WEBVTT

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 Morning. Wow, I didn't expect an actual answer. Thank you.

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 My name is Ed, as Sean explained. I'm a pastoral intern here. If you haven't

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 gotten a chance to meet me, if I haven't gotten a chance to meet you,

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 it's my joy and privilege to share with you a message that I actually prepared this time.

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 On John 3, verses 16 to 21, as we continue on in our Advent series in the book of John.

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 So please turn with me in your Bibles to John 3, 16 to 21. If you don't have a Bible and would like

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 one, please don't be shy. Just raise your hand up really high and one of our greeters can go and get

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 you one. Again, that's John 3, 16 to 21. Let's pray before we get into the text.

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 Heavenly Father, God, I am your humble servant.

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 I plead and I ask that you would use me as your steward. I would only say the things that you

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 want me to say, that I wouldn't add anything to your word or take anything away from it.

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 God, you would give me the heart today that is more concerned with what these people think of you

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 than think of me. Would our eyes be on you, Christ, today? Be magnified, be glorified, be

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 treasured, be Jurітьwild? As you so rightly deserves. Give us eyes to see, hearts to understand that

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 area olduğ Nós temos to understand the breadth, the length, the depth, the width of your

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 love that surpasses knowledge.

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 God, help us today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Let's stand, if you are able, for the reading of God's word.

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 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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 I'm going to read that again.

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 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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 For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

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 Whoever believes in him is not condemned.

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 But whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only son of God.

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 And this is the judgment.

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 The light has come into the world.

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 People love the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

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 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light lest his works should be exposed.

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 But whoever does what is true comes to the light so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 John 3.16 has to be one of, if not the most widely known verses in the entire Bible.

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 For many of you, it very well might be your favorite verse.

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 It's not without good reason as Martin Luther, the famous performer, has called it the heart of the Bible, the gospel in miniature.

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 John 3.16 is the number one popular verse on Bible Gateway every year.

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 It's on bumper stickers, posters, mugs, children's arts and crafts, even athletes' tattoos.

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 But the danger of its popularity is that it can be so commonplace that we lose the wonder of this beautiful truth.

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 Back a few years, I have a memory of walking past some Christians in New York City who are evangelizing in the street,

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 who held up these big posters that just said John 3.16 on it.

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 And they were saying to the people passing by,

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 God loves you.

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 God really loves you.

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 And I don't know, maybe I was in a sour mood that day.

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 Maybe I was just still in a cage stage of being a Calvinist, meaning that I really should have been locked up in a cage.

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 But I remember not being encouraged or challenged, but instead of my immaturity, I'm ashamed to say I scoffed at them,

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 thinking that I graduated to some greater, wiser theology than just saying God loves you.

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 And I said to myself, how elementary.

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 Do they really know what they're saying?

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 And really, if I'm honest in my heart of hearts, I'm ashamed to say that I was really thinking God doesn't love these sinners.

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 But as I was praying and prepping for the sermon, I'm reminded of that time and realized how much more biblically and theologically correct that they were with those simple words.

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 That we never graduate from this verse in John 3.16.

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 So my prayer today is that our Heavenly Father would show us again the profound, unbelievable truth that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

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 that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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 So today we'll break down our passage of John 3.16 to 21 into three simple points.

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 Talk about the love of God.

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 Then we'll talk about the Son of God.

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 And then finally, our belief in God.

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 To begin to understand the context of our passage today, we read earlier in the chapter that Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus,

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 who was a ruler of the Jews.

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 This Nicodemus had come to Jesus to speak and learn from him.

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 And he did this by night in fear of getting caught by the rest of the Jewish leaders,

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 who, let's say, would be not the happiest to find out that Nicodemus was doing this.

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 It's to this man with all the stature and accolades in this Jewish society to whom Jesus teaches that their Heavenly Father loves the world,

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 the entire world.

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 And to understand the full weight of this claim to Nicodemus, let me give you some words that Jesus did not choose to say here.

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 Jesus did not say to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader, that God loved Israel.

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 It was common Jewish belief at the time that God loved Israel and then opposed the rest of the Gentile world.

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 Back then, they must have held closely to their hearts like in Isaiah 43, in which God says this to Israel.

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 But Jesus teaches Nicodemus, the law-abiding Jew, that God loves the world with no strings attached,

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 no prerequisites, any race, any history, regardless of whether they upheld the holy standards of God's laws.

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 And in this moment, Jesus is teaching Nicodemus that God loves the Samaritans,

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 the half-blooded Jews from the diaspora that Jews despised and strongly disagreed on matters regarding the proper worship of God.

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 Samaritans, because of their history, were originally part of Israel.

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 But they ended up developing a synchronistic religion, taking parts of Judaism and idolatrous Canaanite practices.

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 And so tensions often ran high between these two groups.

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 Jesus also teaches here that God loves the Romans, Israel's governing authority at the time,

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 who to the Jewish eye practice such abominable, grotesque acts of polytheistic idol worship.

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 For us today, Jesus did not say that God loved the church or the righteous, which of course is included,

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 but again, the entire world.

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 This broken and evil world is the object of God's love and affection.

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 Friends, do you really understand?

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 Do you comprehend the awesome width of God's love?

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 Just compare your love and your heart with God's for a second.

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 Do you see how big God's heart is?

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 And just how small our own hearts are?

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 It's not hard to see in our own hearts if we're honest with ourselves that there are people,

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 there are groups of people in our lives and in this world that we don't love, that we look down on.

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 To those who are rude to service workers.

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 To the selfish and arrogant who need to control every conversation.

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 To the racists who commit hate crimes.

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 To those who've deeply hurt us and scarred us in our past.

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 To those who openly mock and scorn the idea of a God.

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 Scripture teaches us that God the Father loves even these.

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 And this love is completely unmerited, completely free.

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 This love is given on God's initiative, His own prerogative.

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 And just sitting in this verse the past couple weeks,

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 I have to say that this measure of love that God has just astounds me.

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 How, God?

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 How?

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 How can you love this idol-worshiping, foul-mouthed, untrusting, dishonorous, murderous, adulterous,

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 stealing, lying, coveting, sin-stained people?

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 How can you love this messiness?

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 And how can you love me?

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 Just look at the news on an average week.

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 It can be depressing.

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 Thinking about the status of our unlovable world.

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 And it's to these people that have made such a mess of this world that we live in.

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 And yet God says that He loves us.

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 But, but wait, hold up.

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 Does this mean that God actually condones the sin of this world?

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 That He approves of our folly?

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 How should we understand John 3, 16 with passages like 1 John 2, 15-16?

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 Where the same author, John, he writes of the world.

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 And he uses the same Greek word for world in our passage today like this.

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 He says,

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 Do not love the world.

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 Do not love the world or the things in the world.

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 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

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 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride of life

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 is not from the Father, but is from the world.

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 This passage says, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

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 But then John 3, 16 says, God loves the world.

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 Does Scripture contradict itself here?

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 Just looking at the rest of our passage today, we can clearly see no.

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 This love that God has for this wayward world is not one that approves of sin.

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 And it's not just disapproval.

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 But the sobering truth is that God will punish unrepentant sin by condemning,

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 by condemning these people to hell.

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 In fact, we read in verse 18 that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ stand condemned already.

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 Later on in chapter 3, in a parallel statement to 3, 16 to 17,

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 verse 36 further shows that the wrath of God remains on him.

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 You don't have to wait until judgment day to know what your final verdict is

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 if you are not putting your faith in Jesus today.

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 Neither God nor the biblical authors are blind to the folly of this world.

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 That's precisely why John says in 1 John,

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 to turn away from all worldly systems and sin that go against God's kingdom.

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 But if God doesn't approve of the world's sin,

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 how can John say that God loves the world in our passage here today then?

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 I think it's helpful to really understand how we ourselves tend to use the word love

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 in different ways, very freely, very naturally.

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 We say that we love this and we love that.

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 If I say to you that I love cheeseburgers and I love my wife,

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 I hope you would assume that I don't have the same exact kind of love

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 for both cheeseburgers and my wife Christine.

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 One is clearly a deeper, more heartfelt love.

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 In the same ways...

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 For cheeseburgers...

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 No, I'm just kidding.

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 I thought about making that joke, but I've refrained from it.

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 But...

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 In the same way, Scripture speaks of God's general love for the world,

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 but also a deeper, more heartfelt, intimate love that God has for his own children.

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 Staying in the book of John, we read Jesus saying in chapter 17,

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 For I have given them, them being all who have believed and all who will come to believe in Christ,

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 the words that you gave me and they have received them,

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 and they have come to know in truth that I came for you.

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 And they have believed that you have sent me.

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 I am praying for them.

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 I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me.

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 They are yours.

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 Jesus says that he's praying specifically for God's children who have faith in him.

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 So they enjoy a specific love and unique privileges of being in Christ.

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 And it's not uncommon for Scripture to present God's love like this.

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 For example, through the prophet Jeremiah, God indicts and rebukes the nation of Moab.

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 He says this,

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 Let Moab wallow in her vomit.

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 Let her be an object of ridicule.

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 Moab will be destroyed as a nation because she's defied the Lord.

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 But at the same time, through the same prophet,

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 In the same chapter, God's heart recoils within him.

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 And he says,

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 Therefore, I will wail.

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 I wail over Moab.

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 For all Moab I cry out.

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 So my heart laments for Moab like a flute.

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 So while it's true that the Bible teaches that God has a special love for his chosen, his faithful,

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 and that he doesn't condone the world's sin,

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 we mustn't let go of any of Scripture's teaching that God does love the world.

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 We have to hold on to that biblical tension faithfully.

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 And my earlier analogy that I used fails here because God's love for the world is greater than my own trivial love for cheeseburgers.

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 Peter writes in 2 Peter 3-9,

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 God does not wish for any to perish.

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 That's not mere sentimentality.

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 That is God's genuine love for the world.

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 That's exactly why he commissions us to go and make disciples of all and every nation, every people group.

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 That's God's heart for us to be saved.

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 And we ourselves should be thankful.

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 We should praise God for this amazing truth.

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 Because every one of us Christians, we are part of this evil world.

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 We were dead in our sins.

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 Dead in our trespasses.

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 That all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

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 But at some point in all our testimonies, the simple truth captured in three simple words.

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 God loves you.

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 Was the catalyst to your radically transformed lives.

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 Sure, you're not perfect now.

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 But before, you wanted nothing to do with God.

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 You didn't care for living for him, to be pleasing to him, to die to yourselves.

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 But now, by grace, you want more of Jesus.

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 Even if you don't feel that right this moment, you still want to want him.

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 You're a new creation.

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 The old is gone.

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 The new has come.

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 So, brothers and sisters, be absolutely biblically and theologically confident that you can say,

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 for the broken and lost in your life, God loves you.

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 God really loves you.

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 That is a biblical truth that we can absolutely be assured of.

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 For a lot of the people that we may evangelize to,

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 because of their past sins, or the distance from the church, or whatever reason,

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 many have a tendency to believe the lie that God must hate them,

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 that God doesn't want anything to do with them.

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 That is not what scripture teaches.

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 This Christmas season, wherever you are, whoever you're celebrating with,

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 may this be the greatest gift you bring them.

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 For the invitation to come to believe in Christ is universal.

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 It's open to everyone.

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 No matter who you are, what you've done.

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 Of course, don't just stop at God loves you,

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 leaving them with the impression that they don't have anything to change.

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 But instead, we must lead them to repentance from sin and idolatry.

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 But still, it's God's love.

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 It's God's love and kindness that lead us to repentance.

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 The modern definition of love has been reduced down to full acceptance or approval of someone's actions.

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 The common sentiment is that the most loving thing to say is just,

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 you do you.

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 But just like a father of a son who's losing his path,

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 who's squandering away his life,

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 a genuine fatherly love doesn't just say, you do you.

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 And condones of the child's behavior,

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 but instead longs for him to change, to grow,

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 to come to an experience, an abundant life.

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 And church, I know that there are those in your life that you so earnestly desire

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 to come and see the grace of Christ

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 and the love of God

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 for your parents, children,

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 siblings, grandparents, your best friends.

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 I know you've poured out your tearful prayers,

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 pleading the Lord to save these.

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 John 3.16 shows us that you are not alone

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 in your love for them.

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 God the Father loves them too.

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 Let us continue to wait in this Advent season

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 for Jesus to come to change their hearts.

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 Let us persevere in praying earnestly

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 that as D.L. Moody,

00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:44.740
 the American evangelist in the 1800s,

00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:47.000
 has once described the gates of heaven,

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.299
 that they would read from the outside

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.480
 the words,

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.220
 whosoever will may come.

00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:57.080
 And after being compelled by the love of the Father,

00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.759
 that they walk in

00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:01.100
 and they read on the other side,

00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.580
 chosen,

00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:06.379
 chosen before the foundation of the world.

00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:11.179
 If you have yet to put your faith in Jesus

00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:12.359
 and you've joined us today,

00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:14.480
 well, on behalf of our entire church,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:17.519
 we just want to say we're so happy

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:19.460
 and excited that you joined us today.

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:22.639
 Honestly, I think there is really a short list

00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:24.679
 of things that are more exciting

00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:27.359
 than on a Sunday morning to see you join us.

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:30.339
 And if it's your first time in a while

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.199
 to come to church,

00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.599
 you might have a lot of questions.

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.919
 Please, please come talk to us.

00:22:35.719 --> 00:22:37.519
 Learn more about this historical faith

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:39.139
 and person of Jesus.

00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:41.219
 And if there's anything that I pray

00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:42.500
 you leave this sermon with,

00:22:43.479 --> 00:22:46.539
 is that you know God loves you.

00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.919
 He created you in love.

00:22:49.959 --> 00:22:51.779
 He longs for you in love.

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:55.099
 That is his posture towards you.

00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:57.699
 We pray that you would come

00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:59.119
 and see that his faithful love

00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.419
 is better than life itself.

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.139
 And you might ask,

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.659
 well, that all sounds well and good,

00:23:04.959 --> 00:23:07.359
 but how do I know that God loves me?

00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.859
 Well, I thought you'd never ask.

00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:11.319
 Come to our second observation

00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.619
 in that God so loved the world

00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.619
 that in this way,

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.259
 he gave his only son.

00:23:17.959 --> 00:23:19.319
 Wait, wait what?

00:23:19.439 --> 00:23:21.059
 Does God have a son?

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.879
 Muslims would hear that and scoff.

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.819
 Protest.

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.480
 How lowly of God

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:30.079
 to have a physical relationship

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.000
 with Mary,

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.659
 have a son in Jesus.

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.099
 Greeks might be reminded

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.599
 of their Olympian gods

00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:39.219
 like Zeus and his demigod offspring.

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:42.099
 Even throughout church history,

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.500
 people have often struggled

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:45.939
 with making sense of what this means,

00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.039
 as shown by the need

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.679
 for the councils of Nicaea

00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.819
 in 325 A.D.

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.859
 and Chalcedon in 451 A.D.

00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.879
 that dispelled heresies

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.940
 about this very doctrine.

00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.040
 So what is it,

00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:59.100
 what does the Bible teach us

00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:00.100
 about this given title

00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:02.500
 of son of God?

00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:05.020
 Well, Jesus' birth narratives

00:24:05.020 --> 00:24:07.860
 in both Matthew and Luke

00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.720
 make it clear that Jesus

00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.620
 is not literally God's son

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:12.120
 in the sense that he had

00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.180
 a physical relationship

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.980
 with a woman,

00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:16.240
 as is common in pagan literature.

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:19.420
 Instead, the title of son

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.339
 in our passage today

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.599
 is being used the same way

00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.859
 that the ancient world

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.700
 used this idiom

00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.779
 of being the son of X.

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:30.500
 Being called the son of something

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.460
 or someone

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:34.039
 was a way of signifying likeness.

00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.759
 Since back then,

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.740
 it was thought that a son

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.400
 would so closely resemble his father,

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.400
 like his attributes,

00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:44.220
 back then his occupation.

00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:47.460
 Renowned New Testament scholar

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.900
 D.A. Carson is helpful here.

00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.880
 As he explained,

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.980
 being called a son of worthlessness

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:57.140
 was an extremely harsh criticism

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.360
 because it didn't signify

00:24:58.360 --> 00:25:00.440
 that your parents were worthless,

00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:01.980
 but that you yourself

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.060
 were so worthless,

00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:04.220
 you must have come

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:06.200
 from such a worthless family.

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:10.279
 This definition of a biblical idiom

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.720
 helps because Jesus, in fact,

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:13.600
 is not the only person

00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.700
 in all of Scripture

00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:17.019
 to be called son of God

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.740
 in Scripture.

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.740
 For example,

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.880
 we find that Adam,

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.680
 Israel, David,

00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.720
 peacemakers in the Beatitudes,

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.059
 even angels,

00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:28.319
 are all referred to as

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:30.360
 a son or sons of God.

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.759
 So in each use,

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.000
 in some way,

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.980
 these people

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.240
 are all reflecting

00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.420
 at least some attribute,

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.059
 one specific attribute of God.

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.120
 Adam is called

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.799
 the son of God

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.640
 in the genealogy

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.420
 in the beginning of Luke

00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.779
 because,

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.980
 like the rest of humanity,

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.360
 we are all made

00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:49.259
 in the image of God.

00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.160
 We mirror God

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.259
 by just being made

00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.940
 in his image.

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.140
 In the Beatitudes,

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.819
 when Jesus says,

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.380
 blessed are the peacemakers,

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.640
 for they shall be called

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.680
 the sons of God.

00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:02.339
 When we make peace

00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:04.240
 among our relationships here,

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.759
 when we pass the peace

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.440
 as we do every Sunday,

00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:10.160
 we reflect that same

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.380
 peacemaking attribute

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:12.240
 of the Father.

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.980
 So we are bestowed

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.940
 that same title

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:17.039
 of a son or daughter

00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.339
 of God.

00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:21.599
 But in our passage today,

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.359
 it says that God

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.079
 so loved the world

00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.940
 that he gave his

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.880
 only son.

00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.819
 Meaning that Jesus

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.759
 is uniquely God's son.

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.119
 in the sense that

00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:33.879
 only Jesus embodies

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.420
 the exact fullness

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.660
 of the Father.

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.980
 Hebrews 1, 3 says,

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.720
 the son is the radiance

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.900
 of God's glory,

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.539
 the exact representation

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.599
 of his being.

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.960
 In other words,

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.140
 Jesus is equal

00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.180
 to the Father.

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.900
 Jewish leaders

00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:52.220
 understood this phrase too

00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.359
 in John 5

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.400
 for John writes,

00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.140
 this was why the Jews

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.180
 were seeking all the more

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.779
 to kill him

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.220
 because not only

00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.859
 was he breaking

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.319
 the Sabbath,

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:02.180
 but he was calling God

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.480
 his own Father,

00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.500
 making himself

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.879
 equal with God.

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.180
 The Gospel of John

00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.059
 in many places

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.879
 makes it clear

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.660
 that the Father

00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:13.480
 dearly loves the Son.

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.759
 For example,

00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.259
 verse 35

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.079
 in chapter 3

00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.819
 later says,

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.059
 the Father loves the Son

00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.980
 and has given

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.299
 all things into his hand.

00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:24.599
 Moreover,

00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.299
 this title

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.700
 of Son of God

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.240
 is so biblically rich

00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.279
 and multilayered

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.799
 and just as a side note,

00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.619
 it's a great case study

00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.980
 of why Christians

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.319
 gain so much

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.940
 by understanding

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.879
 all of Scripture

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.859
 because you just see

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.000
 the astounding beauty

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.440
 of how

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.799
 all 66 books

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.359
 of the Bible

00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:45.259
 across 40 different

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.899
 plus authors

00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:48.559
 just mesh.

00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.559
 Nicodemus might have

00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.299
 heard this title

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.099
 of Son of God

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.059
 and likely connected

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.719
 this to the foretold

00:27:55.719 --> 00:27:56.879
 king who would

00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:58.480
 fulfill God's promise

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.019
 in David,

00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:00.439
 to David

00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.839
 in 2 Samuel 7.

00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.379
 Here,

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.639
 God promised David

00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.359
 that he would

00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.419
 raise up an offspring

00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.219
 after him

00:28:07.219 --> 00:28:08.000
 who would establish

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.019
 the throne

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.379
 of his line,

00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:11.059
 his kingdom,

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.719
 forever.

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.339
 God promised to David

00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.599
 that I will be

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.339
 to him a father

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.339
 and he shall be

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.199
 to me a son.

00:28:18.719 --> 00:28:19.899
 I will establish

00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.519
 the throne

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.279
 of his kingdom

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.019
 forever.

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.879
 And when you're

00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.419
 reading through

00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.399
 2 Samuel 7,

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.359
 if your nose

00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:29.159
 is trained for it,

00:28:29.219 --> 00:28:30.299
 you can just smell

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.799
 the aroma of Christ

00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.859
 all over that passage.

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.799
 How would

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.959
 a biological

00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:37.079
 descendant of

00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.559
 David

00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.859
 eternally reign?

00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:39.980
 Unless, of course,

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.939
 he is the divine.

00:28:43.219 --> 00:28:43.859
 Now, this idea

00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.379
 that David's

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.699
 biological descendant

00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:47.219
 would be the

00:28:47.219 --> 00:28:47.939
 coming Messiah

00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:48.939
 is not just spoken

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.740
 to David,

00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:51.000
 but this idea

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.659
 is propagated

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.900
 to other Old Testament

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.340
 prophets,

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.440
 as Isaiah 9

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.519
 so beautifully puts it,

00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.160
 and I think I have

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.660
 this up here.

00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:58.640
 For to us

00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.740
 a child is born,

00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.980
 to us a son

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.519
 is given,

00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.160
 and the government

00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.100
 shall be upon

00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.680
 his shoulder,

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.180
 and his name

00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.000
 shall be called

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.960
 Wonderful Counselor,

00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.300
 Mighty God,

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.600
 Everlasting Father,

00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.000
 Prince of Peace.

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.860
 Of the increase

00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.540
 of his government

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.259
 and of peace,

00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:18.220
 there will be no end.

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.539
 on the throne

00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:19.980
 of David

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.940
 and over his kingdom

00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.180
 to establish it

00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.319
 and to uphold it.

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.600
 Jesus is God's

00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.400
 only son,

00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.299
 the sent

00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.680
 and prophesied

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.120
 Messiah,

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.680
 the one to take over

00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.799
 David's

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.160
 eternal throne.

00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.360
 He is

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:38.120
 Wonderful Counselor,

00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.039
 Mighty God,

00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.860
 Everlasting Father,

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.980
 and the Prince

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.600
 of Peace.

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.240
 And for the

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.180
 biological son

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.579
 of David

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.259
 who would have

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.879
 the title

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.660
 of Everlasting Father,

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.759
 the faithful

00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.180
 Israelites waited.

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.779
 And it's this waiting

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.819
 that characterizes

00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.759
 this Advent season

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.559
 that we celebrate

00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.539
 together with the rest

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.539
 of the global church.

00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.400
 To be honest,

00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:03.000
 I really never understood

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.920
 the significance

00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:05.180
 or the importance

00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.519
 of celebrating Advent

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.960
 really prior to

00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.900
 prepping the sermon.

00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.140
 And I know

00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:11.180
 maybe some of us

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.779
 feel similarly.

00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.140
 So,

00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:15.120
 so for those

00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.420
 of us

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.140
 who are unfamiliar

00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.759
 with Advent

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.840
 or the four weeks

00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.880
 leading up to Christmas,

00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:19.900
 Advent,

00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:21.220
 which the word

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.100
 itself is derived

00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.940
 from the Latin word

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.660
 which means

00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.620
 coming,

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.380
 and Christmas

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.380
 specifically became

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.620
 associated with

00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:30.500
 the winter solstice,

00:30:31.280 --> 00:30:32.480
 the day in which

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.280
 we have the

00:30:33.280 --> 00:30:34.360
 shortest day

00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:35.200
 and the longest

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.620
 night of the year

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.480
 in the northern

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.980
 hemisphere.

00:30:39.020 --> 00:30:39.759
 And that just feels

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.880
 poetically fitting,

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.720
 right?

00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.800
 That the light

00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.840
 of the world

00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.960
 is born on the

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.820
 darkest day.

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.940
 Just like the saints

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.740
 before Jesus'

00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.560
 first coming

00:30:49.560 --> 00:30:50.620
 who are waiting

00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.400
 for the light

00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.080
 to come,

00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.120
 we also find

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.560
 ourselves waiting.

00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.860
 Because for us

00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.160
 today,

00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.760
 who now live

00:31:00.760 --> 00:31:01.800
 between Christ's

00:31:01.800 --> 00:31:02.860
 first and second

00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.280
 coming,

00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.820
 this Advent season

00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:06.000
 really has a dual

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.320
 meaning.

00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:07.680
 We celebrate

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:09.560
 that Christ

00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.220
 has come

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.779
 to take away

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.240
 the sins

00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.819
 of this world.

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.440
 And we,

00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:14.179
 along with the

00:31:14.179 --> 00:31:15.259
 rest of creation,

00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.619
 we still wait.

00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.799
 We wait together

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.339
 for Christ

00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.079
 to come again

00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.119
 and to make

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:21.419
 this wrong world

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:22.179
 right.

00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:24.119
 To make our own

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:25.059
 sinful hearts

00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.619
 right.

00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.720
 As the 20th century

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.740
 Christian martyr

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.159
 Diedrich Bonhoeffer

00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.460
 said,

00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.799
 the celebration

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.519
 of Advent

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.480
 is possible

00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:36.019
 only to those

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.720
 who are troubled

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.440
 in soul,

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.580
 who know

00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.000
 themselves

00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.840
 to be poor

00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:40.759
 and imperfect

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.700
 and who look

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.500
 forward to

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.259
 something greater

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.039
 to come.

00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.320
 To the broken

00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.420
 and contrite,

00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.960
 to those longing

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.519
 for something

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.400
 greater to come,

00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.340
 only then

00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.860
 will Christmas

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.680
 take its full

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.080
 meaning.

00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.000
 So during this

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.640
 Christmas season,

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.460
 with these reminders

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.380
 to wait for Christ,

00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.840
 the question begs,

00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.580
 what are you waiting

00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.440
 for in your life?

00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.680
 Who are you waiting

00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.039
 for?

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.779
 If you can believe

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.400
 it, it's already

00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.160
 almost the new year.

00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:14.080
 2023 is soon coming

00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:15.259
 and I know that

00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.299
 many of us have

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:18.580
 very exciting plans

00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.380
 and expectations

00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.220
 for this new year.

00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.480
 Like going on

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.100
 vacations,

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.960
 getting married,

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.360
 finishing school,

00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.200
 maybe having children.

00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.880
 All amazing blessings

00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:32.420
 from God.

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.539
 God, and while

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:35.620
 2023 might still

00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:36.880
 be the best year

00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.460
 of our lives,

00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.920
 and I pray it is,

00:32:39.560 --> 00:32:40.640
 I can still make

00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.620
 one promise to you.

00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:44.460
 It won't fulfill

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.320
 your greatest longing.

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.100
 Whatever event

00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.600
 or milestone

00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.680
 that you're waiting

00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:52.140
 for,

00:32:52.560 --> 00:32:53.180
 it won't be

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.680
 everything

00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:55.460
 that you've been

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.019
 waiting for.

00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:57.860
 We celebrate Advent

00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.940
 each year

00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.700
 as a simple reminder

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.340
 of what

00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:02.319
 and of who

00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.340
 we're waiting

00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:03.720
 for,

00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.860
 who all

00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.640
 of creation

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.340
 is waiting

00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:06.680
 for.

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.640
 We are waiting

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.700
 for the Christ.

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.140
 Understanding

00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.900
 the weight

00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.160
 and the gravitas

00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.660
 of the title

00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.819
 of Son of God

00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.480
 and how the saints

00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.180
 have longed

00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.880
 for him to come,

00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.440
 we see now

00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.440
 how much God

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:25.039
 so loved

00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.640
 the world.

00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.440
 We can often

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.120
 read that word

00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:28.679
 so,

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.099
 thinking that this

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.719
 signifies the quantity,

00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.419
 the amount of God's

00:33:33.419 --> 00:33:34.479
 love for the world,

00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.159
 and that he loved

00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:36.339
 the world so much.

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.719
 But this word

00:33:38.719 --> 00:33:39.479
 is actually used

00:33:39.479 --> 00:33:40.479
 as verse 14,

00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.279
 uses it just

00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.019
 a little earlier.

00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.419
 Verse 14 says,

00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:44.979
 as Moses lifted up

00:33:44.979 --> 00:33:45.439
 the serpent

00:33:45.439 --> 00:33:46.179
 in the wilderness,

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.919
 so must

00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:49.039
 the Son of Man

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.679
 be lifted up.

00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:51.979
 This word so

00:33:51.979 --> 00:33:52.819
 is more about

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.000
 in which way

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.279
 or how

00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:56.000
 God loves

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.420
 the world.

00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.740
 This love

00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.640
 wasn't reserved

00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:00.740
 to just a feeling,

00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:03.000
 as our modern society

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.140
 so often defines

00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.539
 love,

00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.640
 but he loved

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:05.980
 the world

00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.579
 by taking

00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.660
 the physical,

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:08.599
 tangible,

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.880
 historical action

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.000
 of the giving

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.460
 of his only Son.

00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.519
 And we know

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:14.920
 that God

00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.719
 did not send

00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.059
 his Son

00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.639
 into the world

00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.260
 to condemn

00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:17.699
 the world,

00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.099
 but in order

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.619
 that the world

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.519
 might be saved

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.699
 through him,

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:22.360
 as verse 17 says.

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:25.840
 This loving act

00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:28.059
 of the giving

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.920
 of the Son of God

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.780
 is again parallel

00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.579
 to verse 14,

00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.039
 in which Jesus

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.940
 refers to

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.740
 Numbers 21,

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.599
 4-9,

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.160
 where the Israelites

00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:36.800
 once again,

00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:37.860
 they complain,

00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.440
 as they always do.

00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:40.900
 They complain

00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.940
 of their preferred

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.940
 food and drink,

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.440
 called the miraculous

00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:44.860
 manna,

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.599
 worthless food.

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.340
 So,

00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.760
 God sends

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.940
 fiery serpents

00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.800
 that would bite

00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.300
 the Israelites

00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:52.940
 so that they

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.560
 would die.

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:55.860
 But after

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:57.280
 they cry out

00:34:57.280 --> 00:34:57.820
 for help,

00:34:58.220 --> 00:34:59.039
 God commands

00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.880
 Moses to make

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:01.080
 a bronze figurine

00:35:01.080 --> 00:35:01.580
 of the serpent

00:35:01.580 --> 00:35:02.580
 and teaches

00:35:02.580 --> 00:35:03.480
 those who are

00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.100
 bitten to look

00:35:04.100 --> 00:35:04.900
 upon the serpent

00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.860
 as he lifts it

00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.660
 and live.

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.240
 And so now

00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:09.840
 you remember

00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:10.460
 the details

00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:10.980
 of the story,

00:35:11.060 --> 00:35:12.039
 but let's just

00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.940
 imagine that

00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.640
 you were there.

00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.980
 Just imagine

00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.920
 that you were

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:17.200
 one of the voices

00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:18.039
 crying out

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.700
 in the rebellion

00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:20.120
 against Moses

00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:21.160
 and God,

00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:21.580
 just letting

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.059
 your anger

00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.000
 get the best

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.299
 of you.

00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.360
 You're angry,

00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:24.639
 you have to

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.199
 eat this manna

00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:25.880
 one more time.

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.159
 So you're

00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:29.619
 complaining

00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:30.480
 and grumbling

00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.539
 before Moses

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.420
 and now others

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.179
 are now joining

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.619
 in on that

00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:34.980
 grumbling.

00:35:35.759 --> 00:35:36.340
 The crowd

00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.779
 just gets

00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.279
 larger

00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:38.539
 and angrier

00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:40.619
 and angrier

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.179
 and then

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:42.059
 from a distance

00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:43.860
 you hear

00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.960
 petrifying

00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.880
 screams of terror

00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.519
 among the people.

00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.159
 You dart

00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.599
 your eyes

00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.059
 around,

00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.139
 see what's

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.799
 the cause

00:35:50.799 --> 00:35:52.500
 and then

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:52.759
 you see

00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:53.059
 there are

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.500
 snakes.

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:54.920
 There are

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.679
 snakes slithering

00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.500
 around and

00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.319
 they're biting

00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:57.900
 the people

00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.619
 around you.

00:35:59.360 --> 00:35:59.839
 Many of your

00:35:59.839 --> 00:36:00.519
 own neighbors,

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.719
 family members,

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:02.699
 friends are

00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.279
 getting bitten

00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:05.739
 and you see

00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:06.380
 them eventually

00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.559
 drop dead.

00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:10.639
 While terrified,

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.179
 you're trying

00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:12.099
 to now avoid

00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.679
 the crawling

00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.079
 snakes.

00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.819
 and right

00:36:14.819 --> 00:36:15.139
 when you

00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:15.679
 think you're

00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.099
 in the clear,

00:36:16.259 --> 00:36:17.659
 one fastens

00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:18.840
 its fangs

00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:19.699
 into your thigh

00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:21.480
 and you know

00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:21.940
 what's going

00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.619
 to happen next.

00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:23.860
 Terrified,

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.460
 you look around

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.059
 to see if there's

00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:25.719
 anything to be

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.039
 done.

00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.480
 Then you hear

00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.639
 Moses praying

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.840
 and you look

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.360
 and he's lifting

00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:32.579
 up a bronze

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.380
 figurine of a

00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:33.619
 serpent.

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.819
 What a strange

00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:35.219
 sight.

00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.719
 But he yells

00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:38.960
 that all who

00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.299
 are bitten

00:36:39.299 --> 00:36:40.340
 look and live.

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.159
 So knowing

00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:42.819
 you have no

00:36:42.819 --> 00:36:43.539
 other options.

00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:45.079
 You trust in

00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.899
 the power of

00:36:45.899 --> 00:36:46.480
 that simple

00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.460
 statue to save.

00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.639
 You look.

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.440
 You desperately

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.000
 look.

00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:52.559
 And you don't

00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.299
 move your eyes

00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.659
 off of the

00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:54.960
 serpent.

00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:57.259
 By the grace

00:36:57.259 --> 00:36:57.619
 of God,

00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.440
 you survive.

00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.039
 You survive

00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.440
 the bite.

00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.179
 In the same

00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:02.440
 way,

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.159
 God gave

00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:03.739
 his only

00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.159
 son,

00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.759
 his beloved

00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:06.079
 son,

00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:06.699
 to be lifted

00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.299
 up on the

00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:08.679
 cross to bear

00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:09.539
 the agonizing

00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.500
 suffering of

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:11.299
 drinking whole,

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:11.960
 the cup of

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.340
 wrath from

00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:12.800
 the father,

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.199
 so that all

00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:14.539
 who are

00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.519
 bitten by

00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.159
 our own

00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:17.179
 fiery serpents,

00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.039
 bitten by

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.639
 the pangs

00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.240
 of sin,

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.199
 that we

00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:20.659
 can look

00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.220
 upon the

00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:22.119
 lifted son

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.659
 of God,

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.460
 the preeminent

00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:24.980
 Christ,

00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:25.780
 and we can

00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.159
 live.

00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:27.860
 You see,

00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.539
 this is a

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:29.559
 life or

00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.659
 death situation.

00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.380
 This is a

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:32.840
 life or

00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.659
 death situation.

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.679
 Your eternity

00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.380
 is on the

00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:35.679
 line.

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.920
 So look,

00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:39.220
 look and

00:37:39.220 --> 00:37:39.619
 live.

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:41.279
 find your

00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:42.019
 life in

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.539
 the lifted

00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.440
 lamb of

00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:43.799
 God.

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.339
 That's what

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:47.019
 it means to

00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.920
 believe in

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.739
 him so that

00:37:48.739 --> 00:37:49.119
 you won't

00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.679
 perish but

00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.420
 have eternal

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:51.519
 life as we

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.299
 come to the

00:37:52.299 --> 00:37:52.980
 final point of

00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:53.420
 our sermon.

00:37:54.699 --> 00:37:55.079
 For the

00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:55.659
 son of God,

00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.559
 God incarnate,

00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:57.619
 laid down his

00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.579
 precious life,

00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:00.079
 crushed and

00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:01.139
 cursed so all

00:38:01.139 --> 00:38:01.799
 who would live,

00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:02.739
 all who would

00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.219
 look and

00:38:03.219 --> 00:38:03.739
 believe,

00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:04.679
 would not perish

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.079
 under the

00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:05.739
 terrible weight

00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:07.039
 wrath of the

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.319
 father.

00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:08.939
 But we

00:38:08.939 --> 00:38:09.759
 could spend

00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:11.319
 eternity in

00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:11.719
 loving,

00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.519
 perfect

00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.439
 communion with

00:38:14.439 --> 00:38:15.039
 God in

00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:15.259
 heaven.

00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:17.879
 Brothers and

00:38:17.879 --> 00:38:18.139
 sisters,

00:38:18.299 --> 00:38:18.779
 this is one

00:38:18.779 --> 00:38:19.119
 thing we

00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.939
 cannot lose.

00:38:20.399 --> 00:38:20.699
 We must

00:38:20.699 --> 00:38:21.159
 fight for

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.559
 is the

00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:23.159
 wonder of

00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.859
 Christ's

00:38:23.859 --> 00:38:24.359
 condescension.

00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.259
 This is a

00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:26.679
 long quote,

00:38:26.779 --> 00:38:27.359
 but I think

00:38:27.359 --> 00:38:27.819
 it's helpful.

00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.639
 Charles Spurgeon,

00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.179
 a pastor in

00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:30.839
 the 1800s,

00:38:30.899 --> 00:38:31.479
 often called

00:38:31.479 --> 00:38:32.979
 the prince of

00:38:32.979 --> 00:38:33.359
 preachers,

00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:35.380
 preachers,

00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:36.120
 spoke of

00:38:36.120 --> 00:38:36.960
 the

00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:37.280
 strong

00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:37.740
 servant and

00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.099
 of Christ

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.380
 in this

00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:38.660
 way.

00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:40.900
 Some wise

00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.460
 one said,

00:38:41.720 --> 00:38:42.460
 why was it a

00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:42.920
 serpent that

00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:43.240
 did the

00:38:43.240 --> 00:38:44.000
 mischief?

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.500
 How can a

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.220
 serpent undo

00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:46.460
 it?

00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:47.920
 Yes, and

00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.840
 men will say

00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:49.559
 it was by

00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:50.500
 man that

00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:50.980
 sin and

00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:51.480
 death came

00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:51.900
 into the

00:38:51.900 --> 00:38:52.180
 world.

00:38:53.079 --> 00:38:53.460
 Can a

00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:54.059
 man be the

00:38:54.059 --> 00:38:54.480
 means of

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.200
 our salvation?

00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:56.559
 Ah, says

00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:57.140
 another, having

00:38:57.140 --> 00:38:57.720
 the prejudice

00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.200
 of a Jew

00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:58.700
 about him,

00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.340
 and what a

00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:00.160
 man he was,

00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.140
 no king,

00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.360
 no prince,

00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.500
 no mighty

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.140
 conqueror.

00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.760
 He was but

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.780
 a poor

00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:08.380
 peasant, and

00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:09.400
 he died upon

00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:09.960
 the cross.

00:39:11.160 --> 00:39:12.780
 Ah, so

00:39:12.780 --> 00:39:13.300
 said some

00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:13.539
 in the

00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.380
 camp, they

00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:14.720
 said it

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:15.680
 was only a

00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:16.340
 bronze serpent,

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.260
 not even a

00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:17.960
 golden one.

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.519
 And how

00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:20.019
 could a

00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:20.700
 bronze serpent

00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.460
 be of use

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:21.880
 to them?

00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.300
 We're not

00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:23.740
 selling for

00:39:23.740 --> 00:39:24.260
 much if it

00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.680
 were broken

00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:24.920
 up.

00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.360
 What was

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:25.740
 the use

00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:26.059
 of it?

00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:27.740
 And so

00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:28.240
 men say

00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:28.840
 of Christ,

00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:30.180
 he is

00:39:30.180 --> 00:39:31.160
 despised and

00:39:31.160 --> 00:39:31.760
 rejected of

00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:32.000
 man.

00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:33.519
 A man of

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.160
 sorrows and

00:39:34.160 --> 00:39:34.980
 acquainted with

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:35.400
 grief.

00:39:35.900 --> 00:39:36.260
 And they

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.980
 hide their

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.740
 faces from

00:39:37.740 --> 00:39:38.920
 him because

00:39:38.920 --> 00:39:39.519
 they cannot

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.380
 see how he

00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.019
 has adapted

00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:41.579
 for their

00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:41.920
 cure.

00:39:44.240 --> 00:39:44.760
 Just

00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:45.500
 understanding the

00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:46.200
 title and the

00:39:46.200 --> 00:39:46.680
 son of God

00:39:46.680 --> 00:39:47.220
 earlier now

00:39:47.220 --> 00:39:48.220
 helps us see

00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:48.680
 that God

00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:49.160
 withheld

00:39:49.160 --> 00:39:50.460
 absolutely

00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:51.740
 nothing in

00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:52.079
 the sending

00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.640
 of his only

00:39:52.640 --> 00:39:53.019
 son.

00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:55.780
 How many

00:39:55.780 --> 00:39:56.320
 gods,

00:39:56.780 --> 00:39:58.039
 how many

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:58.460
 gods have

00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:58.720
 you heard

00:39:58.720 --> 00:39:59.200
 do this?

00:39:59.199 --> 00:40:01.119
 How many

00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:03.000
 kings give

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.259
 up their

00:40:03.259 --> 00:40:03.960
 own sons

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.799
 for rebellious

00:40:04.799 --> 00:40:05.179
 people?

00:40:05.919 --> 00:40:06.319
 How many

00:40:06.319 --> 00:40:07.059
 lords step

00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:07.559
 down from

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:08.199
 their thrones

00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:08.899
 to wash

00:40:08.899 --> 00:40:10.559
 his servants

00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:10.939
 feet?

00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.399
 I come

00:40:12.399 --> 00:40:12.739
 back to

00:40:12.739 --> 00:40:13.139
 this verse

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:13.539
 again and

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:13.819
 again,

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:15.099
 but Romans

00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:15.699
 8.32

00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:16.299
 brings us

00:40:16.299 --> 00:40:16.899
 to such

00:40:16.899 --> 00:40:17.919
 an amazing,

00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:18.599
 unbelievable

00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:19.099
 truth.

00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:21.079
 He who

00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:21.419
 did not

00:40:21.419 --> 00:40:22.679
 spare his

00:40:22.679 --> 00:40:23.419
 own son,

00:40:24.299 --> 00:40:24.819
 but gave

00:40:24.819 --> 00:40:25.339
 him up for

00:40:25.339 --> 00:40:25.799
 us all,

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.719
 how will he

00:40:26.719 --> 00:40:27.419
 not also

00:40:27.419 --> 00:40:28.079
 with him

00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:28.899
 graciously

00:40:28.899 --> 00:40:29.379
 give us

00:40:29.379 --> 00:40:29.939
 all things?

00:40:30.859 --> 00:40:31.139
 Do you

00:40:31.139 --> 00:40:31.699
 guys get

00:40:31.699 --> 00:40:32.159
 the logic

00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:32.659
 of that

00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:33.319
 verse?

00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:34.639
 Our

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:34.959
 heavenly

00:40:34.959 --> 00:40:35.859
 father gave

00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:37.659
 the absolute

00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:38.839
 highest price

00:40:38.839 --> 00:40:39.799
 that he could

00:40:39.799 --> 00:40:40.019
 pay,

00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:40.879
 his precious

00:40:40.879 --> 00:40:41.579
 own son,

00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:42.539
 with whom

00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.219
 he enjoyed

00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:44.779
 love and

00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.839
 communion from

00:40:45.839 --> 00:40:46.619
 eternity

00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.239
 past.

00:40:48.839 --> 00:40:49.699
 So if he

00:40:49.699 --> 00:40:50.239
 gave him up

00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:50.859
 for you,

00:40:52.359 --> 00:40:53.259
 what other

00:40:53.259 --> 00:40:53.879
 good thing

00:40:53.879 --> 00:40:55.699
 that is so

00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:56.480
 much smaller

00:40:56.480 --> 00:40:57.820
 than Jesus?

00:40:59.340 --> 00:41:00.019
 What would

00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.500
 he withhold

00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:01.119
 from us?

00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:02.900
 This

00:41:02.900 --> 00:41:03.260
 father,

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.280
 he gave

00:41:04.280 --> 00:41:05.519
 his son,

00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:06.920
 his only

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.619
 son for

00:41:07.619 --> 00:41:07.980
 you.

00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.460
 So brothers

00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:10.940
 and sisters,

00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:11.539
 we mustn't

00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.539
 look to our

00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.199
 circumstances

00:41:13.199 --> 00:41:14.440
 then to

00:41:14.440 --> 00:41:15.480
 evaluate God's

00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.420
 love for us,

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.280
 or else we'll

00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:17.639
 just get

00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.240
 spiritual

00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:19.039
 whiplash

00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:20.240
 looking back

00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:21.260
 and forth.

00:41:22.119 --> 00:41:22.980
 I know

00:41:22.980 --> 00:41:24.440
 how easy

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:24.900
 it is to

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.340
 do this.

00:41:25.619 --> 00:41:26.159
 We think

00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:27.679
 I got

00:41:27.679 --> 00:41:28.179
 promoted at

00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:28.500
 work.

00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:30.099
 God must

00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.619
 love me.

00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:34.099
 I got

00:41:34.099 --> 00:41:34.699
 diagnosed

00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:36.159
 with a

00:41:36.159 --> 00:41:36.779
 debilitating

00:41:36.779 --> 00:41:37.299
 illness.

00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:38.420
 God

00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:39.699
 doesn't love

00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:39.940
 me.

00:41:41.399 --> 00:41:42.179
 I got

00:41:42.179 --> 00:41:42.739
 engaged.

00:41:43.899 --> 00:41:44.899
 God must

00:41:44.899 --> 00:41:45.399
 love me.

00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:45.500
 love me.

00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.019
 God

00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:46.099
 loves me.

00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:46.740
 God

00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:47.400
 loves me.

00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:47.780
 God

00:41:47.780 --> 00:41:48.300
 loves me.

00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:48.780
 God

00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:48.980
 loves me.

00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:49.740
 God doesn't

00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:52.180
 love me.

00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.240
 I got a

00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:55.180
 clean bill of

00:41:55.180 --> 00:41:55.539
 health.

00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:56.800
 God loves me.

00:41:57.760 --> 00:41:59.059
 My marriage

00:41:59.059 --> 00:42:00.420
 is struggling.

00:42:01.420 --> 00:42:01.740
 God

00:42:01.740 --> 00:42:02.960
 doesn't love me.

00:42:04.260 --> 00:42:04.980
 And so the cycle

00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.880
 can go on and

00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:06.720
 on and on.

00:42:07.160 --> 00:42:08.059
 Instead, we must

00:42:08.059 --> 00:42:08.940
 look to the

00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:09.460
 cross.

00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:09.519
 cross.

00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:11.720
 St.

00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:12.460
 Augustine, the

00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:13.240
 great theologian

00:42:13.240 --> 00:42:13.699
 once said,

00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:15.099
 the cross is the

00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:16.240
 pulpit in which

00:42:16.240 --> 00:42:17.159
 Christ preached

00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:18.300
 God's love for

00:42:18.300 --> 00:42:19.639
 the entire world.

00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.380
 You see, this act

00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:22.619
 of looking and

00:42:22.619 --> 00:42:23.720
 this belief is the

00:42:23.720 --> 00:42:24.480
 key determining

00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.059
 factor of

00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:25.960
 someone's eternal

00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:26.780
 destiny.

00:42:28.360 --> 00:42:29.539
 For reading on in

00:42:29.539 --> 00:42:30.880
 verses 18 to 21,

00:42:31.740 --> 00:42:32.139
 why?

00:42:32.539 --> 00:42:33.440
 Why are the

00:42:33.440 --> 00:42:34.920
 ungodly, the

00:42:34.920 --> 00:42:35.860
 lovers of

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.280
 darkness,

00:42:36.440 --> 00:42:36.780
 condemned?

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:39.120
 While certainly

00:42:39.120 --> 00:42:40.160
 their other sins

00:42:40.160 --> 00:42:41.300
 are deserving of

00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:42.140
 condemnation,

00:42:42.340 --> 00:42:43.220
 verse 18 gives

00:42:43.220 --> 00:42:43.880
 an interesting

00:42:43.880 --> 00:42:44.300
 answer.

00:42:45.320 --> 00:42:46.240
 With the word

00:42:46.240 --> 00:42:47.700
 believe repeated

00:42:47.700 --> 00:42:49.060
 three times in

00:42:49.060 --> 00:42:49.980
 this short verse,

00:42:50.420 --> 00:42:51.620
 the emphasis is on

00:42:51.620 --> 00:42:52.300
 the act of

00:42:52.300 --> 00:42:53.320
 believing in

00:42:53.320 --> 00:42:53.660
 Jesus.

00:42:54.740 --> 00:42:55.620
 Jesus highlights

00:42:55.620 --> 00:42:56.240
 that they are

00:42:56.240 --> 00:42:57.800
 condemned already.

00:42:58.519 --> 00:42:58.780
 Why?

00:42:58.900 --> 00:43:00.360
 Because they have

00:43:00.360 --> 00:43:01.320
 not believed in

00:43:01.320 --> 00:43:01.580
 him.

00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.800
 To refuse then

00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:04.780
 the son of God

00:43:04.780 --> 00:43:05.780
 and his blood

00:43:05.780 --> 00:43:06.680
 poured out for

00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:08.039
 you is really

00:43:08.039 --> 00:43:09.480
 to call down

00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:10.480
 judgment on

00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:10.919
 yourself.

00:43:11.480 --> 00:43:11.799
 In a sense,

00:43:11.879 --> 00:43:12.339
 this is the

00:43:12.339 --> 00:43:13.219
 greatest folly

00:43:13.219 --> 00:43:14.199
 that someone can

00:43:14.199 --> 00:43:14.599
 commit.

00:43:15.239 --> 00:43:15.759
 This is the

00:43:15.759 --> 00:43:16.619
 greatest reason

00:43:16.619 --> 00:43:18.139
 that someone be

00:43:18.139 --> 00:43:19.119
 condemned, that

00:43:19.119 --> 00:43:20.279
 they reject the

00:43:20.279 --> 00:43:22.139
 son whom the

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:23.000
 father sent in

00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.319
 love.

00:43:24.960 --> 00:43:25.639
 But why?

00:43:25.779 --> 00:43:26.259
 Why do they

00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:26.940
 reject the son?

00:43:27.099 --> 00:43:27.779
 Read with me in

00:43:27.779 --> 00:43:29.419
 verse 19 to 21.

00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.179
 And this is the

00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:30.559
 judgment.

00:43:31.659 --> 00:43:32.159
 The light has

00:43:32.159 --> 00:43:32.759
 come into the

00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:33.460
 world and the

00:43:33.460 --> 00:43:34.259
 people love the

00:43:34.259 --> 00:43:35.119
 darkness rather than

00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:36.259
 the light because

00:43:36.260 --> 00:43:37.200
 their works were

00:43:37.200 --> 00:43:37.660
 evil.

00:43:38.520 --> 00:43:39.420
 For everyone who

00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:40.520
 does wicked things

00:43:40.520 --> 00:43:42.080
 hates the light and

00:43:42.080 --> 00:43:42.880
 does not come to

00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:43.660
 the light lest his

00:43:43.660 --> 00:43:44.620
 works be exposed.

00:43:45.180 --> 00:43:46.320
 But whoever does

00:43:46.320 --> 00:43:47.880
 what is true comes

00:43:47.880 --> 00:43:49.480
 to the light so

00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:50.700
 that it may be

00:43:50.700 --> 00:43:51.580
 clearly seen that

00:43:51.580 --> 00:43:52.500
 his works have been

00:43:52.500 --> 00:43:53.540
 carried out in God.

00:43:55.620 --> 00:43:56.840
 These next verses

00:43:56.840 --> 00:43:58.380
 now show then the

00:43:58.380 --> 00:44:00.120
 process of how

00:44:00.120 --> 00:44:01.440
 one's wicked deeds

00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:02.660
 and disobedience to

00:44:02.660 --> 00:44:04.580
 God lead then to an

00:44:04.579 --> 00:44:05.880
 outright rejection of

00:44:05.880 --> 00:44:06.219
 the light.

00:44:07.500 --> 00:44:09.840
 Verse 19 to 20

00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:10.679
 show that the

00:44:10.679 --> 00:44:12.000
 people choose,

00:44:12.539 --> 00:44:13.179
 they choose to

00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:14.139
 shut themselves in

00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:14.880
 darkness because

00:44:14.880 --> 00:44:16.539
 they have no desire

00:44:16.539 --> 00:44:17.920
 to be disturbed or

00:44:17.920 --> 00:44:18.319
 exposed.

00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:20.920
 They refuse to

00:44:20.920 --> 00:44:21.639
 make changes in

00:44:21.639 --> 00:44:22.940
 their lives because

00:44:22.940 --> 00:44:23.380
 they're too

00:44:23.380 --> 00:44:24.960
 comfortable in their

00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:25.199
 sin.

00:44:26.019 --> 00:44:27.679
 So they live in

00:44:27.679 --> 00:44:28.920
 darkness in their

00:44:28.920 --> 00:44:30.840
 eyes and they grow

00:44:30.840 --> 00:44:32.039
 accustomed to the

00:44:32.039 --> 00:44:32.440
 darkness.

00:44:32.440 --> 00:44:33.800
 darkness so that

00:44:33.800 --> 00:44:34.960
 when the light of

00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:36.480
 Christ comes it

00:44:36.480 --> 00:44:37.740
 hurts their eyes.

00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:39.900
 They don't want to

00:44:39.900 --> 00:44:40.380
 see it.

00:44:41.880 --> 00:44:43.440
 In fact it's

00:44:43.440 --> 00:44:44.619
 actually too weak of

00:44:44.619 --> 00:44:45.519
 language to use

00:44:45.519 --> 00:44:46.240
 because it's not that

00:44:46.240 --> 00:44:47.400
 they don't want to

00:44:47.400 --> 00:44:48.079
 see the light but

00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:49.519
 they love the

00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:49.900
 darkness.

00:44:50.380 --> 00:44:51.300
 They love the

00:44:51.300 --> 00:44:52.500
 darkness over the

00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:52.780
 light.

00:44:53.200 --> 00:44:54.079
 They love the

00:44:54.079 --> 00:44:55.760
 darkness because they

00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.760
 love their evil

00:44:56.760 --> 00:44:57.599
 deeds being hidden.

00:44:58.460 --> 00:45:00.000
 They value their own

00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:01.639
 pride, their own

00:45:01.639 --> 00:45:04.679
 image rather than

00:45:04.679 --> 00:45:06.219
 integrity and

00:45:06.219 --> 00:45:07.079
 contrite faith.

00:45:08.699 --> 00:45:10.139
 But then verse 21

00:45:10.139 --> 00:45:11.280
 says that those who

00:45:11.280 --> 00:45:12.219
 have put their faith

00:45:12.219 --> 00:45:13.400
 in Jesus are

00:45:13.400 --> 00:45:14.639
 radically different.

00:45:15.639 --> 00:45:16.380
 They do what is

00:45:16.380 --> 00:45:18.739
 true completely by

00:45:18.739 --> 00:45:19.940
 the grace of God.

00:45:21.099 --> 00:45:22.320
 Those that see Jesus

00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:23.400
 for who he really is

00:45:23.400 --> 00:45:24.820
 seeing him as

00:45:24.820 --> 00:45:26.820
 infinitely valuable

00:45:26.820 --> 00:45:28.480
 as the son of God

00:45:28.480 --> 00:45:29.559
 and as their source

00:45:29.559 --> 00:45:31.940
 of light and as

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.940
 their source of

00:45:32.940 --> 00:45:33.400
 life.

00:45:34.219 --> 00:45:35.099
 They are the ones

00:45:35.099 --> 00:45:35.820
 that act in

00:45:35.820 --> 00:45:36.260
 righteousness,

00:45:37.699 --> 00:45:38.699
 obedience by the

00:45:38.699 --> 00:45:39.780
 power of God.

00:45:40.400 --> 00:45:41.000
 So instead of

00:45:41.000 --> 00:45:41.539
 running away,

00:45:42.460 --> 00:45:43.519
 they step into the

00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.240
 light, not out of

00:45:44.240 --> 00:45:46.079
 arrogance or

00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:47.559
 haughtiness, but in

00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:48.639
 humble redirection

00:45:48.639 --> 00:45:50.940
 to the glory of God.

00:45:50.940 --> 00:45:54.360
 God, so friends, as

00:45:54.360 --> 00:45:55.659
 I close, I exhort

00:45:55.659 --> 00:45:57.820
 again, we must keep

00:45:57.820 --> 00:45:58.900
 our eyes on the

00:45:58.900 --> 00:46:00.880
 light of the son of

00:46:00.880 --> 00:46:01.159
 God.

00:46:02.179 --> 00:46:03.539
 Put negatively, we

00:46:03.539 --> 00:46:05.019
 mustn't let our eyes

00:46:05.019 --> 00:46:07.139
 become fixated on the

00:46:07.139 --> 00:46:07.579
 darkness.

00:46:10.019 --> 00:46:11.099
 What are some things

00:46:11.099 --> 00:46:12.300
 in your life that keep

00:46:12.300 --> 00:46:13.159
 your eyes off of

00:46:13.159 --> 00:46:13.420
 Jesus?

00:46:14.340 --> 00:46:15.380
 What do you fixate

00:46:15.380 --> 00:46:16.079
 your eyes on?

00:46:17.220 --> 00:46:17.980
 Is it money?

00:46:17.980 --> 00:46:21.019
 Is it social media?

00:46:21.659 --> 00:46:23.679
 Is it video games?

00:46:24.699 --> 00:46:25.719
 Is it others?

00:46:26.219 --> 00:46:27.139
 Is it yourself?

00:46:29.619 --> 00:46:31.099
 Jesus himself warns

00:46:31.099 --> 00:46:32.679
 of this in Matthew 6.

00:46:32.820 --> 00:46:34.059
 The eye is the lamp

00:46:34.059 --> 00:46:34.599
 of the body.

00:46:35.280 --> 00:46:36.079
 So if your eye is

00:46:36.079 --> 00:46:37.760
 healthy, your whole

00:46:37.760 --> 00:46:38.639
 body will be full of

00:46:38.639 --> 00:46:38.860
 light.

00:46:39.219 --> 00:46:40.099
 But if your eye is

00:46:40.099 --> 00:46:41.380
 bad, your whole body

00:46:41.380 --> 00:46:42.480
 will be full of

00:46:42.480 --> 00:46:42.840
 darkness.

00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:45.639
 You'll have a healthy

00:46:45.639 --> 00:46:46.240
 eye.

00:46:46.239 --> 00:46:47.819
 When you view Jesus,

00:46:48.899 --> 00:46:49.819
 when you view him as

00:46:49.819 --> 00:46:51.179
 lovely, as your

00:46:51.179 --> 00:46:53.699
 supreme treasure, and

00:46:53.699 --> 00:46:54.419
 everything else just

00:46:54.419 --> 00:46:55.759
 loses its value in the

00:46:55.759 --> 00:46:56.699
 light of Christ.

00:46:59.000 --> 00:47:00.139
 In this Advent season,

00:47:00.239 --> 00:47:00.979
 let's keep the main

00:47:00.979 --> 00:47:02.019
 thing the main thing.

00:47:02.779 --> 00:47:03.839
 Let's joyfully celebrate

00:47:03.839 --> 00:47:05.619
 how God sent the light

00:47:05.619 --> 00:47:06.919
 of the world, the son

00:47:06.919 --> 00:47:07.759
 of God, to the

00:47:07.759 --> 00:47:08.099
 darkness.

00:47:09.019 --> 00:47:10.439
 Let's faithfully wait

00:47:10.439 --> 00:47:11.459
 for the light of the

00:47:11.459 --> 00:47:12.639
 world to come again.

00:47:13.839 --> 00:47:15.659
 As Hebrews 12, 1-2

00:47:15.659 --> 00:47:16.059
 says,

00:47:16.359 --> 00:47:18.559
 Let us also lay

00:47:18.559 --> 00:47:19.599
 aside every weight

00:47:19.599 --> 00:47:20.539
 and sin which

00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:21.679
 clings so closely,

00:47:22.279 --> 00:47:22.980
 and let us run

00:47:22.980 --> 00:47:24.460
 with endurance the

00:47:24.460 --> 00:47:25.139
 race that is set

00:47:25.139 --> 00:47:25.839
 before us.

00:47:26.920 --> 00:47:28.440
 Looking to Jesus,

00:47:28.960 --> 00:47:30.500
 the founder and

00:47:30.500 --> 00:47:31.539
 perfecter of our

00:47:31.539 --> 00:47:31.980
 faith,

00:47:33.779 --> 00:47:34.719
 who for the joy that

00:47:34.719 --> 00:47:35.440
 was set before him

00:47:35.440 --> 00:47:36.480
 endured the cross,

00:47:37.199 --> 00:47:38.179
 despising the shame,

00:47:38.399 --> 00:47:39.519
 and is seated at the

00:47:39.519 --> 00:47:40.359
 right hand of the

00:47:40.359 --> 00:47:40.899
 throne of God.

00:47:41.980 --> 00:47:42.639
 Let's pray.

00:47:42.639 --> 00:47:42.719
 Amen.

00:47:42.719 --> 00:47:42.799
 Amen.

00:47:42.799 --> 00:47:42.839
 Amen.

00:47:42.839 --> 00:47:42.879
 Amen.

00:47:42.879 --> 00:47:42.920
 Amen.

00:47:42.920 --> 00:47:42.960
 Amen.

00:47:42.960 --> 00:47:43.000
 Amen.

00:47:43.000 --> 00:47:43.019
 Amen.

00:47:43.019 --> 00:47:43.920
 Amen.

00:47:43.920 --> 00:47:44.839
 Amen.

00:47:45.659 --> 00:47:48.619
 God, I pray, astound us

00:47:48.619 --> 00:47:49.579
 by your love again.

00:47:52.980 --> 00:47:54.960
 May we never lose the

00:47:54.960 --> 00:47:57.679
 wonder of how much you

00:47:57.679 --> 00:47:59.059
 condescended Christ.

00:48:01.319 --> 00:48:04.599
 You came, took on flesh to

00:48:04.599 --> 00:48:06.619
 save a broken and rebellious

00:48:06.619 --> 00:48:07.019
 people.

00:48:08.159 --> 00:48:10.139
 How, how did you, how?

00:48:10.139 --> 00:48:13.259
 How could you love in this

00:48:13.259 --> 00:48:13.399
 way?

00:48:13.460 --> 00:48:15.119
 How could you love us in

00:48:15.119 --> 00:48:15.579
 this way?

00:48:16.420 --> 00:48:16.480
 Amen.

00:48:17.440 --> 00:48:18.599
 God, amaze us.

00:48:19.219 --> 00:48:20.440
 This Advent season, it's all

00:48:20.440 --> 00:48:20.880
 about you.

00:48:22.380 --> 00:48:23.519
 We look to you, Jesus.

00:48:24.259 --> 00:48:25.119
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:48:26.299 --> 00:48:26.639
 Amen.

00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:27.420
 Amen.

00:48:27.539 --> 00:48:28.139
 Amen.

00:48:28.579 --> 00:48:30.579
 Amen.

00:48:30.579 --> 00:48:31.219
 Amen.

00:48:31.219 --> 00:48:31.699
 Amen.

00:48:33.699 --> 00:48:34.639
 Amen.

00:48:34.639 --> 00:48:35.219
 Amen.

00:48:37.699 --> 00:48:38.339
 Amen.

00:48:38.339 --> 00:48:39.639
 Amen.

00:48:39.759 --> 00:48:39.779
 Amen.

00:48:39.779 --> 00:48:40.739
 Amen.

00:48:40.739 --> 00:48:40.799
 Amen.

00:48:40.819 --> 00:48:41.099
 Amen.

00:48:41.239 --> 00:48:41.759
 Amen.

00:48:41.839 --> 00:48:42.159
 Amen.

00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:44.799
 Amen.