WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.920 So if you turn in your Bibles again to John's Gospel, John's Gospel chapter 7, and Mary 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:21.660 is going to read for us this morning. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.899 So if you have your read Bibles, it's on page 1071, 1071. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:44.920 John chapter 7. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:53.920 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:01:00.000 He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.060 a way to kill him. 00:01:01.900 --> 00:01:08.120 But when the Jewish festival of tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, leave 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:13.900 Galilee and go to Judea so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:18.460 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:22.939 Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:26.439 For even his own brothers didn't believe in him. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:32.219 Therefore, Jesus told them, my time is not yet here. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:34.200 For you, any time will do. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:41.060 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:43.299 You go to the festival. 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:48.739 I'm not going up to this festival because my time has not yet fully come. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:52.680 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:02:01.480 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:02.019 in secret. 00:02:02.019 --> 00:02:09.000 Now, at the festival, the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, where is he? 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:13.219 Among the crowds, there was widespread crispering about him. 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:15.079 Some said, he's a good man. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:18.620 Others replied, no, he deceives the people. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:24.139 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. 00:02:24.139 --> 00:02:31.699 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 00:02:32.399 --> 00:02:38.159 The Jews there were amazed and asked, how did this man get such learning without having been taught? 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:42.299 Jesus answered, my teaching is not my own. 00:02:42.299 --> 00:02:44.900 It comes from the one who sent me. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:53.819 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:03:03.639 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory. 00:03:04.079 --> 00:03:09.099 But he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:11.519 There is nothing false about him. 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:15.379 Skip down now, please, to verse 25. 00:03:15.379 --> 00:03:24.620 At that point, some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, isn't this the man they're trying to kill? 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:29.639 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they're not saying a word to him. 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:34.419 Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:37.259 But we know where this man is from. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.039 When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:46.340 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:49.759 Yes, you know me, and you know where I'm from. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:55.000 I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. 00:03:55.459 --> 00:04:00.639 You do not know him, but I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:08.419 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand in him, because his hour had not yet come. 00:04:08.419 --> 00:04:12.519 Still, many in the crowd believed in him, they said. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:17.399 When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man? 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:21.039 Skip down again, please, to verse 37. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:28.899 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:32.879 Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 00:04:33.479 --> 00:04:40.699 Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:47.500 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. 00:04:48.179 --> 00:04:54.399 Up to that time the Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:05:01.779 On hearing his words, some of the people said, surely this is the prophet. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:04.259 Others said, he is the Messiah. 00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:09.039 Still others asked, how can the Messiah come from Galilee? 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:14.139 Does not scripture say that the Messiah will come from David's descendants, 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:17.519 and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived? 00:05:18.159 --> 00:05:21.199 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:25.860 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand in him. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:32.439 Finally, the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, 00:05:32.539 --> 00:05:34.899 who asked them, why didn't you bring him in? 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:39.379 No one ever spoke the way this man does, the guards replied. 00:05:39.919 --> 00:05:42.360 You mean he has deceived you also? 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:43.819 The Pharisees retorted. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:48.159 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:54.540 No, but this mob that knows nothing of the law, there is a curse on them. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:06:01.300 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 00:06:01.840 --> 00:06:08.480 does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing? 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:12.020 They replied, are you from Galilee too? 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:17.379 Look into it and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:24.939 Thanks so much, Mary. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.040 Good morning, everybody. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:30.019 Good morning. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:34.519 That was a long passage for Mary to read. Thank you very much. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:36.060 Read very well. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:39.139 Let's pray before we get stuck into it. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:50.800 Holy Spirit, we pray that you would help us today to see the glory of Jesus, 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:53.039 to see him for who he really is, 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:59.000 and to correct any misunderstandings that we have. 00:06:59.419 --> 00:07:01.560 In Jesus' name and for his glory. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:03.019 Amen. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:03.159 Amen. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:14.600 So we're at the point in John's Gospel where Jesus is revealing himself throughout the country of Judea, 00:07:15.200 --> 00:07:18.240 both in his signs and in his teaching. 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:23.160 And everybody is talking about Jesus. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:28.120 The scene here is set during the Festival of Tabernacles, 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:33.079 when Jews from everywhere crammed into Jerusalem. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:38.740 And the city is divided over this one massive question. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.259 Who is Jesus? 00:07:44.340 --> 00:07:46.959 You probably noticed as we were reading through, 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.500 this chapter is chaotic. 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:52.399 John is trying to capture the unrelenting debate 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:57.160 surrounding the most controversial figure in Judea at this time. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:07:59.019 All the while, 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.340 the hostile religious leaders, 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:03.819 they're trying to arrest and kill Jesus. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:07.740 They make three attempts to do so in this one chapter. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.540 Yet into all this chaos, 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:11.840 Jesus, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:15.160 the eternal Son of God, 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:16.340 speaks. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:20.079 The maker of everyone and everything 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:22.480 stands up in the middle of the madness 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:23.860 and confusion. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:28.939 And he tells us exactly who he is. 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:32.019 But before we hear Jesus, 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:36.820 let's take a walk among the crowds in Jerusalem. 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:41.120 Let's listen in to what they're saying about Jesus. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:43.960 First of all, verse 3. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.899 Jesus' brothers say that he's a showman. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:53.379 People ought to quit touring around the backwater villages of Galilee 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:57.220 and hit the big stage in Jerusalem. 00:08:58.500 --> 00:08:59.860 More signs, 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.879 more wonders, 00:09:01.079 --> 00:09:03.019 before more people. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:09.159 His brothers are really looking for the fame of association. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:12.779 Being the brother of the superhero. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:15.699 But is that all Jesus is? 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:18.980 Is Jesus just a means to my own ends? 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:21.419 In verse 12, 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.639 some of the crowds say he's a liar. 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:26.939 He's leading people astray. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.279 In the same verse, 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:31.879 others say he's a good man. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.079 Nothing more. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:36.320 On the flip side, 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.180 verse 20, 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:41.360 that same crowd are saying he's demon possessed. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:46.139 No one but a raving lunatic would claim to be God. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:50.120 While again it swings in verse 31, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:53.940 others believe that he genuinely is the promised savior, 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:54.660 the Messiah. 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:59.259 Asking how many more signs does this guy have to do to prove it? 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:03.419 But it swings like a pendulum again. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.120 I warned you, 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:05.259 this chapter is chaotic. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.259 Because in verse 41, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:07.700 others say, 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:08.139 no, no, 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:09.039 he's not the Messiah. 00:10:09.419 --> 00:10:11.059 He's just a great prophet. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.620 He speaks God's words, 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:14.500 but only that. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:17.179 All the while, 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:19.939 the Jewish leaders reject him 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:21.379 as irrelevant. 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:25.519 A scourge on society. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.259 Judea is a melting pot 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:30.899 pot of opinions about who Jesus is. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.319 But as you look at that list, 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:36.679 you realize that 2,000 years later, 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:39.700 Ireland is actually just as divided about Jesus 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.879 as they were back then. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.000 For some of us, 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:47.000 Jesus is just a means to our own ends. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:49.700 He's the ticket to heaven in my back pocket. 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.220 Now I can basically live whatever way I want. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.379 Others say Jesus is a liar. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:59.759 He's simply lying when he claims to be the only way to heaven. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.100 Some in Ireland say, 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:02.820 well, 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:04.519 Jesus is just a good man. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.700 Admirable in many ways, 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:11.039 but don't take seriously his claims of divine ownership over your life. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:14.700 Others think him to be a raving lunatic. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.700 Stephen Fry is the leader of one of these groups. 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:20.700 He was deluded, 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:22.220 Stephen Fry says, 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:24.840 to think that Jesus was God. 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:27.160 Some Irish people, though, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:27.980 do believe 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.440 that Jesus is the Messiah, 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:31.800 the Son of God. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.460 But more 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:34.180 say that he's just 00:11:34.180 --> 00:11:35.640 a great prophet. 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:37.960 Up there with Muhammad 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:39.019 and the Buddha 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.019 to be respected. 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.680 Still others say 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:43.379 he's irrelevant. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.139 And do you know what? 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:47.519 The faster we move on from Jesus, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:50.700 the better for Irish society. 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:54.259 Who is Jesus? 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:57.360 We can't all be right. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:59.940 Well, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.940 one thing is that 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:02.759 Jesus is not just 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:04.379 whoever we want him to be. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:06.960 In fact, 00:12:07.060 --> 00:12:08.539 he's earned the right 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.759 to tell us 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.360 who he is. 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.680 And we need 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:15.560 to know 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.759 who Jesus 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.060 really is 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:19.759 more than anything. 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.580 That's what Jesus 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:23.759 is about to reveal to us. 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.159 And we're going to hear it 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.360 from the man himself. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:27.639 Firstly, 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:31.240 Jesus is sent 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.399 from the Father. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.399 So Jesus makes 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.800 this shocking claim 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:37.720 to have existed 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.259 with God the Father 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:41.779 before his life on earth. 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:42.100 Now, 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.039 for each one of us, 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.820 there's a moment 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:45.320 when our life began. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.279 I know that might sound 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:47.700 completely obvious to you, 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.259 but it's true, right? 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.180 Now, 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:51.920 when you meet someone 00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:52.980 for the first time, 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:54.740 once you've, 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.120 you know, 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:56.320 established what their name 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:56.680 is, 00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:58.140 established what football 00:12:58.140 --> 00:12:59.020 team they support, 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.980 you may start to ask, 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:03.600 where did you come from? 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:06.740 And you know what? 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.700 We are fascinated 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.899 in our culture 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.659 to know 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:11.180 where people 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:12.340 come from. 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:13.879 And if you asked me, 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.519 I'd tell you 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.139 I'm originally 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:15.980 from a farm 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.720 in Drimalik. 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:17.840 I know no one here 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.659 has probably even heard 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.279 of that place, 00:13:19.420 --> 00:13:20.320 but I'm still proud 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:21.600 to be from Drimalik 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.920 in West Cork. 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:24.220 And my parents 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:24.620 are called 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.320 David and Elizabeth. 00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:26.899 That's where I'm from. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.840 Well, 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.319 the crowd, 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.240 they look at Jesus 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.179 and they say, 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.480 oh, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.019 we know where 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:34.860 this guy's from. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.959 He's Jesus. 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.039 His dad is Joseph, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.740 the carpenter. 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.799 He's just from Nazareth. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:42.199 Oh yeah, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.679 we know him. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:42.819 Now, 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.659 he couldn't be 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.419 the Messiah. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.120 But look how Jesus 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.179 responds to them 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.879 in verse 28. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:53.679 Then Jesus, 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.559 still teaching 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:55.399 in the temple courts, 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.120 cried out, 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.799 yes, 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:57.879 you know me 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.179 and you know 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:00.059 where I'm from. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.740 I am not here 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.439 on my own authority, 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.019 but he who sent me 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:06.559 is true. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.639 You do not know him, 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:09.820 but I know him 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:12.259 because I am from him 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:15.440 and he sent me. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.820 At this, 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:20.139 they tried to seize him. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.019 Why are the people 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.960 so outraged 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.980 at what Jesus just said? 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.539 It's because Jesus 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.259 is claiming 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.199 that he lived 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:28.620 in eternity past 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.419 before his earthly life. 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.480 He is not originally 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.240 from Nazareth. 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.819 He's actually from 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:36.980 God, 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.179 sent by the Father. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.360 And the crowd 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:43.000 are so enraged 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.460 by him saying this 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:46.139 because he was actually 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.419 claiming to be equal 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.159 with God 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:49.120 in that statement. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.399 Could you flick back 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:51.799 in your Bibles 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:53.379 to John chapter 1? 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.379 Just a couple pages back. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.679 We're going to look 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.480 at verse 18. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.740 And this fleshes it out 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.019 a little bit more for us. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.779 John chapter 1 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.799 and verse 18. 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:17.459 It says this, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:22.240 No one has ever seen God, 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:25.279 but the one and only Son, 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:28.120 who is himself God 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:30.699 and is in closest relationship 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.620 with the Father, 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.939 has made him known. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:38.680 that's who Jesus is. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:42.000 He is God, 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:42.840 the Son, 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.700 for eternity, 00:15:45.140 --> 00:15:46.980 sharing closest relationship 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:48.320 with the Father. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.420 He has revealed 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.700 what God 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.920 is like to us. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.580 All things were made 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.200 through him 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.880 and for him. 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.600 He sustains 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.540 all things 00:15:56.540 --> 00:15:58.380 by his powerful word. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.379 He is. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.379 He is. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:02.000 We don't decide 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.000 who Jesus is. 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.700 We don't decide 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.759 what Jesus is like. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.799 He is 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:11.039 who he has always been 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.740 for eternity. 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:15.600 So the question is, 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.740 what should our response 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.299 be 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.039 to him? 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:20.860 Well, 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.840 we should give him 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.940 the highest 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.779 honor 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.399 that he is due 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:27.060 and glorify him 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.000 as God, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.779 the Son, 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:29.580 sent 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.879 from the Father. 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.659 Is Jesus 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.759 just a good man 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.200 to you? 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.639 Or is he 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.919 the God 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.580 man? 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.460 We show 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.180 our belief 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:41.340 by humbly 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.580 submitting our lives 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.080 to him 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.400 as our maker 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.960 and sustainer 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:46.759 and listening 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.980 to him. 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:48.820 And that actually 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:49.379 leads us 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.720 to the second thing 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.780 that Jesus 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:52.560 has to say 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.240 about himself. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.200 He is 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.820 the man 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:57.000 of truth. 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.120 Now, 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.400 if you flick back 00:17:00.400 --> 00:17:01.360 to John chapter 7, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.840 in verse 12, 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.779 some of the crowd 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.819 claim that Jesus 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.880 is a liar, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.539 right? 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.920 He's simply 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.340 leading people 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.459 astray. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.720 Others, 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:16.679 in verse 15, 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.299 are amazed 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.039 at his knowledge 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.599 and teaching. 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.220 He's got no 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.139 formal education. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.799 How is he able 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.679 to teach like this? 00:17:22.919 --> 00:17:23.119 Well, 00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:24.459 Jesus addresses 00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:25.480 both of these groups 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.319 in verse 16. 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.119 Read along with me. 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.480 Verse 16, 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.240 Jesus answered, 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:32.240 my teaching is not 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.740 my own. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:35.519 It comes from the one 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.620 who sent me. 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:39.019 Anyone who chooses 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.740 to do the will 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.160 of God 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.079 will find out 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.920 whether my teaching 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.019 comes from God 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.579 or whether I speak 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.160 on my own. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.420 Whoever speaks 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.440 on their own 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.660 does so 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.180 to gain 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.400 personal glory. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.440 But he who seeks 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.960 the glory 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.480 of the one 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.539 who sent him 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:57.579 is a man 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:59.039 of truth. 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.920 There is nothing 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.960 false 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:03.559 about him. 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.659 Jesus says, 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.460 I am 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.960 that man 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.539 of truth. 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.799 There is no 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.619 falsehood 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.539 in me. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.299 How do we know? 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:17.659 Well, 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.440 Jesus says 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.039 his teaching 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.700 comes from God 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.399 the Father. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.119 That's the first 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.579 proof. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:24.279 And here's 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.699 the second. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.179 He seeks 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:28.279 his Father's 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.859 glory 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:30.679 not his own. 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.399 Now think about 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.259 that for a second. 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.639 As people 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.939 it's very 00:18:34.939 --> 00:18:35.460 difficult 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.379 for us 00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:36.779 to have 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.460 pure 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.579 motives 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.599 whenever we 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.099 seek 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.099 our own 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.759 glory. 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:42.299 Right? 00:18:42.939 --> 00:18:43.659 Actually what 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.079 happens is 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.879 we get selfish. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.099 We might say 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.819 whatever people 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.019 want to hear 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.379 so as to get 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.099 in with the 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.939 cool crowd. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:54.259 we might not 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.819 really want 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.500 what's best 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.240 for others. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.460 We might just 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.299 use them 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.259 to get higher 00:18:59.259 --> 00:18:59.960 up the ladder. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.799 But Jesus 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.500 says I'm not 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.199 like that. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:05.939 When Jesus 00:19:05.939 --> 00:19:06.500 seeks his 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.599 Father's glory 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.099 it's another 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.839 proof that 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.579 what he says 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.759 is true. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.599 There are no 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.480 selfish ulterior 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:12.919 motives. 00:19:14.399 --> 00:19:15.259 He's not a 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.559 crowd pleaser. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.159 He truly 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.939 seeks his 00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:20.000 Father's glory 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.099 glory and 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.099 our good. 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.859 And he does 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.259 this by 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.859 simply telling 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.579 us what 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.240 his Father 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.579 told him 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.420 even if it 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.000 ends up 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.880 costing him 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.359 his life. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.180 So we can 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.059 trust everything 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.740 that Jesus 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.420 says to be 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:35.740 true 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.900 but the 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.359 problem is 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:38.599 that we 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.039 don't. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.059 Or we like 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.960 most of what 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.759 Jesus says 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.900 that we 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.019 don't believe 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.839 us really 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.519 uncomfortable. 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.960 Like when 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.640 he says he's 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.240 the only 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.960 way to 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.279 heaven. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.059 Where does 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.579 that leave 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.240 my friends 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.779 and family 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.859 who don't 00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.339 believe in 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.579 Jesus? 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.220 Or when 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:02.700 he tells us 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.200 to loosen 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.759 our grip 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.099 and our 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.819 money and 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.720 finances and 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.460 to give 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.319 generously to 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:07.619 others. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.779 Well will 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.180 he really 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.819 provide for 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.119 me like 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.539 he promised? 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.940 Or when 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.619 Jesus tells 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.099 us that 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.119 he's 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:14.659 sovereign 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.219 and in 00:20:15.219 --> 00:20:15.759 control 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.439 over 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.879 even our 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.339 deepest 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.039 suffering 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.679 and pain. 00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:22.459 How could 00:20:22.459 --> 00:20:23.000 God do 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.399 that? 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.619 We 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.399 struggle 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:28.599 to trust 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.679 Jesus' 00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.480 word. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.099 But Jesus 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.759 says if you 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.599 want to know 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.679 who I really 00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:36.099 am, 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.000 I am 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.079 the man 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.019 of truth. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.879 You can 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.699 trust everything 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.299 I say. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.220 And believing 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.900 in me means 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.620 trusting in 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.299 me even 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.019 when you 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.440 don't 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.559 understand it 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.200 right now. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.140 So will 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.900 you believe? 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.140 Will you 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:57.059 take Jesus 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.299 as his 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.700 word? 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.220 So far 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.920 we've seen 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:04.640 that Jesus 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.120 is sent 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.460 from the 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:05.779 Father. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.759 He's God's 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.480 eternal 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.880 son. 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.580 And we've 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:09.299 also seen 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.600 he's the 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:09.920 man of 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.279 truth. 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.539 we can 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.139 trust what 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.660 he says. 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:13.920 And now 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.160 we come 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.420 to the 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:14.960 last one. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.539 John has 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.319 been steadily 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.519 building the 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:19.960 tension 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.680 through this 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.339 chapter and 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.740 now Jesus 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.460 is about to 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.480 reveal himself 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.079 as the 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.639 giver 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.799 of the 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.299 spirit. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.279 But before 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.899 we read 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:32.599 we need to 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.359 understand the 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.200 context of 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.000 this festival 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.500 of tabernacles. 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.000 God had 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.680 commanded the 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.460 Jews to 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.319 celebrate this 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.579 festival to 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.339 remember how 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.019 he brought 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.759 his people 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.380 out of 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.279 Egypt over 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.700 a thousand 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.539 years beforehand 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:50.319 through the 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.539 wilderness and 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.019 into the 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.720 promised land. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.259 Now at one 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.819 point along 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.279 that journey 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.700 the people 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.160 were in this 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.079 massive desert 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.559 and they 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.160 were thirsty 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.819 and they 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.880 cried out to 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.240 God. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.740 And what God 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.180 did was he 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.900 told Moses 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:05.259 to strike 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.800 a rock 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.640 with his 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.019 staff. 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:08.940 And a 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.600 river of 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:10.680 water flowed 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.380 miraculously 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.980 from this 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.380 rock. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.259 The people 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.880 were saved. 00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.640 So every 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.720 year at 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.560 this festival 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:22.120 the Jews 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.160 would remember 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.320 that moment 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:24.840 in their 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.480 history where 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.540 God had 00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:28.140 provided them 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.540 water. 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.080 And what they 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.440 would do, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:29.800 it's really 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:30.220 interesting, 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:30.460 right? 00:22:30.780 --> 00:22:31.320 They would 00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:32.480 actually draw 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.840 water from 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.339 a pool 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.359 at the 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:35.720 bottom of 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.079 the city 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.759 and they 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.359 would carry 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.819 it in this 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.019 large procession 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.559 through the 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.039 city streets 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.539 all the way 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:40.939 up to the 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:41.279 temple. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.139 And while 00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.879 everyone in 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.179 the city 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:44.659 watched on 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:44.919 they would 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.799 pour out 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.359 the water 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.259 on the 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.059 big altar 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.639 in front 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.519 of the 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.859 temple. 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.939 That is the 00:22:52.939 --> 00:22:53.559 context 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:55.019 into which 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.599 Jesus 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.779 stands up 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.299 and says 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.799 what he's 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.279 just about 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.659 to say. 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.319 Look at 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.819 this in 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.019 verse 37. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.500 On the 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.899 last and 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.879 greatest day 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.159 of the 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:07.579 festival 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.019 Jesus 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.439 stood and 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:09.960 said in 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.419 a loud 00:23:10.419 --> 00:23:11.000 voice, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.960 let anyone 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.759 who is 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.259 thirsty 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.399 come to 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.419 me and 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:16.879 drink. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.139 Whoever 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.079 believes in 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.559 me, 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.339 as scripture 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.859 has said, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.099 rivers of 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.079 living water 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.000 will flow 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.439 from within 00:23:25.439 --> 00:23:25.839 them. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.019 Jesus 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.699 reveals 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.399 himself 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.639 as the 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.679 only one 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.039 who can 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.039 truly provide 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.899 us with 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:34.480 living water 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.559 which quenches 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.419 our spiritual 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:38.240 thirst forever. 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.740 Let's read 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.720 on to find 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.259 out what is 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.379 this living 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.779 water. 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.099 What does 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.740 Jesus mean? 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.179 Well, John 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.819 clarifies. 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.720 Verse 39, 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.279 he says, 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.279 by this he 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.179 meant the 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:50.480 spirit whom 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.099 those who 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.859 believed in 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.000 him were 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.720 later to 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.240 receive. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:54.980 Up to that 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.519 time the 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.039 spirit had 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.599 not been 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:58.200 given since 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.879 Jesus had 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.519 not yet 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.799 been glorified. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.779 So the 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.200 people of 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.639 Israel were 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.579 thirsty in 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.059 the wilderness 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:07.139 when God 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.599 gave them 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.059 water to 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.359 drink. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.980 Jesus now 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.579 invites everyone 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.059 who is 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:15.079 spiritually thirsty 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.000 to come to 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.299 him for 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.940 drink and 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.680 that means 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:20.220 to believe 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.160 in him 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.859 as God, 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.400 as saviour 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:23.879 from our 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.660 sin and 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.200 receive 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.100 not just 00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:26.819 a once 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.720 off drink 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.059 like he 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.360 would from 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.759 the tap 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.220 out there. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.200 No, 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.940 Jesus offers 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.539 us a 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:34.259 river of 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.420 living water 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:37.240 flowing from 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.960 within us 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.059 forever. 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.600 It's a 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.900 spring that 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.740 will never 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.279 run out. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.259 And that 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.779 water, 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.759 John says, 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.380 is the 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.600 Holy Spirit. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:50.699 Spirit. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.119 He's the 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.699 third member 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:54.000 of the 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.299 Trinity. 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.240 He has 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:57.159 existed for 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.279 eternity in 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.359 perfect relationship 00:24:59.359 --> 00:24:59.899 with the 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:01.059 Father and 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.619 the Son. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.519 The Spirit 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.559 actually 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.539 initiates our 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.879 new spiritual 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.919 life in 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.279 Christ. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:08.919 He's called 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.559 the helper 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.480 or the 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.059 comforter. 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:12.399 He gives 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.240 us power 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.639 to live the 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.519 Christian life. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.579 life. 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.799 But the 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.119 thing is 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.660 that before 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.740 Jesus came, 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.480 the Spirit 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:20.859 had never 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.960 dwelt in 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.879 anyone. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.519 Through the 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.240 Old Testament, 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:25.839 the Spirit 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.980 rests upon 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.639 people, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.519 but never 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.039 inside. 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:32.279 So, for 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.619 instance, 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.659 Moses or 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.279 David would 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.639 have had a 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.700 special anointing 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.200 of the Spirit 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.139 on them to 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.779 do special 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.920 things for 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.899 God, but 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.480 he actually 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.799 never indwelt 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.899 anyone. 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.799 Yes. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.240 John tells 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.759 us here in 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.879 verse 39 that 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.819 once Jesus has 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.399 returned to 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:53.339 heaven, now 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.299 anyone who 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.980 believes in 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.779 Jesus will 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:58.940 receive the 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.940 Holy Spirit. 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:02.339 God himself 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.279 would take 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.359 up residence 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:06.420 in everyone 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.079 who would 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.599 believe in 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:07.839 him. 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.659 This is 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.539 totally new 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.220 and 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.359 astonishingly 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:13.379 great and 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.399 was foretold 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:14.980 hundreds of 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.899 years beforehand. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.180 Isaiah 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.039 prophesied that 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.480 God would 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.279 pour out his 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:20.819 Spirit on 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.799 all people, 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.639 not just a 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.039 couple of 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.559 their leaders, 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.019 on all of 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.700 God's people 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:28.539 and read 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:28.980 what God 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.420 had said 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.360 through the 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.660 prophet 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.420 Ezekiel 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.200 of that 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.660 time to 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:32.860 come. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.180 It's on 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.840 the board. 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:34.920 He said 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.240 this, 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.900 I will put 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.880 my Spirit 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:39.539 within you 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:41.519 and cause 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.900 you to 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.720 walk in 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.660 my statutes 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.360 and be 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.440 careful to 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.660 obey my 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.080 rules. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.360 Now Jesus 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.160 stands up at 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.000 the climax of 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.539 the festival 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.480 as the 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:51.880 water is 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.539 being carried 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.720 up the 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.180 streets of 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.700 Jerusalem. 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:57.319 He cries 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.779 out that 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.779 He is 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.279 the giver 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.700 of the 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.200 true 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.940 living 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.420 water, 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.440 the Holy 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.200 Spirit. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:03.920 The temple 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.420 is there 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.039 looming 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.580 above Him 00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:05.880 as He 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.340 says these 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:06.759 words and 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.360 He declares 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.819 that this 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.559 building here, 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.519 that's no 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.000 longer going 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.360 to be the 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:11.920 place where 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.900 God dwells. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.740 Not in the 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.500 building anymore, 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.519 no, in 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.700 His people. 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:20.440 God will 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.140 dwell in 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.100 all those 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.480 who believe 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.600 in Jesus 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:26.160 through His 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.980 Holy Spirit. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.740 Jesus is 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.180 the giver 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.559 of the 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.200 Spirit and 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.000 He calls 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.740 to you 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.360 and to 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:33.960 I today 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.019 to come 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.019 and drink 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.140 of the 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.539 Spirit 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.900 to satisfy 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.500 our thirst 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.319 forever. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.360 You will 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:42.980 know His 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.779 power and 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.759 presence like 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.400 a river 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.740 flowing from 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.340 within you. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.640 forever. 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.259 So two 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.740 questions. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.400 Number one, 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.480 have you 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.640 received the 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.580 gift of the 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:55.340 Holy Spirit 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.840 from Jesus 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.340 Christ? 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.460 Everywhere 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.019 else you 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.580 turn to 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:02.380 will never 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.480 satisfy 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:05.039 your thirsty 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.720 soul. 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.019 Second 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.600 question, 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.620 if you have 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.920 already received 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.180 Him, 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.640 are you 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.140 drinking 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.860 deeply 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.880 from that 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.960 river of 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.340 life? 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.359 His 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.839 help, 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:18.980 comfort, 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.699 and power 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:21.019 are yours 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:22.159 moment 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.079 by moment 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.579 if you 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.159 would keep 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.939 drinking 00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:26.559 of Him. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.279 To finish, 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.899 we have 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.439 heard plenty 00:28:31.439 --> 00:28:31.959 of opinions 00:28:31.959 --> 00:28:32.559 about who 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.399 Jesus is 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.019 today. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.119 And we've 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.519 listened to 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.339 Jesus tell us 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:38.939 exactly who 00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.639 He is. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:39.980 And the 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.399 question is 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:40.539 now, 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.039 how will the 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.480 people of 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.819 Jerusalem 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.679 respond to 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:42.879 Him? 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:45.840 Well, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.080 in the 00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:46.720 last part 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.560 of John's 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.800 recount of 00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:49.360 the festival, 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.000 we hear 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.320 three different 00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:52.180 responses to 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.540 Jesus. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.720 In verse 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.180 45, 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:55.960 we have the 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.880 temple guards 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.520 who were 00:28:58.520 --> 00:28:59.320 ordered to 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.120 arrest Jesus, 00:29:00.260 --> 00:29:00.520 but they 00:29:00.520 --> 00:29:01.380 arrive back 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:03.060 empty-handed. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.580 And when the 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.460 Pharisees ask, 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.780 why didn't 00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:08.300 you bring 00:29:08.300 --> 00:29:08.720 Him in, 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.200 like we 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.660 asked you to 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:09.860 do, 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.220 they reply 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:11.640 in verse 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.339 46, 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.980 no one 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.740 ever spoke 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.759 the way 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.759 this man 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.220 does. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.839 Wow. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.860 They are 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.740 amazed 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:26.519 by Jesus. 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:29.500 But don't 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.279 be like 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.980 the guards. 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:34.440 That's 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.059 as far 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.339 as it 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.779 goes for 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.000 them. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:36.860 They're 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.420 just amazed 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.900 by Him. 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.160 But they 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.140 show no 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.900 signs 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:42.400 of true 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.140 belief. 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:43.800 We need 00:29:43.800 --> 00:29:44.700 to really 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.180 watch out 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.540 here, 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.120 because many 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.240 people confuse 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.400 admiration 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.680 of Jesus 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:54.000 with true 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.300 belief in 00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:56.060 Jesus. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.080 They are 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:58.280 not the 00:29:58.280 --> 00:29:58.980 same thing. 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.080 You cannot 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:01.500 admire Jesus 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.460 from a 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.480 distance and 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.240 presume that 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.980 you're safe 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.460 with Him. 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:06.940 No. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.900 He calls 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:10.180 to receive 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.200 Him as 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.920 Lord, 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:12.779 as 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.440 Savior. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.180 You cannot 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:16.240 sit on the 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.420 fence with 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.019 Jesus. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.519 Either you 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.320 believe 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.720 or you 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.420 don't. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.820 Secondly, 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:28.059 don't be like 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.880 the Pharisees. 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.180 They just 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.039 reject 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.799 Jesus 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.900 outright. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.640 they want 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.740 rid of 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.440 Him as 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.880 soon as 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.400 possible. 00:30:38.540 --> 00:30:38.840 They are 00:30:38.840 --> 00:30:39.540 sure they 00:30:39.540 --> 00:30:40.019 don't need 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.720 Jesus to 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.080 live a 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.400 fulfilled 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.780 life or 00:30:42.780 --> 00:30:43.140 to get 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.560 to heaven. 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.660 And after 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.620 everything that 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.300 you have 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:49.500 seen of 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.860 Jesus' 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.620 life, 00:30:50.820 --> 00:30:51.320 His death, 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:52.080 His 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:52.720 resurrection, 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.019 don't be 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.660 like the 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.519 Pharisees who 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.680 refused to 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.460 accept the 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:58.960 evidence. 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.800 They didn't 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.399 want Jesus. 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.480 But there 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.119 is a third 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.720 response. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.559 Because in 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.500 verse 51, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.960 Nicodemus 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:13.039 stands up 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.960 for Jesus. 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.839 He risks 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:18.579 his status 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:20.399 as a 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:21.279 leader in 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.740 the Jewish 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.339 parliament 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:24.659 to defend 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.879 Jesus before 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.480 the whole 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.019 court. 00:31:28.419 --> 00:31:28.759 And he 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.240 later, 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.139 a couple 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.839 chapters later 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.259 in John, 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.819 he actually 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.639 appears at 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.220 the cross 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.819 where Jesus 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.419 died, 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.019 taking down 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.699 Jesus' 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:38.119 body and 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.980 preparing it 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.980 for burial. 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.799 I think we 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:42.319 can surmise 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.359 that Nicodemus 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.579 really did 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:46.220 believe Jesus 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.019 was who 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.439 he said 00:31:47.439 --> 00:31:47.899 he was. 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.519 Nicodemus 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.599 took Jesus 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.179 at his 00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:53.319 word and 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.939 believed. 00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:55.199 No sitting 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:55.519 on the 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.919 fence, 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.059 no pushing 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.720 him away. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.500 he believed 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.759 Jesus was 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.680 the only 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.400 saviour 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.600 from sin. 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.200 So what's 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.900 your response 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.299 to Jesus? 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.819 Everyone 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.160 has a 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.440 different 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:14.900 opinion 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.059 about who 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.059 Jesus is. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.900 But what 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.240 do you 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.519 say? 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:24.079 Will you 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.700 take him 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.100 at his 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.400 word? 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.480 No. 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:26.400 No. 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.440 No. 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:26.480 No. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.519 No. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.539 No. 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:26.579 No. 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:26.600 No. 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:26.660 No. 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:26.720 No. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:26.740 No. 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:26.779 No. 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:26.880 No. 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:26.980 No. 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.019 No. 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.039 No. 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.079 No. 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.100 No. 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.120 No. 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.180 No. 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.240 No. 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.259 No. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.339 No. 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.680 No. 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.700 No. 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.600 No. 00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:29.740 No. 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:29.940 No. 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.039 No. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.519 No. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.600 No. 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.819 No. 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:37.880 No. 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:39.960 No. 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:42.600 No. 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:47.000 No. 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.400 No. 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:49.019 No. 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.920 No. 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.519 No. 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:54.319 No. 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.600 No. 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:54.940 No. 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.600 No. 00:32:55.600 --> 00:32:56.299 No. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.700 No. 00:32:58.700 --> 00:33:02.779 Will you believe that he is the giver of the Spirit? 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:10.920 And drink deeply from that river of living water every day. 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:15.080 Let's finish with Jesus' own words. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:22.440 Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:26.740 Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:32.559 rivers of living water will flow from within them. 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:37.380 Let's take a moment now to pray. 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:44.319 I'm going to leave a couple of moments for you to make your own response to Jesus in your heart. 00:33:56.740 --> 00:34:26.719 Let's take a moment now to pray. 00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:30.319 Your power knows no bounds. 00:34:30.459 --> 00:34:36.980 You created this whole universe and sustain it by the power of your word. 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:39.000 You are God the Son eternal. 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:45.500 And yet you came down to wear our skin. 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:53.440 You bore the burden of our sin on the cross and died for us there. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:57.740 You rose again, defeating our death. 00:34:57.739 --> 00:35:02.539 We thank you that you gave us the very best you could give. 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:08.959 God's Holy Spirit living in us. 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.079 What a wonder. 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.939 What a mystery. 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:19.619 What an awesome privilege to be the dwelling place of God. 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:23.200 Let us not tire of the glory of this. 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:29.739 Let us drink deeply from the fountain of living water each day. 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:32.980 For your glory and our good. 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.319 Amen.