WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 He has to have this eternal destiny in mind. 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:09.179 In John chapter 17, in verse 3, Jesus defines eternal life this way. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:09.220 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.000 Their part is that they would be with God forever. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:39.539 They thought that they were pleasers of God, and yet the opposite was true. 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:44.560 Whatever you can imagine might be most horrific about hell, 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:51.659 the worst thing will be exclusion from the place where God resides. 00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:59.260 I earnestly hope that you do not want to die in your sin. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.259 It is possible this morning that you just don't really care. 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:07.260 It's possible that you love your sin. 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:12.400 And I just want you to know that this is not a good position to stand in. 00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:15.120 Your eternal destiny matters. 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:17.819 You should not want to die in your sin. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:22.200 You should want to die clothed in the righteousness of Christ. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:26.120 You should long for eternal life. 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:34.600 I hope that if someone were to tell you how to avoid a temporal and eternal life of misery, 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:42.200 that you would at least grant them a moment of your time, a bit of your attention. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:46.580 Will you give me just some moments? 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:49.920 Hear the words that the scripture says. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:58.180 What the Bible has to say about your eternal destiny has the potential to change your life forever. 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:05.879 Our outline for this text is going to follow John MacArthur's because I just thought it was so clever. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:07.560 He often is. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:09.000 This one especially so. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:13.379 He titled the chapter on these verses in his commentary, 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:16.620 How to Die in Your Sins. 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:22.860 So the first way to die in your sins. 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:24.680 How to die in your sins. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:25.479 Number one. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:28.960 Be self-righteous. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:31.620 Verse 22. 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:34.400 We note the response of the Jews. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:35.320 They say, 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:37.240 Will he kill himself? 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:39.180 Since he says, 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:40.400 Where I am going, 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:42.360 you cannot come. 00:02:44.100 --> 00:02:48.819 The religious leaders of Jesus' day were so confident in their righteousness 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:53.140 that they assumed heaven was their destination. 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:56.140 Jesus is saying, 00:02:56.260 --> 00:02:58.080 I'm going to a different place than you're going. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:01.100 And they so assumed they were going to heaven. 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:04.060 They ask sarcastically, 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:05.800 Will he kill himself? 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:10.720 Suggesting that where he was going was hell. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:15.840 You see, the Jews had strong opinions about suicide. 00:03:16.600 --> 00:03:19.280 The first century Jewish historian Josephus wrote, 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:19.980 Quote, 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:24.099 The souls of those whose hands have acted madly against themselves 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:28.599 are received by the darkest places in Hades. 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:29.819 End quote. 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:35.919 You have to understand that to see what they're doing as they respond in this way. 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:37.280 Will he kill himself? 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:38.979 Will he send himself to hell? 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:40.379 Because clearly, 00:03:40.799 --> 00:03:44.060 He won't be where we are by his own proclamation. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:46.439 They're being smug. 00:03:47.739 --> 00:03:51.439 They can't imagine Jesus going to heaven and that they won't be there. 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:53.419 It's not possible. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:59.419 Self-righteousness is a deadly deception. 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:02.519 Do you want to die in your sin? 00:04:03.459 --> 00:04:05.979 Go on believing that you're good enough. 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:08.799 That somehow in your estimation, 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:13.579 you've tallied more marks on the good side than on the bad side. 00:04:14.239 --> 00:04:19.560 Think that somehow God owes you something because you tried. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:24.139 Proverbs 30 and verse 12 says, 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.899 There are those who are clean in their own eyes, 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:31.660 but are not washed of their filth. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.840 Humility, rather, marks the saved. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:43.000 Those who have repented of their sin and turned to Christ. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.060 Jesus says in Matthew 5, verse 3, 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:49.740 Blessed are the poor in spirit. 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:53.360 Those who recognize their spiritual need, 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:57.480 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:00.840 You want to die in your sin? 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:02.860 Be self-righteous. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:05.600 Isn't it a great irony 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:09.740 that the men who had already decided to murder Jesus, 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:12.180 which decision had been made in previous chapters, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:15.699 that they suggest that he may take his own life 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:19.000 and not inhabit the same place as them? 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:21.899 How self-righteous to think 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:24.300 that the murder of an innocent man 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:25.959 would gain them reward 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:29.219 and find them in a different place than he. 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:34.719 Secondly, how to die in your sins? 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:36.759 Be worldly. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:39.539 Verse 23, he said to them, 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:41.019 You are from below. 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:43.459 I am from above. 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:45.779 You are of this world. 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:48.319 I am not of this world. 00:05:49.379 --> 00:05:51.620 As Jesus points out his opponent's 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:53.899 different destination in verse 22, 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.799 here he points out their different origin. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:02.500 The concept being presented by the word world 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:04.379 is an important one. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:06.879 Jesus is not referring here 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.579 to the material world, 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:10.579 but to the immaterial, 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:12.899 spiritual realm 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:15.800 that opposes the kingdom of God, 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.579 the system of this world. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:22.139 I thought this paragraph from John MacArthur 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.779 summed this very well. 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:24.300 He says, 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:27.120 Materialism, humanism, 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:28.040 immorality, 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.060 pride, and selfishness. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:31.920 The lust of the flesh 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.180 and the lust of the eyes 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:35.480 and the boastful pride of life, 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.000 1 John 2.16, 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:39.900 are the world's hallmarks. 00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:42.920 It is utterly opposed to divine truth, 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:43.639 righteousness, 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:44.519 virtue, 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:45.319 and holiness. 00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:47.560 Its opinions are wrong. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:49.160 Its aims are selfish. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:51.139 Its pleasures are sinful. 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:54.319 Its influences are demoralizing. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.620 Its politics are corrupt. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:58.620 Its honors are empty. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.479 Its smiles are phony. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:04.099 Its love is false and fickle. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:05.219 End quote. 00:07:06.599 --> 00:07:11.180 The starting point of the Jews' animosity towards Jesus 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:15.659 is the fact that they are part of the world. 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:17.839 They walked, 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.099 following the course of this world, 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.340 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:24.280 the spirit that is now at work, 00:07:24.400 --> 00:07:26.740 and the sons of disobedience, 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:27.980 Ephesians 2. 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.100 2. 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:33.340 This is why Jesus calls Satan their father. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.180 Do you want to die in your sin? 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:39.860 Love this world. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:43.560 Love the system that functions here. 00:07:44.020 --> 00:07:44.360 Excuse me. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:46.300 Listen to its falsehoods. 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:49.980 Believe that you are at the center of the universe, 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:52.540 that your emotions and whims define the truth, 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.540 that you can outwit God. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:07:58.840 Instead, 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:02.580 we have to humble ourselves and submit ourselves 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:04.259 to God's word. 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:08.920 Third way to die in your sins. 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:11.139 Be unbelieving. 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:13.599 How to die in your sins. 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:14.199 Number three. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.479 Be unbelieving. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:19.360 Verse 24. 00:08:19.919 --> 00:08:20.399 Jesus says, 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:23.860 I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:27.360 For unless you believe that I am he, 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:30.879 you will die in your sins. 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:33.740 For those of you who care and have been keeping up, 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:37.179 I think this is the chiastic center of this text. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:38.059 Although, 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:39.860 Jim Hamilton disagrees. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:42.340 And that was hard for me this week. 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:45.820 Maybe we can talk about it later. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:50.179 I told you you would die in your sins, 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:52.899 for unless you believe that I am he, 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.879 you will die in your sins. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:09:00.200 Unless you believe that I am he. 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:03.179 Isn't that an interesting phrase? 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:09.939 What specifically does the pronoun he refer to? 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.539 What's it referring back to? 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:15.899 I want to tell you, 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:17.899 my punchy response was to go back up the text 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:18.480 and start looking. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:20.379 What does he mean when he's referring to the he? 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.500 Well, 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.759 the pronoun he 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:26.399 is not in the original Greek text. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.480 It would be better 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:31.759 to render the phrase 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:34.340 unless you believe 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:37.179 that I am. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:42.360 He's declaring himself to be deity. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.200 It's not the first time that he's done this. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:46.279 So if you want to include the pronoun, 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:49.039 I think he's going all the way back 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.919 to what he said in John chapter 5, 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:54.199 verse 17 and 18. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.439 You may remember, 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:56.839 this is where some of this kicked off. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.139 He said, 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.959 my father is working until now 00:09:58.959 --> 00:10:01.559 and I am working. 00:10:02.439 --> 00:10:04.099 And then verse 18 says this. 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:07.139 This was why the Jews were seeking 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:09.879 all the more to kill him. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:10.039 Right? 00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:10.959 There's their plan. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:11.919 Why? 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:13.240 Because 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:15.439 not only was he breaking the Sabbath, 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.939 you remember he healed a man 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:17.839 at the Pool of Siloam, 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:20.700 but he was even calling God 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:22.000 his own father, 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:24.160 making himself 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:25.340 equal 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:26.720 with God. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:29.580 That is exactly what he's doing here. 00:10:30.040 --> 00:10:31.120 He is declaring 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.100 that he is 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.379 the I 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.560 Am. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.460 The self-existent one. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.300 Yahweh. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.300 Later in verse 28, 00:10:39.420 --> 00:10:40.500 he's going to refer to himself 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.180 as the 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:42.600 son of man. 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.100 The book of Daniel. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:44.940 The one who will 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:46.740 reign at the father's 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:48.060 right hand over 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:49.519 the nations. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.360 He is 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.320 unequivocally 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.259 doing that 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.100 very thing. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:55.100 The thing that they're so 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.340 mad at him for doing, 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:57.240 that is exactly 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.240 what he is 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.320 doing. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:00.940 And he says, 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:02.740 unless you believe 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.320 that I am, 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.360 you will die 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:08.220 in your sins. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:16.000 Jesus is either 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.460 a liar, 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.540 he's a lunatic, 00:11:19.540 --> 00:11:21.740 or he is 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.120 who he says 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:24.200 he is. 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:27.040 Do you want to die 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:27.639 in your sin? 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.040 Dismiss Jesus 00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:31.800 as maniacal 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:33.980 or as a madman. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.500 Dismiss him as that. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.960 or 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:40.860 humbly receive him 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.179 as the great 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:43.759 I am. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.120 The fourth way 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.200 to die 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:48.860 in your sins 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.559 is to be 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.879 willfully 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.200 ignorant. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.019 Look at their response 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.279 in verse 25. 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.500 They said to him, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.159 who are you? 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.299 Jesus said to them, 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.200 just what I have been 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:03.679 telling you 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.379 from the beginning. 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:06.340 It's like they want 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.820 to have a point 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:07.419 of contention 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:08.100 with him here, 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:08.879 and yet he has 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:10.179 already explained 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.779 to them 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:14.000 who he is. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.100 They already 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.299 had the data 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:17.980 to believe 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.039 that he is 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.779 the I am. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.500 To have the 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.059 forgiveness 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:23.419 of their sins, 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.419 and yet they 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:26.019 willfully 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.919 ignore him. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:30.659 I want to 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.500 be brief 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:31.779 here. 00:12:31.839 --> 00:12:32.120 I just want 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:32.599 to note 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:32.839 it, 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:33.679 just for the 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.159 sake of our 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.620 time. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.639 They've had 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.379 enough to 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.079 place their 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:40.099 faith in 00:12:40.099 --> 00:12:40.500 Christ. 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:42.019 They could 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.620 have approached 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.179 him as 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.500 Nicodemus did, 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.159 unsure and 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.179 curious. 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:48.599 They could 00:12:48.599 --> 00:12:49.159 have asked 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:49.860 him honest 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.459 questions. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:50.860 They could 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.319 have said, 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.199 these claims 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:52.679 you're making 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.819 are massive 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:54.360 claims. 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:54.919 You're claiming 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:56.019 to be God. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.620 Tell us 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:57.759 more. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.259 But this is 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.379 not their 00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.899 approach to 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.379 him at all. 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:00.979 They are 00:13:00.979 --> 00:13:02.179 positioning 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.659 to have 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.139 him killed. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.740 They are 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.399 happy to 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.659 remain just 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:08.799 as they 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.919 are. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.000 Self-righteous, 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.919 self-deluded, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.740 unbelieving, 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.360 worldly, 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.559 sitting in 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.339 positions of 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:19.839 power, 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.480 trying to 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:21.939 play a 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:22.919 political game 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.139 with Rome. 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.120 They're so 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.000 happy to 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.899 see him 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.620 off the 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.199 scene. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.620 They want 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.199 to get rid 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:31.620 of Jesus 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.519 as a 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.059 nuisance 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:34.159 to what 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.580 they have 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.720 going on. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:37.539 Do you 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:37.740 want to 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.139 die in 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.000 your sin? 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:40.720 Ignore 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.360 everything you 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.720 have ever 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.980 heard about 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.319 Jesus. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.259 Most of 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:45.519 you, I 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:45.960 would assume, 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.699 have grown 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.840 up hearing 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.559 about Jesus. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.419 If nothing 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:52.039 else, you've 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.519 heard about 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:52.840 him. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.139 I'll tell you 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.059 more here 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.439 in just 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:54.939 a moment. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.500 You want 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:56.699 to die 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:56.939 in your 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:57.179 sin? 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:58.840 Ignore 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.340 everything 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.199 that I'm 00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:00.360 going to 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:00.659 say to 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:02.080 you today. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.319 But notice 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:05.699 the final 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:06.139 verse of 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:06.620 our text. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:06.860 I'm 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.439 grateful for 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:08.139 verse 30. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:08.740 It says, 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.480 as he was 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:11.620 saying these 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.419 things, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.779 many 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:15.080 believed 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:16.340 saved in 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:16.660 him. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.780 For those 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:20.420 of you who 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:20.840 have not 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.500 placed saving 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.080 faith in 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.820 Jesus Christ, 00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:27.740 what if you 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.320 don't want to 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.259 die in your 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.480 sin? 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:32.000 What must you 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.340 do? 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.000 Or to state 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.460 it better, 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:34.980 what must you 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.900 believe to be 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:38.340 saved? 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:40.800 the Bible 00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:42.000 gives us a 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.879 clear and 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.980 gracious 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.620 answer. 00:14:45.060 --> 00:14:46.300 Zoom back 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:46.960 a bit from 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.200 it. 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.200 It begins 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.759 with God 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.259 himself. 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.080 The scripture 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.720 tells us that 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.440 in the beginning 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:55.180 God created 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.460 the heavens 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.660 and the 00:14:57.660 --> 00:14:57.980 earth. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.460 He's 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.220 over the 00:14:59.220 --> 00:14:59.840 universe 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.960 and he is 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.580 perfectly 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.080 holy in 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.639 his character. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.060 The prophet 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.980 Isaiah records 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.560 the angels 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.379 declaring before 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.559 him, 00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:08.139 holy, 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.000 holy, 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:09.959 holy, 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:10.859 that thrice 00:15:10.859 --> 00:15:11.500 repetition, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.379 perfectly 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.959 holy, 00:15:13.219 --> 00:15:13.879 is the 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.459 Lord of 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:14.779 hosts. 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.659 The whole 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.679 earth is 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.279 full of 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.779 his glory. 00:15:19.359 --> 00:15:19.479 That's 00:15:19.479 --> 00:15:20.239 Isaiah 6 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:21.039 verse 3. 00:15:22.119 --> 00:15:22.759 Because 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.599 God is 00:15:23.599 --> 00:15:24.679 holy, 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:26.339 set apart, 00:15:26.479 --> 00:15:26.859 and he is 00:15:26.859 --> 00:15:28.019 righteous, 00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:30.199 he cannot 00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:31.839 ignore 00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:33.099 rebellion. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.339 He cannot 00:15:34.339 --> 00:15:35.159 dismiss 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.179 sin. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.639 He cannot 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.179 be in 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.059 fellowship 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.199 with 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.719 rebels 00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.659 to his 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.039 will. 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:42.599 His 00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:43.039 justice 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:43.819 requires 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:44.799 that evil 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.579 be judged, 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.079 and every 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.979 human being 00:15:47.979 --> 00:15:48.679 stands 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.319 accountable 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.859 before him. 00:15:51.979 --> 00:15:52.539 The Bible 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.179 tells us that 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.099 humanity has 00:15:54.099 --> 00:15:55.079 rebelled against 00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:56.219 this holy 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:56.539 God. 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.659 It starts 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.559 in Genesis 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.439 chapter 3 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.120 and it carries 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.159 on to this 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.019 day. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.639 Though we were 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.439 created to know 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.139 him and live 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.539 under his 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.179 good rule, 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:06.879 we have 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.019 all turned 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:08.419 away. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:09.840 Scripture 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.340 says, 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.039 for all 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:11.699 have sinned 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.120 and fall 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.379 short of 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:13.819 the glory 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:15.019 of God. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.840 Romans 3 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.740 23. 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:17.720 Every one 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.159 of us 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.000 guilty 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.939 before him. 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:21.620 Sin is 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.199 not just 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:23.019 some 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.539 weakness 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.699 or failure, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.539 some minor 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.159 deficiency. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.080 It's 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.679 rebellion. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.659 It's declaring 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.519 God our 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.059 enemy, 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.700 the one who 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.840 created us. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:33.259 calling him 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.540 no longer 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.540 our God, 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.200 our creator, 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.100 but that 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.060 is set 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.160 against us. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.259 Each of 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.639 us has 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:41.879 broken 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.580 God's law 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.300 in thought, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.280 in word, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.460 in deed. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.860 And because of 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.300 this rebellion, 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.160 the Bible says 00:16:48.160 --> 00:16:49.080 the wages 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.300 of sin 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:52.019 is death. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:52.940 Romans 6 00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:53.960 23. 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:54.840 Death now, 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.560 death forevermore, 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.580 eternal separation 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.160 from God. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:01.580 Sin leads 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.020 to physical 00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:02.520 death and 00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:03.139 ultimately to 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.740 eternal 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.559 death. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.440 Left to 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.940 ourselves, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.840 we cannot 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:09.480 right this 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.600 wrong. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.880 No amount 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.200 of moral 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.380 effort or 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.519 religious activity 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.840 can remove 00:17:15.840 --> 00:17:16.960 the guilt 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.120 of our 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.380 sin. 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.539 But the 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:20.920 good news 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.200 of the 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.880 gospel is 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.400 that God 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.120 has acted 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:23.860 to save 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.340 sinners. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.480 In his 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.240 great love, 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.779 he has sent 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.559 his son 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.919 Jesus Christ 00:17:28.919 --> 00:17:29.879 into the 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.220 world. 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.200 The 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.819 apostle Paul 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.159 writes, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.759 but God 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.440 shows his 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:33.919 love for 00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:34.319 us, 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.099 and that 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.720 while we 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.220 were still 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.679 sinners, 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.279 Christ 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.539 died for 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.000 us. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.000 Romans 5 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.299 8. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.679 Jesus 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.940 lived the 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.359 perfectly 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:43.720 righteous 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.319 life that 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.799 we have 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.519 failed to 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:45.919 live, 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.700 and then 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:46.839 he 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.240 willingly 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.980 went to 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.480 the cross 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.000 to bear 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.559 the penalty 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.720 of our 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:50.980 sin. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.539 As the 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.139 apostle Peter 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:53.639 explains, 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.299 he himself 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:54.899 bore our 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.480 sins in 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.000 his body 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.539 on the 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.539 tree that 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.019 we might 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.779 die to 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.460 sin and 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.759 live to 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.259 righteousness. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.920 1 Peter 2 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.480 and verse 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.119 24. 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:05.899 After his 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.500 crucifixion, 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.200 Jesus raised 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.480 from the 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:07.819 dead on 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.180 the third 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.519 day, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.240 demonstrating 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.659 that his 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.460 sacrifice was 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.339 accepted and 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:11.980 that he has 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.200 conquered sin 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.440 and death 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.659 forever. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:17.660 God 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:17.900 The Bible 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.120 calls every 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.840 person to 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.860 respond to 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.680 this good 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.100 news. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.060 Jesus himself 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:23.640 proclaimed, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.800 the time is 00:18:24.800 --> 00:18:25.440 fulfilled and 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.140 the kingdom of 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.680 God is at 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.019 hand. 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.740 Repent and 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.160 believe in 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.680 the gospel. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.660 Mark 1 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.120 15. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.759 To repent 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.240 means to 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.240 turn away from 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.120 sin, to 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:36.720 change your 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.120 mind. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.700 This is no 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.300 longer the 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:39.240 trajectory I 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.700 want to be 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:39.820 on. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.100 I want to 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.380 go a 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.380 different way. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:42.940 I'm not 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.320 going to live 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.079 for myself. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.619 I want to 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.639 live for 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.480 God. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.759 To believe 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.419 means to 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.299 place your 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.619 trust in 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.899 Jesus Christ 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:53.079 alone, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.179 relying on 00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:54.720 his life, 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.579 his death 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.539 and resurrection 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.819 as the only 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.679 basis for our 00:18:58.679 --> 00:18:59.419 forgiveness and 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.919 acceptance before 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.359 God. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.480 I used to use 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.119 an analogy with 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:03.539 my boys, 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.419 which I stole 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:04.960 from somebody, 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.480 I'm sure, 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.220 that we put 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.339 on Jesus like 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.799 a parachute and 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.319 we jump out 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.819 the plane. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.819 We believe 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.579 he will catch 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.839 us and we 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.139 will, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.419 not die. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:14.839 We used to 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.460 practice jumping 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.779 out of the 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.259 plane off our 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.619 couch. 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.039 We put on 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.539 backpacks and 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.259 jump off the 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.399 plane. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:19.960 That's what it 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.220 means to 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.619 believe. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.179 We hold 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:21.859 on to him. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.359 The promise 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.799 of scripture 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.439 is clear. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.099 If you confess 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.579 with your mouth 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.179 that Jesus is 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.000 Lord and 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.599 believe in your 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.079 heart that God 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.679 raised him from 00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:29.119 the dead, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.679 you will be 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.740 saved. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.500 Romans 10, 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:32.879 9. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.759 Salvation is 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.439 not something we 00:19:35.439 --> 00:19:36.200 earn by 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.839 religious effort. 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.519 Instead, 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.740 by grace, 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.259 you have been 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.039 saved through 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.599 faith. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:42.819 This is the 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.619 gift of God, 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.519 not a result 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.119 of works, 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.419 so that no 00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.419 one may boast. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.500 Ephesians 2, 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.279 8 and 9. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.159 So what must 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.059 you believe to 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.519 be saved? 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:53.839 You must 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.299 believe that 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.759 God is the 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.339 holy creator, 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:55.839 that you are 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.399 a sinner in 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:56.619 need of 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:56.960 forgiveness, 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.480 that Jesus 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.240 Christ died 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.819 and rose again 00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.339 to save 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.639 sinners, 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.439 and that you 00:20:00.439 --> 00:20:01.059 must repent 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.819 and trust in 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.559 him alone 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.980 for salvation. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.079 salvation. 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.759 The Bible 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.019 gives this 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.180 gracious promise 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.339 to all who 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.900 respond in 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.360 faith. 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:11.860 Everyone who 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.860 calls on the 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.259 name of the 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.880 Lord will be 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.120 saved. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.500 Romans 10, 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.519 13. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.420 If you don't 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.940 want to die in 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.360 your sin, 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.799 repent and 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.960 believe that 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.660 Jesus is the 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.039 Christ. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:29.319 for those of 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.399 you who have 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:31.839 placed saving 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.200 faith in 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.899 Jesus Christ. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.099 Don't forget 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.759 the gospel for 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.000 you. 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:37.960 Once again, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.440 we should never 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.079 grow tired of 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.480 hearing it. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.159 It's a glorious 00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:40.680 thing. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.500 We should be 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.339 reminded of who 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.279 we once were 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.059 and now who 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.539 we are in 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.339 Jesus. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.799 Never grow 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.659 cold, never 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.500 grow tired of 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.700 hearing this 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.500 glorious thing. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.680 And secondly, 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.839 don't forget 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.180 the gospel for 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.500 others. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.200 God is saving 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.159 a people for 00:20:59.159 --> 00:21:00.740 his glory. 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.240 We want to 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.039 have God's 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.899 glory magnified 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.500 and we want to 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.279 be part of his 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.940 saving work in 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.399 the world. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.339 So preach the 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.639 gospel to 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.180 anyone who 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.659 will listen to 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.940 you, to 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.339 your children 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.019 in your home, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.639 to your 00:21:14.639 --> 00:21:15.359 neighbors, to 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.000 your coworkers, 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.740 to your 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.639 extended family 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:19.000 members. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.420 Follow a 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.019 simple outline. 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.440 It's what I 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:22.859 just presented 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.200 for you. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.200 God, man, 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.240 Christ, 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.019 response. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.839 It's not 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.539 difficult to 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.279 have conversations 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.279 about things 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.319 that you 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.319 love. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.480 It's easy to 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.980 get into this 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.440 conversation, 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.399 particularly at 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.940 the man point. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.799 Everybody's got 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.240 problems. 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.339 Everybody experiences 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.099 trouble in this 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.339 world. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.319 Talk about the 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.940 fallence of the 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.720 world and then 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.000 back them up to 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.000 God, walk 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.220 through man, show 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.539 them Christ, ask 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.319 them to respond. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.920 It's not a hard 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.599 thing to do. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.159 Just do it. 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.279 Be faithful to 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.000 proclaim the 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.379 gospel. 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.839 Pray that God 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.619 will use your 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.659 gospel proclamation 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:03.319 to save souls. 00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:05.980 You will not 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:08.099 logic anybody 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.980 into heaven. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.079 It's not going to 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.339 happen. 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:12.879 Declare the gospel 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.439 to them. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.480 I'm not 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.679 anti-apologetics. 00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:18.259 We see Paul 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.179 reasoning with 00:22:19.179 --> 00:22:20.099 people day by 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.480 day. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:22.180 But it is not 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.099 the primary thing 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.480 that should be 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:23.720 done. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.480 Help people put 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.799 down their guard, 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.539 lower their fists, 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.039 preach the gospel 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.660 to them. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.279 Take them back 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.920 to their sinful 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.420 state. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.480 Show them their 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.420 need of justification. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.740 Present to them 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.099 Jesus. 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.779 Charles Spurgeon 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.420 once said, and 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.059 this is in your 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.279 bulletin if you 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.980 care to read it, 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.400 a great many 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.460 learned men are 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:48.019 defending the 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.400 gospel. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.799 No doubt it is a 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.759 very proper and 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.659 right thing to do. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.440 Yet I always 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.159 notice that when 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.899 there are most 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.759 books of that 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.519 kind, it is 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.039 because the 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:59.419 gospel itself is 00:22:59.419 --> 00:22:59.839 not being 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.379 preached. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.419 Stop it there 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.000 for a second. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.460 You hear what 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.759 he's saying? 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.639 When we're 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.180 spending all of 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.460 our time making 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:09.099 apologetic arguments 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:11.159 for it, Spurgeon 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.980 says it's because 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.599 it's just not being 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.059 preached. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.639 I'll pick back 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:14.839 up. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.740 Suppose a number 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.460 of persons were 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.039 to take it into 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.139 their heads that 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.579 they had to 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.779 defend a 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.920 lion, a 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.519 full-grown 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.039 king of 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.420 beasts. 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.899 There he is 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.799 in the cage, 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.980 and here come 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.740 all the soldiers 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.500 of the army to 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.160 fight for him. 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.180 Well, I 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.779 should suggest 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.799 to them, if 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.220 they would not 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.039 object and 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.500 feel that it 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:33.980 was humbling 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.759 to them, that 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.019 they should 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.099 kindly stand 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.740 back and 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.420 open the 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.220 door and 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.000 let the 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.240 lion out. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.180 I believe 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.899 that would 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.579 be the best 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.200 way of 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.859 defending him, 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.779 for he 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.579 would take 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:48.039 care of 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.480 himself. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.879 Let's 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.339 pray together.