disciples of 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.380 Jesus, 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.339 gripped by 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.940 the gospel, 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.140 living for 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.880 God's glory. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.680 And I 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.519 think this 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.460 begins with 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.420 love for 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.980 one another, 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.180 right here 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.359 in our 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.779 church. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.200 Jesus said, 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:34.819 by this, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.119 all will 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.420 know that 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.880 you are my 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.339 disciples, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.740 if you 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.460 have love 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.920 for one 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.259 another. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.720 So, 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.220 I just 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.539 want to 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.180 leave us 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.620 with this 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.099 simple 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:50.140 challenge, 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:54.240 that we, 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.980 during this 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.160 week, 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.940 starting today, 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.900 would pursue 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.180 ways where 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.160 we can glorify 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.279 God and 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.920 make Christ 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:04.200 visible to 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.680 one another, 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.519 by loving 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:05.980 one another. 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:08.319 you may 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.720 want to 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.079 look for 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.720 one person 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.740 in our 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.140 church, 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.660 who you 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.200 can call 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.720 up and 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.500 encourage, 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.319 or one 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.880 person or 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.860 family who 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.620 you can 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.140 pray for, 00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:26.400 one person 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.920 to comfort 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.640 with the 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.440 comfort which 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.480 we ourselves 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.599 are comforted 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.140 by God, 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.440 one person 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.759 who you 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.280 can love 00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:36.220 in the 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.759 name of 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.060 our Lord 00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:37.400 Jesus. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.400 The 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.980 invisible God 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.280 was made 00:26:40.280 --> 00:26:40.759 visible in 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.380 Jesus Christ, 00:26:41.540 --> 00:26:42.000 God was 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.540 made visible 00:26:42.540 --> 00:26:43.160 in the 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.520 life of 00:26:43.520 --> 00:26:43.780 Christ, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.180 God's 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.640 character 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.600 was made 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.700 visible in 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.060 the death 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:47.580 of Christ. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.520 Let's pray. 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.660 Lord, 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.360 just thank 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.100 you that 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:57.800 you were 00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.420 not left to 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.259 wonder what 00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.600 you're really 00:26:59.599 --> 00:26:59.959 like. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.679 And it's 00:27:01.679 --> 00:27:02.179 because of 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.839 your grace 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:05.639 that we 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.799 are gathered 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.319 here this 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.619 morning. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.539 I pray that 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.240 your blessing 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.859 would be upon 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.579 every person 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.740 here and 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.139 those who 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.639 are watching 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:16.279 and that 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.659 we, 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:17.779 too, 00:27:17.959 --> 00:27:18.279 in the 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.639 power of 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.079 your spirit 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:20.379 would make 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:20.980 you visible 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.019 each and 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.439 every day 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:22.980 from moment 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.480 to moment 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.919 living for 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.439 your glory. 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.459 We ask 00:27:26.459 --> 00:27:27.579 this in 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:27.899 the name 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.599 of our 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.059 Lord Jesus 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.539 Christ. 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:29.879 Amen.