WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.339 could turn your Bibles to John chapter 10. We'll be taking up to John chapter 10 verse 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:14.880 22. I was reading this week that apparently this generation is the entitlement generation. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:22.699 We've had the baby boomers, the me generation and the me, me, me generation. We just keep 00:00:22.699 --> 00:00:29.980 adding them on and capitalizing them just to try and emphasize it. But apparently, if 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:33.960 you actually go back and you're a little bit more objective about it, what you discover 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:43.100 is that every, every, every generation is the me, me, me generation. The fact is, we 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:47.400 ask the question and it seems to be one of the things to discuss at the moment is, is 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:57.240 this generation more narcissistic than the one before? Well, probably not. But it is 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:04.719 true that younger people are more narcissistic and you actually become less narcissistic 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:11.280 as you get older. So some of you, perhaps those with grey hair and sitting in this sort of area 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:17.520 here, thumbs up to you guys. You pass through that phase and you probably are seeing it very 00:01:17.520 --> 00:01:23.760 clearly in the rest of us who are younger than you. You know, we're probably not more narcissistic, 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:28.060 but I'll tell you one thing that we are and that is we're getting more and more creative 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:35.140 in how we actually express our sense of self. We're finding all kinds of new ways to express 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:41.900 it. You know, you can get a degree in under two weeks online from America. I could have 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:46.300 actually become a, I actually became a celebrant through the Australian system, but I could have 00:01:46.300 --> 00:01:50.600 become a celebrant without doing anything if I'd, if I'd just given my credit card details 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:56.339 to an American agency. There's all kinds of different ways that we can actually gain qualifications 00:01:56.339 --> 00:02:02.599 and a sense of importance. We take on titles. What were the titles in that last song? Our God 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:09.019 is the Lion of Judah? The Lion and the Lamb. They're not two titles we like to put together, 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:15.879 but we like titles and we do stack them on top of each other. Apparently, if you go to Italy, 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:21.460 any university graduates, as anyone who's got a three-year degree can call themselves doctor. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:31.799 Primary school teachers can call themselves maestro as a title. High school teachers, professor. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:39.060 But a university rector, and I'm looking for this job, can call himself magnifico. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:50.740 Magnifico. That's good. Kim Jong Il, he calls himself, amongst his other 1,000 titles, the 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:58.300 guardian of the planet. There are actual job titles. This particular guy who was researching 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:02.680 the article that he wrote in the Atlantic a few years ago, researched some different job 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:08.960 titles and came up with these ones. Idea Ambassador, Knowledge Sorceress, Chief Reality 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:14.700 Officer. I have no idea what they do, but they sound interesting, don't they? 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:22.879 More and more, we're trying to find ways to bolster up our sense of self, our sense of importance, 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.240 our sense of significance in this world. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:37.420 And yet, as Jesus addresses the people who come to him in this passage, he cuts through it all 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:48.819 and reduces it to one irreducible factor. Do you believe in me or not? That's Jesus, not me. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:56.379 The setting for this confrontation is actually at the time of the Feast of Dedication, or it's 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:01.859 called Hanukkah in Hebrew. It's actually similar to our Christmas feast that happens at the 25th 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:06.180 of December. But the history of the feast is actually significant, because about 200 years 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:12.960 previous to when Jesus is celebrating this feast, the nation of Israel were cruelly impressed by this 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:22.199 man called Antiochus Epiphanes. And he had said in his heart to actually Hellenize, or make Israel 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:27.560 more Greek. And so he did all kinds of...Antiochus Epiphanes actually means manifest God, if we're 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:33.300 talking about titles. And so the way he said about that was he desecrated the temple. He 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:38.000 forced the priests to eat pork. He set up a pagan altar in place of the altar to the God 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:44.279 in that temple and turned it into a place of pagan worship. And he made it a capital offence 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:51.100 to own any or be in possession of any piece of Hebrew scripture. Now, eventually the Jews 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:56.879 got strong enough to overthrow their oppressor. They rose up and overthrew him. Judas Maccabees, 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:01.560 if you've heard of him, was the guy who led that. And Hanukkah is actually the celebration 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:06.360 of the cleansing and the rededication of that temple after all of the atrocities that 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:10.420 happened. It's not a feast that you'll find in the Bible. It's not a feast that God required. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:20.360 But Jesus is still its fulfillment. Hanukkah, the festival of light. Jesus is being presented 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:25.680 by John as the fulfillment of this festival. It's about two months, chronologically, about 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:29.699 two months after the Feast of the Tabernacles. So the first half of chapter 10. And it's 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:35.900 winter. So that's why Jesus is teaching in the colonnade of Solomon. There's more shelter 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:40.680 from the cold winds in that sort of area of the temple. But interestingly, it's also the 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:46.759 first place that the Christian church gathered. So if you look up Acts 3.11 and 5.12, you'll 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:51.120 see that that is where the Christian church in its very early infancy was gathering. It was 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:58.360 their first address. Perhaps John is here reminding the early Christian readers of his gospel, of 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:03.959 a familiar point in their history, looking back. Have a chat with some of the folk who've 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:07.280 been coming to this church for more than 10 to 15 years, and you'll find that there have 00:06:07.280 --> 00:06:11.139 been a few different changes of address. And perhaps they can share with you not just the 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:16.220 change of address, but the memories that come along with that. That nostalgic trip of remembering 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:22.240 where they were in the Lord at that point, and how far God has brought them in arriving at this 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:30.880 point that we're at now. So at the colonnade of Solomon, the Jews approached Jesus. And essentially 00:06:30.880 --> 00:06:35.780 they asked the question, who are you? In verse 24, the Jews gather around him and said to him, 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:43.240 how long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. To put it bluntly, 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:46.560 who are you? Now it could be an innocent question. 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:57.800 But the gathered around could also be translated from the Greek into surrounded or besieged. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:04.139 And in light of how trigger happy they are with the rocks later on, it's likely that this 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:07.300 is actually a hostile crowd. It's not a friendly crowd gathering around Jesus. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:15.699 And it's interesting because Jesus gets a very straight question and he responds in an unexpected 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:22.199 way. He doesn't answer their question by telling them who he is. He answers them by telling them 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:30.199 who they are. Jesus answered them in verse 25, I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:36.819 in my father's name, bear witness about me. But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:44.099 I told you, he says. The problem isn't with whether Jesus has made himself known. He has emphatically 00:07:44.099 --> 00:07:50.919 declared himself by first what he has said and second what he has done. And enough's enough. 00:07:50.920 --> 00:08:02.140 So Jesus' answer, he uses it to show up their ignorance. I told you and you do not believe. 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:11.800 The problem is not with Jesus. The problem is with who they are. They don't believe him. Not what he says, 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:19.040 although no one can argue with him, nor what he does. Although everyone is talking, every man and his dog 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:25.020 is talking about what he can do. The problem is not that they haven't heard. It's that they don't believe. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:29.960 And they don't believe because they are not one of his sheep. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:36.639 Jesus is crystal clear here about God's sovereignty over who he's saved. 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:43.480 And we're faced with similar opposition and questioning about who he is in chapter 6, verse 44. 00:08:43.480 --> 00:09:01.279 This is a pivotal moment in God's plan for his people. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:04.220 The Jews believed that they were God's people. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:07.440 They were descended from Abraham. It was their birthright. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:11.120 Their entitlement. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:15.000 Abraham was the starting point for them. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:23.419 But what they neglected to realize was that Jesus was always the destination. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:27.259 Now, John wrote his gospel in a time when the church was growing, 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:32.320 but it was becoming increasingly obvious that there was a separation between the Jews 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:33.840 and the Christian church. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:39.960 And the majority of the Jews were actually rejecting Christ. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:46.000 They were aware that the Jewish leaders had him executed. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.879 They were aware of this difficulty. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:55.360 What claim could they possibly have to God if their saviour wasn't recognised? 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:00.840 But by revisiting the evidence, John showed them that Jesus was real. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:05.379 If the father had given them to Jesus, then they will believe. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:12.200 And these people who are struggling with the controversy going on around them 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:18.360 are being anchored in God's people through their saviour Christ. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:24.539 Now, I'm going to suggest that our problem is probably a little bit different to the initial readers. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:30.379 I don't think we have an issue with what John is saying here on the basis of whether or not we're descendants of Abraham, 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:32.300 whether or not Jesus is genuine bona fide. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:34.300 I think we've kind of moved beyond that controversy. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:40.759 I think we have a problem with the fact that God has any involvement in our salvation 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:43.079 beyond providing the saviour. 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:51.419 Some suggest that this predestining work of Jesus is described in this passage. 00:10:52.359 --> 00:10:54.839 Well, that suggests that it's a general thing. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:59.019 What I mean by that is he predestines a people for himself, 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:04.180 but any of us have the freedom to opt in or out. 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:09.300 But Jesus is not talking about his flock in general terms here. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.960 He is saying that the flock is made up of individuals. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:17.700 The father gives him, even draws to him so that they can believe. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:20.660 A flock that he calls to himself by name. 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:26.600 And those the father doesn't draw to him won't believe. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.620 But it doesn't end there. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:33.179 You see, the building of this flock is an expression of God's sovereign election for sure. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:41.639 And it's also an expression of our willing response of faith or belief. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:45.579 Same word group in the Greek. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:51.060 Jesus places both of these truths side by side in John. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:56.300 It's clear that they both apply to our salvation. 00:11:57.300 --> 00:12:00.100 But it raises some uncomfortable questions for us. 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:08.320 I mean, how can I still have real and meaningful choice if God chooses me? 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:11.020 How does that work? 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:14.720 Well, there's some pat responses I can give you like, 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:17.220 well, how can someone dead in their sins choose life? 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:21.879 But I don't think that actually, I think that's a response, 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.379 but I don't think that's actually an explanation 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:27.980 of how we keep these two things together, God's sovereignty and our choice. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:33.460 It's a response, but it's not a solution to the dilemma that's in our minds, is it? 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:40.420 I mean, so with this dilemma, there's some different ways we can go. 00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:44.220 We can actually resolve the uncomfortableness of it 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:47.480 by revising God's sovereignty on the one hand. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.460 Playing it down or playing it up. 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:55.920 Or we can revise our own free will or will on the other hand. 00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:58.060 Playing that down or playing that up. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:02.019 But if we do that, that would actually be editing scripture. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:05.799 What Jesus does is he places these things alongside each other 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:10.159 and he doesn't give us all the answers in terms of how it works. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.500 Perhaps the best I can say is as I look at these passages 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:18.039 and struggle, wrestle with them myself, 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:21.659 is it appears to be above my pay grade. 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:27.279 But there are other questions that we ask too and things like this. 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:31.019 How does God choose some over others? 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:32.879 And this is a real sticking point. 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:35.799 If you have members of your family who aren't yet Christians, 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:40.419 you'll know the deep desire you have in your heart 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.819 for them to actually come to faith. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:46.019 Some of you may actually have already experienced 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:48.639 the loss of family members or close friends 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:52.799 who never actually came to a saving faith in Jesus. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:58.459 So we ask the question, how does God choose some over others? 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:06.059 And some of our thoughts in this area border on thinking of God 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:08.039 in terms of being a monster, 00:14:08.479 --> 00:14:12.359 that he should deny one person and not another. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.319 And I've got to say again, 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:18.719 we don't get a full answer in scripture 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:22.500 to how God makes the decisions for who he makes the decisions for. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.259 Paul comes pretty close in 1 Corinthians, 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:29.560 but I don't think you're actually going to find this answer satisfying either. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:33.879 See, 1 Corinthians 1, verses 26 to 31, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:36.639 he's addressing a church that's full of pride, 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.860 so proud and arrogant that they're actually abusing each other 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.160 within the context of the church. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:45.519 And so John starts off, they're fighting, 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.539 they're doing all kinds of stuff. 00:14:47.079 --> 00:14:48.860 So John starts off, sorry, John, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:52.039 Paul starts off by actually saying these words to them. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:56.139 He challenges them on where their salvation comes from. 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.740 In verse 26 of chapter 1, he says this, 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.399 For consider your calling, brothers. 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:02.699 Not many of you are wise according to worldly standards. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.399 Not many were powerful. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.579 Not many were of noble birth. 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:11.740 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:15.919 God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:19.059 God chose what is low and despised in the world, 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.559 even things that are not, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:24.459 to bring to nothing things that are, 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:28.240 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:32.240 And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.000 who became to us wisdom from God, 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:38.679 righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.220 so that as it is written, 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:44.399 let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:50.920 Paul wrote to a bunch of struggling, 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:53.740 fighting Christians in a church in Corinth, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:56.820 you're a bunch of losers. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:59.600 He chose you because you are losers. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.899 But not just because you are losers, 00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:04.220 but to use you, you losers, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:08.040 to actually show his goodness and his glory. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:11.679 Now, I can't necessarily apply that as a blanket statement 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.699 and say, okay, therefore, 00:16:12.839 --> 00:16:15.339 Grace Evangelical Church is a church full of losers. 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:16.439 And if you're visiting today, 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:19.620 you've just found out the secret that they would have actually preferred 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.939 I buried for a little bit longer, 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.879 like after you've come a few times at least. 00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:26.399 But I'm not sure that I can actually apply it directly like that, 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.620 but I can tell you this, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.500 time and time again, 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:32.019 throughout the story of Scripture, 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.939 God seems to do this. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.899 He seems to pick people 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:39.220 who really are rogues, 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:39.919 ruffians, 00:16:41.579 --> 00:16:42.179 depraved, 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:44.120 flawed in so many different ways. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:47.139 So if we're wondering, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.299 why does God pick me? 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.019 Frankly, 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:53.700 based on the evidence that I see in Scripture, 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:55.100 I don't want to scratch too deep. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:59.399 I already have a sense of the flawedness of my own character. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.519 I think all I'll find out is more, 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.279 and all I'll see as a result of that, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:07.079 if I follow Paul's reasoning, 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:11.339 is God's glory in being able to save even me. 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:17.379 The tension is in our own pride, 00:17:18.459 --> 00:17:23.079 our own sense of who we are in our realm of existence, 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:23.980 where, you know, 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.339 particularly in the Western world, 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:27.639 we're egalitarian, individualistic, democratic, 00:17:28.459 --> 00:17:29.419 in the way that we think. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:31.659 We want to be more than who we are. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.679 And in our minds, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:36.179 anything that diminishes our sovereignty is dehumanising. 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:40.299 So our solution from the very beginning, 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.159 from Adam and Eve, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.019 has been to diminish God's sovereignty. 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:45.159 That's the default way we tend to go. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.319 Now we've been creative, 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.460 and we've found other ways as well, 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.740 but that's our default way. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:53.159 The Bible teaches clearly here 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:54.720 that God is sovereign, 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:57.960 and we are responsible for our choices, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:01.000 which is why Jesus goes on to say these words in verse 27, 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.819 my sheep hear my voice, 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.400 and I know them, 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.119 and they follow me. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:12.299 Alongside Jesus' expectation that certain sheep are given to him 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:16.200 is the expectation that those sheep will hear his voice 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:18.779 and recognise it 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:20.759 and follow him. 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:25.380 His sovereignty does not diminish our response. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:28.260 In a sense, then, 00:18:28.280 --> 00:18:31.160 it doesn't diminish our need to tell people about Jesus 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:34.000 so that they can respond too. 00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:36.900 After all, 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:39.820 that's exactly what Jesus goes on to do next in this passage. 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:41.360 He doesn't leave these guys alone. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:43.320 He keeps pushing them to see who they are 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:45.280 and pushing them to see who he is 00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:46.700 and pushing them to respond. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:51.740 So Jesus answers this question first by saying 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.440 who they are. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.500 But then he goes on 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:58.000 to actually answer their question, 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:59.220 and he does get to that point, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.580 and he describes who he is. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.779 He returns to the shepherd imagery to do that, actually, 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.539 to the shepherd imagery of chapter 10, 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.279 the first part of that, 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.440 so you can actually sort of scoot up with your eyes 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.940 and have a bit of a refresh on that as I'm speaking. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.600 But let me just summarise by saying 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.959 Jesus says in that passage, 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:19.539 I am the good shepherd. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.779 And in verse 27, 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.980 you can see how he applies that imagery 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.639 by saying, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:28.439 my sheep hear my voice, 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:30.519 and I know them, 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.699 and they follow me. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:34.119 I give them eternal life, 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:35.259 and they will never perish, 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:38.259 and no one will snatch them out of my hands. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.019 He's saying, 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:44.559 I am the shepherd who gives abundant life 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.539 to his sheep. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.819 The shepherd who will give his sheep eternal life. 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:51.099 The shepherd who will not let his sheep perish. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:53.439 The shepherd who holds on to his sheep. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.779 Holds fast to his sheep. 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:59.399 Jesus is offering comfort to his people. 00:20:01.459 --> 00:20:03.299 Even in speaking these words, 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.379 he's being the good shepherd. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:09.179 And each promise here overlaps, 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:11.000 and yet kind of fills out 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.459 what his shepherding brings for us. 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:16.579 The shepherd who will give his sheep eternal life. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:20.340 Physical death is a reality for now. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:23.799 Don shared a really touching part of his history today 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.440 with the kids 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:27.240 in showing us the gravesite of his wife June. 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:31.480 Physical death is a reality 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:33.579 for now. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:36.720 But with Jesus, 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.819 it's just a waypoint. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.399 It's not the end. 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.619 And in fact, 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:43.359 it's the point that Jesus leads us through. 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:48.059 The shepherd who will give his sheep eternal life. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:50.679 The shepherd who will not let his sheep perish. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:54.140 Now, perish can have the literal meaning of die here as well, 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.680 so it could be like he's saying the same thing. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.220 But it also has a figurative meaning 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:59.140 of being morally or spiritually lost. 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:02.279 And Jesus has this covered too. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:07.360 He is the one who is just said as the shepherd, 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:09.320 the shepherd who will die for his sheep. 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:13.060 He will ransom us from the power of sin. 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.720 And in him, 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.940 nothing can condemn us. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.539 Do you have guilts? 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:23.319 Things you feel guilty about? 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.000 Are you struggling with guilt? 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.200 Are you struggling with regrets? 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.559 Are you struggling with thinking of yourself 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.500 as worthy in any way of God's attention 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.759 or anybody else's? 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:38.319 Jesus is a shepherd who will not let you perish, 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:41.279 despite the fact that many of your concerns 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.700 may well be true about you. 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:47.659 And he's the shepherd who holds on to his sheep. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.519 It's the final thing. 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.119 Jesus holds on to us. 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.980 Our belief or faith 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:58.500 isn't where our assurance comes from. 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:02.079 The one we have faith in 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:04.279 is where our assurance comes from. 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:07.779 And he's got a hold on us. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.679 A hold that he will not let go. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.359 I don't know if you remember as kids, 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:16.099 we had this thing called Tarzan grip 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.500 when we were kids 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.919 and we were playing on the climbing frames 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:20.559 and the castles and things at school. 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.799 And we just thought it was unbreakable. 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.019 We were little tiny tots, you know. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.759 If you held each other like this, 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.359 that grip could not be broken. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:30.500 I've got stitches and scars 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:33.619 and broken bone history on the medical records 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.500 to prove that it can. 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.319 But this grip cannot. 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.059 Jesus says, 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:42.659 there is no one who can prise us out of his hands. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.619 But if that isn't enough, 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.379 he says in verse 29, 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.799 my father who has given them to me 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.700 is greater than all 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.799 and no one is able to snatch them 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.919 out of the father's hands. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:56.139 If you have any doubts 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:58.099 about Jesus' capacity, 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:01.700 do not doubt the father's capacity 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:03.179 who is greater than all. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.740 There is no one who is stronger. 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.419 Stronger. 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:07.119 So how can anyone possibly 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.239 take us out of his hands? 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.000 So if he has a hold on you, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.939 who can possibly tear you away? 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.439 Jesus finishes by declaring 00:23:21.439 --> 00:23:22.939 who he is in slightly different terms 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.619 in verse 30. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.859 He says, 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:28.479 I and the father are one. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:33.119 He is perfectly in sync with the father. 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.419 But it's more than a oneness of mind 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.960 or will with God 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:38.360 that's being expressed here. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.279 We know this because of the reaction. 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.620 Jesus and the father are one 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:44.000 and they are not. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:46.920 You see, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.620 they're not even one mind with God. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.320 And their reaction proves 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:51.660 how far they are away from God. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.400 In verse 31, 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:54.340 the Jews picked up stones 00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:57.300 again to stone him. 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:59.220 It's kind of getting a regular feature 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.980 of their response to him. 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:03.220 So John has to kind of describe it like that. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.180 Here we go again. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.539 The Jews pick up stones again 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.519 to stone him. 00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.380 Now in the past, 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.680 Jesus has kind of slipped away from them. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.740 This time he does something 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.660 I think is crazy. 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.060 I cannot believe 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:13.600 what it must have been like 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.920 to be standing there alongside him 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:16.060 as he does this. 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.340 They're standing there 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.320 with stones in their hands 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:20.259 about to throw them. 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.720 And Jesus says, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.220 just looks them in the eye 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.320 and says, 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.620 so tell me precisely, 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.600 of all of the good things 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.960 I've done in the father's name, 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:32.860 which one am I going to be killed for right now? 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:35.299 That's my paraphrase. 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.619 In one question, 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:43.719 he demonstrates his closeness to the father 00:24:43.719 --> 00:24:46.759 and their distance from him. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.799 He is one with the father 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.479 and they are clearly not. 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:55.079 And yet they press on 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.859 in verse 33. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.179 It is not for a good work 00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:59.219 that we are going to stone you, 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.819 but for blasphemy 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.979 because you being a man 00:25:01.979 --> 00:25:03.059 make yourself God. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.939 In their minds, 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.779 Jesus is a man. 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.699 He cannot be God. 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:11.199 So he must be a liar. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:15.519 Even though his words 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.679 and his actions 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:18.139 speak otherwise. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:22.300 But they can't see the truth. 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:24.960 Essentially, 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.280 because they can't see the truth 00:25:26.280 --> 00:25:27.020 about themselves. 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:32.640 So Jesus explains their problem 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.820 by quoting Psalm 82. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.560 It seems like a bit of an obscure psalm 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:37.440 to quote at this point 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.340 and an obscure direction 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.660 of argument to go in. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.720 Jesus answered them, 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.440 is it not written in your law, 00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.940 I said you are God's? 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:50.039 It looks like he is applying 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.920 simple logic here. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.820 The Bible says we are all gods. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.200 So how can you complain 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.140 if I say I am a god? 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.700 In fact, if I am the Messiah, 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.519 I have more right 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.620 to this claim than you do. 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:03.720 But this is a barbed psalm. 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.559 It is a psalm of judgment 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.860 on Israel itself. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:09.059 Israel was such a privileged nation. 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.299 They were God's people 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.680 in possession of God's law 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.360 and in that sense, 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.620 they were gods among men. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.660 But Israel's crime 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:22.080 is taking their privileged position 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:22.840 as God's people 00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:26.019 and choosing to withhold justice 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.700 and to exploit the weak 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.940 and to do everything else 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:31.279 other than actually embody 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.460 that law in their lives. 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.940 Jesus is saying here 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.920 that their rejection of him 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.640 is expected. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.360 The truth about them 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:42.259 is that they are so far from God 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:44.160 that they're blind 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.700 even to this coming judgment 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.560 of this psalm. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.019 Stumbling around in the dark 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.980 as the psalm says. 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.880 Bumping into God at work 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:53.000 and just unable to see 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.560 or appreciate 00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:56.259 that it's actually their God 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.240 that they're actually opposing. 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:02.140 Jesus exposes the truth about them 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:03.320 and he exposes the truth 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.200 about himself too. 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.120 So if you struggle 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:06.900 to see Jesus as God, 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.660 you're not alone. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.860 That's why Jesus spoke these words. 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.500 It's why John recorded them. 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.659 Jesus is speaking 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.859 into the darkness. 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:17.919 Remember, 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.139 this is the festival of light. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.879 He's speaking to those 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.839 who struggle to see 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:24.419 the man that they see before them 00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.799 as their God and Savior. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.359 And he's saying, 00:27:29.479 --> 00:27:31.199 if my humanity puts you off, 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.699 consider my actions. 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.519 Verse 37, 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.219 Jesus says, 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:39.019 If I am not doing 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.120 the works of my Father, 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:42.019 then do not believe me. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.100 But if I do them, 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.640 even though you do not believe in me, 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.640 or believe me, 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:49.200 believe the works 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.819 that you may know 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.640 and understand 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:53.180 that the Father is in me 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:55.019 and that I am in the Father. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.279 If at all it possibly helps 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.339 to take me out of the equation 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.220 in thinking this through, 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:02.059 then take me out of the equation 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.920 and start to think about 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.640 what I've been doing. 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:06.440 and then come back 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.180 to think about me. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.800 The truth about Jesus 00:28:11.800 --> 00:28:12.759 is that every point 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.800 he cares for his sheep. 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:15.560 He ransoms us 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:16.480 from slavery to sin. 00:28:16.560 --> 00:28:17.320 He rescues us 00:28:17.320 --> 00:28:18.220 from our biggest enemy, 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.400 even death. 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:20.380 And he does it 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.780 by dying in our place. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.080 Spurgeon once said, 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:28.340 You stand before God 00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:30.440 as if you were Christ, 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.320 because Christ 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.359 stood before God 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.919 as if he were you. 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:40.519 This is the will 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.039 of the Father. 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:43.859 This is who Jesus is. 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:46.220 The Lion of Judah 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:48.399 who became the Lamb, 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.720 who fought the one battle 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.980 we could never survive. 00:28:55.639 --> 00:28:57.099 Jesus is one with the Father. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.000 They are not. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:29:00.839 But are you? 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.740 Two responses 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.240 are described 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.940 in the final verses 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.480 of this section. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.640 The first is disbelief 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.299 and the second is belief. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.319 Again, 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.559 they sought to arrest him, 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:11.880 we read, 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.519 as their response 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.099 to the Jews. 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.279 So the Jews 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.019 were actually unchanged 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.900 by Jesus' words. 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.700 They resumed 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.460 their initial intent 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.279 to arrest Jesus 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:19.720 to have him done away with. 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.799 And if you really understand 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.599 the claims of Jesus 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.940 and choose to disbelieve in, 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.160 then there really is 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.299 only this one option, 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.299 hostility. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.600 Jesus' claims 00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:33.100 are too big on your life. 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.720 You are a sinner, 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:36.019 he is your only saviour, 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.340 trust him or die, 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.220 serve him 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:40.080 or be treated 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.640 as a rebel. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.059 Statements like that 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.080 provoke a response. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.160 If you're not with him, 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.880 you can't help 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.960 but have contempt for him. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.880 And maybe you're thinking, 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.120 well, I'm not a believer 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.000 but I don't have contempt, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.340 I just don't really care. 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.759 I've been dragged along 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.319 by a friend 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.259 or I've been coming 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.099 with my family members 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.779 for months, weeks, years. 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.699 I just don't care. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.279 Try saying that you don't care 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.019 to your parents. 00:30:08.439 --> 00:30:09.019 Try saying, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.259 I don't care what you have to say. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.259 I don't care about who you are. 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.639 I don't want you in my life. 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.419 You try saying that 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:15.299 to one of your parents 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:17.699 or your brother 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:18.279 or your sister 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.839 or your close friends. 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:21.279 See how they respond. 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:24.339 It will crush them 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:26.759 because it's the most 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.539 contemptible thing 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.099 we can do 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.240 is just to treat God 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.059 with indifference. 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.839 Unbelief 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:39.220 is a hardness of heart. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.359 It's a hostility 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.019 toward God. 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.059 But there's also 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.879 belief here. 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.859 Many responded 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.599 to the evidence 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:49.119 and in verse 41 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:49.960 we see this 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.900 and many came to him 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.380 and they said 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.840 John did no sign 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:55.220 but everything 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.980 that John said 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.779 about this man 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.519 was true 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.420 and many believed 00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.960 in him there. 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:02.500 They saw what he did 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.720 they listened 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.440 to what he said 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:06.360 and they came to him 00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:07.259 and they believed. 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.940 This is the response 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.180 that Jesus is calling for. 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.779 It's not a response 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.400 we can assume. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.660 There's no entitlement here. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.079 You can't just assume 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.640 that you're in. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.580 It's also not a response 00:31:19.580 --> 00:31:20.259 we can inherit. 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.500 Another way of assuming 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.060 entitlement. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.360 You know my parents 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.240 brought me up in the faith. 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:27.560 It's kind of my faith too. 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.460 I put Christian 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.320 on the census floor. 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:31.800 Come to church 00:31:31.800 --> 00:31:32.440 every now and then. 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.620 You might come to church 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.020 regularly. 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.840 You might even tithe. 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:41.879 If everything that John 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.699 says about this man 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.059 is true 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.179 then he is the good shepherd 00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:45.359 and following him 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.119 is not loss 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:47.399 and following him 00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:48.319 is what is being called 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:48.839 for here. 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.500 And in following him 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.559 it's not loss 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.539 it's only gain. 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.699 Only by following him 00:31:59.699 --> 00:32:01.000 do we actually achieve 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.799 abundant life. 00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:04.699 I'm going to finish this point 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.460 by saying this. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.580 You may not feel 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:08.160 that you're actually 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.779 in the camp of belief 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:12.160 but you may actually 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.640 want to find out 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.080 a little bit more 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:14.240 about who this Jesus is 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.080 before you actually 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:16.680 saddle yourself 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.559 for life 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:19.100 with both 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.480 the Lord 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.160 and Saviour. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.140 So I want to encourage you 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.640 if you're thinking 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.759 man I heard some 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.519 of what you said Rob 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:24.860 and I 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.880 you know 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:27.220 I'm not there yet 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.140 but I'd love 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:29.240 to talk more about it 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:31.860 then come and have a chat 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.100 with me 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:32.500 because I'd love 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.799 nothing more than to do that. 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.440 In fact we're looking 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.240 at running a 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.299 Christianity Explored course 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.079 sometime this term 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.599 if possible 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.539 where we just get 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.359 a bunch of people together 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.359 and we actually look 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:41.619 at who Jesus is. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.000 You know 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.700 one short 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.779 30 minute burst 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.299 of me 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.159 you know 00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:47.859 pounding the pulpit 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:48.339 and telling you 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:48.799 you're idiots 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.339 if you don't believe 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.919 that you know 00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.639 that's not enough. 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:52.599 In fact that's quite 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.019 confronting 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.740 and probably a bit 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.180 off putting 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.720 but if you want to sit down 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.440 and actually discuss 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.599 that I'd love to do that. 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.299 I'd love nothing more 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.839 than to do that. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:01.879 And friends 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.800 if you are Christians 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:03.680 if you call yourself 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.020 Christians 00:33:04.020 --> 00:33:05.440 if you believe 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.440 that this 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.820 in this Jesus 00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:10.820 and he is your shepherd 00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:14.020 own him 00:33:14.020 --> 00:33:14.820 as your shepherd. 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.720 He's saved you 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.420 at great cost 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:18.960 to himself 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:20.360 he's called you out 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:23.260 of a world 00:33:23.260 --> 00:33:24.300 in slavery to sin. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:29.859 He's given all 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.440 for you. 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:33.379 Let's give all 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.720 for him. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.740 Let me pray. 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.559 Father God 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.019 we thank you 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.299 for the 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:44.559 for the fact 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.440 that you introduce 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.319 passages like this 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.980 into your word 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.500 that you know 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.339 that really challenge 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:49.000 us to think about 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.759 who Jesus is 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:51.039 that confront us 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.440 with people 00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.299 who don't believe. 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:54.539 Well you know 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.259 it's not just 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.200 a bunch of 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.180 trite sayings 00:33:57.180 --> 00:34:00.019 and helpful 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.539 anecdotes 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.220 for how to live 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:04.600 but this is 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.019 a gospel 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.299 Lord 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.820 that challenges 00:34:06.820 --> 00:34:07.220 us 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.820 to really 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.360 consider 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:08.880 who Jesus 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.380 is 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:11.940 before we 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.380 actually 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:14.500 follow him. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:15.960 And so I ask 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.119 Lord 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.740 for all of us 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:16.960 here 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.400 whether we 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:17.980 actually believe 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.360 or not 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.519 Lord 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.259 that you 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.800 would actually 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:21.420 challenge us 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:21.820 through these 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.159 words. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.860 If we're 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.460 struggling to 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:24.699 believe 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:24.960 or we're 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.179 struggling 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.519 to lay 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:25.840 hold of 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:25.980 our 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.259 belief 00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:26.500 Lord 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.259 I pray 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:27.659 that these 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:27.900 words 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.280 would stick 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.599 with us 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:28.900 through the 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.179 course of 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.619 this week 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:31.219 that they 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:31.659 would push 00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.099 us 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:35.719 to a new 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.239 point of 00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:36.759 belief and 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.320 understanding 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:40.099 and to a 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.800 deeper desire 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.519 to putting 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:41.940 our life 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.239 in your 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.639 hands. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.559 We pray 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:44.920 this in 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.460 Jesus name. 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.480 Amen. 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.519 Amen.