WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.160 Well, it's hard to believe that we're already at Palm Sunday today and that already this Friday is Good Friday and then next Sunday, Easter Sunday. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:20.920 It sure doesn't feel like Easter, especially with all that's going on in our world right now. 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:29.800 Some of the things that we've been having to do for this COVID-19, as well as even just the weather that we've been having. 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:33.679 We've had quite a cold week this past week. 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:39.219 But we want to prepare our hearts for Easter. 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:44.439 This is one of the most significant events, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:47.400 And we want to get our hearts ready. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:54.060 And what better way to do that than to focus our attention on the one who it's all about, on Jesus. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:01:01.000 And so we're going to do that this morning as we continue to look at the story of Jesus from the Gospel of John. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:07.120 So if you have your Bible with you, please open it up to the Gospel of John. 00:01:08.820 --> 00:01:17.599 And this morning we're reading from John chapter 3, starting in verse 31. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:26.759 The one who comes from above is above all. 00:01:27.699 --> 00:01:34.359 The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:39.019 The one who comes from heaven is above all. 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:43.920 He testifies to what he has seen and heard. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:47.719 But no one accepts his testimony. 00:01:49.420 --> 00:01:53.379 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:59.699 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:03.060 For God gives the Spirit without limit. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:10.319 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:15.140 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:20.060 But whoever rejects the Son will not see life. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:24.599 For God's wrath remains on them. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:29.580 So how did we get to these verses? 00:02:29.580 --> 00:02:41.080 Well, if you remember back to last Sunday, we were listening in on a conversation between John the Baptizer and John's disciples. 00:02:41.660 --> 00:02:45.180 And if you remember in the story, they were quite concerned. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:54.500 Because everybody was, instead of going to John the Baptizer, they were now going to Jesus. 00:02:56.200 --> 00:02:58.140 And so John's disciples were concerned. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:03.799 But we remember that John the Baptizer had seemingly the opposite reaction. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:06.139 He rejoiced. 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:08.000 He was happy. 00:03:09.519 --> 00:03:10.299 He said, 00:03:11.299 --> 00:03:12.479 Yes, this is good. 00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:15.179 Jesus must increase. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:17.079 And I must decrease. 00:03:17.359 --> 00:03:19.199 He must have more of the people's attention. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.979 And I must have less. 00:03:21.119 --> 00:03:22.859 Because I am not the Messiah. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.539 He is. 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:24.620 Jesus. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:29.500 And so we're coming to these words on the heels of that. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:37.759 And John has some wonderful things to say from these verses about Jesus. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.500 About who he is. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:44.780 So we're going to look this morning at six wonderful truths about Jesus. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:53.719 And I hope that this is something that the Lord will use to stir your heart to worship this morning. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:04:01.840 And for this week ahead, as we prepare to commemorate Good Friday and to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:08.560 So the first thing that we see about Jesus, John tells us in verse 31. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:11.080 He must become greater. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.879 I must become less. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:15.180 And then John says this. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:20.259 The one who comes from above is above all. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:24.360 The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:27.579 And speaks as one from the earth. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:31.639 The one who comes from heaven is above all. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.879 Do you hear what John is saying here? 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:41.920 There's a big difference between John the baptizer and between Jesus. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:44.300 They are both men. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:48.719 They are both having people come out to them. 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:51.040 They are both teaching the people. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:53.080 They are both baptizing. 00:04:54.200 --> 00:04:59.440 But there's a big difference between John the baptizer and between Jesus. 00:05:00.140 --> 00:05:06.100 John, in the words of John, is one who is from the earth and belongs to the earth. 00:05:06.200 --> 00:05:11.380 He's just an ordinary human being just like any one of us. 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:17.160 He is from the earth and belongs to the earth. 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:20.900 But Jesus must become greater. 00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:24.040 And John must become less. 00:05:24.880 --> 00:05:29.680 Because Jesus is the one who comes from above. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:34.600 He is the one who comes from heaven. 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:42.439 And so Jesus stands apart from John the baptizer. 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:54.000 Jesus has already mentioned this in his conversation with Nicodemus earlier on in the chapter. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:58.759 If you look back to verse 13. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:00.379 Jesus said this to Nicodemus. 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:00.740 He said, 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:05.699 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:07.540 The son of man. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:14.120 And if we look back even further in John's gospel, back to the beginning, 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.560 we're reminded of how this all started. 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:20.000 John started by telling us that Jesus is the word. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:27.259 The word who was with God and was God in the beginning before anything else was made. 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:34.699 The one who in verses 9, 10, and 11 came into our world. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:39.519 Who became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:44.220 So, yes, John the baptizer must decrease. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:46.160 He must fade into the background. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:48.279 And Jesus must increase. 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:51.339 He must get more of the people's attention. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:54.899 Because he is greater. 00:06:55.359 --> 00:06:57.500 He is from above. 00:06:57.799 --> 00:06:58.679 From heaven. 00:07:01.679 --> 00:07:04.819 Not only is Jesus from heaven. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:09.979 But John says he is above all. 00:07:11.239 --> 00:07:12.879 I love that phrase. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.639 The one who comes from above is above all. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.479 He says it twice. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.059 Again, in verse 31. 00:07:23.239 --> 00:07:27.179 The one who comes from heaven is above all. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:33.400 Why must Jesus increase and John decrease? 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:38.519 Because Jesus is above all. 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:41.019 And I love that little word all. 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.960 In the original language it's actually plural. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:47.540 Kind of implies above all things. 00:07:47.960 --> 00:07:49.840 Above all people. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:52.660 Above anything. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:53.379 Everything. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:56.759 He is above all. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:01.019 John is speaking about how Jesus is supreme. 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:04.379 There is no one. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:08.600 There is nothing that is greater. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:14.180 And of course this fits with what John has already told us earlier in the gospel. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:16.519 Back near the beginning. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.699 Jesus is the word. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.660 Who was God. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:25.759 Back at the beginning. 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:29.680 Not only is he God. 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.500 But through him all things. 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:33.639 There is that little word again. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:36.360 All things were made. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:39.220 And without him nothing was made. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.100 That has been made. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:42.100 And so yes. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.419 If that's true. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.139 And it is. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.519 Jesus is truly above all. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:51.539 He ranks highest. 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:57.860 It only makes sense for John the baptizer to fade into the background. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:02.120 And for Jesus to gain the spotlight. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:05.019 He is worthy of it. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:08.019 Not only is he from heaven. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.039 From above. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:10.759 But he is above all. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:13.659 He ranks higher than anything. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:15.259 And than anyone. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:20.919 The third truth. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.720 That we hear about Jesus in these verses. 00:09:24.319 --> 00:09:25.919 Comes in verse 32. 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:28.860 The one who comes from heaven is above all. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:30.120 Says John. 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:32.439 He testifies. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.539 To what he has seen. 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:35.639 And heard. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:38.279 So the one who comes from heaven. 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.120 That's Jesus. 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.319 Testifies. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:43.319 To what he has seen. 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:44.659 And heard. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:49.439 These words are interesting. 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:50.439 We might wonder. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:52.639 Some of the people might be wondering. 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:56.179 As they hear of this man. 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:57.600 Teaching. 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.340 And performing signs. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:00.580 And baptizing. 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:02.279 Out in the Judean countryside. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:05.519 Where does he get all of this from? 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.840 Where does he get his material? 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:10.720 Where does he get this teaching from? 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:15.039 What does John tell us? 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:18.439 He tells us that Jesus speaks. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:19.439 He testifies. 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:21.720 He bears witness. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:24.759 To what he has seen. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.120 And heard. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.759 To what he has seen. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.819 And heard. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:33.439 We might say that Jesus speaks. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:37.700 Out of his own personal experience. 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:46.040 And this is not the first time that John has said something similar. 00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:47.379 Or recorded something similar. 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:50.240 If we look back to his conversation with Nicodemus. 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:52.660 He said something very similar there. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.520 In verse 11. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.600 Jesus said to Nicodemus. 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:57.100 Very truly I tell you. 00:10:57.540 --> 00:10:59.180 We speak of what we know. 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:01.020 And we testify. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:03.300 To what we have seen. 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:07.479 So Jesus speaks. 00:11:07.479 --> 00:11:10.339 From personal experience. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:14.479 He testifies about what he has seen. 00:11:15.479 --> 00:11:16.479 And heard. 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:21.379 And probably the big question as we hear those words. 00:11:21.479 --> 00:11:22.500 That statement is. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:23.219 Well. 00:11:23.979 --> 00:11:25.919 What has Jesus seen? 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:28.179 What has he heard? 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:30.240 What does John mean? 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.939 As he writes this? 00:11:34.099 --> 00:11:35.559 We might think. 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:37.299 Perhaps. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:45.019 Is it referring to what Jesus has seen and heard in heaven? 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.939 Before he came down? 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:53.920 Or does it refer to what Jesus sees and hears. 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:57.640 Kind of through his own divine nature or power. 00:11:57.760 --> 00:12:00.980 Just like he saw Nathaniel sitting under the fig tree. 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:05.620 Or does this refer to some kind of special relationship. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.540 That Jesus has with his father. 00:12:08.280 --> 00:12:13.300 Where his father is revealing or showing things to him. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:14.380 Speaking to him. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:17.080 And he hears what the father is saying. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.559 To be honest. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.179 At the moment. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:22.419 As we work through the gospel of John. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.720 I'm not entirely sure. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:29.019 Just what it is that Jesus has seen and heard. 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.919 From which he speaks. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:32.960 Or when he saw and heard it. 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:37.600 But as we go forward in the weeks ahead. 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:39.639 Jesus will have more to say. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.419 About this. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:43.919 And so we'll listen carefully. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:47.700 As we work through the gospel of John. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:52.299 So that we can understand just what Jesus means. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.439 When he says that he speaks. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.179 What he hears. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:58.220 And what he has seen. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.639 The fourth truth. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.559 That comes to us. 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.360 Here. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.679 In this passage. 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:10.039 Is in verse 34. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:14.839 I'll just read it starting from 32. 00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:16.759 So we can kind of get the sense of it. 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:20.219 He testifies to what he has seen and heard. 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:23.719 But no one accepts his testimony. 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:27.019 Whoever has accepted it. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:29.319 Has certified that God is truthful. 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:31.759 And here it is. 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:34.019 For the one whom God has sent. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.539 Speaks the words. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.919 Of God. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:41.120 Now this is a wonderful truth. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.379 About Jesus. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:44.399 And it's crystal clear. 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.599 Let me read it again. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.439 Verse 34. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:50.919 For the one whom God has sent. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.399 Speaks. 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:54.279 The words. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.159 Of God. 00:13:57.519 --> 00:14:01.559 Let those words just sink in for a moment. 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:03.519 Do you hear. 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:05.139 What John is saying. 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.199 About Jesus. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.059 It could be easy for us. 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:14.359 To take these words for granted. 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:17.599 There's a big difference between. 00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:18.959 Between. 00:14:19.479 --> 00:14:20.519 Ordinary men. 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.699 Ordinary people. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.699 Like you and me. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.519 And Jesus. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:28.179 There's even a big difference between. 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:30.159 John the baptizer. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:30.839 A prophet. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.000 A prophet. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.540 Of the Lord. 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.740 And Jesus. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.780 You and I. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:41.860 As we. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:42.920 Open our. 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:44.160 Our mouths. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.899 What comes out? 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:49.080 The words of men. 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.740 The words of people. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.019 Now. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.860 John the baptizer was a prophet. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.960 And so he spoke. 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:56.080 The word of the Lord. 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.160 In a way that we. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.379 We don't do. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.379 Uh. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.259 Ordinarily. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.019 Every day. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.720 But there's a big difference between Jesus. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.039 And us. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.139 Jesus. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.500 Speaks. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.139 The words. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.159 The words. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.399 Of God. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.259 I mean. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.840 Think about this for a moment. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.799 There Jesus is. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.679 Out in the Judean countryside. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:20.319 And people. 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:22.279 And people. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.659 Are coming to him. 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:25.199 And he is. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.819 Opening his mouth. 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:27.919 And words. 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.079 Are coming out. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.539 And those words. 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.559 That are coming out. 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.139 Are. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.279 The very. 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:34.339 Words. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.539 Of God. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:35.579 God. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:39.179 That's what this is saying here. 00:15:39.459 --> 00:15:40.199 For the one. 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.319 Whom God. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.240 Has sent. 00:15:43.099 --> 00:15:43.659 Speaks. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.659 The words. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.779 Of God. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.000 You or I. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.959 Maybe at one time. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.360 Or another. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.779 Have maybe had this thought. 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:54.639 Wouldn't it be wonderful. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:56.459 If God. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.079 The creator. 00:15:58.459 --> 00:15:59.079 Of this. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.240 Universe. 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.079 Spoke. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:02.839 To me. 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:05.500 And if he did. 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:07.259 We might wonder. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.800 What would he say? 00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.879 What would he say? 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:15.500 Well the amazing thing is. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:18.240 That he has. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.160 Spoken. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.300 To us. 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:23.860 And we actually have his words. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.700 Recorded. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.320 Right here. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.879 In our Bibles. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.060 The very. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:30.960 Words. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.820 Of God. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.960 To people. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.259 To you. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.680 To me. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:39.040 This is amazing. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:42.280 This is wonderful. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:45.680 God has spoken. 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.259 When Jesus. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.960 Opens his lips. 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.379 And words come out. 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:51.720 It's. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.639 It's God's. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.440 Words. 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.240 That come out. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.740 God. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.240 God. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.720 And so. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.960 The big question is. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.320 How will we respond. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.500 To what Jesus. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.620 Has to say. 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:07.000 And we're going to come back to that. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:07.880 Question. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.339 In a moment here. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.220 The fifth. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.079 Truth. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.900 That we see about Jesus. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.079 Verse. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.099 35. 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.660 The father. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.779 Loves. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.799 The son. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.899 The father. 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.359 Loves. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.919 The son. 00:17:25.159 --> 00:17:25.579 Now. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.579 It's a very simple. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.579 Phrase. 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.480 And it could be easy. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.839 For us to just read that. 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.799 And in its simplicity. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.500 Just pass right on by. 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.440 To the next thing. 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:34.680 But let's stop. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.099 And pause. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.079 For just a moment. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:38.099 And reflect on that. 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.859 The father. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:39.819 Loves. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.859 The son. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.180 Jesus. 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:44.899 Has. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.000 A real. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.859 Relationship. 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.559 With God. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.019 His father. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.799 A relationship. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.240 Characterized. 00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:53.939 Described. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.419 As. 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.119 As one of. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:56.979 Love. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.959 The father. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.000 Loves. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.899 The son. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.159 And. 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.539 In this gospel. 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:03.259 More than in. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.639 Some of the others. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.240 Perhaps. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.419 We see. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.199 Just. 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.399 Just how much. 00:18:10.939 --> 00:18:12.099 Not how much. 00:18:12.219 --> 00:18:12.719 But we see. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.899 We see a lot more. 00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:15.359 Of what this relationship. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.419 Between Jesus. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.920 And his father. 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:18.640 Looks like. 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:19.940 He's going to tell us. 00:18:20.060 --> 00:18:20.779 A lot about it. 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.160 And so. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.460 In the weeks ahead. 00:18:22.560 --> 00:18:23.600 We're looking forward. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.220 To hearing. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.460 More about this. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.480 We want to understand this. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.380 For this morning. 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.060 We see only one. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.860 One little aspect. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.440 Here. 00:18:35.560 --> 00:18:36.500 The father. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.640 Loves the son. 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.620 And this is truth six. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.060 And has placed. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.300 Everything. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.880 In his hands. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:47.160 So in this loving relationship. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.760 Between. 00:18:48.260 --> 00:18:49.320 God the father. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.900 And God the son. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.420 God has done something. 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:53.980 He has. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.980 He has. 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:56.100 It says. 00:18:56.780 --> 00:18:57.900 Placed everything. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.980 Into his hands. 00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:01.100 He has given his son. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.100 A wonderful gift. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.260 And I think at this point. 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.640 John. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.680 As he writes this. 00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:05.980 Is. 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:06.680 Kind of. 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.120 Stepping back. 00:19:08.260 --> 00:19:08.360 And. 00:19:08.520 --> 00:19:09.120 And reflecting. 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.380 On the bigger picture. 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.780 Of what God is doing here. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.180 Because. 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.379 At this point. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:13.980 In the story. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.259 It sure doesn't seem. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.920 As though Jesus. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.879 Has everything. 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.759 In his hands. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:18.759 In fact. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.819 As the story goes on. 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.940 We will see how Jesus. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.960 Gives up. 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.920 What he has. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.899 And. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.980 Even surrenders. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.359 His own life. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.359 And his own body. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.399 To death. 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:33.039 But in the greater story. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.059 In the larger story. 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.879 Which is what I think. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:36.500 John is pointing to here. 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.960 The father loves the son. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.519 And has placed everything. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.119 In his hands. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.279 The way that this story. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:44.940 Is going. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.259 Yes. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.779 Jesus has come down. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.440 From heaven. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:50.279 But he is going back. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:50.859 Up. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.900 To heaven. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.000 And there will be a great. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:54.900 Moment. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.319 Of. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.599 Consummation. 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.480 A great moment. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.119 In which. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.319 God. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:01.119 Gives the most amazing. 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.440 Gift of all. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.259 To his son. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:06.500 And that's the gift of everything. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.279 All. 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.160 Things. 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.240 Into. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.559 His hands. 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:14.279 What does that mean? 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.900 What does that look like? 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.759 We might think of. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.879 The world. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.900 The universe. 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.660 Everything in it. 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.960 And how. 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:26.940 Someday. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.099 God will bring. 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.059 All of that. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.359 Into submission. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.859 To his son. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.059 To his chosen. 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.480 King. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.839 How it will. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.460 All. 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.839 Belong to him. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.579 Everything. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.379 He will. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.700 Rule over it. 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.299 As a good. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:42.900 And righteous. 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.519 And just. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.059 King. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:44.839 And. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.920 His people. 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:46.859 Will be. 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.960 For him. 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.920 Like a bride. 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.819 And all of this. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.160 Is. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:52.279 Is for you. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.599 My son. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.259 I'm doing it. 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.779 Because. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:57.039 I love you. 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.940 And I want to give you. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.559 This. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.700 Good gift. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:03.799 The father. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.620 Loves the son. 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.259 And has placed. 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.120 Everything. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.900 In his hands. 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.539 And while we may not see it. 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.299 At this moment. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.039 In the story. 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.019 This. 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.920 Is. 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:13.920 What. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.620 Has. 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.120 Happened. 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.059 And is happening. 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.920 And ultimately. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.860 Will happen. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.620 In the fullest. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.620 Sense. 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:19.699 This. 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.579 This is the story. 00:21:21.739 --> 00:21:22.539 Of our world. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.879 Up until now. 00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:25.459 We've seen. 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.919 Six truths. 00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.319 About Jesus. 00:21:30.239 --> 00:21:31.439 The first of them. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.159 Kind of starts. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.179 At the beginning. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:33.959 Of the story. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.419 Jesus. 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.279 Is the one. 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.039 Who has come. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.000 Down. 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:38.679 From heaven. 00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:41.139 The last of them. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.959 Seems to do. 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.299 With. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.159 Kind of. 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.979 The end. 00:21:44.979 --> 00:21:45.799 Of the story. 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:46.759 God. 00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:47.559 Has. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.079 Is. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.699 Putting all things. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.899 Into his hand. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.799 And in a. 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.799 In a sense. 00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:56.720 In the middle. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.740 In between. 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.419 Here Jesus is. 00:22:00.699 --> 00:22:01.319 Walking. 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.619 Among us. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:04.000 In human flesh. 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.919 And he's speaking. 00:22:07.179 --> 00:22:08.419 He's bearing witness. 00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.839 He's testifying. 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.639 He's. 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.439 Giving the very words. 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.079 Of God. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.319 To people. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.679 To people. 00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:17.579 Like you and me. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:20.439 As I said. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.480 Earlier on. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.439 The question is. 00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.259 How. 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.240 Will we. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.980 Respond. 00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:26.619 To the testimony. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.319 Of Jesus. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.359 To the words. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.679 That Jesus. 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.759 Has spoken. 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:34.259 Let's look back. 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:34.919 Again. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.460 To verse. 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.639 32. 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.339 John. 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:38.980 Says there. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.480 The one who comes. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.000 From heaven. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.960 And testifies. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.059 To what he has seen. 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.740 And heard. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:47.339 But no one. 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:47.940 Accepts. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.740 His testimony. 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.319 This is kind of. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.079 An interesting. 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.160 Statement. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.799 Jesus. 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.319 Has come. 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:56.960 And he's. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.039 Bearing witness. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.019 He's. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:22:59.779 Speaking. 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.799 The very words. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.460 Of God. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.480 To people. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.519 And. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.720 It says. 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.660 No one. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.359 Accepts. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.059 His testimony. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.279 Testimony. 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.440 Now. 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:11.679 This. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.960 Doesn't mean. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.579 Literally. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.759 No one. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.440 As in. 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.859 Not a single person. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.220 And. 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.619 And we. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.379 We know that. 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.559 Simply by the context. 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.799 Because the very next thing. 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.500 John says. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:22.679 Is. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.759 Whoever has accepted it. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.980 Has certified. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.200 That God is truthful. 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.440 And so. 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:28.839 Some. 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.539 Have. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.359 Accepted. 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.539 His testimony. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.500 We see this. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.700 Same kind of a. 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:35.679 An interchange. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.920 Back. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.740 In Jesus. 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.539 Conversation. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.560 With Nicodemus. 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:41.060 In. 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:41.820 Verse. 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.560 Eleven. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.299 Jesus said. 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.080 To Nicodemus. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.259 There. 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.019 Very truly. 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:45.820 I tell you. 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.400 We speak. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.299 Of what we know. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.160 And we testify. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.259 To what we have seen. 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:50.799 But still. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.539 You people. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.580 Do not accept. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.080 Our testimony. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.440 And we see this again. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.279 If we go. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.120 All the way back. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.740 To John. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.640 Chapter one. 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.460 Where things. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.500 First started off. 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.180 In the gospel. 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:05.420 This is. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.580 The general pattern. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.660 He was. 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.539 In the world. 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.360 And though the world. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.480 Was made through him. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.420 The world. 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:13.039 Did not recognize him. 00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:14.660 He came to that. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.500 Which was his own. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.100 But his own. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.440 Did not receive him. 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:19.340 Yet. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.460 To all. 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.840 Who did receive him. 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.620 To those who believed. 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.340 In his name. 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.140 That's back in. 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.080 Chapter one. 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:26.800 Verse. 00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:27.920 Eleven and twelve. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.340 And so. 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.700 On the whole. 00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.500 I think what John. 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.140 Means to say. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.220 Is on the whole. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.339 People. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.140 The world. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.220 People. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.059 People. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.220 People. 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.299 No one. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.059 Accepts. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.819 His testimony. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.160 Most people. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.240 Do not receive. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.180 His words. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.000 As. 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.019 As truth. 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.380 But some do. 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.460 Some do. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:51.839 Whoever. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.480 Has accepted it. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.860 Has certified. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.420 That God. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.079 Is truthful. 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.900 And this is. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.779 Kind of the general. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.259 Verdict. 00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.980 Of our world. 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.720 We could think back. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.640 To other teachings. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.680 Of Jesus. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.819 Where he talks about. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.099 How. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.259 The road. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.740 Is. 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.140 Narrow. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.539 That leads to life. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.079 And broad. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.319 That leads to destruction. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.900 And. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.700 Only a few. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.259 Find. 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.119 The road. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.740 That leads. 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.759 To life. 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.160 On the whole. 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.259 Man. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.180 People. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.799 Do not. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.579 Accept. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.059 The testimony. 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.940 Of Jesus. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.860 They do not. 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.620 Receive. 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.700 His words. 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.220 As though. 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:30.799 They are. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.860 The very words. 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.460 Of God. 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:33.980 And. 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.259 And. 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:34.559 And. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.019 And. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.039 And. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.279 And. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.759 Take them. 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.840 Into their heart. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.440 But some do. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.660 Some do. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.580 Some do. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.200 Believe. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.660 Some do. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.340 Receive. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.319 The words. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.839 Of Jesus. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.579 As such. 00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:00.759 As we come down. 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.779 To verse 36. 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.720 What we realize. 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.179 Is that. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.339 Our response. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:06.000 To the words. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.579 Of Jesus. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.459 To the testimony. 00:26:07.459 --> 00:26:08.199 Of Jesus. 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.220 Is. 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.299 Absolutely. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.139 Critical. 00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:12.519 It's the most. 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.500 Important thing. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.259 In fact. 00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:15.819 It. 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:16.599 It is. 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.379 The difference. 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:18.539 Between. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.119 Life. 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.419 And death. 00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:21.859 It's the difference. 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.699 Between heaven. 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:24.039 And hell. 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:26.459 Look down. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.419 In verse 36. 00:26:28.459 --> 00:26:29.379 John says this. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.639 Whoever believes. 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.439 In the son. 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:34.039 Has eternal life. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.899 But whoever rejects. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.439 The son. 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.399 Will not. 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.139 See. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.879 Life. 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.939 For God's. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.759 Wrath. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.859 Remains. 00:26:45.399 --> 00:26:46.079 On them. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.679 Whether. 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:48.460 Whether or not. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:48.740 We. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.839 Believe. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.679 In the son. 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.879 Accept his. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.000 Testimony. 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.139 His words. 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.519 Embrace. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:58.819 Them. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.679 As true. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.799 Put our trust. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.419 In them. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.299 Respond to them. 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.699 In. 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.079 In the. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.099 From the fullness. 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.240 Of our hearts. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.960 Or not. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.579 Makes the difference. 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.699 Between. 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.899 Eternal life. 00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:16.319 And eternal punishment. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.579 God's. 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.259 Wrath. 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.179 Remaining. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.259 On us. 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.539 Says John. 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.839 Let's. 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.879 Think for a moment. 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:27.099 About that word. 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.099 Wrath. 00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:29.099 Wrath. 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.619 Wrath. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.099 Wrath. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.379 I wonder what. 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.379 You think of. 00:27:32.699 --> 00:27:33.619 When you hear the word. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.419 Wrath. 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.620 Wrath. 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.720 What does. 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.660 God's. 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.180 Wrath. 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:38.600 Mean. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.360 Probably the best way. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.400 To explain it. 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.660 Or to understand it. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.560 Would be to simply. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.480 Look back to. 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.560 The scriptures. 00:27:47.300 --> 00:27:48.140 At how they tell. 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.060 The story of God. 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:49.740 In our world. 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.900 And God. 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:51.640 And the children. 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.539 Of Israel. 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:54.019 We see very clearly. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.539 A picture of his wrath. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.080 Throughout there. 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:59.380 But many in our world. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.560 I would think. 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.580 Don't have a. 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.560 A right view. 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:04.400 Of God's. 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:04.980 Wrath. 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:07.120 Perhaps the picture. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.519 That they have. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.720 Is. 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.280 Is. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.000 Of this. 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.519 This angry. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.340 Dictator. 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.120 God. 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.860 Who. 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:15.880 Is. 00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.680 Throwing. 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.980 Fits of rage. 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.440 Because. 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.759 Things are not going. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.380 According to his plan. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.560 On. 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.200 The earth. 00:28:24.280 --> 00:28:25.320 Which he has made. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.540 And so. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.420 To just. 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.500 Give himself. 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:28.920 Some. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.019 Relief. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:30.900 He. 00:28:31.080 --> 00:28:32.120 He lashes out. 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.700 At people. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.500 In wrath. 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.340 And anger. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:36.840 For those of you. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.080 Who. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.500 Have seen. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.340 Star Wars. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.900 You might think. 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.880 Of Kylo Ren. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.180 When things don't go his way. 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.660 He just throws a temper tantrum. 00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:45.280 And starts hacking everything up. 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:46.240 With his lightsaber. 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:46.519 And. 00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:47.560 Just. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.960 Going after people. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.039 People. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.299 But that's not the picture. 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.779 That we get from the bible. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.500 Of God's wrath. 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.940 And so what does God's wrath look like? 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.279 We could. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.340 Very simply go back to. 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:02.480 I think one of the best places to see it. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.700 Is Genesis. 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.079 Chapter 6. 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.319 You all know the story. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.120 Of. 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.940 The flood. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.299 And Noah's Ark. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:14.159 Why did God send a flood upon the world? 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.119 The flood. 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.919 Was an outpouring. 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:19.500 Of God's wrath. 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:21.779 But let's hear the. 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.960 The Lord's own words. 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.659 As to why he. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:27.539 Poured out his wrath. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.480 Upon the world. 00:29:29.899 --> 00:29:30.879 At that time. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.559 I'm reading from Genesis. 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.440 Chapter 6. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.159 Verse 5. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:39.560 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race. 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:41.460 Had become on the earth. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.940 And that every inclination. 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:46.740 Of the thoughts of the human heart. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.500 Was only evil. 00:29:49.320 --> 00:29:50.279 All the time. 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.300 Verse 11. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:56.420 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.640 And was full of violence. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.980 God saw how corrupt the earth had become. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:05.079 For all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.519 So God said to Noah. 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:09.160 I am going to put an end. 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.420 To all people. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.900 For the earth. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.799 Is filled with violence. 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.160 Because of them. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.099 Thankfully. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.180 The Lord. 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:22.759 Was gracious to Noah and his family. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.779 And spared them. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.519 But this is a picture. 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.640 Of. 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:29.380 What's going on in the heart of God. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.640 As he. 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:33.520 Is about to pour out his wrath. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.440 His wrath. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.160 Is. 00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:36.240 Is an anger. 00:30:36.780 --> 00:30:37.140 Yes. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.520 But it's a. 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.300 It's a good. 00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:40.280 Anger. 00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:41.840 It's a righteous. 00:30:42.520 --> 00:30:43.160 Indignation. 00:30:43.560 --> 00:30:44.759 That he has. 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:46.180 Towards what is evil. 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.440 What is wicked. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.300 Towards. 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.040 People. 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.200 Committing acts of. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.240 Violence. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.600 Against one another. 00:30:52.780 --> 00:30:53.320 And acting. 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.280 Selfishly. 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:55.280 Towards one another. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.340 And hurting. 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:57.040 Others. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:31:00.940 God's wrath. 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.779 Is. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.940 Is. 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.379 It's. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.119 It's his. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.740 His. 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.680 His love. 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.220 Or his. 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.379 His goodness. 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.799 Looking at. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.599 A sinful. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.639 World. 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.039 It's the desire. 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.740 He has. 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.579 In his heart. 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:17.319 To set things. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.899 Right. 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.920 And to bring. 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.980 Justice. 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.220 To sinners. 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.220 Whoever. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.000 Rejects. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.440 The son. 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.960 Will not. 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.319 See. 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.880 Life. 00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:31.460 For God's. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.120 Wrath. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.799 Remains. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.600 On them. 00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:36.059 So. 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.600 When John. 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.360 Says this. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.680 He's talking about. 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.360 The status. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.160 Of people's. 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.059 Relationship. 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.019 With God. 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:44.799 If they. 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.339 Reject. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.960 The son. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.380 They will. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:47.940 Continue. 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.660 To be. 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:49.360 In that. 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:49.960 Status. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.460 Of having. 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.380 God's. 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:52.759 Wrath. 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.660 Upon them. 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.460 Of having. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.100 The. 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.880 The ultimate. 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.740 Sentence. 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.079 Of. 00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.920 Divine. 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.620 Justice. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.220 Upon them. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.960 Notice. 00:32:06.100 --> 00:32:06.700 That it says. 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.840 For God's. 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.120 Wrath. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.900 Remains. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.640 On them. 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:12.079 They are not. 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:13.400 They will not. 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.000 Face. 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.079 God's. 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.539 Wrath. 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.579 Simply. 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.279 Because. 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.160 They rejected. 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.740 The son. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.940 They will face. 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.220 God's wrath. 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.920 They were destined. 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.779 For wrath. 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.440 Even before that. 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.000 Even before. 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.779 Jesus came. 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.660 Into our world. 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.960 Because of our. 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.940 Wickedness. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.359 Because of our. 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.099 Sin. 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:38.200 But let's not miss. 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.539 The good news. 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.920 That is so clearly. 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.460 Stated. 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.440 In this verse. 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.339 What John says. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:44.880 Is this. 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.039 Whoever. 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.359 Believes. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.879 In the son. 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.939 Has eternal. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.000 Life. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.599 And the implication. 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:55.659 Which follows. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.359 Is that. 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.500 God's wrath. 00:32:58.699 --> 00:32:59.759 Will no longer. 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.839 Remain. 00:33:00.959 --> 00:33:01.740 Upon them. 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.500 His desire. 00:33:04.699 --> 00:33:05.339 To bring. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.339 Justice. 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.939 Upon. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.379 Their lives. 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.719 Will be. 00:33:12.719 --> 00:33:13.159 Diverted. 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.639 It will be taken. 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.599 Away from them. 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:15.679 God. 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:19.339 This is the good news. 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.379 As a gift. 00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:22.339 Of love. 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.619 As we already talked about. 00:33:23.719 --> 00:33:24.039 In this. 00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:26.240 In John chapter 3. 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.259 Because God. 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.259 Loved. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.199 The world. 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.919 He gave his son. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.839 His son. 00:33:34.219 --> 00:33:34.619 Came. 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.219 To die. 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.199 On a cross. 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.439 And bear. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.099 The wrath. 00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:39.759 Of God. 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.500 That we deserve. 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.720 So that we could be. 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:45.880 Freed. 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.839 From the punishment. 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.799 That was coming. 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.559 To us. 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.519 And instead. 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.440 Receive this wonderful gift. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.720 Of life. 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.619 And not just life. 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:57.279 But eternal life. 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.319 Life. 00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.539 That lasts. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.519 Forever. 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:03.440 This is the good news. 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.099 Of the gospel. 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.179 People. 00:34:07.179 --> 00:34:07.679 And so. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.659 As we bring this to a close. 00:34:10.759 --> 00:34:12.000 I simply want to ask you. 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:15.599 As you hear the words of Jesus. 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.179 The one. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.179 From heaven. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:17.880 The one. 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:19.519 Who is above all. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.519 As you read them. 00:34:21.839 --> 00:34:22.099 Here. 00:34:22.839 --> 00:34:24.400 In the pages of your Bible. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:26.159 How will you respond to them? 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:28.539 Most of us are Christians. 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.299 Are born again. 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.880 We believe in Jesus. 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.039 Jesus. 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:35.240 But I want to encourage us all. 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.840 This morning. 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.420 Not just to. 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:38.980 Accept. 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.720 The words of his. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.460 That we love. 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.940 Or that we like. 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:47.260 It's easy to accept. 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:47.960 The words. 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.860 About. 00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:50.000 Love. 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.680 The words. 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.140 About. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:52.880 Comfort. 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.400 The words. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:53.740 About. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.340 Rest. 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:54.820 The words. 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.300 About our. 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:56.119 Thirst. 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.440 Being quenched. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:57.920 The words. 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.160 About. 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:59.059 Eternal life. 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:02.340 We love those words of Jesus. 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:05.799 But what I want to encourage us. 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:06.159 And. 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.380 And. 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.880 Challenge us with. 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.860 This morning is. 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.099 Do we accept. 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:11.519 All the words of Jesus. 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.739 The whole testimony. 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:14.099 Of Jesus. 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:17.139 Including the difficult words of Jesus. 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.619 The words about. 00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:22.179 Taking up our cross. 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:22.900 Daily. 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.500 And following him. 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.539 The words about. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.420 Suffering. 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:30.579 The words about. 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.820 Obeying. 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:34.700 And. 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.519 Fighting against. 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.700 The sinful desires. 00:35:37.700 --> 00:35:38.539 Of our hearts. 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:43.619 There are many difficult words of Jesus. 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.519 Do we accept. 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:45.200 Those. 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:46.639 Too. 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:48.320 They are. 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.820 The words of God. 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.260 For us as well. 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.340 Finally. 00:35:53.340 --> 00:35:53.820 As we. 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:55.619 Seek to apply these words. 00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:56.440 To our lives. 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.440 We want to. 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:59.000 Not only apply them. 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.940 To our own lives. 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:01.139 But we want to apply them. 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.280 To others. 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:04.780 What John has said here. 00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.220 From God. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.659 These words. 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.139 Are. 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.360 The true. 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.320 Verdict. 00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:13.440 Of what is going on. 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.159 In our world. 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.159 Most. 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.719 In our world. 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.480 For people. 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.000 For everyone. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:21.639 In our world. 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:27.859 For us. 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:34.059 who you are, but I want you to think of your friends, your family members, your neighbors. 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:41.760 These words hold true in their lives as well. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:49.660 but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. 00:36:49.659 --> 00:37:01.539 These are sobering words, but they are the truth about what is happening in our world and in people's lives. 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:11.019 As the people of God, it has been given to us to call people to put their trust, their faith, 00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:16.940 in the one who is from heaven, in the one who is above all, 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:20.860 in the one who speaks the very words of God. 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:23.179 And so I want to encourage you this week. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:27.380 Who can you call up? Who can you connect with? 00:37:28.720 --> 00:37:29.460 Let's pray. 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:32.280 Father in heaven, thank you for your words. 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.679 Thank you for your love. 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:39.019 Thank you for sending your Son down into our world. 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:46.480 Thank you that you have exalted him to the highest place and given him the name above every name. 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:58.119 Lord, we bow in our living rooms now with joy in our hearts because we love you. 00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:59.220 We know you. 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.619 We know your Son. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.800 We believe in him. 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:07.900 And we are receiving eternal life. 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:12.539 Lead us, Lord, in the week ahead. 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:15.880 And show us who we can speak to. 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:19.160 To draw their attention to Jesus. 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:26.280 We know and we trust that they do need to hear from what you've said to us this morning. 00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:29.840 We pray and ask this in Jesus' name. 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.360 Amen. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:31.480 Amen. 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:32.760 Amen. 00:38:34.900 --> 00:38:35.840 Amen. 00:38:38.660 --> 00:38:41.220 Amen. 00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:42.519 Let's pray. 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:42.680 Amen. 00:38:42.840 --> 00:38:44.480 Amen. 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.300 Amen. 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:47.000 Amen. 00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:47.320 Amen. 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:47.920 Amen. 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.720 Amen. 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:49.500 Amen. 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.220 Amen. 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.640 Amen. 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.240 Amen. 00:38:52.240 --> 00:38:53.120 Amen. 00:38:53.120 --> 00:38:54.079 Amen. 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:54.500 Amen. 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.200 Amen. 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:57.120 Amen. 00:38:57.120 --> 00:38:57.200 Amen. 00:38:57.200 --> 00:38:57.380 Amen. 00:38:57.820 --> 00:38:58.280 Amen. 00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:58.340 Amen. 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.140 Amen. 00:38:59.140 --> 00:38:59.460 Amen. 00:38:59.460 --> 00:39:00.280 Amen. 00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:00.539 Amen. 00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:00.780 Amen. 00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:01.180 Amen. 00:39:01.180 --> 00:39:01.340 Amen.