WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.580 I would like you to turn your Bibles this morning to John chapter 8 and ask that you follow along 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:22.480 ! as we open the scriptures together and begin reading there. John chapter 8 verse 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:28.640 ! And again, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.799 will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Let us pray. 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:45.760 Gracious Father, this morning as we take up this word, 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:54.980 we're thankful that you have given us scripture by inspiration, 00:00:54.979 --> 00:01:06.219 by the work and ministry of the Spirit, and we are thankful that we who are your people may rely 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:14.719 upon the Spirit to help us understand and apply the Word of God. At the same time, we recognize 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:26.000 the importance of our hearts being humble enough and objective enough to recognize our natural 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:33.460 tendency of not listening carefully and with a tender heart toward the things you have. 00:01:34.460 --> 00:01:40.299 And so we ask that you would work and that you would be glorified both in our attention to the 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:51.299 word of God and then our application. And Father, we want to be a people whose lives 00:01:51.299 --> 00:02:01.000 display the work of Christ in a world that desperately needs to see the light. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:05.719 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:16.020 Well, in that we have been away from John for a while, and that goes with, first of all, 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:21.259 having Christmas and then having New Year's and other things associated with that. And then I got 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:25.939 to preach on stewardship, right? You are all looking forward to that. Waiting, waiting, waiting for 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:32.800 a pastor to step on that one and get right to it. And then we had the farewell service for Caleb and 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:40.099 Charity. But we're back to John. And I got to tell you, it's a good book. It happens to be the best 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:48.319 one I know right now. And it is dynamite. As I begin, I'm several weeks ahead in where we are, and I 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:53.479 remember even as I was finishing up details on stewardship and then Caleb and Charity's service, 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:58.299 I was beginning to look back to the passage and refresh my heart in the book of John, and I found 00:02:58.299 --> 00:03:04.759 myself just having this surge of affection for this book. It is unbelievable. It really is. 00:03:05.839 --> 00:03:11.939 It is a book that opens up the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in a spectacular fashion. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:19.780 And it's important for us to remember a couple basic details about John. For one, it's completely 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:29.319 different than the other three Gospels. The first three Gospels are descriptive. John's Gospel is more 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:35.420 reflective. The first three Gospels give us...I have a cough. Bear with me. 00:03:38.539 --> 00:03:44.900 Lord, help him, please. Frail instrument that he is, help him, okay? That's what you're praying, right? 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:55.700 The first three Gospels give us lots of details, accounts of different things Jesus did. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:06.800 John only gives us seven miracles, a number of different statements, but very little detail. 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:15.460 On the other hand, John goes out of his way to help us think carefully about who Jesus is. 00:04:16.020 --> 00:04:20.699 To put it another way, we could say that the first three Gospels say it this way, 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:30.639 here is what happened. John's Gospel says, this is why it happened. Do you follow that? It's important 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:39.740 to keep that in view. And there is a sense in which John's Gospel, from the very beginning to the end, 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:48.419 stays focused singularly on the person of Christ. Now, you should remember John chapter 20, verse 31, 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:53.800 more or less by heart. How many of you think you could get a rough stab at reciting it without looking 00:04:53.800 --> 00:05:03.579 at it? These things are written, what? So that you may know that Jesus is the Christ, 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:09.400 and believing in Him that you may have, what? Everlasting life. I mean, this is all about 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:20.620 knowing Jesus is the Christ. It helps to kind of have the outline in front of you. What I mean by that 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:30.420 is, what's the goal? What's the target? Why is this part here? And it is this singular focus on the deity 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:35.920 and the supremacy of Christ that almost overwhelms us with joy when we open up the book of John, 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:43.459 and we see the evangelist, the Gospel being laid out for us and presented so clearly. Man, I see it. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:53.819 I see it. Jesus is the Christ. And so as we take up this passage this morning, let me remind you, 00:05:53.899 --> 00:06:02.719 for one, it is the second of the seven I Am statements in John. Does that strike you as interesting? 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:12.319 For one, remember when Moses, at the burning bush, a little concerned for the responsibility that he had 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:18.120 or he was being charged with of leading the nation out of the land of Egypt, he said, 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:24.620 and all right, all right, who should I tell him is sending me? And God said, what? You tell him I am 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:36.920 is sending you. And Jesus, second person of the Godhead, fully God, makes it very, very clear that 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:46.420 he indeed is God's son, the second person of the Godhead. And these statements that we find, 00:06:47.080 --> 00:06:56.460 the seven I Ams, make it undeniable. So we look here and we find the second of these statements. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:07:00.220 You remember Jesus said earlier in John chapter 6, I am the... 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:08.480 Let's try it again slowly. I'll throw it out there kind of like, this is not T-ball. It's a real slow 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:20.260 delivery though, okay? Jesus said in John chapter 6, I am the bread of life. Second one is, I am the light. 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:28.020 And so here's the statement, Jesus is the light. That's what he says. And you have to understand that 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:34.699 this was a stunning statement of his messianic authority, and it was made in the very center 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:40.479 of Israel, namely in the city of Jerusalem and in the court of women in the temple. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:50.439 Now, we all appreciate light in varying degrees. And light is important. It makes things grow. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:58.899 It allows us to move. It helps us work. It helps us decide if we can take action with greater assurance. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:04.660 Many of us here can probably think back to times when we've traveled around in our own home even, 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:09.199 without the benefit of light, and we found out that somebody moved something into our way, and we 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:11.300 wish we had light. Light's important. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:16.120 But I want you to understand when Jesus said this, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:23.879 there was more to his statement about I am the light than we may pick up on the surface. 00:08:24.840 --> 00:08:27.319 And so, we want to take a minute here and think about 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:35.120 this bottle of water is here for me to try in moments of extreme duress, okay? 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:45.759 Poff drop. Belinda, thank you so much. I had no intention of doing this, but bear with me. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:50.100 Thank you. Oh, three. 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.519 Please thank Belinda for having extras in her purse. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.679 We'll see if it makes any difference. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:11.120 I know, I know. Illustration of progressive sanctification very slowly taking place. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:19.560 Okay. Anyway, as we get into this passage, I want us to remember a rule of Bible study is to pay 00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:24.519 attention to context. And so, when you look at this passage, and here we are, 21st century, 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:29.460 we have lights, we have electricity. Some of you leave them on all night just because you don't know 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:33.960 that turning them off is an economic decision that you need to make occasionally. You know, 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:36.360 we're all about, we understand light. It's there. 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:41.300 The ancient world did not have that privilege. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:47.660 And so, when Jesus said, I am the light, it immediately got people's attention. 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:52.540 But remember, it's important for us to think, who was he talking to? 00:09:52.539 --> 00:10:01.839 He was talking to Jews for one, who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:10:03.959 --> 00:10:13.500 It was a phenomenal feast. It was actually of the feast that God expected his nation to participate in, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.700 it was the most celebratory. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:24.980 It was one that had a number of different rituals in them that really communicated 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:28.379 the ministry of God to his people. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:34.500 Now, remember, he said this during the Feast of Tabernacles, but he also said it, 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:36.580 well, in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles, 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:47.660 he also said it, in the court of women that was marked out by these large, towering torches, 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:53.020 candelabras of some sense, actually rising according to historical records, 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:57.320 or at least Josephus, etc., up to 75 feet, 00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:01.860 that during the Feast of Tabernacles were lit every night. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:07.200 How many of you have ever been around a gargantuan bonfire? 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.019 I mean a big one. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.460 Pretty spectacular. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:17.860 And so here were these four towering, flaming torches in the court of women, 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:21.220 and they were so powerful, their presence and light, 00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:26.460 that all of Jerusalem kind of was affected by the aura and the glow of these torches. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:29.039 And here is Jesus in that context saying, 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.199 I am the light. 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:33.259 But there's something else you need to understand. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:41.519 When he said, I am the light, he said it in the ears of Jews that had a deep longing for their Messiah, 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:46.360 and they understood that when Jesus said, 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:48.199 I am the light, 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:51.759 he wasn't saying, hey, I'm a pretty bright guy. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:54.639 He was saying, I am the one. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:12:02.759 Let's take these three contextual facts and kind of weave them together so we can understand it a little more fully. 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.120 For one thing, he was saying this, 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.120 I am God in your presence. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.279 I am God in your presence. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.259 That's what he said. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:19.939 The nation of Israel, from the day they left the land of Egypt until the day they arrived in the promised land, 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:21.879 and this is something that always kind of befuddles me. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:27.899 How in the world could Israel be so absolutely brain dead about the presence of God 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:30.639 when every night, what did they have over the camp? 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:34.519 Over the tabernacle was a pillar of fire. 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:40.860 I mean, can you just imagine arguing with God when there's a big cloud over the tent, 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.240 and there's a fire, 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:45.120 and you're like, well, I'm not real sure God cares about me. 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:52.000 Just stop and think about it. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.899 In case you're wondering, 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:57.679 they're not the only ones that have been pretty stupid in the presence of information. 00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:01.459 But when Jesus said, I'm the light, 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:07.359 he was drawing attention to the fact that God was the light of the nation of Israel. 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:11.359 I think about the psalm that says, 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.699 Blessed are the people who hear the joyful sound, 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.019 speaking about the word of God. 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:21.479 They shall walk in the light of your countenance. 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:27.120 How many of you can remember what it was to live a disobedient, 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:33.680 God-rejecting life, 00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:38.220 and not have the benefit of the light of his presence, right? 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.840 Israel said, 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:43.000 You are our light and our salvation. 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:48.180 And here is Jesus standing up and saying, 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.239 I want you to know this, 00:13:49.439 --> 00:13:51.799 I am the light. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:55.559 Second thing he was saying in that context is, 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.919 I am the one who gives you light to your life. 00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:02.039 The Jews who heard him saying this 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:04.620 were standing in the court of women. 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.479 It was the largest of the courts. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:10.519 It was as far as women could go into the temple. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.719 It was large. 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:16.599 And in that place, 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:19.820 there were these four towering candelabras 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:22.180 that were not lit during the daytime 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:23.320 when Jesus were talking, 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:25.080 but they could see these things. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:25.779 It was a reminder, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.980 I am the one who brings light into your life. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.920 Probably the most significant thing, however, 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.899 is that when Jesus said this, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.820 the Jews understood that he was claiming 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:42.120 without question to be the Messiah. 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:44.879 Think with me just a minute, 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.019 and let's turn to the passage. 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.120 Go back in your Bible. 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.340 Keep your finger in Isaiah, 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.240 because we're coming back. 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:53.720 But Isaiah chapter 9, verse 2. 00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:57.620 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 2. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.039 Boy, that cough drop helps. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.259 Thank you very much, Belinda. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:09.980 Needed. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.100 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 2. 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.240 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 2. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:18.759 The people who walked in darkness 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.560 have seen a great light. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:24.300 Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:28.019 on them has light shined. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:32.080 The passage is one that around Christmas time 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.300 we're pretty familiar with, aren't we? 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:36.939 We recognize that the coming of the Messiah, 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.259 the virgin-born Son of God, 00:15:40.599 --> 00:15:43.120 referred to clearly as the light of the world. 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:47.279 And so here, when Jesus made this statement, 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:51.879 you can understand that those who heard it 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:54.599 understood Jesus to say this, 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:58.659 I am not a kind of a representative of God 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:01.100 and someone that it might be a good idea 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.259 for you to listen to. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.019 You know, how do you like up-talk in town? 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:07.100 It was like, hey, guys, I'm it. 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.540 I'm the light. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.480 Get it? 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:13.740 Now, I want you to remember in John chapter 20, verse 31, 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.539 that John makes it very clear, 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:18.460 Jesus, all that we have in the book of John 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:20.300 is for this singular purpose 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:24.220 of letting you know that Jesus is the, what? 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.840 The Christ. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.340 For what purpose? 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.800 So that you may believe on Him 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.279 and have everlasting life. 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.519 Well, I want you to understand 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.100 that there's some practical application 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:39.620 that we need to apply in relationship to this. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:43.159 For one, following Him means not walking in darkness. 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.700 Following Him, 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.220 and we'll say this slowly so you get it, 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.940 means not walking in darkness. 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:52.639 Now, understand, in primary terms, 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:56.940 walking in darkness refers to the state of the unsaved. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:00.920 When you walk in the darkness of rebellion and sin, 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.240 there are innumerable bumps 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.220 and scrapes that happen in the dark. 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:10.579 There are things that take place 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:13.200 that just end up being bruising. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.339 I refer to it as, 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:17.299 and I want you to mark this in your own thinking, 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:20.099 as the unintended consequences of sin. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.579 Everybody look at me and smile 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.519 because I want you to follow this. 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.240 Let me explain something to you. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.900 When you sin, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.720 when I sin, 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.039 my little perverted mind 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.220 and your little perverted mind 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.420 has thought at the moment 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:36.120 that it was a reasonable thing to do. 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.299 How many of you understand that? 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.460 Whatever it is. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.319 And then God allows unintended consequences 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.339 to come around and give us an epiphany. 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:46.819 It's like, whoa, 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:49.880 I didn't realize that if I did this, 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.559 this would happen. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.819 Even though God tells us ahead of time, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.960 how many of you realize 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.359 one of the characteristics of God 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:57.519 is He gives you all kinds of information 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.960 about that's a bad idea. 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:05.899 And so when the bruises and heartaches of life 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:07.579 strike the wicked, 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.599 part of the intention 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:11.159 is God helping the wicked 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.519 come to realize 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.939 that walking in the darkness 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:15.639 is a miserable state to be in. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:18.359 But I want you to understand something else. 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:19.299 Now listen to me. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:22.859 Believers can walk in relative darkness as well. 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:27.379 You can pinch down the candle of your conscience. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.899 And how do you do that? 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:33.500 I don't have to clue any of you in 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:35.419 because all of us here have done it on occasion. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.940 But one of the things you can do 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.680 is say willfully, 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.379 hey, I'm not going to do that 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.940 even though I know that's what God wants. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.579 I think back over the years 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:46.099 of situations where I've counseled individuals 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.000 saying, hey, hey, 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.799 don't date that unbeliever. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.740 And why not? 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:52.640 Because the Bible says don't do it. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.500 Well, I want to anyway. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.240 She happens to be the best looking girl in the class 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:58.720 and in fact she was actually smiling at me 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.359 and that deserves some attention, right? 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.859 And then the heartache rolls out 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.799 and years later you end up in my office 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.420 and you're saying, 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.420 I didn't think it would end this way. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:09.720 Really? 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:11.220 Well, that's why God said don't do it. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:17.480 When you willingly close your eyes and ears 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.279 because you don't want to hear the truth, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.480 you're going to end up with some bumps and scrapes 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.240 you didn't count on. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.319 Well, there's another way that believers, 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.319 knowing better, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.980 end up walking in the dark 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.740 and that's because they end up being seduced 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.259 by their own fantasies 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:34.600 and walking in the mirage of what they think 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:37.079 is reasonable rather than the light of Scripture. 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:40.199 I want to appeal to you. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:42.460 One of the things that should characterize 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:45.480 you as a believer in this present day 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:49.419 is that you weigh all things 00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:51.339 against the Word of God. 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.539 Do you hear me? 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:56.079 What does God think about that? 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.779 Where does that idea appear in Scripture? 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:02.460 What's the context in which I can frame that? 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.119 I've got to tell you, 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:07.259 one of the sad tasks of a pastor 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.599 who is being faithful to the work 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:10.019 of the Word of God 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.919 is that there are occasions 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:12.379 when I have to warn people 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:15.019 when they're intentionally pinching down the light 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:16.139 in their life 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:20.259 and I watch people stumbling towards heartache 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.199 and I have to say to them, 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.679 listen, no, it's not going to work out. 00:20:24.199 --> 00:20:25.899 That's not walking in the light 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:28.119 and the outcome is going to be very hard for you. 00:20:30.239 --> 00:20:31.899 Well, I want you to understand 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.019 as you look at this passage 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.359 going back to John chapter 8, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.339 we find Jesus saying, 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.479 I am the light of the world. 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.299 I'm it. 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:41.319 I want you to look at a second thing. 00:20:42.219 --> 00:20:45.219 How the dark always reacts to the light. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.399 Look at verse 13. 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:52.380 So the Pharisees said to him, 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:54.340 you are bearing witness about yourself. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.920 Your testimony is not true. 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.720 He had just finished 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:03.519 making this stunning statement about himself 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:06.759 and you can hear, 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:09.680 you can hear a whining 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:13.220 kind of high-pitched nasal sound 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.580 coming from a Pharisee. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:16.599 You got it? 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.039 I mean, 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.720 how many of you ever just kind of think to yourself 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.859 how stupid they were? 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.659 Do you ever do that? 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:24.319 Pharisees? 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:24.879 Ah! 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.519 Here is Jesus. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.039 I mean, 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.419 what had he done so far 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:32.679 that kind of cast reason? 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:33.079 I mean, 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:34.659 what had he done so far 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:36.319 that gave everybody good idea 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.579 of believing that he had the power 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.579 to do what he said, right? 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.159 I mean, 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:40.179 miracle after miracle. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.419 I mean, 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.199 it was all out there. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.519 Nothing secret. 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.740 And here he says, 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.539 I am the light. 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:46.699 I mean, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.799 he had been dynamite. 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.839 And so you can hear 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.179 this little nasally sound. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.539 Yeah, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.399 you can't be right 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.919 because you're tooting your own horn. 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.319 Now, 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:59.359 a general rule in court 00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.960 is that 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:02.220 a person should not be 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.879 the only witness 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.039 to bear witness to themselves. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.019 They're saying, 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.199 hey, 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.059 you can't talk about yourself. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.119 And in Jewish law 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.779 and in the general rule of court 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.500 is that you want 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.559 an independent 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.339 and impartial witness 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.960 or observer. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.379 But, 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:22.519 I like the way Jesus responds. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.679 What does he say here? 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:27.159 He looks there 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.859 and he says, 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.279 hey, 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.919 even if I do bear witness 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.679 about myself, 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.759 my testimony is true 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.419 for I know where I came from 00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:35.539 and where I'm going. 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.379 Here's what he's saying. 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:38.139 He had first-hand evidence. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:41.119 You got it? 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.579 Think about it. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.919 I know where I came from 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.679 and where I'm going. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.199 He had the supreme right 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:48.099 to speak about heaven 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.879 and about the Father. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.199 Why? 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.079 He'd been there. 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:53.960 And everything he said 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.799 was accurate 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.480 and dead on. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.599 How many of you 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.079 on occasion 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.919 have wanted to retract 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.619 something you've said? 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.099 I mean, 00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:04.500 you know, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.799 regrettably, 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.899 there's not a day goes by 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.639 that I'd not like 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.319 to get a do-over 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.159 on things I've said. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.319 That wasn't the case 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.819 with Jesus. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.099 Everything he said, 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.440 it was like, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.259 bang! 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.460 Not only that, 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:18.159 but everybody could research 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:20.200 exactly what he said 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.139 in comparison 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:21.899 to Scripture. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.000 Scripture. 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.700 If you look at 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:27.460 his Bible lessons, 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.160 his sermons, 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.680 you will find 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.680 the substance 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.620 of the Old Testament 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.519 laid out for you. 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.860 If you look at his prayers, 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.500 you will find 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.560 the information, 00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:38.400 the text of the Old Testament 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.780 brought to your attention. 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.200 And here he was 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.200 speaking about the Father. 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.280 He was speaking about heaven. 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:44.960 He was speaking about 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.960 the plan of salvation. 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.140 And he was speaking 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:47.960 about their need 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.740 for salvation. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.840 And he spoke 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.500 with authority 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.299 because he had come 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.779 from heaven. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.519 And he saw the Father 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.019 firsthand. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.920 Second thing is 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:58.220 that he had authority 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.700 from the Father. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.900 You look there 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.860 in verse 15, 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.240 he says, 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.460 hey, 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.799 you judge according 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.299 to the flesh, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.440 I judge no one. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.360 And I can hear 00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:08.340 the voice in the background 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:08.720 saying, 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.319 well, 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.980 if Jesus didn't judge, 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.900 we shouldn't judge. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.259 How many of you 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.819 ever heard that one? 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:17.599 You know what? 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.139 How many of you 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:18.740 have a tongue 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.879 that can taste food 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.740 that's gone stale? 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.500 I mean, 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.240 some of you rely 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.759 on dates 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:25.859 on the thing. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.519 Growing up in India, 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.039 I had to rely 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.619 on my tongue. 00:24:28.919 --> 00:24:31.419 That is not safe. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.579 Just because it was 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.439 in the refrigerator, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:33.899 you know, 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.039 refrigerators keep things 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.799 for almost 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:37.599 way beyond their due date. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.319 Let's not stop. 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.819 Let's stop there. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:39.639 Okay. 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:44.400 Here's how we know 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:46.520 whether something 00:24:46.520 --> 00:24:47.600 is right or wrong. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.600 The Word of God. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.120 The Word of God 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.320 helps us determine 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.720 what is right and wrong. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.860 And Jesus had authority 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.720 given to him 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.420 by the Father. 00:24:58.060 --> 00:24:59.240 And here's Jesus saying, 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.820 even if I do judge, 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.840 my judgment is true 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.520 for it is not 00:25:02.520 --> 00:25:03.520 I alone who judge 00:25:03.520 --> 00:25:04.420 but I am the Father 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.000 who sent me. 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.920 And incidentally, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.120 in the day 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:09.140 when all are judged, 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.600 the one who judges 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.660 will be the Lord 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.440 Jesus Christ 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.040 and he who judges 00:25:14.040 --> 00:25:15.140 will be the one 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:15.940 who willingly 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.740 bore the penalty 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.580 of sin 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.759 on the cross. 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.780 Furthermore, 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.800 I want you to recognize 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.600 that Jesus had 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:28.140 supportive evidence. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.080 He says, 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.580 I am the one 00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:32.340 who bears witness, 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.040 verse 18, 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.860 about myself 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.520 and the Father 00:25:34.520 --> 00:25:35.020 who sent me 00:25:35.020 --> 00:25:35.759 bears witness 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:39.339 about me. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.359 What witness 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.059 did the Father 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.579 give to Christ? 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.099 Well, 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.839 for one thing, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.960 but you could bear 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.519 with the fact 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.240 that not everybody 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.819 was there. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.259 At Jesus' baptism, 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.000 what took place? 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.599 There was a voice 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.940 from heaven 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.500 that said what? 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.980 This is my beloved son 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.740 in whom I am 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.980 well pleased. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.299 I like the next part 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.720 that appears 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.579 in one of the Gospels. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.460 Here it is. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.339 Listen to him. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:02.119 Isn't that nice? 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.319 You know, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.500 don't tell me 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.819 that Jesus is the Christ. 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:08.740 Everybody look up 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.399 because I'm talking 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:09.759 to you. 00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:11.919 Don't tell me 00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:12.599 that you're all about 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.240 being a Christian 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.759 but you're not 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.759 listening to Jesus. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.059 There's some of you 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.539 here 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:21.579 whose lives 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.919 are a contradiction 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:25.039 of what you say. 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:28.079 That's not right. 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.319 If he's the Christ, 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.119 listen to him. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.699 Jesus had supporting evidence. 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.179 That's the thing 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:35.599 that I want you 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.099 to recognize. 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:36.859 He says, 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:39.019 the Father bears me witness. 00:26:39.439 --> 00:26:40.599 What he was pointing to 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:40.859 were, 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.699 here's miracles. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.099 I want you to look 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:46.139 at a couple different passages 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.419 in relationship to this. 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.519 Keep your finger there 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.959 in John chapter 8 00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:50.899 because we'll come back to it 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.519 but turn back 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.099 just for a moment 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.480 to John chapter 3 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.059 verse 2. 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.939 Cough while people 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.480 are turning. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.580 Note to myself. 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:01.539 Okay. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.660 John chapter 3 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.200 verse 2. 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.080 This man, 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.340 talking about Nicodemus, 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.220 came to Jesus by night 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.980 and said to him, 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.340 Rabbi, 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.700 we know that you 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.400 are a teacher 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:15.539 come from God. 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.620 How come? 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.980 For no one 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.660 can do these signs 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.460 that you do 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.900 unless God is with him. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:28.620 God had confirmed 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:33.720 Christ's task 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.860 and ministry 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:40.080 by undeniable miracles. 00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:44.280 I want you to look 00:27:44.280 --> 00:27:45.040 at another passage 00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:47.620 that brings it to us 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:49.780 for the same purpose 00:27:49.780 --> 00:27:50.680 but from a completely 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.720 different light. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:54.259 turn to John chapter 9. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.740 The entire chapter 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.640 is the account 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.299 of the man 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.259 who was born blind. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.700 Jesus and the disciples 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.620 walking along 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:05.900 and so one of the disciples 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:07.579 poses a theological question. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.360 They look at 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:09.339 the man 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.339 who's been born blind 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.940 and they kind of 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.100 they want to get 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:13.620 the lowdown on this guy 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:13.980 and they say, 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.339 Rabbi, 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.400 who sinned, 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.400 this man or his parents 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:17.380 that he was born blind? 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.800 The idea of the Jews 00:28:18.800 --> 00:28:19.200 was that, 00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:19.400 hey, 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.040 a little bit like karma 00:28:21.040 --> 00:28:21.800 for the Hindu, 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:22.260 you know, 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:23.100 you do bad things, 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.900 bad things happen. 00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:26.220 How many are glad 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.400 that karma isn't real? 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.820 Do you follow 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.260 what I'm saying? 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.680 Anyway, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.300 you remember 00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:36.380 Jesus heals the guy 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:36.840 and then 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.140 he ends up 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.800 in front of the 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:39.860 Pharisees, 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.240 okay, 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:42.080 and the Pharisees 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.800 have this ongoing 00:28:42.800 --> 00:28:43.780 discussion with him 00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:44.060 about, 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.460 well, 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.240 who did this? 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.640 It was on the Sabbath. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.740 There are lots of days 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.240 to heal on, 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:50.200 but Jesus really loved 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.040 to do it on the Sabbath. 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:55.060 Just like a finger 00:28:55.060 --> 00:28:55.620 in the eye 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.860 of those poor Pharisees. 00:28:57.820 --> 00:28:58.960 They probably sent him 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.759 emails saying, 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.620 could you do it 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.400 on another day? 00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:02.480 Anyway, 00:29:02.780 --> 00:29:03.940 Sabbath was his day. 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.200 I mean, 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.920 he just loved 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.759 to get after it. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.780 And so now 00:29:06.780 --> 00:29:07.259 they're having 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.000 this discussion 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.640 and remember 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.400 they bring the parents 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:09.740 in and what 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.460 do the parents say? 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.180 I love it. 00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.300 He's of age, 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.000 ask him. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.680 I love it. 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.339 That's a good answer. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.220 How many of you 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.059 use that with your kids? 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.259 You know, 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.480 it's like, 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.839 don't talk to me, 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.200 officer. 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.339 Okay. 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.339 No, 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:24.579 no, 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:24.720 no, 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:24.819 no, 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.380 we won't go there. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:25.599 Okay, 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:25.900 here. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.420 Look at verse 25. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.500 Okay. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.240 There, 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.660 they're saying, 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.420 you need to give 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.119 God the glory. 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.440 I mean, 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.440 God is the one 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.019 who healed you. 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.380 This is pretty spectacular, 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.160 we admit it, 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:40.480 but this man's a sinner. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.319 Really? 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.400 Really? 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.340 Verse 25, 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.140 he answered, 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.000 whether he's a sinner, 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.920 I do not know. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.920 One thing I do know, 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.160 that though I was blind, 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.940 now I see. 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.519 Well, 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.400 let's kind of speed ahead 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:52.780 a little bit, 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.700 go to verse 30 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:56.120 and look at what happens. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.560 The man answered, 00:29:59.680 --> 00:29:59.960 why? 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.220 This is an amazing thing. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:02.860 By the way, 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.740 he was talking 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.120 to the Illuminati 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:06.820 of the Jewish faith. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.200 You follow 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.720 what I'm talking? 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.560 He was saying, 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.500 he was talking 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.060 to the guys 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.619 who had three PhDs 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.940 in Old Testament studies 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.579 who could handle 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.639 the Old Testament 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:15.940 like, 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.200 I mean, 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.679 they could do it 00:30:16.679 --> 00:30:17.919 slam dunk behind their back, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.539 that kind of thing. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.779 And he says to them, 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.059 why? 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.839 This is an amazing thing. 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.099 You do not know 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.000 where he comes from 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.700 and yet he opened my eyes. 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.759 We know that God 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.059 does not listen to sinners 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.179 and if anyone 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:31.279 is a worshiper of God 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.859 and does his will, 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.839 God listens to him. 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:35.619 Never since the world 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.359 began 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.720 has it been heard 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.779 that anyone 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:40.339 opened the eyes 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.940 of a man born blind. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.220 If this man 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.900 were not from God, 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.339 he could do 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.740 what? 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.360 Nothing. 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.480 Is that convincing? 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.140 Yeah. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.980 And so here 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:57.259 is Jesus. 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.680 These Pharisees 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.120 are a little 00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:01.019 worked up 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.480 over the fact 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:01.819 that he says, 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.380 I'm the light 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:02.740 and he says, 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:03.680 back up. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.720 I know where 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.380 I come from. 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.700 Back up! 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.799 The Father 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.900 supports my judgment, 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.660 the Word. 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.560 Back up! 00:31:16.060 --> 00:31:16.920 Look at the miracles 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.460 I've done. 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:19.100 They prove who I am. 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.940 Now let's come 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.539 to some practical 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.120 application 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.960 that we can fit 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.900 into our daily lives. 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.160 For one, 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.660 here's the truth, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.960 there are some 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.460 of you here 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.200 that have never 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.000 come to the light. 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.539 You've gone to church. 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.900 I'm glad you're here. 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.500 But the truth 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.080 of the matter is, 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.060 you've never 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:41.160 trusted in Christ 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:41.860 as your Savior. 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.720 You've never 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.820 repented of your sins 00:31:43.820 --> 00:31:44.620 and called on Him 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:45.380 to forgive you 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.799 and you have never 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:48.180 come with humility 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.039 and brokenness 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.380 and said, 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.480 the truth of the matter 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.740 is, 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:52.360 my life is an 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.539 absolute mess 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:55.180 and all the chaos 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.840 around me 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:57.640 is just the result 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.580 of walking 00:31:58.580 --> 00:31:59.620 in darkness. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.000 And I need the one 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.600 who is the light, 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.180 it's Jesus. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:06.279 the heartache 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:08.060 and the shame, 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.860 the fear 00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:11.460 that clouds your life 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:13.160 are just signals 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:14.140 of the fact 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.779 that you need 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.840 the Lord Jesus. 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.720 And I've got to tell you 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:16.960 something, 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.740 as I was praying 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.200 this morning, 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.380 I thought about 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.019 what hell's going 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.539 to be like. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.200 Are you listening 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.600 to me? 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.960 For one thing, 00:32:24.060 --> 00:32:25.039 hell will be a place 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:26.640 of incredible suffering. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.160 But that's not all. 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:31.860 Hell will also be a place 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:33.459 where those who spend 00:32:33.459 --> 00:32:34.459 eternity there 00:32:34.459 --> 00:32:35.099 will, 00:32:35.419 --> 00:32:37.059 with unrelenting bitterness, 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:39.439 angry against God, 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.500 resent His authority 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.219 to judge. 00:32:43.459 --> 00:32:44.679 But that's not all. 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.500 For all of eternity, 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.879 those who spend 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:50.139 their time in hell 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:51.559 will admit that they 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:53.419 sinned against the light. 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:55.420 they saw the truth, 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.360 they heard the truth, 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.259 they were convicted 00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:58.300 by the Spirit of God, 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.100 and they said, 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.960 I don't want it, 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.600 and you will spend for it. 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.459 How many of you know 00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:03.779 what it is to regret 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.919 bad decisions 00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:06.839 that you can never undo? 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.019 That's part of what 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.879 hell will be. 00:33:15.199 --> 00:33:16.059 And there's some of you 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.639 here that have never 00:33:16.639 --> 00:33:17.379 come to the light. 00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:22.679 There's some of you 00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.619 that have come to the light, 00:33:23.719 --> 00:33:24.219 but you're living 00:33:24.219 --> 00:33:25.599 in willful disobedience. 00:33:28.439 --> 00:33:29.139 There you are. 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.820 You can think back 00:33:30.820 --> 00:33:32.040 to a time in your own life 00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:34.060 where the Spirit of God 00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:34.740 got a hold of you 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:36.320 and revealed the darkness 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.020 of your soul, 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.840 and you cried out 00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:38.660 and asked for mercy, 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.960 and you repented 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.560 of your sins, 00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:41.520 and you came to know 00:33:41.520 --> 00:33:43.020 the sweetness of faith 00:33:43.020 --> 00:33:44.160 and the blessing 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.920 of fellowship. 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.060 And then you've been 00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:50.060 seduced by the world, 00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:52.220 drawn away. 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:55.120 And there really is 00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:56.360 no substantial difference 00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.160 between the life 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.320 that you're living presently 00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.419 as you flounder around 00:33:59.419 --> 00:34:00.099 in the dark 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:03.379 in the life of a person 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.379 who's never known Christ. 00:34:06.879 --> 00:34:07.720 You can sprinkle 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.940 fancy words all over it 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.779 about how you're praying 00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.799 and about how your feelings 00:34:10.799 --> 00:34:11.920 are leading you, etc., 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.299 but Abel, 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.900 let me tell you something. 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.639 Whipped cream on a cow pie 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.519 doesn't make it anything 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.500 other than a cow pie. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:19.059 You need to understand that. 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:21.219 And when you eventually 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:21.900 step in it, 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:22.699 it's just the same. 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.039 Now, this is what 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.679 blows me away. 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:29.480 I want you to get a hold 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:29.879 of this. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.940 This is the most 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.039 stunning thing of all. 00:34:36.919 --> 00:34:37.839 Turn in your Bible 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:39.440 to Matthew chapter 5. 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:44.199 It's not the most 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:44.960 stunning thing of all. 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.139 Jesus is the most stunning, 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:48.159 but it just blew my socks away. 00:34:49.799 --> 00:34:50.460 Hang on. 00:34:51.359 --> 00:34:52.440 Matthew chapter 5, 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.619 verse 14 through 16. 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.980 Here's Jesus kind of 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.679 winding up the Beatitudes, 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.299 Beatitudes, 00:34:56.419 --> 00:34:57.679 and He lets the thunder go. 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.799 Listen to me. 00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:00.819 Look at me. 00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:02.779 You're the light of the world. 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.359 I don't know about you, 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.500 but it gives me cold chills. 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:12.379 It is sobering. 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.519 It is humbling 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:15.219 to realize what Jesus, 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.419 who is the light, 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:18.259 said when He said that. 00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:22.240 You're the light of the world. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.940 Look at verse 15. 00:35:33.580 --> 00:35:34.980 People don't light a lamp 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.380 and put it under a basket. 00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:41.480 You didn't light yourself. 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.580 Do you agree with me? 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:43.980 You didn't light yourself. 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.539 You didn't kind of make 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.519 an objective decision, 00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:47.159 say, you know what? 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:47.619 I think I, 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.900 maybe I need to be 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.519 a better person, 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.500 and you know, 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.119 let's do a little bit 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:52.099 of self-improvement here, 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.800 and I'm going to let everybody 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:53.880 know how wonderful I am. 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.179 Jesus got a hold of you 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:55.840 and your mess, 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:57.440 and He lit your candle. 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:57.539 Well, 00:35:57.539 --> 00:36:01.059 why did He do that? 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:06.000 so that other people 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:07.480 may see your good works 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:10.539 and glorify the Father 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.219 who's in heaven. 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:17.059 The truth is, 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.559 is that Jesus lit my candle 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.940 so other people can see Him. 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.699 He lit your candle 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:24.019 so other people can see Him. 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:25.259 Does that make sense? 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:27.860 What right do I have 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:29.579 being lit by His grace 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:31.880 to live a life 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:33.380 that makes no difference 00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:34.860 in the dark 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:36.159 and miserable corners 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.239 in which He puts me? 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.659 And God's people said, 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:39.259 yes! 00:36:40.299 --> 00:36:41.079 It's right! 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:42.639 I'm a candle 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.579 because He lit me, 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.819 and I belong in the place 00:36:45.819 --> 00:36:46.559 where He put me 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.799 for His glory 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:49.739 and His glory alone. 00:36:49.739 --> 00:37:08.559 We need to do a better job 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.219 of being candles. 00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.099 Wouldn't you agree with me? 00:37:11.259 --> 00:37:12.219 Wouldn't you agree with me? 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:14.159 And let me tell you something. 00:37:15.299 --> 00:37:16.699 You won't be a better candle 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.779 unless you get your eyes 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.920 focused on Jesus. 00:37:20.080 --> 00:37:21.040 It doesn't happen 00:37:21.040 --> 00:37:22.180 just because you walk out of here 00:37:22.180 --> 00:37:22.460 and say, 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.260 you know what? 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.200 I think I need to pray 00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:25.180 seven more minutes. 00:37:26.540 --> 00:37:27.980 Or maybe I need to stop, 00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:28.640 you know, whatever. 00:37:28.640 --> 00:37:31.140 Lock your eyes on Jesus. 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:32.040 Be overwhelmed 00:37:32.040 --> 00:37:34.000 with the person of Christ. 00:37:34.340 --> 00:37:35.140 Fall in love 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:36.760 with the one who loves you. 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:39.680 And the unintended consequences 00:37:39.680 --> 00:37:40.480 of that focus 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:41.800 is other people 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:43.860 begin seeing something different 00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:44.380 in you 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:46.380 that cannot be attributed 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:48.700 to your self-help program, 00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:50.320 but the work 00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.400 of the Spirit of God 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:52.380 in a broken 00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.559 and miserable life. 00:37:55.180 --> 00:37:56.519 He lights the candle. 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:58.619 Don't put it under a basket. 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:02.260 And the purpose of preaching 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:04.800 is to put God's people 00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:06.119 on the spot of doing what? 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:08.340 Saying yes or no 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:09.380 to God. 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:13.500 Let's pray. 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.420 Father God, 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:25.820 thank you for Jesus 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.640 being the candle, 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:27.880 the light, 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:30.039 supreme and sufficient, 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:31.599 glorious in all things, 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:33.140 the one whose light 00:38:33.140 --> 00:38:34.559 will adorn heaven 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:36.820 and satisfy us completely. 00:38:36.820 --> 00:38:42.380 we need to have 00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:43.360 repentant hearts 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:44.460 because we have been 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:46.039 so easily seduced 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.480 by things that don't count. 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:51.200 Our lives are occupied 00:38:51.200 --> 00:38:52.039 by activities 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:53.440 that have so little to do 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:56.059 with the one 00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.880 who is the light. 00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:00.460 And only your Spirit 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.200 can bring about 00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:02.160 genuine repentance 00:39:02.160 --> 00:39:02.940 and I plead 00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:03.960 that you would do that 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:04.700 in my life 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:05.340 and in the lives 00:39:05.340 --> 00:39:05.980 of your people 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:07.920 that Jesus Christ 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.880 who is the light 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:09.440 of the world 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:10.900 would be seen 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:13.960 and adored. 00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:17.360 Bring genuine repentance 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:20.039 to those who are here 00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.719 and are sinners 00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:22.099 and desperately need 00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.360 salvation. 00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:26.240 Bring humility 00:39:26.240 --> 00:39:27.099 and brokenness 00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:27.719 to believers 00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:28.679 whose lives 00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:31.159 are deeply entwined 00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:32.240 by ungodliness. 00:39:32.239 --> 00:39:35.699 and we ask this 00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:36.979 for the glory 00:39:36.979 --> 00:39:37.739 of Christ. 00:39:38.779 --> 00:39:39.359 Amen.