WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Amen. You may be seated. 00:00:02.540 --> 00:00:08.519 Kiddos, you are excused to your King's Kids class. 00:00:08.519 --> 00:00:08.619 Yes. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:18.399 I'm going to be preaching out of John chapter 8, page 1062, starting in verse 12. 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:22.199 I'm not preaching 8 or 753 through 812. 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:26.760 I sent out an email about that to the church this past week. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:32.899 It's just not this account, though historical, maybe historical, this woman caught in adultery, 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:35.620 it wasn't original to the Gospel of John. 00:00:35.620 --> 00:00:38.100 So I can't preach it as thus says the Lord. 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:44.480 So moving on to chapter 8, verses 12 through 30. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:53.760 You know, in seventh grade, I had a biology teacher who introduced me to trees, 00:00:54.020 --> 00:00:57.100 and ever since, I have been in love with trees. 00:00:58.180 --> 00:01:06.100 He assigned an assignment to us in which the whole class had to go find different leaves of trees, 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:09.359 and then you had to collect them, and then you had to label them. 00:01:10.059 --> 00:01:16.659 So I found red oak, white oak, various kinds of maples, ash, the catalpa. 00:01:17.619 --> 00:01:18.479 Now that's a tree. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:27.680 And I learned that leaves are essentially organic solar panels to a tree. 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:32.900 That a tree leaf, there's a process happening within it. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:38.040 A life-producing process called, anyone? 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:40.100 Photosynthesis. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:51.580 And in God's good design, a tree leaf, sunlight comes in, and it is converted to the energy of life for a tree. 00:01:51.880 --> 00:01:56.100 Light shines on a leaf, and that light is converted to life. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:58.040 Light, life. 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:03.420 Side note, isn't God's good design of his creation amazing? 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:05.140 Love it. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:11.300 This morning, we see Jesus make an absolutely audacious claim in John 8, 12. 00:02:11.920 --> 00:02:16.240 And audacious means sound, so it's probably not the best word. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:23.200 It's more like Jesus makes an absolutely brilliant claim in John 8, 12. 00:02:23.980 --> 00:02:25.600 I am the light of the world. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:31.280 His claim is a sort of kind of photosynthesis to the soul. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:35.379 A light that turns to life. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:44.939 But what Jesus is talking about is not a physical process, but a spiritual reality that is how salvation happens. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:48.579 I like to call it Christosynthesis. 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:54.579 The light of Christ shining into a darkened, dead soul. 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:57.680 And when met by faith, life. 00:02:59.020 --> 00:02:59.860 Eternal life. 00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:06.020 Sinners getting lit up and having their lives transformed by Jesus. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:14.000 So, Jesus is speaking these words in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:03:14.640 --> 00:03:22.360 And last week, we heard Jesus make this claim on those who are experiencing a soul-parchedness, a soul drought. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.800 He says, come to me, anyone who's thirsty, and drink. 00:03:26.660 --> 00:03:28.280 And you will be satisfied. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:37.960 And that was in the midst of these kind of water-pouring ritual rites during the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:50.159 Well, interestingly enough, at the Feast of Tabernacles, there were these four huge kind of like massive burning fires happening in the court of women around the temple. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:53.780 Happening throughout the week, most likely. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:04:01.920 And historians say that these fires would light up the temple in Jerusalem at night. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:07.679 It's with that backdrop that Jesus says this. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:11.419 Would you read along with me John 8, 12-13. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:15.679 Again, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:20.899 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:24.979 So the Pharisee said to him, you are bearing witness about yourself. 00:04:25.099 --> 00:04:26.839 Your testimony is not true. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:32.239 Jesus answered, even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:35.539 For I know where I come from and where I am going. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:38.899 But you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:40.519 You judge according to the flesh. 00:04:40.599 --> 00:04:41.399 I judge no one. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:44.479 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true. 00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:49.759 For it is not I alone who judge, but I am the Father who sent me. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:53.139 And your law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:55.680 I am the one who bears witness about myself. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:58.159 And the Father who sent me bears witness about me. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:01.519 They said to him, therefore, where is your father? 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:05.420 Jesus answered, you know neither me nor my father. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:07.439 If you knew me, you would know my father also. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:11.199 These words he spoke in the treasury as he taught in the temple. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:14.959 But no one arrested him because his hour had not yet come. 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:16.860 So he came to them again. 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:23.100 He said to them again, I am going away and you will seek me and you will die in your sin. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:25.400 Where I'm going, you cannot come. 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:28.240 So the Jews said, will he kill himself? 00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:30.639 Since he says where I'm going, you cannot come. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:33.139 He said to them, you are from below. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:34.040 I am from above. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:35.139 You are of this world. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:36.240 I am not of this world. 00:05:36.780 --> 00:05:39.040 I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:43.660 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:46.900 So they said to him, who are you? 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:51.520 Jesus said to them, just what I've been telling you from the beginning. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:56.320 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:59.700 And I declare to the world what I have heard from him. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:03.740 And they did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:13.139 So Jesus said to them, when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:18.420 And that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:20.259 And he who sent me is with me. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:24.920 He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:28.920 As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:30.280 May God bless the reading of his word. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:37.639 So what we have here is a big, brilliant, God-sized claim by Jesus, I am the light of the world, 00:06:38.059 --> 00:06:44.199 followed by a series of objections by the Pharisees who heard him say this. 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:49.679 So what we're going to do is make our way, claim, and then hit his objections. 00:06:50.539 --> 00:06:53.379 So his claim, I am the light of the world. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:07:01.860 Now, if you are thinking like, okay, the world is like a dark room, and Jesus comes and flip the switch on the room, 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:04.600 lights on, you're getting at it. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:08.040 That's getting at what Jesus is saying here. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:13.139 But Jesus is actually claiming something that's far more profound than that. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:16.540 Far more comprehensive in terms of its scope. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:21.620 If you would turn back in your Bible to the beginning of John, John chapter 1, 00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:25.080 I'm just going to read the first few verses. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.000 It's on page 1053 of your pew Bible. 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:37.480 And you'll notice where we start in the gospel of John is with creation. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:41.960 In the beginning was the word. 00:07:42.080 --> 00:07:42.660 Who's the word? 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.100 Jesus is the word. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:48.600 In the beginning was the word, Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. 00:07:48.960 --> 00:07:52.060 And the word was with God, separate from God. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.100 And the word was God. 00:07:53.200 --> 00:07:55.520 He, the second person of the Trinity, is fully God. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:58.160 He was in the beginning with God. 00:07:58.300 --> 00:08:00.620 All things were made through him, the word, Jesus. 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:03.760 And without him was not anything made that was made. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:07.000 In him, the word, Jesus, was life. 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:10.439 And the life was the light of men. 00:08:11.200 --> 00:08:14.340 Now we're asking the question, are we still in creation? 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.980 Five, the light shines in the darkness. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.980 And the darkness has not overcome it. 00:08:22.020 --> 00:08:22.660 Look at verse 9. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:26.820 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:28.780 He was in the world, and the world was made through him. 00:08:29.140 --> 00:08:30.400 Yet the world did not know him. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:37.220 So somewhere along here, we go from talking about the creation of all things that was created by the second person of the Trinity, 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:46.259 to now this other kind of light and life appearing in a dark world. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:50.220 So in 812, Jesus is not claiming to be the light and life of creation. 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:57.580 In 812, when he says, I am the light of the world, he's claiming to be the light of the new creation. 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:02.539 A new dawning in the darkness of the world. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:09.919 A new dawning that brings new life with a new, thus saith the Lord, God incarnate. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:21.639 Now, what Jesus came to do is not just to bring light of salvation to our individual souls. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:22.500 He did that. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:30.779 He has come to recreate the new heavens into the new heavens and the new earth, to change it all. 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:39.259 So when he says, I am the light of the world, what he's talking about is, I have come to reestablish some things. 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:51.159 The word world, according to John, is more often than not used to talk about the people living on the planet. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:57.980 I've been defining the world as sinful humanity in organized rebellion against God. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:00.960 So you put that into John 3.16. 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:10.379 For God so loved sinful humanity in organized rebellion against God, that he gave his one-of-a-kind son, 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:13.139 that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:22.560 This is the world, this is the world in its darkness that Jesus came to, that he was born into, that he lived in. 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:35.259 When his light shines into the darkness of humankind, some will respond in repentance and faith. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.679 Others will not. 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:40.479 Some will respond and be radically changed. 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:42.059 Others will not. 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:53.719 Some will experience the light of Christ shining upon them and experience a Christosynthesis within their soul, a conversion. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:59.059 It's like an old dead leaf that's disconnected from a tree. 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:11.659 And what Jesus does is he shines upon that old dead leaf and brings that leaf back to light and reconnects it to Jesus, to himself. 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:15.439 A new living thing. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:24.059 So Christ's saving life, saving light, results in a transformed life. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:24.579 Life. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:31.019 So when we read in verse 12, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world, whoever follows me. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.459 You could say whoever believes in me. 00:11:36.239 --> 00:11:39.459 But this is one of the rare times in John where he uses follows. 00:11:41.119 --> 00:11:45.539 It's believing that results in a radical changed life. 00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:46.679 And then we read it. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:52.099 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:57.259 The light of Christ transforms selfish sinners. 00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:01.659 Because that's what the world is trying to convince us of. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:04.100 That all of life is about you. 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.540 Get what you want. 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:15.960 But what Jesus' light does, his grace and his mercy and his power, is it radically changes us. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:24.560 It gives us new life so we no longer live for ourselves, but for him who for our sake died and was raised. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:32.060 So this claim of Jesus, where he says, I am the light of the world. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.060 It is big. 00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:34.139 It is brilliant. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.720 It is God-sized. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:42.120 And it has the scope of all the universe to bring about a new creation. 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:44.160 Starting with you and me. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:51.159 This is the second I am statement of the book of John. 00:12:51.699 --> 00:12:53.319 The first was, I am the bread of life. 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:56.759 This is the, I am the light of the world. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.339 There are five others. 00:12:58.959 --> 00:12:59.679 Stay tuned. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:06.459 This Thursday, Amy Cooks has written a word of encouragement that's going to unpack all seven of them. 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:12.019 But this, this one here, this big, brilliant, God-sized claim is a claim of salvation. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:16.560 That the light of life comes from no one else. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:23.040 And then is the first objection. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:30.360 In verse 13, the Pharisees said to him, you are bearing witness about yourself. 00:13:31.160 --> 00:13:32.680 Your testimony is not true. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:36.139 Jesus says, I am the light of life. 00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:43.919 And the Pharisees say, the Pharisees, by the way, are these religious professionals who knew their Bibles inside and out. 00:13:46.219 --> 00:13:48.279 They said, that's wrong. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.579 It's not true. 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:53.099 You're not the light of life. 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.879 In fact, you can't say that. 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:59.079 Because it's just you saying that. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:02.759 They say why it's not true. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:04.920 You are bearing witness about yourself. 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:07.120 Here's what's behind that. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:15.920 In Deuteronomy 19, we read this part of the law that says this. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.040 This is 1915. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:25.939 A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:32.259 Only on the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses shall a charge be established. 00:14:32.719 --> 00:14:39.419 And so what the Pharisees are saying is, you are making a claim with only one witness yourself. 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.719 Not valid. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:47.160 Look what Jesus says in verse 14, how he responds to their objection. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:51.759 Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:57.940 For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.759 You know what Jesus is saying? 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:09.840 And regardless of what you're saying, Pharisees, I know what I am saying about myself, that I am the light of the world. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:11.439 I know that's true. 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:17.679 By my self-witness, by my self-testimony. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.139 It's like he's saying, you know what? 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:24.919 Hey, I don't need a second or third witness because my testimony stands. 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.620 I know where I've come from. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.139 I know where I'm going. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:33.080 I know I'm from heaven, that I created all things from just words. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:41.480 I know where I'm going to back to heaven, where I will sit and wait for that day I come back and judge the world. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:45.100 I know where I come from and where I'm going. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.840 I know who I am, the great I am. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.600 I know why I came. 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.580 To seek and save the lost. 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:58.200 Jesus is responding like, I know who I am, you guys don't. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:02.120 It's another way of him saying, you're living in darkness. 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:11.520 He goes on to say to them, you judge according to the flesh. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:17.759 They're making a judgment about Jesus based upon their flesh. 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:20.319 It's a hallmark of the world. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:24.759 Let me read you this from 1 John 2. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:29.480 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:32.500 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.259 Remember, the world is being defined. 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:40.539 This is the same writer of the Gospel of John as sinful humanity and organized rebellion against God. 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:48.899 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:54.419 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:59.539 So what Jesus is saying is, hey, you judge according to the sinful desires. 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.959 You don't see me for who I am. 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:04.240 And then he says, I judge no one. 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:09.740 Better yet, better understood is, I judge no one according to the flesh. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.940 I see things as they are. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:24.399 And then he goes on to say, yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:28.159 So Jesus makes the claim, I am the light of the world. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:30.200 The Pharisees object. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.559 No, you can't say that. 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.299 It's not true. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:34.240 Jesus says, well, I am saying it. 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:36.460 And because I know who I am, it is true. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:40.440 And second of all, I do have a second witness. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:48.220 For it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:56.079 In your law, Deuteronomy 19.15, it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:58.720 I am the one who bears witness about myself. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:03.980 And the Father who sent me, who you don't know, bears witness about me. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:13.799 So what Jesus is saying here, hey, not only do I bear witness about myself and as my witness is true, my Father also bears witness. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:16.000 The one who sent me, he bears witness to me. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:18.019 And if you're wondering, well, how does he do that? 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:25.500 Romans 1.4 says, one of the greatest witnesses of the Father to the Son is raising him from the dead. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:30.079 By the way, there is a third witness. 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:34.039 Later, Jesus will speak of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:41.180 John 16, come, convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and he will glorify me. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.839 He will bear witness to me. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:48.240 The whole three persons of the Godhead bear witness to Jesus. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:50.819 But there's more. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:55.900 For those of us who've been radically changed by the grace of God, 00:18:56.579 --> 00:19:00.059 who the light of Christ has come and shined upon our hearts and given us new life, 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:02.620 we bear witness to Jesus too. 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:07.000 So this first objection is, who says? 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:14.339 Each member of the Trinity says that Jesus is the light of the world, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:17.460 and we say Jesus is the light of the world. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:22.339 Because he is central to God's plan for the fullness of time. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.859 Objection number two. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.880 Who's your daddy? 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.799 Look at verse 19. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:34.180 They said to him, therefore, where is your father? 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:38.039 And Jesus answered, you know neither me nor my father. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:41.380 If you knew me, you would know my father. 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:48.120 One commentator thinks that these Pharisees are actually baiting Jesus. 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.740 I believe it. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:56.980 Back in chapter 5, Jesus heals a guy on the Sabbath, which is a big no-no. 00:19:57.539 --> 00:20:00.380 And then he claims to be the son of God. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:07.839 And at that point, the Pharisees and the rulers of Jerusalem, 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:11.859 they wanted to kill him because they heard him making a claim of being God. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:15.319 And so here, they're just baiting him again. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.779 And where is your father? 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.319 Who's your daddy? 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:26.339 Now, the word father shows up in this passage multiple times. 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:33.099 But Jesus is going to come back to this father talk at the end of John 8. 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.419 We're going to hit it in two weeks. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:38.619 The title of the sermon right now is Paternity Test. 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:44.099 And so we're just going to put a pin on this right now and just say, 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:50.199 we're going to come back to this, this whole father talk of whose father is whose. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:53.399 But what Jesus is going to do later in chapter 8 is he's going to say, 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:59.339 my father is the God of all, but your father, Mr. and Mrs. 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:03.019 Mr. Pharisee, is the devil himself. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.740 Jesus is just brutal. 00:21:05.959 --> 00:21:07.639 He totally turns the table on them. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:12.480 But what we see going on here is that the objection is, 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.679 now where is your father? 00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:14.980 What is your pedigree? 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.919 Are you claiming to be God? 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:22.220 And Jesus answers, you don't know me, nor do you know God. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.480 If you knew me, you'd know God. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:29.199 One thing more before I move on to the next objection. 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:33.599 In John 1, 18, if you want to turn there, this is just beautiful. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:37.699 We read that no one has ever seen God. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.839 No one has ever seen the ancient of days. 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:42.399 No one has ever seen God the Father. 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:47.959 But the only God, the word become flesh, who dwelt among us, 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:53.159 who sits at the Father's side, he has made him known. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:58.299 And so when Jesus says, if you have known me, you would have known my father, 00:21:58.299 --> 00:22:00.940 what he's saying is, I am God. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.159 Just as my father is God. 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.700 Objection three. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:11.379 Jesus has said, I am the light of the world. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:15.940 Now we move to objection three in verses 21 through 24. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:23.259 Jesus says in 21, I'm going away and you will seek me and you will die in your sin. 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.380 Where I am going, you cannot come. 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:31.680 So Jesus has resumed a conversation with the Pharisees after making, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.020 responding to some objections earlier. 00:22:34.520 --> 00:22:36.520 They tried to arrest him in verse 20. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:40.400 But his time had not come because God is sovereign over all things. 00:22:41.020 --> 00:22:44.560 Christ is going to do what he needs to do when he has to do it. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:48.259 And so he says, I'm going away. 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.940 He knows where he came from. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.319 He knows where he is going. 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:56.279 He knows who he is and why he has come. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:04.279 And so what he's about to do is expose their darkness a little bit more. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:09.500 He knows he's going back to his father in heaven. 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:14.639 And he knows when he does, these Pharisees will seek him. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:18.599 But he says to them, where I am going, you cannot come. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:22.359 He's going to be in the very presence of God the Father. 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:24.099 Do you know who can go with him? 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:26.460 Are all those who believe in him. 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:31.379 For all of those who've experienced this crystal synthesis of the light of Christ 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:34.079 shining, met by faith and given new life, 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:37.119 those are the ones who will go with him. 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:41.019 But not these Pharisees because they don't believe. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.619 They're living in darkness. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:47.599 And that's why Jesus says to them, and you will die in your sin. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.240 And you will die in your sin. 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:58.639 Verse 22, the Pharisees don't seem to understand what Jesus is saying. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.059 Because they're in darkness. 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:09.500 They say, will he kill himself since he says, where I'm going, you cannot come? 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:23.480 Now, suicide was seen as something that was very shameful, self-murder, and unheard of. 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:32.380 And so for a Pharisee's mind, if you commit suicide, you are going to be left to die in your sins. 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:36.380 You would have to face God and all of God's wrath on your own. 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:44.400 So how do they, why are they thinking that Jesus is saying that he is going to commit suicide? 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.920 Here's what I think is going on. 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:54.960 One of the things that sin in us does is it distorts our view of ourselves. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:58.560 We don't see ourselves accurately. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:02.440 We don't see ourselves for the sinners we actually are. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:04.580 We think of ourselves more highly than we should. 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:15.619 And so these Pharisees could not fathom that they themselves would die in their sins. 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:21.740 So they assume Jesus is talking about himself. 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:26.659 They think he's talking about taking his own life. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:34.019 To die in your sins means that when you die, your sins are unforgiven. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:41.360 Which means you must face God's full wrath for all of your sins on your own. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:45.900 And so these Pharisees are thinking, surely, I'm not going to die in my sins. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.880 I'm a Pharisee. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:50.000 I obey God's law. 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:52.080 I never murdered anybody. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:56.939 I'm always at synagogue or the temple on Sabbath. 00:25:57.139 --> 00:26:00.980 I've eaten the right foods all of my life. 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:03.899 How could I die in my sins? 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:11.980 What this is is the classic condition of people who are self-deceived in the world. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:17.339 Our sin has a way of clouding our judgment. 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:22.299 We don't see ourselves as God sees us. 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:26.279 We want to see ourselves as we want to see us. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:33.500 And that will result in thinking that somehow what we have done is acceptable in God's sight. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:42.460 In verse 23, Jesus reminds them to kind of like snap them out of it. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.400 You are from below. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.480 I am from above. 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.839 You are of this world. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.220 I am not of this world. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.059 He reminds them of their origins. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.359 You're not from heaven. 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.279 I'm from heaven. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.359 You're from the earth. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.240 You're born in sin. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:02.559 And then he says, you're of the world. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:08.200 You're part of sinful humanity in organized rebellion against God. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:11.359 You are dead in your sins and part of the network. 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.319 I am not of this world. 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:17.299 I am the light of the world to light up the place. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:23.900 Jesus is being very clear here who he is. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.960 He's throwing them a lifeline. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.000 He's throwing them a lifeline. 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:33.460 Jesus is starting to insinuate that they're in terrible danger. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:40.059 That it's not Jesus who's going to die in their sins, but they're going to die in their sins. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.700 Look at verse 24. 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:46.039 I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:48.039 Now that's the second time he has said that to them. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:52.740 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.440 Now the third time he's told them that. 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.440 You're going to die in your sins. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.460 You're going to die in your sins. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.839 You're going to die in your sins. 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.839 You're living in darkness. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.160 You're under God's wrath. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:07.539 And then in the midst of all that, there is this little gospel hope. 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:10.579 This little Jesus putting his foot in the door. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:16.880 And he says, unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:22.060 That sounds strange to your ears. 00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:25.420 Unless you believe that I am he. 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:32.240 The language underneath that is the Greek ego eimi. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.680 I am. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.559 I am. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:33.880 I am. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:38.200 And it's not connected to another statement. 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:41.480 I am the light of the world. 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.559 It's just I am. 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:46.480 Could he just be coming back and saying, hey, I've already said I am the light of the world. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:52.220 Unless you believe that I am he, the light of the world, you will die in your sins. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:54.620 Well, that is true. 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:58.000 But I think he's saying more than that. 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:03.239 I think he's claiming to be the I am. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:17.640 Unless you believe that I am the I am who alone has the light of salvation that can change you radically, you will die in your sins. 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.640 He's both. 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:26.440 He is the light of the world because he is the great I am incarnate. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.940 Is he going to kill himself? 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:36.500 That's the objection. 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:40.460 The real question is, who is going to die in their sins? 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:43.319 And Jesus is saying, it's not going to be me. 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:46.359 I'm from heaven. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:48.160 I'm not of the world. 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.700 I've come to be the light of the world. 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:58.819 Ironically, these Pharisees were actually on to something about Jesus' willingly dying. 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:03.220 But Jesus wasn't going to willingly take his own life. 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:05.000 Because he was in despair. 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:14.279 Jesus was going to willingly give his life as the light of the world in order to rescue sinners and give them new life. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:22.759 Are you afraid to look at yourself for the sinner you really are? 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:34.259 Are you afraid to kind of like descend into the dark caverns of your heart to see what that actually says of you? 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:49.920 Are you afraid that when you see yourself for who you truly are, that it's going to show that you have out-sinned God's ability to rescue you? 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:51.400 Are you afraid of that? 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:54.940 That's the very reason why Jesus came. 00:30:55.280 --> 00:30:59.220 You cannot out-sin his grace and mercy. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.600 He's a life giver. 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:06.420 He raises people from the dead. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:11.759 This objection. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:14.619 Is he going to kill himself? 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.980 It's actually the question. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:18.160 Who is going to die in their sins? 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:22.039 And apart from Christ, all of us will die in our sins. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:25.680 Which brings us to the fourth objection. 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:28.200 Jesus says, I'm the light of the world. 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:30.779 We've seen who says. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.799 We've seen who's your daddy. 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:35.080 Is he going to kill himself? 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.740 Now, objection number four. 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.460 We see it in verse 25. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.279 Who are you? 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:50.519 Who are you to say something crazy like that to me? 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:55.019 Have you ever had a conversation with someone you love about Jesus? 00:31:55.019 --> 00:32:01.059 Jesus, and you get to the issue of sin, and they're kind of like, who are you to say that to me? 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.400 You're in good company. 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:08.440 Jesus has just said, you're going to die in your sins. 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:11.920 Unless you believe in me, you're going to die in your sins. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.740 And they're like, who are you? 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.500 Could you imagine? 00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:21.799 Think of people who are not followers of Jesus in your life. 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.119 People that you love dearly. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.940 Think about this. 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:28.799 Could you imagine Jesus saying verse 24 to them? 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:31.740 Someone you love in your family. 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:35.639 Jesus says to them, I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:38.940 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.000 Could you imagine that? 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.019 Someone in your family. 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.639 Someone at your workplace. 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:47.039 Someone at the gym you go exercise at. 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.819 You're hanging out with other parents. 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:51.119 You're hanging out with other parents at your kid's soccer game. 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:53.619 And Jesus walks up and says to this parent next to you. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:57.839 He says to them, I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:33:01.319 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.759 That's gutsy. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.799 That's straight up. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:12.299 Now imagine Jesus saying those very words to you today. 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:18.119 Mike, I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:21.539 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.940 Can you imagine him saying that to you today? 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:28.180 What would you say in response? 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.420 Who are you? 00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:35.759 Who are you to tell me something like that? 00:33:35.820 --> 00:33:39.580 That is extremely narrow-minded, Mr. Sandals guy. 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:46.880 Jesus' response is in verses 25 and forward. 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:51.460 He begins by saying, who am I? 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:55.519 Just what I've been telling you from the beginning. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:59.279 I've been consistent in telling you who I am. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.240 Is your soul thirsty? 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.360 Come and drink. 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.240 Satisfy your soul. 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.019 Are you soul hungry? 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:11.220 I am the new and better manna. 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:11.820 Come eat. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.860 I'm the one who gives living water. 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.599 I'm the one who gives the new birth. 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:24.159 If you ask my relative, John the Baptist. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.839 I was born after John the Baptist. 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.519 But you know what John the Baptist said about me? 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:33.639 He who comes after me is greater than me because he was before me. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.719 He's been consistent all along. 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:41.899 Jesus is the word become flesh. 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.799 The glory of God on display. 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.899 Full of grace and truth. 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:48.659 Full of steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:54.219 He is the seen God making known the unseen God. 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:54.259 God. 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:58.159 I've been telling you all along who I am. 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:02.079 And in verse 26 he says, I've got more to say. 00:35:02.419 --> 00:35:03.299 Got more to judge. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:09.019 But he who sent me is true. 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:13.300 And I declare to the world what I have heard from him. 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:15.100 If you flip back to 7-7. 00:35:16.120 --> 00:35:19.320 Jesus said, the world cannot hate you. 00:35:21.080 --> 00:35:22.900 But it hates me. 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:27.180 Because I testify about it that its works are evil. 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:30.080 You're going to die in your sins. 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:36.460 And Jesus doesn't only stop. 00:35:36.759 --> 00:35:40.299 He doesn't stop at saying the evil of the world. 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:43.059 And that apart from him we're going to die in our sins. 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:44.779 He says, I am the savior of the world. 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:48.000 I am your light of life. 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:52.579 Come, receive the sunlight and live. 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:58.599 They didn't understand that he was speaking about his father. 00:35:58.599 --> 00:36:01.679 This goes back to this whole kind of father talk. 00:36:01.799 --> 00:36:04.279 Which we're going to hit at on a couple weeks from now. 00:36:05.319 --> 00:36:06.739 But in verse 28. 00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:10.400 Jesus continues to respond to this idea of who are you. 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.460 And he goes third person. 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:16.539 He says, when you have lifted up the son of man. 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.619 It's a title. 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:27.079 It's a title of a person who would appear before the ancient of days in Daniel chapter 7. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:35.259 And the ancient of days would give the son of man a kingdom of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:37.900 And this kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom. 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:41.359 This kingdom would never pass away. 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:43.839 This kingdom could not be destroyed. 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:45.099 It was indestructible. 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.559 It was unstoppable. 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:48.279 It was forever. 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:50.259 This is a way of talking. 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:52.219 Jesus is talking about himself as the Messiah. 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:52.960 The Christ. 00:36:53.279 --> 00:36:54.559 The king who has come. 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:57.519 And he says something really surprising. 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:05.019 He says, when you have lifted up the son of man. 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:08.779 He's not talking about being lifted up on a throne. 00:37:09.799 --> 00:37:12.139 He's talking about being lifted up on the cross. 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:16.159 It's the hour of his glory in the gospel of John. 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:22.159 And he's saying that when you lift me up on the cross, then you will know that I am he. 00:37:22.359 --> 00:37:22.879 Ego eimi. 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:25.539 That I am God incarnate. 00:37:26.859 --> 00:37:32.980 You see, one of the wonders of Christianity is that it's the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:37.380 That it's one of the greatest revelations of who Jesus is. 00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:39.179 God in the flesh. 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:41.519 Dying on behalf of sinners. 00:37:41.760 --> 00:37:44.240 So that sinners could be made alive. 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:46.159 It's Christosynthesis. 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:48.139 It's light shining. 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:51.300 And those who believe being brought to life. 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:51.960 And by the way. 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:54.219 It all happened on a tree. 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.619 The cross. 00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:59.219 This Christosynthesis. 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:06.539 And for those who believe, it radically changes you. 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:11.779 From being self-centered to being Christ-centered. 00:38:12.959 --> 00:38:17.819 This is all about God's plan of salvation for the fullness of time. 00:38:18.879 --> 00:38:19.899 Who are you? 00:38:21.859 --> 00:38:24.039 Son of man, the great I am incarnate. 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:25.000 Light of the world. 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:29.639 The one who's come to die in order to give sinners life. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:35.940 So here we have this big, brilliant, God-sized claim of Jesus. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:38.659 I am the light of the world. 00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:41.500 He is claiming to be our salvation. 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:44.079 Who says? 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.820 Who's your daddy? 00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:48.039 Is he going to kill himself? 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.000 Who are you? 00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:52.480 Who do you believe Jesus is? 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:56.219 Jesus has made it very clear who he is. 00:38:57.099 --> 00:39:07.900 He's the great incarnate I am sent by his father to be the light of the world and bring about eternal life. 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:17.300 If he didn't say that, if it's not true, don't waste your time with Jesus. 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.219 It's just that simple. 00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:24.980 But if he is who he claimed to be, how do you respond? 00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:27.919 Three ways. 00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:30.679 Believe. 00:39:32.439 --> 00:39:33.639 You take him at his word. 00:39:35.839 --> 00:39:38.179 You realize that he is the light of the world. 00:39:38.759 --> 00:39:44.619 That he is the light of the new creation dawning on the dark world that we live in. 00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:48.500 You take him at his word. 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:48.920 You believe. 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:51.420 Not only what he says about him, but about you. 00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:55.659 That you're not as good as you think you are. 00:39:57.279 --> 00:39:59.400 That you're worse than you think you are. 00:39:59.739 --> 00:40:02.500 That your sins bear witness against you. 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:05.319 That you deserve God's wrath forever. 00:40:05.320 --> 00:40:13.320 And that unless you believe that Jesus is God who died for you, you will die in your sins. 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:17.640 You got to take him at his word. 00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:24.019 You got to, if you're not a Christian and you're hearing this for the first time, you're like, yes, I want that. 00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:25.600 That makes complete sense. 00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:27.620 Here's what you do. 00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:32.480 You just say to Jesus, Jesus, I believe that you are the light of the world. 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:38.559 Would you give me the eternal life that only you can give and I will follow you. 00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:40.659 You pray that. 00:40:41.860 --> 00:40:43.179 So you believe. 00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:46.920 And the second piece is you follow. 00:40:48.280 --> 00:40:52.460 In this passage in H12, Jesus uses the words follow. 00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:53.599 Whoever follows me. 00:40:53.699 --> 00:40:55.019 Whoever believes in me. 00:40:55.019 --> 00:41:00.840 And that belief, it forms, takes the form of obedience. 00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:08.019 There's no such thing as a Christian who believes in Jesus but doesn't follow him. 00:41:08.219 --> 00:41:09.099 There's no such thing. 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:13.840 All Christians are those who believe in Jesus and follow him. 00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:15.940 Imperfectly, yes. 00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:19.719 But these are the people who have experienced this Christosynthesis. 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:27.859 This light of Christ that is transformative into eternal life and it changes the way that you live. 00:41:28.799 --> 00:41:34.919 The last piece, way to respond, is that we tell people. 00:41:36.179 --> 00:41:39.319 We tell people where to find life. 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:44.699 We tell people that Jesus is their only hope because he is. 00:41:44.699 --> 00:41:52.659 We tell people that their sins stand against them and that if they don't believe in Jesus, they're going to die in their sins. 00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:59.359 But boy, for those who believe, life eternal. 00:41:59.360 --> 00:42:12.320 Have you believed that Jesus is the light of salvation shining in your dark world? 00:42:14.240 --> 00:42:15.400 That he knows you? 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:18.720 That he came for you? 00:42:19.640 --> 00:42:21.480 That in love he died for you? 00:42:22.120 --> 00:42:22.820 Do you believe that? 00:42:25.260 --> 00:42:26.940 Then live your life for him. 00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:31.500 Walk in the light as he is in the light. 00:42:31.740 --> 00:42:34.619 Jesus said, I am the light of the world. 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:35.840 Let's pray. 00:42:35.940 --> 00:42:44.300 God, thank you, Lord Jesus, for reminding us that you are the light of the world. 00:42:45.720 --> 00:42:47.619 Light up our darkness, God. 00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:49.480 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:49.659 Amen.