WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church.

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 As we look forward to a new year,

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!

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 This morning, we're going to be looking at the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus.

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!

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 For the surpassing love of God in Christ.

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 There's also a challenge as Jesus disputes with his adversaries.

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 So let's go to the Lord for his help as we open up his word.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, as we open up your word,

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 give us eyes to see and ears to hear.

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 Open our eyes.

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 Open our eyes to see wondrous things in your word.

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 You show us your power.

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 For the sake of your kingdom and your great and mighty name.

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 Would we decrease and would Christ increase, we pray.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 As we enter into a new year,

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 I don't think I need to convince you that we live in a world

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 where it's become increasingly more difficult to become lost.

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 Thanks to that device in your pocket

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 and the exponential explosion of technology.

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 At our fingertips are vast amounts of information.

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 GPS,

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 generative AI like chat GPT.

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 It's been said that we all have a team of PhD-level experts right in your pocket.

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 It's become very difficult to become lost.

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 In the internet age, why then do we feel lost?

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 And some have turned to AI to cope with this feeling of loneliness

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 to find in a chatbot a listening ear.

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 For example, if you listen to Sam Altman, the CEO of chat GPT,

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 he will say that in just a few short years,

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 the most compassionate conversation that you can have will be with the chatbot.

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 But if you zoom out in this moment we're living in,

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 isn't there a promise being held out about the future?

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 A promise that you and I and all humanity will evolve into something greater

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 because of this brilliant technology.

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 A promise of security.

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 A promise of safety.

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 Amidst life's confusions.

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 When you have a problem,

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 you have something to shepherd you

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 through the ups and downs and the dark places in your life.

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 Humans will no longer be lost

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 if we have a benevolent, compassionate AI to guide you.

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 Well, of course, if you're like me,

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 you're probably skeptical of these claims.

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 AI is no true shepherd.

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 And as it turns out,

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 these technologies cannot be 100% reliable.

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 Why?

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 Because they rely on information that is quickly changing.

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 About you.

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 About the world.

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 It turns out that the output is only as good as the input.

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 If the input is all human knowledge,

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 then you get both truth and error.

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 You may find you're getting life advice

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 on ultimate questions from some random guy on Reddit.

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 AI is no true shepherd.

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 But what guide can you follow?

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 What or who can shepherd us in this new year infallibly?

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 When you're anxious,

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 where can you turn for refuge?

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 That is the subject of our chapter this morning.

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 And this passes as a chapter that provides comfort,

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 provides solace,

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 provides encouragement.

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 Because there is one who sees and knows all,

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 who can shepherd you with perfect skill and precision.

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 Let's read John chapter 10, verses 22 to 30 together.

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 And I encourage you to keep your Bible open

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 so you can follow along carefully

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 to see what God is saying to us.

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 And that can be found on page 843 of the Pew Bible.

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 Let's read God's Word.

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 At that time,

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 the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem.

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 It was winter,

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 and Jesus was walking in the temple

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 in the colonnade of Solomon.

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 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,

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 How long will you keep us in suspense?

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 If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.

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 Jesus answered them,

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 I told you,

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 and you do not believe.

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 The works that I do in my Father's name

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 bear witness about me.

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 But you do not believe

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 because you are not among my sheep.

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 My sheep hear my voice,

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 and I know them,

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 and they follow me.

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 I give them eternal life,

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 and they will never perish,

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 and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

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 My Father who has given them to me

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 is greater than all,

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 and no one is able to snatch them

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 out of the Father's hand.

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 I and the Father are one.

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 What must the good shepherd do?

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 To what end is he unwaveringly committed?

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 The good shepherd is unwaveringly committed

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 to caring and protecting the sheep.

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 That is the main idea.

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 The good shepherd is unwaveringly committed

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 to caring and protecting his sheep.

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 Let's look at context to situate us

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 in this chapter.

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 In John 9,

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 you'll find Jesus

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 heals a man born blind.

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 The disciples asked Jesus,

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 who sinned,

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 this man

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 or his parents?

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 Neither, Jesus says.

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 Not because of his sin

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 or his parents' sin,

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 but that the works of God

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 might be displayed in him.

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 This man was a recipient

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 of free grace.

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 He did nothing to earn

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 gaining his sight.

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 He simply received it.

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 The religious leaders, though,

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 they don't like it.

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 They interrogate the man.

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 The man says,

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 look, I don't know much,

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 but one thing I do know

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 that though I was blind,

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 now I see.

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 And in this upside-down,

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 inside-out world,

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 the story ends in verse 38

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 in chapter 9.

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 The man born blind,

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 he sees.

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 And the leaders,

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 the Pharisees,

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 who think they see,

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 are blind.

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 Jesus pronounces judgment

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 over these leaders.

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 And in chapter 10,

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 Jesus begins to draw

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 a sharp contrast.

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 Jesus says,

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 I am the good shepherd.

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 He says,

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 these men

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 are no true shepherds.

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 At best,

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 they're hired hands

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 who run away

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 when the wolf comes.

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 At worst,

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 they are thieves and robbers.

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 Again,

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 the leaders don't like this.

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 So as we come to our passage

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 this morning,

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 it's important to see

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 that the hostility

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 is growing

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 with each chapter

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 between Jesus

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 and those who would

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 seek to kill him.

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 Now some structure.

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 We're going to look at these

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 verses in three parts.

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 A hostile interrogation.

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 Point number two

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 will be a profound response.

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 And then point number three

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 will be a divine love.

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 A hostile interrogation,

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 a profound response,

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 and then a divine love.

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 And verse 22

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 sets the stage.

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 You'll see Jesus

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 had been in Jerusalem

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 for some time now.

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 It's winter.

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 It's December

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 and it's cold outside.

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 And it says he's walking

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 near the colony,

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 the colony,

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 probably with his disciples.

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 And the colony of Solomon

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 was this public space

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 and it acted as a public forum

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 for teaching.

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 We find Jesus walking

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 during the Feast

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 of Dedication.

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 What you and I

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 would know as Hanukkah.

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 Hanukkah recalled

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 about 200 years earlier

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 a Jewish revolt

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 against the Greeks

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 after the Greeks

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 desecrated

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 and defiled the temple.

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 Antiochus,

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 a Greek king,

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 unleashed a reign

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 of terror.

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 He placed an altar

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 of Zeus

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 in the Holy of Holies

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 and began executing

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 and crucifying Jews,

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 many forced

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 into slavery.

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 In this pressure cooker,

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 the Jewish people

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 revolted

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 and gained their freedom

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 from foreign domination.

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 And so

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 Hanukkah celebrates

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 Israel's liberation,

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 restoring the temple,

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 and rededicating

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 the altar.

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 So as Jesus is walking,

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 there's a kind of

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 national pride

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 in the air.

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 Then we get to

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 verse 24.

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 These religious leaders,

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 the Jews,

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 suddenly surround him.

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 That's what the word

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 gathered around

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 in verse 24 means.

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 They are surrounding him

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 and closing in on him,

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 preventing his escape.

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 Then they make a demand.

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 How long will you

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 keep us in suspense?

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 If you are the Christ,

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 tell us plainly.

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 They are demanding

00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.279
 that Jesus reveal

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 his identity.

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 Now, if you're here

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 and you're asking questions

00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:10.419
 about who Jesus is,

00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.379
 you should do that.

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 That is one of the most

00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.740
 important questions

00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.980
 you can ask in this life.

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 Who is this Jesus?

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 And you know,

00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.539
 it's a normal experience

00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:24.059
 to doubt

00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.279
 when you're wrestling

00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:27.120
 with competing truth claims.

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 The book of Jude says,

00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.080
 have mercy on those

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 who doubt.

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 Jesus showed mercy

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 to Jude who himself

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 doubted his own

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 brother's claims.

00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:40.560
 However,

00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.040
 there could be

00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:42.759
 a different kind

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.120
 of doubt

00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:44.899
 where the person

00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.660
 does not have

00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:46.480
 sincere intentions.

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 Have you ever had

00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:50.040
 a conversation like that?

00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:51.940
 Whatever you say

00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.560
 won't be enough.

00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:53.920
 They're just looking

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 for more reasons

00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:56.379
 than to not believe.

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 That's what's happening

00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.420
 here.

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 So the question asked

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 in verse 24

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 is not sincere

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 nor is it humble.

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 This is a hostile

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:08.699
 legal interrogation.

00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:10.299
 You see,

00:12:10.339 --> 00:12:10.759
 they were looking

00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.959
 for a clear confession

00:12:11.959 --> 00:12:13.240
 in order to use

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:13.819
 as evidence

00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:15.459
 to obtain a legal conviction.

00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.500
 And once they had

00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.059
 their evidence,

00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.919
 they could bring it

00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.679
 to the Roman governor

00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:23.419
 so they could hang Jesus

00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:24.559
 on charges of treason

00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.179
 and sedition.

00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.139
 And you can see

00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:27.979
 their hostile purpose

00:12:27.979 --> 00:12:28.679
 in verse 31.

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:30.199
 They brought stones

00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:30.679
 with them.

00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:32.699
 Evidently,

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.399
 Jesus' response

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:33.860
 wasn't what they

00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:34.500
 were looking for.

00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.279
 And they were prepared

00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.379
 to let those stones fly

00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.459
 to kill him.

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.939
 In this interrogation,

00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:43.539
 the question,

00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:44.740
 it's loaded.

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 It's leading.

00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.639
 It's like the old

00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.639
 adversarial question

00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.500
 in an interrogation

00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.519
 against the unsuspecting

00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.079
 where someone says,

00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:52.860
 tell me,

00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:54.519
 have you stopped

00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.279
 lying to your wife?

00:12:56.459 --> 00:12:57.720
 Yes, I've stopped lying.

00:12:58.079 --> 00:12:58.919
 No, I haven't.

00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.079
 There's really no good way

00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:02.159
 to answer that question

00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:03.259
 without appearing evasive.

00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:05.620
 And this question

00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.799
 is leading and loaded.

00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.340
 Now, why isn't this

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.419
 just a straightforward answer?

00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:10.220
 Why can't Jesus say,

00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.539
 yes, I'm the Christ?

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.059
 Well, what makes

00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.279
 this question complicated

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.720
 to answer

00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.100
 is the confusion

00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:19.620
 of the kind of Messiah

00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.819
 that Jesus would come to be.

00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.699
 You see,

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.980
 there were competing definitions

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.919
 of what it meant

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.879
 to be the Christ.

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:29.759
 to say he was the Christ

00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.939
 would have publicly

00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:31.820
 been understood

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.379
 to be a political

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.980
 and military leader

00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.879
 who would act

00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.600
 as a liberator

00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:39.679
 from Israel's oppressor,

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.519
 the Romans,

00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.899
 kick them out

00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.860
 once for all,

00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:43.600
 just like we did

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.059
 the Greeks.

00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:47.320
 So Jesus knows

00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:48.539
 that a simple yes answer

00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.480
 would have been misunderstood

00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.860
 and it would have been used

00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.000
 as evidence against him.

00:13:53.420 --> 00:13:55.019
 He is prepared to die,

00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.680
 but not yet.

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.980
 His hour had not yet come

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.240
 as we come to John 10.

00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:01.180
 So they surround him

00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:02.639
 and they put him

00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.240
 in a dilemma.

00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.320
 And Jesus will be very careful

00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.240
 in how he responds

00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.180
 to this question.

00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:10.359
 Before we look

00:14:10.359 --> 00:14:11.699
 at his profound response,

00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.039
 let's notice

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.899
 the absurdity

00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.939
 of the question itself.

00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:16.399
 How long

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.219
 will you keep us

00:14:17.219 --> 00:14:17.939
 in suspense?

00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.879
 Do you see the irony

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.459
 in that question?

00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.739
 Jesus' track record

00:14:25.739 --> 00:14:26.479
 up to this point

00:14:26.479 --> 00:14:27.339
 about his identity,

00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:28.959
 let's just say

00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:29.559
 it's been solid.

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.379
 But who are they

00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.419
 pointing the finger at

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.179
 for their unbelief?

00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.839
 How long

00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:36.299
 will you keep us

00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:36.779
 in suspense?

00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:38.759
 Well, it's his fault.

00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.500
 He's the cause.

00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.740
 Jesus, stop with the suspense.

00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:44.139
 Stop with your games.

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.539
 What you've said

00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.360
 is not enough.

00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.059
 Friend, they can stare

00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.559
 at the Messiah

00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.299
 in the face

00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.500
 and accuse him

00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:54.459
 of duplicity.

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.240
 Do you see

00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.339
 their spiritual blindness?

00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:03.120
 It was about 20 years ago

00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:05.679
 when a man dressed up

00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.579
 in a baseball cap

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.139
 in jeans

00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.500
 walked onto the D.C.

00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.340
 metro during rush hour

00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:12.360
 to play the violin.

00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:14.960
 And people thought

00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.520
 this man was

00:15:15.520 --> 00:15:16.860
 a no-name fiddler

00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:18.620
 and so they ignored him

00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.420
 and some belittled him.

00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:22.220
 He was another nuisance

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.379
 interrupting their commute.

00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:26.280
 But as it turns out,

00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.139
 this man was

00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:29.340
 a world-renowned violinist,

00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:30.540
 Joshua Bell.

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.860
 And that morning,

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.179
 Bell played six

00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.159
 of the most intricate

00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.819
 pieces of musical compositions

00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:37.699
 that the world

00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.199
 has ever known.

00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.139
 And he played

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:40.860
 on a violin

00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.019
 worth more than

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:45.099
 3.5 million dollars.

00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.240
 It was an experiment

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.299
 by the Washington Post

00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:50.399
 and it proved its point.

00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:52.079
 The average person

00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:53.439
 is blind to true greatness

00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:54.939
 when it's right there

00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:55.679
 in their midst.

00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:58.659
 friend,

00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.319
 do you recognize

00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.239
 the greatness of Jesus?

00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.219
 Seeing him

00:16:02.219 --> 00:16:03.919
 as supremely valuable.

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.239
 You might be here

00:16:07.239 --> 00:16:08.879
 and you say to yourself,

00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:10.500
 I have a big degree.

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.960
 I'm going places.

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.159
 But if you don't know,

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.200
 if you don't recognize

00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.059
 who Jesus is,

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.820
 Jesus will say,

00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.700
 you too are blind.

00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:21.399
 And spiritual blindness

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.379
 is not like physical blindness.

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.100
 It's more dangerous.

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.759
 See, physically,

00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.220
 you know you're blind.

00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.279
 Spiritually,

00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.940
 we are blind

00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:34.200
 to our own blindness.

00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:36.759
 Friends,

00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.460
 do you know

00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.179
 your own heart?

00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.460
 I know mine,

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.320
 it is frightening.

00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.240
 In fact,

00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:43.899
 our blindness

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:45.000
 can even masquerade

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.779
 as wisdom,

00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.039
 as humility.

00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:49.279
 Friend,

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.960
 ask God

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.860
 to open your eyes

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.639
 to see the light

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.919
 of the glory of Christ,

00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.720
 who is the image

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.679
 of the invisible God.

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.139
 And sometimes

00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.860
 the point

00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.080
 in which you may be lacking

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.879
 is not understanding

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:04.519
 your need of Jesus.

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.339
 And Jesus

00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.420
 has a profound response

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.360
 to this interrogation.

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.080
 Point number two.

00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:11.580
 Look at verse 25.

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.120
 Jesus answered them,

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.500
 I told you

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:17.060
 and you do not believe.

00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.800
 The works that I do

00:17:18.800 --> 00:17:19.840
 in my Father's name

00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:21.140
 bear witness about me.

00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:22.800
 Now,

00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:24.060
 Jesus will not give them

00:17:24.060 --> 00:17:24.820
 what they want.

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.600
 This is a very calculating

00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.279
 and careful

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.720
 choice of words.

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.660
 He's been saying,

00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:31.820
 look,

00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.460
 I've been answering

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.560
 this question for months.

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.980
 where have you been?

00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.079
 But now,

00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:38.919
 up until this point,

00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.339
 to be fair,

00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.099
 Jesus has not

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.059
 come out publicly

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.319
 and said that

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.220
 he is the Christ

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.179
 in those words.

00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:47.039
 He has said it privately.

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.480
 Remember the woman

00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.000
 of Samaria

00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.000
 in chapter four?

00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.179
 Remember she said,

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.519
 we know that the Christ

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:52.980
 is coming.

00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.799
 When he comes,

00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:54.919
 he will tell us

00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.519
 all things.

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.019
 Jesus said to her,

00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.500
 I who speak to you

00:17:59.500 --> 00:17:59.960
 am he.

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:02.819
 But that wasn't

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.620
 a public declaration.

00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.680
 But Jesus is telling

00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.579
 these leaders,

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.880
 I have said enough to you.

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.740
 Jesus is saying,

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:09.920
 look,

00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.779
 I told you,

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.460
 I told you I am the one

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.539
 who came from heaven.

00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.840
 I told you that

00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:16.940
 whoever believes in me

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.960
 has eternal life.

00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.140
 I told you that

00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:22.279
 you should honor me

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.420
 just as you honor

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.180
 the Father.

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.559
 I told you the Father

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.120
 has entrusted

00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.980
 all judgment

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.640
 to me,

00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.120
 the Son.

00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.680
 And I will be the one

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.540
 to judge humanity

00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:33.759
 on that final day.

00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:36.120
 And I told you

00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.420
 that I am Yahweh,

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:39.020
 the great I am.

00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:41.120
 I have claimed deity.

00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.960
 Jesus has said

00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.700
 more than enough

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.840
 in his teaching.

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.320
 But the evidence

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.460
 Jesus points to

00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.560
 mostly are his miracles.

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.300
 The works that I do

00:18:52.300 --> 00:18:53.240
 in my Father's name

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:55.120
 bear witness about me.

00:18:56.520 --> 00:18:57.360
 These miracles

00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.380
 speak for me,

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.920
 he says.

00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.560
 Now his miracles

00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.860
 are not just fireworks

00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:03.120
 designed to grab

00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:03.620
 the attention

00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:04.720
 of the crowds.

00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:06.220
 No,

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.880
 these miracles

00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.640
 were pictures,

00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.980
 they were signs.

00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.560
 And he's drawing

00:19:10.560 --> 00:19:11.480
 from the Old Testament

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.220
 to prove

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.380
 his identity.

00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.500
 He's healed

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.000
 the blind,

00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.440
 the sick,

00:19:16.540 --> 00:19:16.920
 the lame.

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.660
 He healed

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.520
 the paralytic man

00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:20.320
 who had been lame

00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.600
 for 38 years.

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.780
 Get up and walk.

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.859
 And he took up

00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.599
 his matting walk.

00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.180
 He fed the 5,000

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.019
 with a few loaves

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.579
 of bread.

00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.099
 He said,

00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.220
 I am the bread

00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.720
 of life

00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.680
 that's come from heaven.

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.259
 He turned water

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.160
 into wine.

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.039
 All these miracles

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:39.399
 revealed his identity.

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:43.400
 So the problem

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.140
 isn't that Jesus

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.620
 has not been clear.

00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.200
 The problem is

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.080
 they failed to believe

00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.280
 in his clear evidence.

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:51.160
 Their eyes were tight,

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:51.759
 shut,

00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.400
 and they refused

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.040
 to open them.

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.120
 Well, friends,

00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.019
 how much more now?

00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.900
 God hasn't just done

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:59.080
 a dozen or so miracles.

00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:00.240
 God has done

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.940
 a billion things.

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.480
 Isn't every Christian

00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.839
 with a transformed life,

00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.339
 a walking miracle?

00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.539
 Church family,

00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.440
 what about our life

00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:11.900
 corporately?

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.539
 Do the works

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.000
 that we do

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.940
 in the Father's name

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.599
 bear witness

00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.220
 to the world

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.860
 about Jesus?

00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.440
 In this new year,

00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.799
 what should our strategy

00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.160
 be to witness

00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.680
 to the world

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.319
 of his power?

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.279
 Marketing campaigns?

00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.599
 Social media outreach?

00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.380
 Outstanding music?

00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.059
 Great potlucks?

00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.079
 And we do have

00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.799
 some great potlucks,

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.460
 so thank you.

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:34.759
 Thank you,

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.460
 hospitality team.

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.680
 No, none of these things.

00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.640
 Isn't it our unity

00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.460
 and our love

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.039
 for each other?

00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.880
 Doesn't that bear witness

00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:43.480
 to the world?

00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.799
 Jesus prayed as much

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.860
 in his high priestly prayer

00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.440
 before he went

00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.019
 to be crucified.

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.240
 Praying to his Father,

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.759
 he asked,

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.759
 that they all may be one,

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.660
 just as you, Father,

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.099
 are in me

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.779
 and I am in you,

00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.740
 that they also may be in us,

00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.120
 in order that,

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.480
 for this very reason,

00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.240
 the world may believe

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.039
 that you sent me.

00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.420
 Whoa, that's real power

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.099
 right there.

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.039
 God the Holy Spirit

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.279
 is so powerful

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.339
 that he can bind us together

00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.039
 in the gospel.

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.819
 That's powerful.

00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.000
 Oh, brothers and sisters,

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.519
 we have so much more

00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.319
 in common than that

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.659
 which divides us.

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:22.080
 And beloved,

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.980
 aren't you bearing fruit

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.660
 in this area?

00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:27.480
 This love and unity

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.240
 amongst you

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.120
 is a witness

00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.060
 to God's power

00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:30.980
 at work in you.

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.220
 Isn't that evidence

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.120
 of God's grace

00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.980
 in our life as a church?

00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:37.840
 We're not united

00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:39.220
 by shared sports teams,

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.160
 ethnicity,

00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.340
 education levels,

00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.440
 income brackets.

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.519
 There is one thing, though.

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.519
 We want to build our life

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.980
 on Jesus and his word.

00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.079
 We can say with Paul

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.539
 to the church

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.240
 at Thessalonica

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.059
 that your faith, beloved,

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.160
 is being reported

00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.359
 throughout the whole world.

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.359
 That is no exaggeration

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.339
 in a church like this.

00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.139
 Now, many of you

00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:01.839
 knew the butlers.

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:04.720
 Many of you walked with them

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.859
 after their daughter

00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.859
 Evangeline's death.

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:09.459
 And God recently called

00:22:09.459 --> 00:22:10.399
 Landon to be a pastor

00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.000
 in Stanford.

00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.639
 And they recently wrote

00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.519
 a note to you

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.099
 thanking you, church,

00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:16.279
 for your love for them.

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.059
 I'm going to read

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.619
 a part of it.

00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:18.759
 They write,

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.399
 Thank you, church family.

00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.679
 Thank you, Trinity,

00:22:21.979 --> 00:22:23.079
 for being our shelter,

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.339
 home,

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.679
 and family

00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.699
 for almost three years.

00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.479
 While God has brought us

00:22:29.479 --> 00:22:30.279
 to a new community

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.839
 in Stanford,

00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.799
 we will forever hold you

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.479
 in our hearts

00:22:33.479 --> 00:22:35.719
 as one of the most generous

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:37.740
 compassionate

00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.960
 and upstanding churches

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.759
 we have ever known.

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.579
 If God's commandment

00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.059
 to the church

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.460
 is to love one another,

00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.120
 church,

00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.819
 you have nothing

00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.140
 to bless you about.

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.360
 The end with,

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.400
 we love you very much.

00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:52.799
 Oh, friends,

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.500
 continue to abound

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.740
 in this area.

00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:58.079
 Abound more in love

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.180
 for one another.

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.440
 Let's give the world

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.279
 something to see

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.140
 that bears witness

00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:04.200
 to our Father in heaven.

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:06.299
 And students and workers,

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.539
 go into the office

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.120
 this week,

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.440
 into your classrooms,

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.420
 and display

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.519
 who you belong to.

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:14.039
 Do honest work.

00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.900
 Don't ask ChatGPT

00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.720
 to write your essays.

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.900
 Do honest work

00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:19.200
 and work hard.

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.740
 Don't fudge the numbers

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.140
 in the lab

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.240
 because of your insecurity.

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.920
 Let your work

00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.720
 give glory

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.480
 to your Father

00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.340
 in heaven.

00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.620
 But despite these works,

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.400
 there will be those

00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.340
 who still reject

00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.580
 our Lord Jesus.

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.519
 Why?

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.240
 Well, here is probably

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.500
 the most profound part

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.120
 of his answer.

00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.780
 Right in the face

00:23:39.780 --> 00:23:40.460
 of his accusers,

00:23:40.540 --> 00:23:41.460
 he says this to them.

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:43.080
 You do not believe

00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.060
 because you are not

00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:45.120
 among my sheep.

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.920
 Wow.

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.240
 We might ask,

00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:51.480
 what's cause and effect here?

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.800
 Jesus is saying,

00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.980
 before ever believing,

00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:57.140
 you must be among my sheep.

00:23:58.180 --> 00:24:01.000
 Being comes before believing.

00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:03.580
 They ask Jesus

00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.519
 to speak plainly,

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.560
 and so here it is.

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.160
 This is what they were

00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.660
 looking for.

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.700
 Not only are they

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.740
 not true shepherds,

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.740
 Jesus is saying,

00:24:10.800 --> 00:24:11.180
 you're not even

00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.840
 among my sheep.

00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:14.920
 Friend,

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.540
 this is a humbling truth

00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:18.800
 because whose hands

00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.720
 does Jesus put

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.980
 the scepter of your fate?

00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.440
 Who is the captain

00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.440
 of your soul?

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.560
 Who is the master

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.840
 of your destiny?

00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.580
 Jesus did not hesitate,

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.519
 nor do we to say

00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.139
 the scepter

00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.879
 is in God's hands alone.

00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:36.139
 And hasn't Jesus

00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.179
 already testified

00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:39.000
 of his gracious choice

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.619
 to his disciples?

00:24:40.439 --> 00:24:41.059
 He says,

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.079
 you didn't choose me,

00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.139
 but I chose you.

00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:45.500
 Not that we love God,

00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.759
 but that he loved us.

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:49.059
 He's appointed some

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.279
 to eternal life.

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.259
 Now this raises

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.960
 some questions.

00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.439
 My shockingly brief answer?

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.840
 Well, go listen

00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.940
 to the seven-week

00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.480
 Sunday school

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.140
 that John Hinkson

00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.600
 just taught

00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.539
 on the doctrines of grace.

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:02.700
 If you still have

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.420
 questions about it,

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.299
 come email the elders.

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.180
 We're happy to talk

00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.920
 to you more about it.

00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.000
 Point number two

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.799
 is a profound reply.

00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.960
 Point number three

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.900
 is a divine love.

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.700
 These next verses

00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:17.120
 hold infinite sources

00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.880
 of encouragement.

00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.620
 The shepherd

00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:21.140
 is unwaveringly committed

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.799
 to caring

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.920
 and preserving his sheep.

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:26.360
 Isn't verse 27

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.360
 maybe the best definition

00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.500
 of what a Christian is?

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.160
 Unlike these rulers,

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.460
 Jesus says,

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.980
 my sheep hear my voice.

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.019
 I know them.

00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.860
 They follow me.

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.320
 Isn't that the story

00:25:40.320 --> 00:25:41.240
 of every Christian?

00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.480
 We hear Jesus' words.

00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:44.980
 We recognize him.

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.160
 We follow him.

00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.259
 If you are in Christ,

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.580
 this is your story.

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.240
 You heard his voice.

00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:55.120
 You heard that you were

00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:56.580
 in a calamitous condition

00:25:56.580 --> 00:25:57.740
 from the day you were born.

00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.960
 You heard that

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.100
 your biggest problem

00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:03.000
 is that God is good

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.460
 and holy.

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.259
 That's a problem.

00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.320
 Because God created

00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:09.779
 us in his image

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.779
 to love him

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.740
 above all else

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:13.740
 and to love each other.

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.560
 And God is good

00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.900
 unimaginably so.

00:26:17.800 --> 00:26:18.700
 His ways

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.360
 unflinchingly righteous.

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:22.339
 Because of that,

00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:24.419
 God must punish sin.

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.479
 We are naturally rebels

00:26:29.479 --> 00:26:30.579
 against God.

00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.839
 Dead,

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.899
 inclined only

00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:34.039
 toward evil.

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.659
 Unable to lift a finger

00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:36.479
 to save ourselves.

00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.919
 Our problem,

00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:38.579
 ultimately,

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.219
 is not merely

00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:40.939
 that we are bent

00:26:40.939 --> 00:26:42.259
 against God,

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.639
 but we have a blindness.

00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:46.659
 Blind to God's beauty,

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.720
 we stood under

00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.259
 God's condemnation.

00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.200
 Our beloved,

00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:52.000
 but then you heard

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.380
 that God Almighty

00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.360
 loved you

00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.620
 with an everlasting love.

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.340
 And the great lengths

00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:57.880
 he went

00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.700
 to demonstrate

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.380
 this love

00:26:59.380 --> 00:26:59.980
 to you.

00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.900
 Because in God's

00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:02.680
 amazing love,

00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.380
 the Father

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.800
 would send his Son,

00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:07.420
 fully God

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.140
 and fully man,

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.640
 and the good shepherd

00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.340
 to rescue

00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.860
 his lost sheep.

00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.819
 And the shepherd

00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.419
 would die

00:27:14.419 --> 00:27:15.199
 so that his sheep

00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:16.000
 could live.

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.139
 Jesus bore

00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:18.879
 the wrath

00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:20.379
 that we deserved.

00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:22.819
 Hell was put

00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.519
 into his cup,

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:25.099
 and he drank

00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.799
 the cup down

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.719
 to its dregs,

00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:28.500
 so that our cup

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.179
 would overflow

00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:30.339
 with grace

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.419
 and love

00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.299
 and mercy.

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.299
 And this good shepherd

00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.740
 lays down his life

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.799
 for his sheep.

00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.659
 On the third day,

00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.879
 he rose again,

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.099
 and he commands

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.919
 everyone,

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.879
 everywhere

00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:44.159
 to turn from sin

00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:45.319
 and trust in him

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.119
 alone.

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.539
 Friend,

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.059
 if you're here

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.719
 and you're not a Christian,

00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.219
 do you hear the shepherd's

00:27:51.219 --> 00:27:52.179
 voice calling you?

00:27:54.459 --> 00:27:55.019
 If you knew

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.759
 the heart of the shepherd,

00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.679
 you would come to him.

00:27:58.699 --> 00:27:59.199
 Brothers and sisters,

00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.639
 you heard this message,

00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:02.019
 and you listened.

00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.919
 His sheep

00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:04.599
 listen to his voice.

00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.099
 The shepherd speaks,

00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:07.559
 the sheep listen.

00:28:08.459 --> 00:28:10.099
 This is a speaking God.

00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.519
 And he calls you

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.539
 by name.

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.119
 In the first century,

00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:15.819
 that's what would happen.

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.539
 The sheep would hear

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.219
 the shepherds

00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:19.279
 calling them

00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.139
 by name,

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.959
 and the sheep

00:28:20.959 --> 00:28:21.679
 would run

00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.379
 to the shepherd.

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.939
 The Savior calls us,

00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.779
 and we come.

00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.859
 All Christians

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.719
 have this moment.

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:31.319
 We hear the sweet voice

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.859
 of the shepherd

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:33.039
 calling our name,

00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:34.799
 willing us

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.719
 to come to him,

00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.939
 laying our burdens

00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:38.240
 down upon him.

00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.199
 He says,

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.880
 come to me,

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.960
 all who are weary,

00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.740
 and I will give you rest.

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.360
 We come to him,

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.980
 and we lay our burdens down,

00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:47.400
 and we find rest

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.259
 for our souls.

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.059
 Jesus says,

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.420
 I am the water,

00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.299
 the living water.

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.340
 Come and drink

00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.160
 of this well.

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.080
 And we come and drink,

00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:57.059
 and we are satisfied.

00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.480
 Oh, you heard

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.360
 the shepherd's voice,

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.299
 and you listened.

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:05.200
 But notice the description

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:07.039
 here given to the people

00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.099
 whom he loves,

00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.619
 these sheep.

00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.099
 First,

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.200
 he claims us

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:14.480
 as his unique possession.

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.940
 These are my sheep,

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.819
 he says.

00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.500
 He claims them

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.440
 as his own.

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.259
 Jesus plucked

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.639
 his enemies

00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:23.720
 out of a burning building

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.899
 headed for destruction.

00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.119
 She is mine.

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.799
 He is mine.

00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.180
 They are mine.

00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.039
 They are my sheep.

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:32.399
 You know,

00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.599
 the t-shirt that says,

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.680
 Jesus loves you.

00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.659
 But then again,

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.700
 Jesus loves everybody.

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.039
 That might be

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.819
 how we think about

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.619
 God's love for us,

00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:43.839
 right?

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.559
 As Christians,

00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.079
 God loves me,

00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.720
 but then again,

00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.759
 that's kind of his job.

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.920
 God loves the world,

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.859
 I'm part of the world,

00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.240
 so I guess God loves me too.

00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.259
 Doesn't he love everyone?

00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.460
 Nothing special

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.319
 about that.

00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.220
 No, friend.

00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.920
 These sheep

00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:02.500
 claim a special place

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.860
 in the Savior's heart.

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.339
 This is about a husband

00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.059
 who seeks

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.120
 his beloved bride,

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.339
 who's wandered

00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.339
 far away

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.279
 into the far country.

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.500
 He finds her

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.940
 deep in sin,

00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.339
 a prisoner

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.600
 of this world.

00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.460
 It is not only

00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.180
 that he has secured

00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.819
 the opportunity

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.700
 for her release,

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.380
 opening the cell door,

00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:25.819
 no,

00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.620
 but because of God's

00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.960
 amazing love for her,

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:29.160
 he reaches

00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:31.460
 his almighty hand

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.279
 into the prison cell

00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.799
 and by grace

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.000
 grabs her out

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:36.620
 into his everlasting arms.

00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.940
 That love

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.120
 actually exists

00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:41.039
 for you,

00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:41.759
 Christian.

00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.660
 Christian,

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.680
 God loved you

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:45.840
 with an everlasting love.

00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.259
 This love

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.120
 stretches back

00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:50.539
 in eternity past.

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:52.899
 it had no beginning,

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.759
 it will have no end.

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.859
 Paul can write,

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.619
 before the stars

00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.440
 were created,

00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.980
 before the planets

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.159
 orbited the sun,

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:05.599
 in the mind of God,

00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.639
 he delighted

00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.379
 and loved you.

00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.159
 Ephesians 1,

00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.519
 in love he predestined

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.200
 us for adoption

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.700
 as sons.

00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.299
 In eternity past,

00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.000
 his heart was

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:18.299
 wedded to his bride.

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:20.619
 And God

00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:21.960
 distinguished her,

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.700
 set her apart.

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.079
 In the fullness

00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.740
 of time,

00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:26.119
 God came

00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:27.159
 and gave himself up

00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.539
 for this beloved bride.

00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.399
 What does he give

00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.639
 to this bride

00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.259
 of his?

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.279
 Jesus says,

00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.259
 I give them

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.579
 eternal life

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.519
 in verse 28.

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.579
 I came to give them

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.039
 life

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.919
 and life to the full.

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.579
 And that life

00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:46.119
 is eternal life.

00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.199
 life.

00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:48.959
 It's the life

00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:49.359
 of heaven.

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.919
 It's the life

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.819
 of God himself.

00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:54.559
 In verse 28,

00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.179
 his emphasis

00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:57.379
 is not on the quality,

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.699
 but it's security.

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.219
 You know,

00:32:01.219 --> 00:32:01.779
 at this point,

00:32:02.699 --> 00:32:04.000
 it's as if Jesus

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.879
 invites all

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.439
 who can say,

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.159
 the Lord is

00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:07.119
 my shepherd.

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.000
 He invites us

00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.659
 to step onto

00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.219
 a balcony

00:32:10.219 --> 00:32:11.799
 and to look

00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.579
 into the distance.

00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:14.980
 and you begin

00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.720
 to see these

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:17.539
 vastly lush

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.419
 green hills,

00:32:19.379 --> 00:32:21.919
 the rustling grass,

00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:24.039
 the sunshine

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.220
 of God's grace

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.839
 shining on your face.

00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.740
 You can almost

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.619
 hear the trickling

00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.799
 waters.

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.079
 The shepherd says,

00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:33.599
 you,

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.299
 my beloved,

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.779
 you can rest here

00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.899
 and you can rest

00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:38.759
 securely.

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.500
 I am your shepherd

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.680
 and I will

00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.680
 protect you.

00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.640
 You will dwell

00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.200
 in the house

00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.700
 of the Lord

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.460
 forever.

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.140
 These are fresh

00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:50.039
 and clear rivers

00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.299
 for weary sheep

00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.119
 to drink

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:53.579
 and be satisfied.

00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.379
 He not only

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.180
 claims us,

00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.099
 he also intimately

00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.619
 cares for us.

00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.480
 Brother and sister,

00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:02.980
 how do you think

00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.079
 God feels about you?

00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:07.039
 Do you doubt

00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.679
 Christ's love

00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:08.059
 for you?

00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.919
 Does he merely

00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:11.000
 tolerate you

00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.819
 as he holds

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.359
 his nose?

00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.619
 No, no.

00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.399
 Christ's

00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.539
 marvelously says,

00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.439
 I know them.

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.199
 I know my sheep.

00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:21.059
 That is

00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.819
 covenantal

00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.659
 language,

00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.639
 rich with intimacy.

00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.119
 Christ knows us

00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:28.299
 with a special

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.839
 affection

00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.839
 and interest.

00:33:31.439 --> 00:33:31.859
 Christian,

00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.599
 you are the

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.339
 apple of his eye

00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.059
 by sheer

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:35.779
 unmerited grace.

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.799
 The way a husband

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:39.579
 knows his bride.

00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.759
 God is faithful

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.519
 to his people

00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.679
 because he delights

00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.000
 in them.

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.279
 About a month ago,

00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.579
 I was at a

00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.480
 trampoline park

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:51.079
 with my kids.

00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.179
 And for those of you

00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:53.639
 who haven't been

00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.799
 to a place like that,

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.659
 it's a cacophony

00:33:56.659 --> 00:33:57.159
 of noises.

00:33:57.939 --> 00:33:58.539
 It's loud.

00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.039
 There's hundreds

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.559
 of kids.

00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.879
 It's crowded.

00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.700
 It's chaotic.

00:34:03.300 --> 00:34:04.240
 The kids are yelling

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.100
 and screaming.

00:34:05.300 --> 00:34:05.920
 They're running

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.620
 into each other,

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.780
 jumping up and down.

00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:08.860
 The music is blasting.

00:34:10.160 --> 00:34:10.980
 And when I was there,

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:12.440
 I faintly heard

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:14.039
 a child cry.

00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:16.500
 And I merely knew,

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:18.099
 that's my child.

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:20.860
 I know my child.

00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.500
 I know them

00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:24.179
 in a personal way.

00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.860
 They are not lost

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:27.339
 in the crowd.

00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.679
 Parents,

00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.400
 this is the difference

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.279
 between the love

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:32.159
 you have for all

00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.400
 the kids in the nursery.

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.799
 You love them.

00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:36.860
 You do good to them.

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.400
 But there's a difference,

00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:38.799
 isn't there,

00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:40.339
 between that

00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:40.900
 and your love

00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.779
 for your own kids.

00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.719
 You hear the cacophony

00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:44.219
 of crying,

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.639
 and then you recognize

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.579
 their cry in the crowd.

00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:46.659
 God.

00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.679
 You know,

00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.420
 we can think of God,

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.340
 maybe the way

00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.299
 we would as a president

00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:52.980
 claim,

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.699
 they love the citizens

00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.360
 of their country.

00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.599
 You know,

00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:58.159
 God bless all you citizens.

00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.679
 I love all of you.

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.079
 A sort of general love,

00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:01.599
 a goodwill

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.799
 for all.

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.400
 No,

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.179
 but the kingdom of heaven

00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.940
 is not like that.

00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.460
 It's not like that.

00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.539
 The kingdom of heaven

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.639
 is like a mother

00:35:09.639 --> 00:35:11.139
 who personally knows

00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:12.359
 each of her children.

00:35:13.319 --> 00:35:14.619
 She knows them by name.

00:35:16.359 --> 00:35:17.099
 And if a mother

00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:18.839
 has a sick and self-willed child,

00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.699
 is she going to just

00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:21.059
 cast a child into the street?

00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.659
 Of course not.

00:35:23.319 --> 00:35:24.699
 Not if that's her beloved child.

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:27.219
 Can the stream

00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:28.119
 of a mother's love

00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:29.139
 for her children

00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.159
 be fuller,

00:35:30.379 --> 00:35:30.919
 more wider,

00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.879
 more deep

00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:33.159
 than the fountain of mercy

00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:34.119
 in God's heart

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.699
 for his people?

00:35:35.419 --> 00:35:36.319
 It can never be.

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.179
 God's checking account

00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:38.699
 of mercy

00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:40.199
 is never overdrawn

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:41.719
 for his children.

00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:43.739
 All Christian,

00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:44.939
 God knows you.

00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.059
 He loves you

00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:48.019
 in a special way.

00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.259
 His love for you

00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:49.759
 is higher,

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.419
 deeper,

00:35:50.919 --> 00:35:51.239
 wider,

00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.339
 more infinite,

00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.900
 more incomprehensible.

00:35:55.640 --> 00:35:55.920
 So,

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.380
 brother and sister,

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.320
 you may be unknown,

00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.360
 overlooked at work,

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.519
 passed up for the promotion,

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.800
 but know that Christ

00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:04.720
 does not overlook you.

00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:06.820
 You are not lost

00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.960
 in the crowd.

00:36:09.600 --> 00:36:10.579
 Do you come here alone,

00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:12.480
 betrayed,

00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.380
 abandoned,

00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.820
 permanently stained

00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.800
 by guilt?

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:21.100
 God has a special compassion

00:36:21.100 --> 00:36:22.200
 and concern

00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:23.139
 for his sheep.

00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.579
 And there is no anxiety

00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.119
 that the shepherd

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.059
 cannot soothe.

00:36:28.879 --> 00:36:29.980
 Do not be anxious

00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:31.019
 for tomorrow

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.339
 or this next year

00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:33.039
 for you are worth

00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.899
 more than,

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.460
 you are worth

00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.559
 more than many spare-offs.

00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:38.279
 And God has loved you

00:36:38.279 --> 00:36:39.919
 with an everlasting love.

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.480
 You know,

00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:43.179
 leaders in the church,

00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.159
 is this not how

00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.139
 we ought to be shepherds?

00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:47.819
 To go out

00:36:47.819 --> 00:36:48.960
 and know the sheep

00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:50.619
 and to care for them?

00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:52.639
 Husbands,

00:36:53.279 --> 00:36:54.000
 let me ask,

00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.599
 are you modeling

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.440
 this kind of care

00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.119
 for your wife?

00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:58.679
 Do you ask her

00:36:58.679 --> 00:36:59.779
 how she's doing spiritually?

00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.420
 If you're single,

00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:03.299
 are you modeling

00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:03.880
 this care

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:05.019
 for other members

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.000
 of the church?

00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:07.239
 If you're preparing

00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.759
 for marriage,

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.079
 this is what it looks like

00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.599
 to be a faithful husband

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.659
 or wife,

00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.679
 to care,

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.679
 to know your bride,

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.339
 your husband.

00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:18.440
 Wives,

00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:18.900
 what are ways

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.340
 you can model

00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.400
 this kind of care

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:20.920
 for your husband?

00:37:22.120 --> 00:37:22.579
 You know,

00:37:22.600 --> 00:37:23.019
 if your spouse

00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:24.160
 is failing in this area,

00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:25.320
 which they surely will,

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.260
 look to the Good Shepherd.

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:29.480
 He models this care

00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.260
 perfectly.

00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:32.539
 See,

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.200
 he claims us,

00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:34.039
 he cares for us,

00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:35.059
 but marvelously,

00:37:35.059 --> 00:37:36.380
 he keeps us.

00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.840
 Look at the promise

00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.620
 in verse 28.

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:40.259
 I give them

00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:41.619
 eternal life

00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:43.859
 and they will never perish

00:37:43.859 --> 00:37:45.519
 and no one

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.779
 will snatch them

00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:47.759
 out of my hands.

00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.339
 Notice the certainty,

00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:52.000
 the totality.

00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:53.880
 Jesus will lose

00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.599
 none,

00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.559
 no one.

00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:58.259
 They will never perish.

00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:01.179
 Is Jesus one

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.859
 to make a promise

00:38:01.859 --> 00:38:02.859
 and not deliver on it?

00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.380
 No.

00:38:04.799 --> 00:38:05.480
 Christ will give

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:05.900
 an account

00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:07.679
 for each one

00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:08.359
 of the sheep

00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.059
 that the Father

00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:09.720
 had given him.

00:38:10.160 --> 00:38:11.240
 Not one will be lost.

00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:13.140
 Jesus will not look

00:38:13.140 --> 00:38:13.760
 at the countless

00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:15.599
 multitudes of sheep

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.440
 and say,

00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:16.800
 well,

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.559
 I'm glad 99.9%

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.340
 of them got home.

00:38:20.240 --> 00:38:20.680
 No.

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:22.280
 He must have

00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:23.000
 all of them.

00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.180
 And not one atom

00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.480
 of this security

00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.800
 belongs to us.

00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:31.039
 It is not found

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.840
 in our performance.

00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.000
 It is not found

00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:35.539
 in our personal fortitude.

00:38:36.240 --> 00:38:37.400
 It is not found

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:38.000
 in our own righteousness.

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:40.400
 You know,

00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:41.300
 sheep are not known

00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:42.420
 for their high IQ.

00:38:44.039 --> 00:38:44.220
 No,

00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:45.160
 this promise

00:38:45.160 --> 00:38:46.960
 is about the supreme

00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:47.860
 love

00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.840
 and sovereignty

00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:49.720
 of the shepherd.

00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:53.180
 By the power of God,

00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:54.180
 he will make sure

00:38:54.180 --> 00:38:54.820
 his children

00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:55.920
 are preserved.

00:38:56.980 --> 00:38:58.059
 You will reach

00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.880
 the finish line.

00:38:59.420 --> 00:39:00.519
 He will cause you

00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:01.260
 to persevere

00:39:01.260 --> 00:39:02.519
 through deep valleys

00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.700
 and hard trials

00:39:03.700 --> 00:39:04.940
 for his glory.

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.079
 Oh,

00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:06.760
 you will finish

00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.220
 the race

00:39:07.220 --> 00:39:08.000
 and you will

00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:08.539
 make it home.

00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:11.059
 And there are

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:12.220
 many dangers,

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.400
 toils,

00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:14.420
 and snares

00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:15.099
 as the hymn writer

00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:16.119
 says.

00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.740
 It is true

00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:18.460
 that we stumble

00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:20.000
 and we are prone

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.639
 to falter.

00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:21.900
 Our faith

00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:23.059
 is often fickle.

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.599
 Our knowledge

00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.340
 is so often

00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:25.960
 limited.

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:27.960
 But the shepherd

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.119
 takes complete

00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:29.800
 responsibility

00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:31.260
 for his sheep.

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:34.500
 Step by step,

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:36.260
 he leads us

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:37.400
 from grace

00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:38.659
 to glory.

00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:40.900
 Hasn't this been

00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.559
 your experience

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.280
 this past year?

00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:44.480
 with a power

00:39:44.480 --> 00:39:45.400
 that is never

00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.100
 exhausted,

00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.640
 a patience

00:39:47.640 --> 00:39:48.040
 that never

00:39:48.040 --> 00:39:48.480
 worries.

00:39:49.120 --> 00:39:50.120
 He continually

00:39:50.120 --> 00:39:50.860
 has shepherded

00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:51.240
 you.

00:39:52.440 --> 00:39:53.160
 When you were

00:39:53.160 --> 00:39:53.480
 weak,

00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:54.660
 you felt

00:39:54.660 --> 00:39:55.040
 you could go

00:39:55.040 --> 00:39:55.519
 no further.

00:39:56.220 --> 00:39:57.120
 He strengthened

00:39:57.120 --> 00:39:57.800
 your steps.

00:39:59.580 --> 00:40:00.660
 When you erred,

00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.660
 he corrected

00:40:01.660 --> 00:40:01.960
 you.

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:02.840
 He brought

00:40:02.840 --> 00:40:03.380
 another person

00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:03.980
 in your life

00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:05.340
 to correct you.

00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:07.040
 When you were

00:40:07.040 --> 00:40:07.420
 grieving,

00:40:07.580 --> 00:40:08.540
 he has dried

00:40:08.540 --> 00:40:09.280
 your tears

00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:10.280
 and comforted

00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:10.460
 you.

00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:12.420
 And one day

00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:12.960
 he will wipe

00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:14.119
 away every tear.

00:40:15.840 --> 00:40:15.980
 Oh,

00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:16.699
 how near

00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:17.179
 he must

00:40:17.179 --> 00:40:18.579
 draw to you

00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.500
 to wipe

00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.480
 away your tears.

00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.800
 But even now

00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:23.320
 he stays

00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.320
 that close

00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:25.980
 by your side.

00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:27.960
 Can you see

00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:28.599
 his shepherding

00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.000
 hand

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:30.280
 even this past

00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:30.539
 year?

00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:32.260
 How he has

00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:32.639
 showed his

00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.720
 unfailing

00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:34.360
 skill

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.679
 and how he

00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.159
 has shepherded

00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:36.400
 you.

00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:37.519
 Through the ups

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.059
 and downs,

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.800
 twists and turns,

00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.199
 how God

00:40:40.199 --> 00:40:40.679
 has protected

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:40.960
 you.

00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.079
 He's protected

00:40:42.079 --> 00:40:42.879
 us even

00:40:42.879 --> 00:40:43.599
 from ourselves.

00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:44.960
 He has

00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:45.879
 slammed doors

00:40:45.879 --> 00:40:46.500
 in your face.

00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:47.779
 He's closed

00:40:47.779 --> 00:40:49.039
 them because

00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:49.500
 he knows

00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:49.699
 they would

00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:49.960
 not be

00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.299
 good for

00:40:50.299 --> 00:40:50.559
 you.

00:40:53.359 --> 00:40:54.159
 When something

00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:55.579
 is supremely

00:40:55.579 --> 00:40:56.099
 valuable,

00:40:56.919 --> 00:40:57.739
 you place it

00:40:57.739 --> 00:40:58.639
 in good hands,

00:40:58.719 --> 00:40:59.019
 don't you?

00:41:00.239 --> 00:41:00.719
 Parents,

00:41:00.799 --> 00:41:00.919
 you know,

00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:02.159
 sometimes you

00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:02.739
 have kids

00:41:02.739 --> 00:41:04.000
 and you leave

00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:04.679
 them by themselves

00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:05.319
 for more than

00:41:05.319 --> 00:41:05.899
 five minutes

00:41:05.899 --> 00:41:06.159
 and they're

00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:06.480
 going to lose

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:06.939
 an arm or

00:41:06.939 --> 00:41:07.259
 a leg.

00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.780
 So you're

00:41:08.780 --> 00:41:09.000
 not going

00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:09.240
 to let

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.800
 anyone watch

00:41:10.800 --> 00:41:11.080
 them.

00:41:11.280 --> 00:41:11.460
 No,

00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:11.820
 you place

00:41:11.820 --> 00:41:12.060
 them in

00:41:12.060 --> 00:41:12.540
 good hands.

00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.320
 If you

00:41:14.320 --> 00:41:14.540
 own a

00:41:14.540 --> 00:41:14.980
 Mona Lisa,

00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.280
 you're not

00:41:16.280 --> 00:41:16.560
 going to let

00:41:16.560 --> 00:41:17.160
 just anybody

00:41:17.160 --> 00:41:17.800
 look at it.

00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:18.820
 There are

00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.200
 thieves and

00:41:19.200 --> 00:41:19.720
 robbers out

00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:19.980
 there.

00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:21.000
 No,

00:41:21.060 --> 00:41:21.600
 the Mona Lisa

00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:22.080
 is guarded

00:41:22.080 --> 00:41:22.980
 24-7,

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:23.820
 maximum

00:41:23.820 --> 00:41:24.460
 security,

00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.440
 bulletproof

00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:26.020
 glass.

00:41:26.580 --> 00:41:26.800
 Look at

00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:27.340
 verse 29.

00:41:28.080 --> 00:41:28.620
 The Father

00:41:28.620 --> 00:41:30.660
 has placed

00:41:30.660 --> 00:41:31.180
 his sheep

00:41:31.180 --> 00:41:32.440
 in Jesus'

00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:32.840
 hands.

00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:34.380
 Ah,

00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:34.600
 friends,

00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:34.840
 you are

00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:35.079
 in good

00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:35.440
 hands.

00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:37.000
 And that's

00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:37.280
 the belt.

00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:38.059
 He adds

00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:38.900
 suspenders,

00:41:39.559 --> 00:41:39.760
 then a

00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:40.500
 clasp connecting

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.019
 the two so

00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:41.660
 nothing falls

00:41:41.660 --> 00:41:42.180
 to the ground.

00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:44.600
 Jesus just

00:41:44.600 --> 00:41:45.539
 piles it on.

00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:45.900
 It's not just

00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:46.260
 the will of

00:41:46.260 --> 00:41:46.660
 the Son.

00:41:47.680 --> 00:41:48.300
 This is the

00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:48.700
 will of the

00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.160
 Father in

00:41:49.160 --> 00:41:49.680
 verse 29.

00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:51.320
 My Father

00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:53.100
 who has given

00:41:53.100 --> 00:41:53.539
 them to me

00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:54.019
 is greater

00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:54.500
 than all,

00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:55.860
 and no one

00:41:55.860 --> 00:41:56.400
 is able to

00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:56.920
 snatch them

00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:57.240
 out of the

00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:57.620
 Father's

00:41:57.620 --> 00:41:57.940
 hands.

00:41:59.380 --> 00:42:00.059
 This is the

00:42:00.059 --> 00:42:00.460
 ultimate

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:02.120
 assurance of

00:42:02.120 --> 00:42:02.820
 your security

00:42:02.820 --> 00:42:03.460
 Christian.

00:42:04.200 --> 00:42:04.680
 It's as if

00:42:04.680 --> 00:42:05.160
 the Father

00:42:05.160 --> 00:42:05.940
 clasped his

00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:06.820
 almighty hands

00:42:06.820 --> 00:42:07.559
 underneath you,

00:42:08.740 --> 00:42:09.720
 underneath Jesus'

00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.600
 strong hands,

00:42:11.220 --> 00:42:11.880
 both hands

00:42:11.880 --> 00:42:12.700
 holding you

00:42:12.700 --> 00:42:12.980
 up.

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.760
 How safe

00:42:15.760 --> 00:42:16.200
 you are in

00:42:16.200 --> 00:42:17.160
 the arms of

00:42:17.160 --> 00:42:17.640
 the Father

00:42:17.640 --> 00:42:18.660
 and the Son.

00:42:19.820 --> 00:42:20.300
 I might add,

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.280
 and the Spirit.

00:42:22.680 --> 00:42:22.840
 Oh,

00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:23.019
 friend,

00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:23.620
 do you doubt

00:42:23.620 --> 00:42:25.600
 that the

00:42:25.600 --> 00:42:26.200
 eternal God

00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:26.700
 has pledged

00:42:26.700 --> 00:42:27.500
 his faithfulness

00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.140
 to you?

00:42:29.680 --> 00:42:30.559
 He has given

00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:30.980
 you this

00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:31.620
 testimony of

00:42:31.620 --> 00:42:32.180
 his love for

00:42:32.180 --> 00:42:32.400
 you,

00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:33.260
 and should

00:42:33.260 --> 00:42:33.920
 we distrust

00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:34.260
 him in

00:42:34.260 --> 00:42:34.840
 this new

00:42:34.840 --> 00:42:35.119
 year?

00:42:36.639 --> 00:42:36.900
 Jesus

00:42:36.900 --> 00:42:37.340
 concludes,

00:42:38.340 --> 00:42:38.860
 I and the

00:42:38.860 --> 00:42:39.660
 Father are

00:42:39.660 --> 00:42:39.960
 one.

00:42:41.160 --> 00:42:41.840
 One in

00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:42.200
 power.

00:42:43.519 --> 00:42:44.360
 One in

00:42:44.360 --> 00:42:44.660
 will.

00:42:45.940 --> 00:42:46.579
 One in

00:42:46.579 --> 00:42:46.880
 mission.

00:42:47.760 --> 00:42:48.940
 One in

00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:49.320
 affection.

00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:50.680
 The

00:42:50.680 --> 00:42:51.059
 Father,

00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:51.780
 Son,

00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:52.480
 and the

00:42:52.480 --> 00:42:52.840
 Spirit

00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:54.000
 unwaveringly

00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:55.160
 united in

00:42:55.160 --> 00:42:55.680
 their task

00:42:55.680 --> 00:42:56.200
 of saving,

00:42:56.559 --> 00:42:56.840
 caring,

00:42:57.180 --> 00:42:57.920
 preserving the

00:42:57.920 --> 00:42:58.139
 sheep.

00:42:58.139 --> 00:42:59.519
 God

00:42:59.519 --> 00:42:59.779
 for

00:42:59.779 --> 00:42:59.960
 the

00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:00.319
 enemy of

00:43:00.319 --> 00:43:00.460
 our

00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:00.739
 souls

00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:01.440
 may be

00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:01.960
 strong

00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:02.119
 and

00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:02.379
 mighty,

00:43:02.779 --> 00:43:03.199
 and there

00:43:03.199 --> 00:43:03.339
 are

00:43:03.339 --> 00:43:03.599
 many,

00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:04.799
 but the

00:43:04.799 --> 00:43:05.339
 Savior is

00:43:05.339 --> 00:43:05.799
 stronger,

00:43:06.239 --> 00:43:06.659
 mightier,

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.199
 more

00:43:07.199 --> 00:43:07.699
 powerful.

00:43:10.659 --> 00:43:11.179
 What's

00:43:11.179 --> 00:43:11.619
 security?

00:43:13.199 --> 00:43:13.639
 Infinite

00:43:13.639 --> 00:43:13.639


00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:14.179
 Encouragement

00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:14.839
 in this

00:43:14.839 --> 00:43:15.299
 passage.

00:43:15.779 --> 00:43:16.259
 But let's

00:43:16.259 --> 00:43:16.819
 zoom out for

00:43:16.819 --> 00:43:17.179
 a second.

00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:17.839
 Why does

00:43:17.839 --> 00:43:18.420
 Jesus go

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.779
 here after

00:43:19.779 --> 00:43:20.379
 being asked

00:43:20.379 --> 00:43:20.699
 to reveal

00:43:20.699 --> 00:43:21.599
 his identity

00:43:21.599 --> 00:43:22.539
 as the

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:22.879
 Christ?

00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:25.320
 Well,

00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:25.599
 he is

00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.099
 answering their

00:43:26.099 --> 00:43:26.440
 question,

00:43:26.559 --> 00:43:26.960
 isn't he?

00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.519
 Because the

00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:29.039
 question that

00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:29.880
 Jesus wants

00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:30.539
 you to ask

00:43:30.539 --> 00:43:31.079
 is this.

00:43:32.700 --> 00:43:33.500
 Who can

00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:34.000
 say these

00:43:34.000 --> 00:43:34.340
 things?

00:43:36.000 --> 00:43:36.720
 Who can

00:43:36.720 --> 00:43:37.800
 say I

00:43:37.800 --> 00:43:38.059
 and the

00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:38.700
 Father are

00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:39.180
 one?

00:43:41.220 --> 00:43:41.980
 He is

00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.180
 no

00:43:42.180 --> 00:43:42.660
 Joe Schmo.

00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:43.900
 Jesus

00:43:43.900 --> 00:43:45.720
 is God,

00:43:46.140 --> 00:43:46.780
 the eternal

00:43:46.780 --> 00:43:47.960
 self-existent

00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.300
 one.

00:43:48.380 --> 00:43:48.820
 He simply

00:43:48.820 --> 00:43:49.700
 is.

00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:50.760
 He is the

00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:51.180
 king of the

00:43:51.180 --> 00:43:51.519
 ages,

00:43:51.800 --> 00:43:52.220
 immortal,

00:43:52.599 --> 00:43:52.860
 invisible,

00:43:52.880 --> 00:43:53.760
 the only

00:43:53.760 --> 00:43:54.220
 God who

00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:54.960
 honor and

00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:55.900
 glory forever

00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:56.559
 belong to.

00:43:57.460 --> 00:43:58.340
 Jesus takes

00:43:58.340 --> 00:43:58.960
 them to the

00:43:58.960 --> 00:43:59.619
 very height

00:43:59.619 --> 00:44:00.160
 of who

00:44:00.160 --> 00:44:00.740
 he is.

00:44:01.840 --> 00:44:02.480
 This is the

00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:03.380
 glorious doctrine

00:44:03.380 --> 00:44:04.019
 of the

00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:04.380
 Trinity,

00:44:04.740 --> 00:44:05.500
 one God,

00:44:05.860 --> 00:44:06.440
 co-equal,

00:44:06.720 --> 00:44:07.380
 co-eternal

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:08.099
 persons.

00:44:08.920 --> 00:44:09.440
 He could

00:44:09.440 --> 00:44:09.760
 not have

00:44:09.760 --> 00:44:10.079
 been more

00:44:10.079 --> 00:44:10.400
 clear.

00:44:11.900 --> 00:44:12.840
 This one

00:44:12.840 --> 00:44:13.539
 is the

00:44:13.539 --> 00:44:14.340
 great shepherd

00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:14.940
 of the

00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:15.220
 sheep,

00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:15.900
 the one

00:44:15.900 --> 00:44:16.260
 who stands

00:44:16.260 --> 00:44:17.000
 before them

00:44:17.000 --> 00:44:18.000
 is God

00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:18.380
 himself.

00:44:20.380 --> 00:44:21.200
 He could

00:44:21.200 --> 00:44:21.500
 not have

00:44:21.500 --> 00:44:21.820
 been more

00:44:21.820 --> 00:44:22.140
 clear,

00:44:22.139 --> 00:44:22.779
 but they

00:44:22.779 --> 00:44:23.139
 picked up

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:23.599
 stones

00:44:23.599 --> 00:44:24.379
 to kill

00:44:24.379 --> 00:44:24.619
 him.

00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:27.940
 To conclude,

00:44:28.059 --> 00:44:28.359
 the best

00:44:28.359 --> 00:44:28.819
 scene

00:44:28.819 --> 00:44:30.519
 in Narnia

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:32.119
 is probably

00:44:32.119 --> 00:44:32.519
 the third

00:44:32.519 --> 00:44:32.839
 book,

00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:35.299
 The Horse

00:44:35.299 --> 00:44:35.500
 and His

00:44:35.500 --> 00:44:35.719
 Boy.

00:44:37.099 --> 00:44:37.400
 C.S.

00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:37.839
 Lewis tells

00:44:37.839 --> 00:44:38.299
 a story

00:44:38.299 --> 00:44:39.379
 of Shasta

00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:39.440
 Shasta.

00:44:40.980 --> 00:44:41.500
 And Shasta

00:44:41.500 --> 00:44:42.539
 is walking

00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:44.500
 in darkness.

00:44:45.640 --> 00:44:46.380
 He is in

00:44:46.380 --> 00:44:47.099
 despair.

00:44:48.360 --> 00:44:48.940
 A series

00:44:48.940 --> 00:44:49.960
 of terrible

00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:51.539
 misfortunes

00:44:51.539 --> 00:44:52.119
 befell him.

00:44:53.260 --> 00:44:53.720
 He was

00:44:53.720 --> 00:44:54.380
 abused growing

00:44:54.380 --> 00:44:54.740
 up,

00:44:55.680 --> 00:44:56.220
 chased by

00:44:56.220 --> 00:44:56.780
 lions.

00:44:57.440 --> 00:44:57.840
 Everything

00:44:57.840 --> 00:44:58.400
 has gone

00:44:58.400 --> 00:44:58.860
 wrong in

00:44:58.860 --> 00:44:59.280
 his life.

00:44:59.880 --> 00:45:00.160
 He's been

00:45:00.160 --> 00:45:00.380
 there.

00:45:02.380 --> 00:45:03.360
 As Shasta

00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:04.260
 is walking

00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:04.960
 in the field,

00:45:05.280 --> 00:45:06.119
 the tears

00:45:06.119 --> 00:45:06.960
 are rolling

00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:07.500
 down his

00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:07.900
 cheeks.

00:45:10.420 --> 00:45:11.059
 But then

00:45:11.059 --> 00:45:11.360
 Shasta

00:45:11.360 --> 00:45:11.720
 suddenly

00:45:11.720 --> 00:45:12.320
 senses that

00:45:12.320 --> 00:45:13.360
 someone or

00:45:13.360 --> 00:45:14.039
 something was

00:45:14.039 --> 00:45:14.880
 walking beside

00:45:14.880 --> 00:45:16.079
 him in the

00:45:16.079 --> 00:45:16.400
 darkness.

00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:18.139
 He asked,

00:45:18.300 --> 00:45:18.960
 Who are you?

00:45:20.240 --> 00:45:21.099
 He heard a

00:45:21.099 --> 00:45:22.559
 loud, large,

00:45:22.619 --> 00:45:22.980
 and deep

00:45:22.980 --> 00:45:24.720
 voice, one

00:45:24.720 --> 00:45:24.940
 who has

00:45:24.940 --> 00:45:25.760
 waited long

00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:26.199
 for you to

00:45:26.199 --> 00:45:26.460
 speak.

00:45:27.159 --> 00:45:27.920
 Are you a

00:45:27.920 --> 00:45:28.240
 giant?

00:45:28.340 --> 00:45:28.880
 He asked.

00:45:30.159 --> 00:45:30.800
 The voice

00:45:30.800 --> 00:45:31.139
 replied,

00:45:31.300 --> 00:45:31.940
 You might call

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.579
 me a giant,

00:45:32.740 --> 00:45:33.420
 but I am not

00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:34.019
 like the creatures

00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:34.420
 you call

00:45:34.420 --> 00:45:34.900
 giants.

00:45:35.780 --> 00:45:36.320
 And this

00:45:36.320 --> 00:45:37.159
 voice chronicled

00:45:37.159 --> 00:45:38.539
 every bit of

00:45:38.539 --> 00:45:39.119
 suffering in

00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:39.579
 his life.

00:45:40.619 --> 00:45:40.980
 And Shasta

00:45:40.980 --> 00:45:41.380
 begins to

00:45:41.380 --> 00:45:41.860
 feel sorry

00:45:41.860 --> 00:45:42.460
 for himself.

00:45:42.900 --> 00:45:43.179
 Don't you

00:45:43.179 --> 00:45:43.440
 think it was

00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:44.099
 bad luck for

00:45:44.099 --> 00:45:44.519
 me to meet

00:45:44.519 --> 00:45:44.840
 all these

00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:45.139
 lions?

00:45:46.239 --> 00:45:46.800
 The voice

00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:47.000
 said,

00:45:47.320 --> 00:45:47.880
 I do not

00:45:47.880 --> 00:45:48.259
 call you

00:45:48.259 --> 00:45:48.659
 unfortunate.

00:45:49.820 --> 00:45:50.219
 And then he

00:45:50.219 --> 00:45:50.880
 revealed himself

00:45:50.880 --> 00:45:52.019
 as Aslan,

00:45:52.099 --> 00:45:52.500
 the lion.

00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:53.300
 He says,

00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:53.699
 There was

00:45:53.699 --> 00:45:54.179
 only one

00:45:54.179 --> 00:45:54.460
 lion.

00:45:55.460 --> 00:45:56.239
 I was a

00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.480
 lion.

00:45:57.019 --> 00:45:57.639
 I did all

00:45:57.639 --> 00:45:58.300
 these things.

00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:00.559
 I wounded

00:46:00.559 --> 00:46:01.400
 you to

00:46:01.400 --> 00:46:01.900
 shape you

00:46:01.900 --> 00:46:02.380
 and mold

00:46:02.380 --> 00:46:02.599
 you.

00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:04.219
 his entire

00:46:04.219 --> 00:46:04.799
 life,

00:46:05.079 --> 00:46:05.639
 Aslan had

00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:06.019
 been right

00:46:06.019 --> 00:46:06.539
 there beside

00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:06.900
 him.

00:46:07.420 --> 00:46:07.659
 Through the

00:46:07.659 --> 00:46:08.239
 good and

00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:08.699
 the bad,

00:46:08.940 --> 00:46:09.579
 the lion had

00:46:09.579 --> 00:46:09.960
 been there

00:46:09.960 --> 00:46:10.579
 behind the

00:46:10.579 --> 00:46:10.960
 scenes,

00:46:11.299 --> 00:46:11.920
 shaping him,

00:46:12.819 --> 00:46:13.679
 protecting him,

00:46:14.159 --> 00:46:14.719
 since he was

00:46:14.719 --> 00:46:15.099
 a baby,

00:46:15.519 --> 00:46:16.219
 guarding him,

00:46:16.579 --> 00:46:17.079
 guiding him,

00:46:17.480 --> 00:46:18.059
 shepherding him.

00:46:19.739 --> 00:46:20.559
 The lion of

00:46:20.559 --> 00:46:21.119
 Judas says the

00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:21.739
 same to you.

00:46:22.539 --> 00:46:23.000
 Behold,

00:46:23.159 --> 00:46:23.759
 he is the

00:46:23.759 --> 00:46:24.059
 one who

00:46:24.059 --> 00:46:24.559
 keeps you.

00:46:24.839 --> 00:46:25.059
 He will

00:46:25.059 --> 00:46:25.819
 neither sleep

00:46:25.819 --> 00:46:27.000
 nor slumber.

00:46:27.460 --> 00:46:28.019
 Let's pray.

00:46:30.659 --> 00:46:31.299
 Father in

00:46:31.299 --> 00:46:31.559
 heaven,

00:46:31.559 --> 00:46:32.960
 we thank

00:46:32.960 --> 00:46:33.320
 you for

00:46:33.320 --> 00:46:34.199
 this rich

00:46:34.199 --> 00:46:34.840
 cup of

00:46:34.840 --> 00:46:35.679
 free grace.

00:46:36.400 --> 00:46:36.900
 This cup

00:46:36.900 --> 00:46:38.460
 overflows.

00:46:39.539 --> 00:46:39.820
 Surely

00:46:39.820 --> 00:46:40.519
 goodness and

00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.000
 mercy will

00:46:41.000 --> 00:46:41.579
 follow us

00:46:41.579 --> 00:46:42.199
 all the

00:46:42.199 --> 00:46:42.519
 days of

00:46:42.519 --> 00:46:42.940
 our life

00:46:42.940 --> 00:46:44.480
 because of

00:46:44.480 --> 00:46:44.799
 the good

00:46:44.799 --> 00:46:45.320
 shepherd's

00:46:45.320 --> 00:46:45.679
 love for

00:46:45.679 --> 00:46:46.000
 us.

00:46:46.920 --> 00:46:47.179
 Father,

00:46:47.219 --> 00:46:47.420
 we are

00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:47.719
 more than

00:46:47.719 --> 00:46:48.239
 conquerors

00:46:48.239 --> 00:46:48.960
 through you

00:46:48.960 --> 00:46:49.219
 who have

00:46:49.219 --> 00:46:49.719
 loved us.

00:46:50.320 --> 00:46:50.799
 Nothing in

00:46:50.799 --> 00:46:51.440
 all creation

00:46:51.440 --> 00:46:52.019
 will separate

00:46:52.019 --> 00:46:52.960
 us from

00:46:52.960 --> 00:46:53.420
 this love.

00:46:53.880 --> 00:46:54.440
 We pray

00:46:54.440 --> 00:46:54.880
 we answer

00:46:54.880 --> 00:46:55.259
 this new

00:46:55.259 --> 00:46:56.179
 year confident,

00:46:56.699 --> 00:46:57.139
 bold,

00:46:57.440 --> 00:46:58.739
 that you

00:46:58.739 --> 00:46:59.239
 are with

00:46:59.239 --> 00:47:00.119
 us always.

00:47:00.400 --> 00:47:00.920
 In Jesus'

00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:01.199
 name.

00:47:01.799 --> 00:47:02.019
 Amen.

00:47:02.019 --> 00:47:02.119
 Amen.

00:47:02.119 --> 00:47:02.179
 Amen.