WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 Good morning. The bullpen has been called and therefore I am back. 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:11.779 ! So you're not our typical teacher, preacher, Nathan, this morning. 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:14.500 ! Just me, Colson, a fellow church member. 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:23.539 So today we will be continuing our study of the Gospel of John, looking at 617b-22. 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:28.440 So we're not exactly following the ESV subheadings. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:31.540 Those are not inspired, so that is totally okay. 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:34.660 If that makes you uncomfortable, you'll be okay. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:38.260 So if you were here last week, don't worry. 00:00:38.400 --> 00:00:40.799 There's plenty more to glean out of this text. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.820 God's Word is an abundant source of wisdom for us, 00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:49.060 is a gracious gift that we have it so readily available to us. 00:00:49.820 --> 00:00:52.659 This story is familiar in our culture. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:56.460 I've heard people say, you would have thought that he was walking on water 00:00:56.460 --> 00:01:00.740 when they're talking about somebody awe-inspiring somebody else. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:07.439 There have been many gadgets, gimmicks, video editing tricks to make people look like they're walking on water. 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:13.840 A story in our family actually has a similar thing where my grandfather recruited my dad and his brother 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:18.840 to help him repair some fence posts in the middle of his pond in Florida. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.359 Kind of more of a muddy cesspool, but that's okay. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:29.039 Their goal, or their idea rather, was to screw some plywood boards onto the bottom of some old boots 00:01:29.039 --> 00:01:31.319 and walk out onto this muddy water. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:36.900 As the story goes, my uncle made it a couple steps through the mud part and was fine. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:41.920 And whenever things got a little more viscous, those planks created something of a vacuum, 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:46.579 and he was not really able to lift his feet anymore and started to sink and fall. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:49.760 Humans were not made to walk on water. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:56.300 This is a, very clearly, this is an idea that sticks in our minds as something that is supernatural. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:05.580 But people who know this story, people that know this story know very little about the gospel 00:02:05.580 --> 00:02:09.719 and don't know the reason why Jesus walked on the water. 00:02:10.439 --> 00:02:14.840 So to cut through this familiarity, we will take an in-depth look at this story today 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:19.259 and understand that this was not a party trick to impress Jesus' friends. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:24.680 This was an obvious demonstration and declaration of Jesus' deity. 00:02:25.480 --> 00:02:26.780 Join me before we pray. 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:29.039 Join me as we pray before reading this text. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:34.000 Dear Lord, thank you so much for this chance for us to gather together 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:38.280 to worship you through prayer, worship you through song, 00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:42.039 and worship you as we read your word to us. 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:46.000 Help us to have clear ears and eyes to receive your wisdom 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.360 and clear minds to focus today. 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:51.560 Thank you for how much you love us. 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:54.360 Help us to love and revere you well 00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:57.539 as we gather this morning and as we go through this week. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:02:59.679 Please speak to us this morning through your word. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:02.259 It's in Jesus' name that I pray. Amen. 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:06.819 So let's read John 16, 17b, starting with, 00:03:06.899 --> 00:03:09.280 It was now dark, through the end of verse 22. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:14.620 It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them, the disciples. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:18.739 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:21.719 When they had rowed about three or four miles, 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:24.680 they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:25.799 and they were frightened. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:27.780 But he said to them, 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:30.300 It is I. Do not be afraid. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:33.080 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, 00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:36.660 and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 00:03:37.320 --> 00:03:40.780 On the next day, the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:44.020 saw that there had been only one boat there 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:47.520 and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.100 but that his disciples had gone away alone. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:53.960 At a couple different times this morning, 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:57.460 I will make some comparing and contrasting points 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:00.540 with the other accounts of Jesus walking in the water 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:02.620 that we have in Matthew and Mark. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:05.980 So I think it would be helpful for us to kind of have those fresh in mind 00:04:05.980 --> 00:04:08.920 so we don't necessarily have to be flipping back and forth. 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:10.000 So I'm going to read through those now. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:10.939 This is a good bit of reading, 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:12.920 so if you want to go there with me, 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:16.139 we'll start in Matthew 14 in verse 22 through 33, 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.039 the end of that section, 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:19.680 and then after that we'll go to Mark 6 to read Mark's account. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:20.860 So a good bit of reading. 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:21.560 Buckle in. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:23.139 It's God's precious word to us, 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:24.139 so it's great to hear. 00:04:24.659 --> 00:04:28.779 So starting first in Matthew 14, verse 22. 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:33.139 Immediately, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.859 and go before him to the other side 00:04:34.859 --> 00:04:36.439 while he dismissed the crowds. 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:38.339 And after he had dismissed the crowds, 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:40.179 he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.619 When evening came, he was there alone, 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:45.899 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, 00:04:46.059 --> 00:04:47.059 beaten by the waves, 00:04:47.159 --> 00:04:48.519 for the wind was against them. 00:04:49.119 --> 00:04:50.399 And in the fourth watch of the night, 00:04:50.479 --> 00:04:52.079 he came to them walking on the sea. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:54.419 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:55.839 they were terrified and said, 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:56.799 it is a ghost. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.579 And they cried out in fear. 00:04:59.119 --> 00:05:00.979 But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, 00:05:01.419 --> 00:05:03.939 take heart, it is I, do not be afraid. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:05.500 And Peter answered him, 00:05:05.619 --> 00:05:06.500 Lord, if it is you, 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:08.759 command me to come to you on the water. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:10.039 He said, come. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:12.539 So Peter got out of the boat 00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:14.620 and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:16.279 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:17.639 and beginning to sink, 00:05:17.779 --> 00:05:20.139 he cried out, Lord, save me. 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:22.339 Jesus immediately reached out his hand 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:23.419 and took hold of him saying, 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:24.799 oh, you of little faith, 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.100 why did you doubt? 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:27.639 And when they got into the boat, 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:28.680 the wind ceased 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:30.780 and those in the boat worshipped him saying, 00:05:30.960 --> 00:05:33.319 truly you are the son of God. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:34.740 Okay, quickly now, 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:36.620 let's go to Mark 6, 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:37.840 starting in verse 45. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.420 So Mark's account of the same story. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:44.240 Immediately, he made his disciples 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:45.040 get into the boat 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:46.840 and go before him to the other side 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:47.519 to Bethsaida 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:49.220 while he dismissed the crowd. 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:51.319 And after he had taken leave of them, 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:53.160 he went up onto the mountain to pray. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:54.960 And when the evening came, 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:56.900 the boat was out on the sea 00:05:56.900 --> 00:05:58.760 and he was alone on the land. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:01.080 And he saw that they were making headway painfully 00:06:01.080 --> 00:06:02.200 for the wind was against them. 00:06:02.640 --> 00:06:03.980 And about the fourth watch of the night, 00:06:04.080 --> 00:06:05.480 he came to them walking on the sea. 00:06:05.820 --> 00:06:07.020 He meant to pass by them, 00:06:07.380 --> 00:06:09.000 but when they saw him walking on the sea, 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:10.020 they thought it was a ghost 00:06:10.020 --> 00:06:10.920 and cried out, 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:12.360 for they all saw him 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.120 and were terrified. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:15.040 But immediately he spoke to them 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:15.320 and said, 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:16.500 take heart in his eye, 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:17.820 do not be afraid. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:19.580 And he got into the boat with them 00:06:19.580 --> 00:06:20.640 and the wind ceased. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:22.360 And they were utterly astounded, 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:24.099 for they did not understand about the loaves, 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:25.819 but their hearts were hardened. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:29.079 Careful observers will note some differences here, 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:30.740 but these three accounts certainly agree 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:32.579 on the central details. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:35.199 Each author has kind of turned this diamond 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:36.479 a little bit differently 00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:38.699 to drive home particular points. 00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:40.719 So today we'll focus on the distinctives 00:06:40.719 --> 00:06:41.719 of John's account 00:06:41.719 --> 00:06:44.240 and that ought to make us investigate further 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.500 what John is up to. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:47.419 What is he emphasizing in his account 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:49.400 by looking at and turning things 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:50.439 this particular way? 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:52.080 As we go through our text, 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.640 I'll flag some of those particular distinctives 00:06:54.640 --> 00:06:56.520 and we'll talk about the revealed emphasis 00:06:56.520 --> 00:06:57.120 for each 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:58.660 and maybe a little bit of contrasting 00:06:58.660 --> 00:07:00.480 about how that compares to Matthew or Mark. 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:03.520 So now that we know our text for this morning 00:07:03.520 --> 00:07:04.420 and have some extra context 00:07:04.960 --> 00:07:06.580 from Matthew and Mark, 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:08.580 let's consider our text this morning 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:10.139 in three-ish points. 00:07:10.700 --> 00:07:11.180 The sea, 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:12.200 the disciples, 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:13.740 and the Lord Jesus. 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:15.939 So starting with point number one, 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:16.860 the sea. 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:19.800 So this is verse 17b through 18. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:21.420 It was now dark 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.319 and Jesus had not yet come to them. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:26.060 The sea became rough 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:28.000 because a strong wind was blowing. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:32.279 So John writes this entire passage 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:33.500 in a way that reminds me 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:36.220 of three different camera focal lengths, 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:38.339 different levels of zoom and focus. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:39.680 So here in this verse, 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:42.319 we have the widest angle, 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:43.159 so to speak. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.199 Picture this with me for a second. 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:46.639 We have Jesus on the shore, 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.039 on the eastern side of the shore. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:49.920 We also know that the disciples 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:52.300 are out here in the middle of the sea 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.479 and we know the storm is over all of them 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:55.939 and everything is dark. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.539 So we have this really wide 00:07:57.539 --> 00:07:59.920 amounts of information 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:02.620 that John is giving us for this. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:06.240 And then let's look now at verse 17, 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.599 in particular verse B, 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:08.699 or part B. 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:11.180 from verse 15, 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.680 as well as the other accounts 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:14.060 of this pair of vents, 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:15.379 Jesus feeding the 5,000, 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:16.959 as Nathan covered last week, 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.740 and now Jesus walking on water. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:21.279 We know that Jesus had withdrawn himself 00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:22.139 from the crowds 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.399 and the disciples to pray. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.459 But John includes a unique detail 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:26.579 about this retreat 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:28.300 by telling us in verse 15, 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:30.060 that's what he says in verse 15, 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:32.179 perceiving then that they were about to come 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.360 and take him by force 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:34.120 to make him king, 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.840 Jesus withdrew again 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.820 to the mountain by himself. 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:39.779 So he includes this detail 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:42.159 that the crowds wanted to take Jesus by force 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:43.879 and make him king 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:45.539 or leader of their rebellion. 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:48.299 Jesus had taken hours by this point 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:50.279 to be in solitude with God. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:51.759 And if I was to employ 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:53.320 a bit of sanctified imagination, 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.620 as Nathan likes to call it, 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:55.980 I would suppose that Jesus 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:58.060 would have been redoubling his focus 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.340 on his perfect obedience 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:01.080 to the Father and his will, 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.720 submitting this temptation 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.879 that was brought to him, 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.779 that these people would force him 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.159 to be this rebellious king 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.720 apart from his mission 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.200 and submitting this temptation 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:11.059 to the Father. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.279 Let's look at verse 18. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:14.360 The sea became rough 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:16.120 because a strong wind was blowing. 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:19.500 The disciples are undoubtedly exhausted 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:21.220 by this point in the day. 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:22.740 They had been with Jesus all day 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:23.539 as he taught, 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:24.639 as he healed, 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:26.120 fed thousands of people 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.100 that were there. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.899 The disciples gathered up 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.220 all that leftover bread. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:33.039 And now after that long day of ministry 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.000 under our Lord, 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:35.360 I am sure they were hoping 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.559 for nothing else 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:37.819 than an easy sail 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:39.639 across the sea to Capernaum. 00:09:40.319 --> 00:09:40.779 However, 00:09:41.099 --> 00:09:42.019 Yahweh often uses 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.199 difficult circumstances 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:44.519 to sanctify us 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.919 and glorify himself. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:49.139 The theme of dangerous waters 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.919 is present throughout the Bible. 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:52.879 From the unordered, chaotic, 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:54.899 lifeless waters in Genesis 1 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:56.620 that the spirit hovers over 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:59.360 to the predatory hunting waters 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.740 of the dragon pursuing the woman 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:02.700 in Revelation 12. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:05.120 But concurrent within that theme 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:07.299 is the Lord preserving his people 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:08.840 through the dangerous waters 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:10.820 by bringing life into creation, 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.379 preserving Noah and his family 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:12.840 on the ark, 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:14.639 delivering Israel to the Red Sea 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:15.480 and the Jordan River, 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.740 escorting Jonah back to his mission 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:19.200 via the deep water and a fish. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:20.200 The list goes on. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.220 These dangerous moments 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:22.919 through scripture 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:24.919 are opportunities God has made 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.379 to exhibit his love, 00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:27.719 his faithfulness, 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:29.799 and ultimately his glory. 00:10:33.099 --> 00:10:35.120 Here, John has in view 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.799 Jesus on the shore, 00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:38.240 the disciples on the sea, 00:10:38.439 --> 00:10:39.419 the storm over them all. 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:40.659 But now we're kind of going to 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:41.819 zoom in a little bit 00:10:41.819 --> 00:10:42.719 for the second point. 00:10:42.979 --> 00:10:45.079 John changes focus to the boat. 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.659 So point number two, 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:47.479 the disciples, 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:49.219 looking at verse 19. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:50.719 When they had rowed 00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:52.099 about three or four miles, 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.759 they saw Jesus walking on the sea 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.719 and coming near the boat. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.059 And they were frightened. 00:10:56.719 --> 00:10:57.659 So we're now zoomed in 00:10:57.659 --> 00:11:00.319 from that kind of extreme wide shot 00:11:00.319 --> 00:11:01.219 that we started with 00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:03.360 to focus on the labor and reaction 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.879 of the disciples to Jesus on the water. 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.159 The way it is written 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:08.379 is specific to say 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.559 what the disciples saw. 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:11.919 If this was a video, 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:13.099 I think we wouldn't necessarily 00:11:13.099 --> 00:11:14.659 see Jesus in this shot, 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:16.559 but rather we would be looking 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.240 at the disciples 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.980 as they see Jesus. 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:21.279 So let's, 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:22.820 as they see him, 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:23.720 and now let's observe 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.100 what the disciples do. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:25.539 So there's, 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.940 John gives three verbs 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.039 to describe the action 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:28.940 of the disciples here 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:29.820 in verse 19. 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:30.680 So first, 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.500 they had rowed. 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:32.639 So they had rowed 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.740 about three or four miles 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.300 at this point, 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.360 the shortest crossing 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.440 from that eastern shore 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.759 of the Sea of Galilee 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.460 that they started out 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:40.080 to Capernaum 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.120 up on that northwest edge of it 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.899 likely would have been 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:44.000 five or six miles. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.539 So these tired men 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.460 against the wind 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.620 were about halfway 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.340 to their destination 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:50.700 and presumably slowing down. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.059 They saw Jesus 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.000 as our second verb. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.440 According to Matthew and Mark, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.799 some of them thought 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.720 that the figure they saw 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.360 was a ghost, 00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.399 but no matter what 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.320 they thought they saw, 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.779 John gives us their third verb, 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:02.940 they were frightened. 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.200 Certainly understandable. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.539 They're in the center 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.500 of that large sea 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.379 in the middle of a storm. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:09.740 If that was not enough 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:11.580 to not expect to see Jesus, 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:12.980 he was walking on the water. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:14.340 That's a frightening thing to see. 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.960 They definitely would not 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.120 have expected to see him 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.019 like that. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.240 So next, 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:22.360 John zooms in further 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.080 past the disciples 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:24.940 in their boat 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:27.060 and we get to our center frame 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.159 at our third point, 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:29.860 the Lord Jesus. 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:31.980 So here at the center point, 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.620 John has been zooming in 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.120 and in to get us here 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.519 so we ought to pay 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.460 close attention. 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.759 So let's consider verse 20 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.399 in three parts. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.579 First, 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:44.740 but he said to them. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.340 The inclusion of the conjunction 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:50.059 but connects this 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.799 to what was previously said. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.279 It's answering something. 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:56.120 So I would suggest to you 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.419 that this is answering 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.740 the disciples' frightenedness. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.720 Our second phrase, 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.360 it is I, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:04.259 alternatively translated I am. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.259 A little bit of awkward grammar 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.919 in English 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:08.399 for this to be translated I am, 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.240 but it is certainly 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:11.539 an appropriate translation. 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.259 I think it's getting 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.579 at a theological point 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:14.699 for us to translate 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.559 and understand this 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.240 this way. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:19.959 So here in our center frame, 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:21.379 we get three phrases, 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.360 but he said, 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.079 I am, 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.199 do not be afraid. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.100 And that center of the center 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.340 is that Jesus is Yahweh, 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:29.459 the I am. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.519 This is not the only time 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.519 in John's gospel 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:34.120 that Jesus takes up 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.100 this divine name 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:35.939 which God revealed 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.040 to Moses in Exodus. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:38.840 Another shiny example 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.860 occurs in John 8, 58. 00:13:41.760 --> 00:13:42.860 Jesus said to them, 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.720 John tells us 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.600 the group of Jews, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:45.820 truly, truly, 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.720 I say to you, 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.660 before Abraham was, 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:49.700 I am. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:52.040 That third phrase 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.040 of verse 20, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.580 do not be afraid. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.960 Even with the meaning, 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.580 I believe Jesus and John 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:00.120 intend with the declaration 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.380 of Christ's identity, 00:14:01.380 --> 00:14:02.900 him identifying himself 00:14:02.900 --> 00:14:04.580 with God, Yahweh. 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:06.379 this sentence 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.360 or phrase, 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.420 do not be afraid, 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.120 does not seem to 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.780 immediately follow 00:14:11.780 --> 00:14:12.860 in a worldly, 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.080 strict sense. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.420 What I mean is this, 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.700 if Jesus was seeking 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:18.080 merely to comfort 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.520 his tired 00:14:19.520 --> 00:14:20.740 and frightened disciples, 00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:22.300 he could have said, 00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:23.259 it's me, 00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:23.700 Jesus, 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.639 God the Son. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.639 I will make the storm stop 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.540 and bring you safely 00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:28.040 to the shore. 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.040 Or, 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.800 good job rowing this far, 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.800 I'll take it from here. 00:14:32.180 --> 00:14:33.020 I'm sure the disciples 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.100 would have loved to hear 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.139 those words. 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:35.960 And that would have given them 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.179 a kind of temporary 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:39.159 and shallow comfort. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.679 Something that we 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:42.240 often may want 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:43.159 when we're going through 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.139 our own trials. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.600 But Jesus said, 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.360 I am, 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.659 do not be afraid. 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:49.539 He did not assure them 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.419 that he would relieve 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.059 their discomfort. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.840 He did not promise them 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.759 that their circumstances 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.699 would change. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.480 He revealed to them 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.939 that he is God 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.460 and he is with them. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.680 And because he was with them, 00:15:01.900 --> 00:15:02.860 they did not need 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.020 to be afraid. 00:15:06.260 --> 00:15:07.260 And this peace 00:15:07.260 --> 00:15:08.820 that Jesus called them to 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:10.420 was not the first time 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:10.960 that Yahweh 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.220 had so encouraged 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.120 his people. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.300 All through 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:15.160 the Old Testament, 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:16.920 we see a regular exhortation 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:18.380 to not fear 00:15:18.380 --> 00:15:19.420 for the Lord 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:20.140 is with you. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.460 We will look briefly 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.320 at two examples 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.440 that are too beautiful 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.420 for me not to read. 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:25.820 But before I get to those 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.400 in Isaiah, 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.699 I will list some other 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.539 references for you, 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.199 though this is certainly 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.399 not an exhaustive list. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.000 Joshua 1.9, 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.639 2 Chronicles 20.17, 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.620 Jeremiah 30.10, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.699 and then from 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:38.439 the worshiper's perspective, 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.299 Psalm 23 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:41.259 and Psalm 118, 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:41.840 verse 6. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:42.799 So, let's look 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.299 at our examples. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:43.840 So firstly, 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.240 Isaiah 41, 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.319 verse 10, 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.019 says this, 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.579 Fear not, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.559 for I am with you. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:51.019 Be not dismayed, 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.100 for I am your God. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.559 I will strengthen you, 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:54.460 I will help you. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.720 I will uphold you 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.620 with my righteous right hand. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.580 And second, 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.700 Isaiah 43, 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.019 verse 1, 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.279 through the first part 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.080 of verse 3. 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.139 But now, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.580 thus says Yahweh, 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.080 He who created you, 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:09.560 O Jacob, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.720 He who formed you, 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.320 O Israel, 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.700 fear not, 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.899 for I have redeemed you. 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:15.600 I have called you by name, 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:16.700 you are mine. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:19.060 When you pass through the waters, 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.399 I will be with you. 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.899 And through the rivers, 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.500 they shall not overwhelm you. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:25.279 When you walk through fire, 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.559 you shall not be burned, 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.080 and the flame shall not consume you. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.220 For I am Yahweh your God, 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.840 the Holy One of Israel, 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.899 your Savior. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.080 Wow. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.480 Also, 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:40.360 while we're in Isaiah 43, 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.700 verse 16 says this, 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.679 Thus says Yahweh, 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:47.279 who makes a way in the sea, 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.639 a path in the mighty waters. 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:52.419 This awesome description 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:54.259 of Yahweh in Isaiah 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:57.439 is typologically fulfilled 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:59.559 here by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.480 This makes it clearer than ever 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:03.139 that this storm was not just 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.799 for the disciples 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:06.220 to have a hard time sailing back. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.019 Rather, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.379 it was a red carpet 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.920 for the king to declare 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:12.039 and demonstrate his authority. 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.319 Right before our passage today, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.180 in verse 15, 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.880 John gave us that detail 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:20.220 about the crowd's desire 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.460 to force Jesus 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.140 into being the head 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:22.840 of this uprising. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.360 Now, 00:17:24.560 --> 00:17:25.539 the people were certainly right 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.600 to notice the kingliness 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.320 of Jesus, 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:29.400 but they missed the nature 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.259 of his kingdom 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.220 by a mile. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.360 Here, 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:32.860 in the middle 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.480 of the Sea of Galilee, 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.580 Jesus shows 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:36.799 that his disciples 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.700 that he is a king 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:39.299 unlike any other. 00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:40.660 Unlike Caesar, 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.279 Pharaoh, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.240 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:42.779 Cyrus, 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.220 Ahab, 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.640 Hezekiah, 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.019 Solomon, 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.539 and David, 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:46.599 Jesus makes a way 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.359 in the sea, 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.379 a path in the mighty waters, 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.839 just like Yahweh. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.519 Although Jesus 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.680 is the rightful king 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.220 of kings, 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.759 many did not receive him 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.059 then and do not 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.940 receive him now. 00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:00.159 Let's read John 8, 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:00.700 59, 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.480 the verse after 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.680 Jesus tells the Jews 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.039 before Abraham was, 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.559 I am. 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:08.500 So they picked up stones 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.500 to throw at him, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.420 but Jesus hid himself. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.299 That's a sad verse. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.720 They are not rejecting 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.639 a new governor 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.960 to oversee taxes, 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.500 trade, 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.099 and war. 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.480 They are rejecting 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.420 the king of the universe. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.599 This ought to grieve us. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.399 Jesus graciously reveals 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.000 to these people 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.740 that hate him 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.159 that he is God, 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.359 but they have hardened 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:31.899 their hearts 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:33.039 and closed their eyes 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.519 and ears. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.899 Hebrews 3, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:35.960 7 through 8 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.960 reads like this, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.079 Therefore, 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.659 as the Holy Spirit says, 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.099 today, 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.339 if you hear his voice, 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.659 do not harden your hearts 00:18:42.659 --> 00:18:43.500 as in the rebellion. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.880 in verse 13, 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.900 But exhort one another 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.779 every day, 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.180 as long as it is called today, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.259 that none of you 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.000 may be hardened 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.059 by the deceitfulness 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:52.819 of sin. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.460 So not all receive Jesus 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.380 as we just read. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.740 Some reject and rebel 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.460 against him. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.400 But what do 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.380 the disciples do? 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.420 Let's zoom back out 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.240 to the boat 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.240 from Jesus 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:06.099 to see the disciples' response. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.839 Then they were glad 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.460 to take him 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.119 into the boat. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.759 John has a slightly 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.420 different angle 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.359 on this detail 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.799 than the other two accounts 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.839 in Matthew and Mark. 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.759 Matthew and Mark 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.900 both recount this action, 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.119 he, Jesus, 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:18.859 got in the boat 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.440 with them, 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.160 or in Matthew, 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.779 he says they 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.319 because Peter 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.240 is also with Jesus. 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.740 And I expect 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.099 some of you 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.539 are thinking, 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.220 what difference 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:26.660 does it make? 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.019 Jesus got in the boat. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.579 What difference 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:29.940 does it make? 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.759 How exactly 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.480 it's written down? 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.819 I propose to you 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.599 that John is making 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.460 this slight change 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.480 in who is the subject 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.019 or actor 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.819 in this phrase 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.839 for more than 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.659 just to be quirky 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.179 or different 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:40.819 than his friends 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.519 Matthew and Mark. 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.299 Rather, 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:43.220 I propose to you 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.539 that John is being 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.259 very particular 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.079 in his language 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.039 and setting the story 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.220 within the macro argument 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.939 of his gospel 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:50.099 and as Nathan mentioned 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:50.619 last week, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.220 the structure 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.579 of chapter 6. 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:53.359 So let's take 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.059 a closer look 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.119 at each of those two 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.839 aspects. 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.359 First, 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.460 that macro level. 00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.220 We know John's 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.960 stated purpose 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.859 for his gospel 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:05.079 from John 20, 31. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.599 These are written 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.799 so that you may believe 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.399 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.440 the Son of God, 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.740 and that by believing 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.680 you may have life 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.259 in his name. 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:15.480 I hope that by the end 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.279 of our study of John 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.619 we will all have this verse 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:19.200 deeply ingrained 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.240 in our memories. 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.460 John is quite concerned 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.759 not only with telling us 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.659 these miracles 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:26.440 and awesome deeds 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.119 and teachings 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.139 of Christ, 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.879 but with what our response 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:31.240 will be to them. 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.259 He has done this 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.980 by highlighting 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.240 and contrasting 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.399 the different responses 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:35.960 to Christ 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.819 that he saw 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.220 while he was serving 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.359 under Jesus. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.740 In John 8, 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.319 when Jesus reveals 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.000 to the disciples 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.000 before Abraham 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.720 was, 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.319 I am, 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.700 what was their response? 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:48.079 They wanted to stone him. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.460 So here, 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.119 I think John 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.059 is very particular 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.879 in his arrangement 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.919 to make sure 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:53.460 we notice 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.720 the disciples' response. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.619 They gladly received him. 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:58.699 I would not be shocked 00:20:58.699 --> 00:20:59.379 to learn there is 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.199 a literary structure 00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:01.179 to make this contrast 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:02.479 between John 6 and 8 00:21:02.479 --> 00:21:04.079 more clear than it already is. 00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:05.099 Maybe we'll find out 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.079 when we all get 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.919 to the end of John 8. 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.199 As for the structure 00:21:08.199 --> 00:21:09.099 of this chapter, 00:21:09.199 --> 00:21:09.779 chapter 6, 00:21:10.479 --> 00:21:11.599 in verse 13, 00:21:11.979 --> 00:21:13.559 the disciples gather up 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.879 the remaining bread. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.379 And just after our text 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.279 in verse 35, 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.419 Jesus says, 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:21.599 I am the bread of life. 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:22.719 Then, 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.359 in the middle 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.139 of those pieces, 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.480 you have the disciples 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:27.039 receiving into their boat 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.279 the I am, 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.459 the bread of life. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.159 This is certainly 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.799 no accident. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.759 For the rest of our shot 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.559 here from John 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.199 in verse 21, 00:21:36.439 --> 00:21:36.939 he tells us 00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:37.659 what is happening 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.859 with the boat. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.379 And immediately, 00:21:40.679 --> 00:21:41.919 the boat was at the land 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.919 which they were going. 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.619 So this is 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:45.179 a miraculous deliverance. 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.279 The great I am 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.039 has brought them 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.779 all the way 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.240 through the waters. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.759 Praise God 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.819 for his Holy Spirit 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.759 inspiring brilliant minds 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.579 and revealing himself 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.160 to us. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.220 This is more 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.900 than just John. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.599 This is all 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.220 of the Old Testament 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:00.200 beauty working together. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.259 This is Jesus 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.559 fulfilling again and again 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.400 these types, 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.960 these slots 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.700 that are made 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.400 from the Old Testament 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.160 and fulfilling them now. 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.740 There is a slot 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.379 or type 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.379 of who it is 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.900 that heals the sick, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.279 feeds the multitude 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.819 in the wilderness, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.799 makes a path 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.779 in dangerous waters. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.940 And where God 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.900 filled that slot 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.220 throughout the Old Testament 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.319 now we see 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.980 Jesus doing 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.100 all these things 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:25.039 because he is God. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.759 Very interestingly, 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.240 this is the second 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.880 miraculous demonstration 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.339 of Jesus' divinity 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.319 in our passage. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.660 First, 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.380 Jesus is walking 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:34.799 on the water 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.640 in verse 19 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.980 and now second, 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.839 here in verse 21, 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.500 Jesus has immediately 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.720 delivered his disciples 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.720 through this dangerous storm. 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.440 Jesus' declaration 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:47.039 of his divine identity 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:48.940 is exactly between 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:51.319 those two powerful wonders. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.879 This is an opportune time 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.680 to clarify 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.680 some possible misunderstandings 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.480 or maybe even 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.399 an apparent contradiction 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.659 of some earlier statements 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.240 that I made. 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.539 I said, 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.500 Jesus did not assure them, 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.099 his disciples, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.279 that he would relieve 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.859 their discomfort. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.399 He did not promise them 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:09.220 that their circumstances 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.920 would change. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.220 And we just read 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.440 that he did in fact 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:14.099 relieve their discomfort 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.439 and change their circumstances. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.839 So we have this concept 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.939 of God allowing 00:23:18.939 --> 00:23:20.740 and using difficult 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:22.899 or dangerous circumstances. 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.959 So I think it's worth it 00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:25.240 to briefly explore 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:27.259 this idea for just a bit. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.919 A quick survey 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:30.699 of some picked 00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:31.799 Old Testament examples. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.279 There's many more than this. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.319 Joseph was sold, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.019 accused, 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:37.139 and jailed in Egypt, 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:38.319 but God was with him. 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:40.319 David fled from Saul 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.519 and later his own son, 00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.859 but God was with him. 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.240 Shadrach, Meshach, 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.679 and Abednego 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:45.959 were thrown into the furnace, 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.219 but God was with them. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.619 Daniel was thrown 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.519 into the lion's den, 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.719 but God was with him. 00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:52.479 Paul was shipwrecked, 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:53.659 but God was with him. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.179 Stephen was stoned, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.639 but God was with him. 00:23:57.419 --> 00:23:58.619 All of these examples 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.479 and many more 00:23:59.479 --> 00:24:01.119 teach us that trial, 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:01.799 suffering, 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.399 and hardship 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.579 will come. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.939 But Jesus is God 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:07.539 and he is with us. 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:09.879 Here, 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.539 Jesus did deliver 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.059 the disciples 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.879 through the storm, 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.579 yes, 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.539 but they did endure it 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.920 alone for miles. 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:19.019 God brought Joseph 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.599 out of jail, 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.159 yes, 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.279 but he did endure it 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.039 for many days. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:24.180 Jesus did receive 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:25.579 Stephen into his presence, 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.039 but he was martyred. 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.539 While we are enduring, 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.839 it is tempting to believe 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.099 that we are on our own 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.159 and that God 00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.839 is no longer 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.799 faithfully with us. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.480 God cannot deliver you 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.319 through the storm 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.180 if he does not 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.139 first allow you 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.280 to be caught in it. 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:45.020 John ends this passage 00:24:45.020 --> 00:24:46.600 by zooming back out 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.720 again into that 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.080 extreme wide shot. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.580 So now we are 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:51.200 at point one prime, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.860 the other side 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.500 of the sea. 00:24:54.020 --> 00:24:55.020 Let's read verse 22. 00:24:56.020 --> 00:24:57.180 On the next day, 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.320 the crowd that remained 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:58.960 on the other side 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.440 of the sea 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.840 saw that there had been 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:02.120 only one boat there 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:03.300 and that Jesus 00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:04.180 had not entered the boat 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.860 with his disciples, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.280 but that his disciples 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:07.500 had gone away 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.320 alone. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:11.539 This verse 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:13.019 is most clear 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.539 what John is doing 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.619 in framing up 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:17.019 this passage 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.639 for us 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.980 as he is kind of 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.879 resetting 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.759 that first shot 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.359 that we got 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:23.379 in verse 17b 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.019 through 18, 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.200 but instead of 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.359 Jesus on the shore, 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.539 disciples on the boat, 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.460 storm above, 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.319 it's now the crowd 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.539 on the shore 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:33.259 and then he's giving 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.139 another description 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.339 that Jesus did not 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.980 get on the boat 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.879 with his disciples, 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.440 so he's kind of 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.960 restating all this 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.700 information that we 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:41.240 learned earlier 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.420 in the passage. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:44.380 So this is kind of 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.480 that repeat of information 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.560 to follow the structure 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.920 to make us pay attention 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:49.480 of what did we miss 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.440 from A 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.000 to that repeat of information 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.260 in A prime. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.000 So we would be wise 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.100 to ask how this section 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:59.340 relates back to that 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.700 center frame 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.440 that we talked about, 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:02.540 Jesus' declaration 00:26:02.540 --> 00:26:05.020 of his divine identity. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:07.259 So here, 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.639 the crowd noticed 00:26:08.639 --> 00:26:09.680 and knew 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.660 that Jesus did not 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.259 get on the boat 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.240 with his disciples, 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.940 but they also knew 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.000 that he was no longer 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.599 with them 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.859 on that eastern side 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.379 of the sea. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.879 The crowd is curious 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.920 as to how 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:23.139 Jesus crossed the sea. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.379 This is the people 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.680 that knew their waters, 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:27.660 knew the sea well. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.779 Some of them 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.480 most likely 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.960 would have been able 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.579 to surmise 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.339 that Jesus certainly 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.639 did not walk around 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.580 in that time. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.080 So John explores 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.620 the interaction 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.400 between Jesus 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.259 and the crowd 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.520 through the rest 00:26:39.520 --> 00:26:40.520 of the chapter, 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.580 which we will not 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:42.720 obviously get into today. 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.440 So now that we have 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.259 followed John 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.920 as he started wide, 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:48.240 zoomed in on the boat, 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.620 zoomed in on Jesus, 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.020 and then back to the boat, 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.600 and back to that whole scene, 00:26:53.320 --> 00:26:54.220 let's consider 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.980 some closing applications. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.880 Number one, 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.299 believe the declaration 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:02.799 that Jesus is God. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.640 Every day, 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.559 as we work, 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.220 parent, 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.200 eat, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:07.839 live, 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.339 and go, 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.339 we must not lose sight 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.500 of the truth 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.700 of Jesus' deity 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:14.860 verified by his resurrection. 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.960 Application number two, 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.519 believe Jesus' promise 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.980 that he is with us. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.559 Because Jesus 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:25.480 has verified his divinity 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.659 through his resurrection, 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.599 when we hear his promise 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.539 that he is with us, 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.720 we get that from 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.720 Matthew 28, 20, 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.579 that he will be with us 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.339 to the end of the age 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.919 as we go. 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.700 We can have confidence, 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.539 trust, 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.119 faith in it. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.000 If Jesus had given us 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.299 that promise to hold to, 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.879 but he did not come out 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:43.379 of the tomb, 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.500 we would be fools 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.319 to hold to it. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.579 Praise God 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.299 that we do not have 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.279 to be those fools. 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:50.399 And application number three, 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:52.279 do not be afraid. 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.279 Because Jesus 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.579 has finished his work, 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.059 if we are in him, 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.339 we no longer have anything 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.019 to fear. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.599 Embarrassment, 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.839 awkwardness, 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.480 persecution, 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.220 trials, 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.099 even death, 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.960 do not have any claim 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.779 over us. 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.420 The pastor of Hebrews 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.240 put it this way 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.019 in Hebrews 2, 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.039 14 through 15, 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:11.619 which reads, 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.359 Since, therefore, 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.619 the children share 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:17.059 in flesh and blood, 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.259 Jesus himself 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.599 likewise partook 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.740 of the same things, 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:22.339 that through death 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.559 he might destroy 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:25.079 the one who has 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.160 the power of death, 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.160 that is the devil, 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.839 and deliver 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:30.259 all those 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.279 who through fear 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.880 of death 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.859 were subject 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.500 to lifelong slavery. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.380 That fear of death 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:37.559 was the means 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.599 the devil employed 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.960 to keep us 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.539 subject 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.960 to lifelong slavery. 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.500 But now, 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.140 in Christ, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.120 we have the freedom 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.019 to not succumb 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.920 to that fear. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.940 If you are not in Christ, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:50.220 if you do not have faith 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.240 in the perfect life, 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.039 atoning death, 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.220 and glorious resurrection 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.759 of Jesus, 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:55.660 you cannot overcome 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:57.400 death in and of yourself. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.660 You need the power 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.140 of another. 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:02.240 Stop trying to work 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.259 yourself to heaven. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:05.480 You must believe 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.680 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.680 the Son of God, 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.900 and by believing, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.940 you may have life 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.580 in his name. 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.680 You may be thinking 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:14.920 that you do not fear death, 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.779 and that's good, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.039 but consider, 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.160 when I'm selfish 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.720 with my time, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.079 it's because I know 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.119 that death is coming. 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.440 I won't be able 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.559 to watch that movie, 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.279 play that game, 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.319 read that book forever, 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:28.319 so I ought to do it now, 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.559 says my sinful flesh. 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.599 But let's pick up 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.480 that exhortation 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.420 from Hebrews 3 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.319 that we read earlier. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.019 We ought not 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.420 to allow one another 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.519 or ourselves 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.539 to be hardened 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.220 by this, 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.180 to naturally 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.319 prioritize ourselves 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:45.639 above other things. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.980 We grumble, 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.539 fight, 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.279 and hoard 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.799 because we fear, 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.519 but our Lord 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.019 and Savior 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.500 has defeated death. 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.299 He is with us, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.059 therefore, 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.440 we no longer 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.579 must be afraid 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.599 and we are freed. 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.119 So now, 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.819 we are to use 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.339 that freedom 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.200 to serve 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.460 and love one another 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.859 and so fulfill 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.200 the law of Christ. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.660 Pray with me.