WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.160 Heavenly Father, we are indeed grateful that we can meet here tonight in freedom, in peace, 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:16.460 to understand you, to explore you, to worship you, to focus our lives together around you. 00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:22.359 We thank you for that privilege and we understand that not everyone in the world, not all Christian people can do that. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:26.039 So please protect that opportunity in this country. 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:31.339 Protect this church, protect all who would like to gather in the name of Christ. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:36.280 And Lord, tonight as we open your word and think about how it applies to our lives, 00:00:37.100 --> 00:00:44.140 please grant blessing and wisdom to the words I have to say and open our hearts to receive what you have to offer. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:46.159 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:52.000 Can you all hear me all right? Is there a big echo sound? It means I should move this somewhere. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:59.439 Can you hear up the back? Okay, I'm getting nods. That's good. It must just be my old age and my hearing. 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:02.079 Thank you for the invitation to be here tonight. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:09.079 And it's always a privilege to come to a church where you're not regularly part of the congregation and to deliver a message. 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:12.039 But you always do it with a little bit of fear and trepidation. 00:01:12.960 --> 00:01:14.980 Think, what have these people been through this week? 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:18.000 I've just heard about all the amazing things that are happening at the church. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:20.920 Big changes and building projects. 00:01:21.240 --> 00:01:26.300 And is it a school, a junior school that's, or preschool, is it? 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:27.420 A Chinese school? 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:28.600 Fantastic. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:31.760 What a marvellous thing to be adding to your community. 00:01:32.460 --> 00:01:35.140 But of course, I come in knowing almost nothing about you. 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:37.420 Nothing about your challenges this week. 00:01:38.100 --> 00:01:40.800 Nothing about the pressures on your life. 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:46.599 Nothing about the sadnesses you've experienced or the joys you've had this week. 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:51.379 We come together with a common bond that we want to know Christ. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:57.579 We bring all those things, all those stresses, all those joys, all those family situations, 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:01.620 to that one goal, to know Christ. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:06.599 And the passage I've brought to you tonight, I think, is one that is extremely comforting, 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:10.799 extremely liberating for those who want to know Christ. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:14.979 Because it's saying to us that if you know the teachings of Christ, 00:02:15.519 --> 00:02:19.280 you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:25.019 If you come to this man through this book, 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:30.199 you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:31.620 It's an enormous claim. 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:34.800 It's one that you'd be right to be sceptical about. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:37.219 One that we need to justify. 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:40.900 One that we need to explore and see what it has to offer us today. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:44.500 Do you know anyone who's blind? 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:46.960 How many people here know someone who is blind? 00:02:47.180 --> 00:02:47.379 Anyone? 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:50.259 One, two, three people, four people do. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:52.939 That's quite a large percentage, actually, in any gathering. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:55.140 It's not the most common of problems, 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:57.040 most common of afflictions in Australia. 00:02:57.039 --> 00:03:01.340 But around the world is a very common problem to be blind. 00:03:01.959 --> 00:03:05.739 In my Bible Society work, I've come across the names of a couple, 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:09.039 and forgive me, I need to read them because my Chinese expression is so terrible. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:12.939 It's Ma Hongming and his wife, Zhao Bilian. 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:18.060 Two Chinese people, they live in a rural village. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:23.060 They're in their 70s, and they've both been blind since birth. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.659 I can't imagine how hard life has been for them. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:29.939 How much they just haven't experienced. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:36.180 How much of what I take for granted is completely dark to them in their world. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:44.299 How difficult the just basic activities of life have been in a rural village in China, 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:46.280 blind since birth. 00:03:47.399 --> 00:03:49.500 Well, we received a letter from them. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:53.500 A letter that went to the Bible Society office, I think, in Singapore. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:04:00.219 And they had received a Braille Bible that's produced at the Amity Bible Press in Nanjing. 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:03.960 Braille Bibles are enormous things, because you know Braille, 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:09.400 there's all the little bumps, and you run your fingers along the bumps to read when you're blind. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:17.660 And these are Braille Bibles that can be understood by an older Chinese couple. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:21.000 And the letter turned up in the office, and this is what it said. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:26.660 Thank you for the Bible, which we read every day. 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:29.800 We have no worries about the future. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:32.420 God is with us all the time. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:35.720 People have asked us before if we're worried about what is to come, 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:39.340 since we're already so old and we have no children to support us. 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:41.679 We thank them for their concern. 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:46.519 We told them that we simply take whatever comes our way, whenever it comes. 00:04:47.239 --> 00:04:49.979 After all, God is in control of our lives. 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:52.919 Why should we be anxious about tomorrow? 00:04:55.179 --> 00:04:57.979 What an extraordinary thing to be able to write 00:04:57.979 --> 00:05:01.599 as you come towards, I guess, the end of their lives, 00:05:02.479 --> 00:05:05.120 having had such difficulties, such struggles, 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:09.699 but to feel such peace, such contentment, 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:12.220 such release from anxiety. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:16.399 And it's come from the Word of God. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:19.959 It's come from knowing the teachings of Jesus. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:22.819 I can hear echoes of all sorts of Bible passages 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:24.399 that they would have read down the years, 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:28.280 from Matthew 6 or Luke 12 or Philippians 4, 6, 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:30.939 cast your cares, your anxieties on God, 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:33.480 who alone knows what tomorrow will bring. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:35.840 Now, all of these echoes of Scripture 00:05:35.840 --> 00:05:38.900 that must be in their ears as they think about it. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:41.800 And our passage tonight also comes to mind 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:46.340 because here's a couple who know the truth 00:05:46.340 --> 00:05:48.900 and the truth has set them free. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:52.860 They know the truth about life. 00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:55.660 They know what really matters. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:59.980 And knowing that truth has set them free. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:03.259 Now, of course, it hasn't set them free 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:04.280 from their daily struggles, 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:06.379 from making a cup of tea when you're blind 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:09.000 or from working out where the money's going to come from 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:11.580 or who is going to care for me when I'm old. 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:13.920 They've still got the daily struggles, 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.819 more struggles than we can possibly imagine. 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:20.840 But at a deeper level or a higher level, 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:22.379 at a more profound level, 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:25.120 they don't have a worry in the world. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:29.759 The truth has set them free. 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:33.420 Well, friends, from this passage 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:35.259 that was really well read for us tonight, 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:36.040 thank you very much, 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:39.180 I want to leave you with just four thoughts 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:42.060 around what it means to be set free 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:44.040 in the truth about Christ. 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:46.500 Four thoughts about what it means 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.899 to be radically free. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:51.000 Not free from every anxiety, 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:53.259 not free from worrying about what Christmas presents 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:54.819 you've got to buy for your uncle 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.719 or not worried about your job, 00:06:57.419 --> 00:06:59.159 released from worrying about your job next year 00:06:59.159 --> 00:07:00.779 or your marriage or whatever it is, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:03.199 but radical freedom. 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:04.739 The kind of freedom you get 00:07:04.739 --> 00:07:06.939 when you've profoundly grasped 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:09.419 what really matters in this world, 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.060 when you've really got the truth. 00:07:14.039 --> 00:07:15.179 The first point is that 00:07:15.179 --> 00:07:17.699 when you come to know the truth through Jesus, 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:21.259 you enter into a relationship 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.879 with him and his father. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:24.659 And it's described in the Bible 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:27.120 as a disciple relationship. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:29.920 When you know the truth, 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:33.039 you enter into a relationship 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:36.159 with Jesus and his father in heaven. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:40.300 Very few religions actually offer you 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:41.599 a relationship with God. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:45.060 Most religions are about law keeping, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:48.100 about appeasing the anger of the deity 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:51.800 or about keeping your place in life. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.540 Maybe adding some wisdom, 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:56.579 understanding the world a bit better. 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:01.540 But very few religions offer you this, 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:04.959 the idea that you would know God 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:07.220 and be known by God. 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:10.580 If you hold my teaching, 00:08:10.700 --> 00:08:11.920 says Jesus in verse 31, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.740 you're really my disciples, 00:08:15.700 --> 00:08:16.520 my followers, 00:08:17.340 --> 00:08:18.600 those who are known to me, 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:19.940 those who are close to me. 00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:23.540 In a society like Australia, 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.000 Christianity has been preached 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.020 for a very long time. 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:28.520 After all, the Bible Society came here in 1817. 00:08:29.200 --> 00:08:32.220 Bibles were available to the early convicts, 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:33.800 to the early settlers. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:36.500 The message of Christianity has been preached 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.079 and many people turned up in the churches 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:40.219 and would hear that message. 00:08:42.339 --> 00:08:44.859 But so many left it at that. 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:48.419 So many didn't take that extra step 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:51.979 that brings you into relationship with God, 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:56.000 to become a disciple of Jesus, 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:58.139 someone known to Jesus 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:01.899 and known by Jesus. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.580 Deeply understood, 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:04.639 deeply known 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.699 in a deep relationship with God. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:08.720 That is what Christianity offers. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:12.220 That's the kind of understanding of yourself 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:13.419 that can set you free. 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:18.120 Uniquely among religions, 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:20.639 this is offered even to sinners, 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:24.279 even to those who fall short of God's standards. 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:28.439 that the truth will set you free 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:30.419 to be in relationship with God. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:32.939 So firstly, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.339 if you know the truth, 00:09:34.439 --> 00:09:35.240 it sets you free 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.759 to be in a real relationship 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:38.500 with Jesus and his Father. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:40.579 Secondly, 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:44.159 Jesus' teaching brings truth 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.799 into a world of spin 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:47.439 and lies. 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:49.939 Jesus' teaching brings truth 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:51.439 into this world 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.779 that is full of spin 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:53.919 and lies. 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.019 We've never had a time 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.679 where you have more access 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:58.019 to more information 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.399 about more things 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:00.259 than today. 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:01.899 The average person 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.519 has access on their phone 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:04.939 to more information 00:10:04.939 --> 00:10:06.039 than all the professors 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:07.199 of the world had 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:08.720 in the 19th century. 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:10.519 More access to information 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.240 and power 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.339 than those who landed 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.439 on the moon had 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:15.000 in their computer systems. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.959 You have profound access 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:17.779 to knowledge. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.299 The libraries of the world 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.220 are open to you. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:21.620 Whereas in the past, 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.860 to read a book, 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.320 you had to go to a library, 00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:25.600 look for that book, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.480 take it out, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.440 or even worse, 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:28.159 go to a bookshop, 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:28.740 buy that book, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.379 take it out. 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:33.000 You've got your online stores now. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:33.860 You can download them 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.360 in moments. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.200 You've got access 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:36.480 to the literature 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.399 of the world 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.299 that couldn't have been imagined 00:10:39.299 --> 00:10:41.279 just decades ago. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:44.679 And yet, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.100 how do you sort out 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:47.980 the truth from the lies? 00:10:49.199 --> 00:10:50.500 How are you going to work out 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.939 which books matter? 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.419 How are you going to work out 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:54.579 what teaching matters? 00:10:55.459 --> 00:10:57.000 Even the religious sphere alone, 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:58.720 there's plenty of religious chatter, 00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.819 plenty of options 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.939 available to you. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:02.720 I had the joy 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:04.639 of going to an opening 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.039 of an art exhibition yesterday 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.659 called the Blake Religious Prize. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.480 And this is a long-standing 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:11.120 religious art prize 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:11.759 in Australia. 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:14.139 It's a wonderful exhibition. 00:11:14.719 --> 00:11:16.459 It has on display 00:11:16.459 --> 00:11:18.899 all sorts of artworks 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.459 dealing with the religious matters 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:21.819 of our world. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:24.000 And it's extraordinarily diverse. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:25.579 You've got perspectives 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:26.539 from every religion. 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:27.959 You've got Christians, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:28.719 you've got Jews, 00:11:28.839 --> 00:11:29.399 you've got Hindus, 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:31.439 you've got anti-religious material 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:32.419 talking about religion. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:33.740 There's all sorts 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.740 of religious chatter 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.819 going on, 00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.659 all sorts of experiences 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:38.679 to be had, 00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:40.459 all sorts of options 00:11:40.459 --> 00:11:42.439 being made available to you. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.600 But Jesus doesn't offer 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.740 an option. 00:11:48.839 --> 00:11:51.039 He claims to have the truth. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.659 He doesn't offer 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:55.600 one way forward. 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:57.860 He claims to be 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:59.279 the way forward. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.439 He doesn't offer 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:03.339 a religious experience. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.580 he offers 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.500 a relationship 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.340 with the true 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.980 and living God. 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:12.560 And so when he says 00:12:12.560 --> 00:12:19.720 in verse 29, 00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:21.360 the one who sent me 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.300 is with me. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.019 He has not left me alone 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.240 for I always do 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.220 what pleases him. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.320 He's talking about 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.639 a special relationship 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.160 with the living God. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.199 He's talking about 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:33.799 the father 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.919 who has sent him, 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.779 who has not left him alone, 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.259 whom he always pleases. 00:12:38.819 --> 00:12:39.879 He's talking about 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.959 his closeness 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.819 to God himself. 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.179 He's making a profound 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:46.399 and unique claim 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.740 to reveal God to us 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.779 because of 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.240 how intimately 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:53.039 he knows God. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.959 in a world 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:56.139 of spin and lies, 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.319 Jesus doesn't 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:59.259 offer us an option, 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.939 but he holds 00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.860 out to us 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.159 the truth. 00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:06.339 In a confusing world, 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.299 that's very welcome. 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.500 Thirdly, 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.219 from this passage, 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.120 knowing the truth 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.959 about Jesus 00:13:13.959 --> 00:13:15.919 releases you 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.679 from false religion. 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:19.279 You may be 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.000 someone who 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.219 wants to serve God, 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.279 who attends 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.820 something like 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.680 a prize exhibition, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.920 yearning to find 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:26.920 religious experience 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.680 and understanding, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:28.920 yearning to know 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.720 what is true, 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.100 deeply searching. 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:32.440 Well, 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:32.759 Jesus, 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.060 through his teaching, 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.740 promises to release 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.740 you from false religion. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.759 And this is what 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.540 was so difficult 00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:40.740 for the Jewish 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:42.100 teachers of the day. 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.060 In the passage 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:44.379 that we've read, 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:45.040 you see some of 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:45.779 the confusion 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.519 and difficulty 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.940 that the Jews 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:49.060 had with understanding 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:50.620 who Jesus was. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.060 back in verse 21, 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:52.779 Jesus says, 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.720 I'm going to go away. 00:13:53.820 --> 00:13:54.500 You'll look for me. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.100 You'll die in your sin 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.600 because where I go, 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:58.500 you can't come. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:58.840 And they say, 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.580 what is he talking 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.100 about here? 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.720 Is he about to 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.440 commit suicide 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:04.000 and leave us 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.440 that way? 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.220 What does he mean 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.340 we can't follow him? 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.919 There's confusion 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:11.100 among the Jewish 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.860 leaders about 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.560 who he is. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.379 And a deep 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.159 contrast, 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:16.600 I think, 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.440 between Jesus 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.080 himself 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.900 and these Pharisees. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.500 Whereas they have 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.440 endeavoured 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.300 to serve God, 00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:23.940 endeavoured 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:25.220 to keep the law, 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:25.980 endeavoured to 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.340 every jot and tittle 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.259 of the law, 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:28.800 as they say, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.700 every particular 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.440 commandment 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.360 in precision 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.379 will be kept 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:32.860 by us 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.860 to please God. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.500 Jesus says, 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.680 to them, 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.120 you'll die 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.620 in your sin. 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.060 Extremely offensive 00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:41.920 thing to say. 00:14:42.040 --> 00:14:42.560 Imagine if that's 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:43.480 what your church 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.420 leaders are saying. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:44.860 This is the way 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.180 to go. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.740 And someone comes 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.360 along and says, 00:14:46.640 --> 00:14:47.000 no, 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:47.940 you'll die in your sin. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.420 You've got it 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.180 all wrong. 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:51.580 You've got it 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:51.920 wrong. 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:52.920 You are from below, 00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:54.000 he says in verse 23. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.840 I'm from above. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.100 You're of this world, 00:14:56.180 --> 00:14:57.000 but I'm not of this 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.400 world. 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.840 I told you, 00:14:58.880 --> 00:14:59.380 you would die 00:14:59.380 --> 00:15:00.160 in your sins. 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:02.200 If you do not 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.880 believe me, 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.760 if you do not 00:15:04.760 --> 00:15:05.660 believe that I am 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:05.920 he, 00:15:06.520 --> 00:15:07.520 you will indeed 00:15:07.520 --> 00:15:08.660 die in your sins. 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.760 And with that 00:15:10.760 --> 00:15:11.220 comment, 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.200 Jesus changes 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.980 the game 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.940 about religion. 00:15:15.140 --> 00:15:15.880 The Pharisees 00:15:15.880 --> 00:15:16.400 are thinking, 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.840 if I obey the law, 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:19.980 I will please God. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.740 Jesus comes and 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.079 says, 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:24.340 if you only do 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:24.600 that, 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.220 you will die 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.980 in your sins. 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.799 If you believe 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.279 me 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.639 and follow 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.100 me, 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:33.319 the truth 00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:33.779 will set you 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.039 free. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.539 This profound 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.860 contrast is set up 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.860 between Jesus 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.220 and religion. 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:43.360 the Pharisees 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.240 struggle with 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.519 this. 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.120 You can 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:45.660 understand them 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.160 struggling with 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:46.379 this. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.399 This is a very 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.160 difficult concept 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:48.840 to grasp, 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:49.960 but Jesus 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.680 keeps showing 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:51.320 them a true 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.320 understanding of 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.000 what God's law 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.680 is all about. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.560 A true 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.220 understanding of 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.899 God's law 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.100 leads you to 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:58.700 commitment to 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.399 God himself, 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.840 changed hearts, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.180 not just 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.680 changed behaviour 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:05.620 and obedience 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.360 to the law. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:08.399 He presents 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:08.860 a very 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.300 profound 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:09.960 teaching here 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.259 to the 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:10.820 Pharisees. 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.300 In verse 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:16.139 21-22, 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.480 as we've 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:16.720 said, 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.860 he claims 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.419 to be able 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.060 to judge. 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:20.820 Sorry, 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.519 verse 26, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:21.940 he claims 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.139 to be able 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.639 to judge. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:23.639 I have much 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.419 to say in 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.019 judgment of 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.240 you, 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.500 you religious 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:26.960 leaders, 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.300 but he who 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:28.759 sent me is 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.440 trustworthy and 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:29.700 what I've 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.019 heard from 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.320 him, 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.200 I tell the 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.539 world. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.899 Jesus takes 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.460 a position 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:35.039 of God 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.179 as judge. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:37.939 What a 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.179 thing to 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:38.559 wrestle with 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:38.799 as a 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.019 religious 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.360 leader. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:40.980 He claims 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.279 to be 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.299 super close 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.339 to the 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:43.679 father, 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.399 so close 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:44.699 that they 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:45.019 can't 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.459 understand 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:45.819 it. 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.360 He's 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:48.759 claiming 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.959 that they 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.439 are one. 00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:52.059 The one 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.480 who sent 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.319 me is 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:53.799 with me. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.439 He has 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:54.819 not left 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.379 me alone. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:56.939 What a 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:57.599 difficult 00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:58.319 thing for 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.439 a monotheistic 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.740 religion to 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.360 grapple with. 00:17:02.099 --> 00:17:02.559 The Jews 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.099 have taught 00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:03.379 that there 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.919 is only one 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.259 God, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.119 but here 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.440 is this 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.859 figure 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.099 suggesting 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.240 that he 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.779 and the 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.319 father are 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.740 one. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.480 Surely 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:10.920 that's 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.579 blasphemy, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:11.920 surely 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.279 that's 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.859 sacrilege, 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.819 or it's 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.339 the truth. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:17.980 This 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.420 truth will 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.720 set you 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.000 free. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.500 But so 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:21.920 hard to 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.200 take. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.299 Jesus 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.920 teaching, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.960 when 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.480 grappled 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:25.819 with, 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.640 releases 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.119 you from 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:27.400 false 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:27.799 religion. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.400 It 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:29.819 releases 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.299 you from 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.099 that idea 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.240 that you've 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.839 got to try 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.559 hard enough 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.079 to please 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.440 God. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.559 It 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:36.899 releases 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.379 you into 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.639 the 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.379 relationship 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.460 you can 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.000 have even 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.399 as a 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.619 sinner with 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:41.940 the living 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.940 God through 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.799 Jesus Christ. 00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:46.240 And 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.759 fourthly, 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.599 and finally, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.500 Jesus' 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:49.359 teaching here 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.279 in fact 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.099 sets you 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:52.339 free from 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.099 sin and 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:53.659 from judgment. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.279 It sets you 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.319 free from 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.700 sin and 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:56.940 judgment. 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.659 It's 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.139 spiritually 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:58.819 powerful. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.980 at the 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.139 art 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:00.439 exhibition 00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:01.039 I saw 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.960 an amazing 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.619 range of 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:02.919 religious 00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:03.500 teaching 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.480 being depicted 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.679 in either 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.179 video 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:06.899 installations 00:18:06.899 --> 00:18:07.480 or 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.859 paintings 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.460 or 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.259 sculptures. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:10.879 If you're 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:11.240 into art, 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.720 I'd recommend 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.259 going over 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.619 to the 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.679 University of 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:13.919 New South 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.460 Wales College 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:14.819 of Fine 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.240 Arts and 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.720 seeing the 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.740 Blake 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.079 Religious 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.419 Prize 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:17.859 exhibition. 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.839 It's a 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.159 wonderful 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:20.859 insight into 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.579 thinking about 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.159 religion in 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.539 contemporary 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.059 Australia. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:26.819 But the 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.379 teaching, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.720 the teaching 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.200 on offer, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.220 there's a 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.659 profound 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.159 difference 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.720 between what 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.259 Jesus has 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.700 to offer 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.919 and what 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.399 the religions 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:35.779 of the 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.899 world have 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:37.319 to offer. 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.480 Jesus 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.359 claims not 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.019 just to set 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.639 us free from 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:42.980 false 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.879 understandings of 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.299 the world, 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:44.899 to make us 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.339 wiser, 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.559 to wise us 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:46.899 up to 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.339 reality. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.259 He claims 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.859 to set us 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.339 free from 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.839 our deepest 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.339 problem, 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.759 from sin, 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.259 from our 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.159 corruption at 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.619 heart. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.500 What a 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:56.819 claim. 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.319 And it's a 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.720 radical 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.480 exclusive 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.139 claim. 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.139 It's this 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:00.480 radical 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.980 exclusive 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.599 claim that 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.139 drives 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.899 missionary 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.460 work around 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.980 the world. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.740 If you 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.279 think you've 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:06.779 found the 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:08.339 core to 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:08.960 relieving 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.879 humans of 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.379 their burden 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.000 of sin, 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.259 well, you 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.599 want the 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:12.940 world to 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.179 know. 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.579 You want 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.379 that to be 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.940 spread far 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.359 and wide. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.619 You want 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.099 that message 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.559 to ring 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.960 out here 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.519 in Australia 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.659 and abroad. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.359 It's because 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.019 Jesus' 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.740 teaching is 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.160 so much 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.700 more than 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.759 just wise 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:27.519 words that 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.900 missionary 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.519 movements like 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:28.839 the Bible 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.700 Society begin. 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.819 Because we 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.099 know that 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.500 when people 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.539 know this 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.680 man, this 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.359 Jesus, that 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.859 truth will 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.259 set them 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.799 free in 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.420 profoundly 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:40.740 spiritual and 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.740 deeply 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.539 relational 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.220 ways. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.259 Jesus isn't 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.819 just a good 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.140 option. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.220 He's the 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.620 one through 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.420 whom truth 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.920 and freedom 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.539 and purpose 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.539 can be 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.000 found. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.360 And thank 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.720 God, even 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.080 in his 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.940 time, many 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.519 came to 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.180 see this 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.279 immediately. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.060 Verse 30, 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.080 even as he 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.920 spoke, many 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.500 believed in 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.740 him. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.920 I think the 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.420 message of 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.100 forgiveness in 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.460 Jesus is 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.920 so liberating. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.380 It's such 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.360 good news, 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.259 it's hardly 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.080 surprising that 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.060 people often 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:13.800 get it on the 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:14.160 spot. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.820 That's what I've 00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.200 been waiting 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.580 for. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.420 I've been 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.000 searching the 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.319 world to 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:19.880 find the 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.360 answer, to 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.740 find the 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.220 truth, to 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.580 find the 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.539 way, to 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:22.960 find some 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.480 teaching that 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.779 would make 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.360 a difference. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.900 And now 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.380 I've heard 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:26.580 it. 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.019 Now I've 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.500 heard it in 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.259 Jesus, the 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.220 revelation of 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.559 God, the 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.000 one who is 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.660 at one with 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.000 the living 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.740 God, the 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:36.500 Father, the 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:36.960 one whose 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.799 death can 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.360 set me free 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:38.779 from my 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.259 sin, the 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.640 one who can 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.480 remove judgment 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.660 from me. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.080 Well, that's 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:43.799 something, why 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.279 am I waiting? 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.700 That's something 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.180 I want. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.620 And I want 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:48.019 it right now. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.640 And many on 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.160 that day 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.840 believed in 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.059 him. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.620 And then in 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.279 verse 31, 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.140 Jesus said to 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.039 them, to the 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.640 Jews who had 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.319 believed him, 00:20:57.080 --> 00:20:57.680 Jesus said to 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.340 them, if you 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.740 hold my 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.160 teaching, you 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:01.779 really are my 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.279 disciples. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.980 Come to 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.539 Jesus and 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.660 accept the 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.319 freedom and 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.880 forgiveness he 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.360 has to offer, 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.259 and you are 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.600 now in 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.420 relationship with 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.620 me. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.019 You're a 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.559 follower of 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.100 me, says 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:11.420 Jesus. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:11.940 You're a 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.299 disciple. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.460 Then you 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.720 will know 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.279 the truth. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.720 You'll 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:16.960 have all 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.379 the spin 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.619 and all 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.240 the lies 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.299 pushed aside. 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.639 You will 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.059 know what 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.599 really matters 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:20.940 in this 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.259 life. 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:21.779 You'll 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.720 understand God 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.680 and yourself 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.639 and the 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.000 world that 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.379 you live 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.599 in. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.339 You'll 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.099 know, even 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.440 if you're 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.139 blind and 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.839 lost from 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.839 the light in 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.460 a village in 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.259 remote China, 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:34.559 it won't 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.240 matter because 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.859 you'll know 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.700 the truth from 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.200 the lies. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.079 It will set 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.599 you free. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:40.879 And you'll 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.439 be set free 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:41.839 from the 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.519 struggles you've 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.859 had to 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.519 please God, 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.519 the attempts, 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.339 the failures, 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.619 the worry about 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.459 the law, the 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.500 worry about am 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.519 I good enough? 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.559 In Jesus, you're 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.939 found to be good 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.339 enough. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.619 He sets you 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:55.980 free. 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.439 And that sin 00:21:58.439 --> 00:21:58.879 and that 00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.619 judgment, that 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.059 spiritual 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.099 condemnation that 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.199 so many of us 00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:03.459 feel and know is 00:22:03.459 --> 00:22:04.219 what we deserve, 00:22:05.159 --> 00:22:07.879 passes away as we 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.320 come into a 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.040 relationship with 00:22:09.040 --> 00:22:09.680 the living God 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.500 through Jesus 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.020 Christ. 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.180 Friends, this 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.700 Christmas, the 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.600 message of Jesus 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.600 coming into the 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:18.260 world will be 00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:19.100 preached all over 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.580 the country. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.020 How much we 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:23.080 long for people 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:24.140 to not just 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.580 hear it, not 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.440 just understand 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.720 the story, but 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.340 for it to enter 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:30.140 our hearts so 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.700 that we can all 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.520 experience that 00:22:31.520 --> 00:22:32.900 freedom that 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:34.020 comes from 00:22:34.020 --> 00:22:34.760 knowing Jesus, 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.580 the true and 00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:37.260 living God, 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.680 in human form. 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:40.040 Let's pray. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.640 Heavenly Father, 00:22:44.780 --> 00:22:46.480 it's miraculous, 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.600 it's miraculous 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:49.460 that we can 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.880 know you. 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.220 Heavenly Father, 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.380 it is stunning 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.760 that you would 00:22:55.760 --> 00:22:56.280 come into the 00:22:56.280 --> 00:22:57.600 world in human 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:59.020 form through 00:22:59.020 --> 00:23:01.380 Christ, that we 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.980 might be able to 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:04.400 grasp you in a 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.960 way that we can 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.540 understand. 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:08.519 Father, it is 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:10.799 mind-blowing that 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.559 you have preserved 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.619 this truth for us 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.240 in the scriptures, 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.700 that we have 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.819 access to it here 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:17.099 in Sydney, 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.799 Australia, in the 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.659 21st century, in 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:22.480 our language, in a 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.019 format we can 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.579 understand. 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.180 Lord, may we not 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.720 take this for 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.019 granted. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.480 May we saturate 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.259 ourselves in your 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.599 word. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:29.659 word. 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:32.059 And by doing so, 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.879 may we more 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.919 deeply understand 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.419 your truth and 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:36.119 experience that 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.539 freedom that it 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.839 gives. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.779 In Jesus' name we 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.019 pray. 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:40.919 Amen. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:24:10.900 I'll see you next time.