WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.820 I'm asking this, how many of you realize that we actually just sang a prayer? 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:09.980 ! Let me follow that up with another question. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:15.439 ! How many of you have an idea of who will answer our prayer? 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:22.960 ! Now, I'm asking a theological question in reference to the triune God. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:24.359 Do you follow that? 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:27.219 I mean, in general, it's a little bit like Sunday school. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:30.219 You could say God, and you could strike it right. 00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:31.899 I'd have to give you points for that. 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:42.899 But more specifically, who of the triune Godhead is responsible for answering that particular prayer? 00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:45.340 Help me out here. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:47.700 The Holy Spirit. 00:00:49.379 --> 00:00:50.299 That's right. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:53.140 Holy Spirit. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:58.219 And by the way, if the Lord tarries and I live long enough and you're here long enough, 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:01.219 we will eventually get to John chapter 14, 15, and 16, 00:01:01.219 --> 00:01:08.560 and we are going to find the most extensive instruction on the ministry of the Holy Spirit there. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:10.280 That's just going to be, it's going to be wonderful. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.379 It's going to be as good as Ephesians. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.019 Maybe even better because it's next. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:20.939 You know how I am about books, right? 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:24.379 The one I'm preaching in at the moment has got to be the best book there is. 00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:31.379 And I suppose that comes from the process of praying and studying through the week. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:36.979 And so often as I am coming to the conclusion of that process. 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:44.760 And for some of you, you may know that generally on Thursday I have the text written, finished, the text part. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:48.159 And Connie then puts together the things that go on the overhead. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:54.439 And then from Thursday till Sunday about this time is a time that is bathed in prayer. 00:01:55.300 --> 00:01:58.300 You know, I want the help of the Holy Spirit to preach the Word. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:02:00.659 And I rely on your prayers as well. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:04.659 And one of the things is that when I finish up Thursday, I am just full. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:07.319 I mean, it's like I am ready. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:12.699 If I could preach Thursday afternoon, it would probably be best for me. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:17.400 Because I carry around this, oh, man, I want to bring it. 00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:19.560 But, you know, it's like, oh, okay. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:21.159 This is Friday. 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:29.340 And Judith, my bride of 44 years, has advised me on many occasions that I'm not allowed to preach to her ahead of time. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:34.159 And I said, I was talking with another brother in the Lord. 00:02:34.259 --> 00:02:39.819 And he was talking to me about what he does as he preaches his sermon to his wife several times in advance. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:41.000 I said, God bless you. 00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:42.360 I wish. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:45.500 So you get to hear it hot the first time. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:46.080 Here it is. 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:55.300 I want you, as we kind of get our hearts into this passage, to put your finger, first of all, on John 1, verse 35. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.260 That's where we're going to be. 00:02:56.320 --> 00:03:02.800 We're going to take time together going over all of this passage from 35 to 52. 00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:09.120 But in order to kind of have the global view, because it helps us keep things together, 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:12.620 I want to remind you why John wrote the book. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:15.880 How many of you know why John wrote the book? 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:21.920 It tells us over in John chapter 20, it says, in essence, that these things are written, 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.860 the pieces that have been put together are written, so that you might know who Jesus is, 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:30.500 that he is the Son of God, and that knowing you can believe in him. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:35.740 And so here we are, as we kind of get into the process of understanding this book, 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:44.040 we remind ourselves, for one, that John wrote this to inform us of the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:48.659 and that knowing this, we can believe on him and have eternal life. 00:03:49.579 --> 00:03:54.180 Well, let me do something here that is not going to give you an excuse to leave the service early, 00:03:54.379 --> 00:04:00.159 but I do want you to kind of have some abbreviated ideas of what the book is about. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:07.879 So someone comes up to you and says, the book by Dostoevsky on war and peace, what's it about? 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:09.599 Do you know what you could actually say? 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.639 It's about war and peace. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:15.699 Now, that's a gross abbreviation of a book about 800 pages. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:19.699 So when we get to the book of John, we want to understand, what's this book about? 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:22.000 I've got to tell you, it's about worship and witness. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:23.000 Worship and witness. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:24.060 Think about that. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:25.160 Worship and witness. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:28.860 The two pieces go together. 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:33.399 Another way of putting it would be edification and evangelism. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:34.939 Now, there's a similarity, isn't it? 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:39.439 Worship, witness, edification, evangelism. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:44.180 And as we look this morning at this extended passage, 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:48.040 we are going to see how these pieces actually come together. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:51.220 And so I would put it this way. 00:04:52.700 --> 00:04:58.720 When the heart of the believer is caught up with the glory and the supremacy of Christ, 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:01.879 they don't have to be coached. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.420 They don't have to be coerced. 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:06.500 They don't have to be manipulated. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.420 They talk about what's inside, and they talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:11.320 --> 00:05:15.480 And so I want you to have that fixed in your mind and kind of lock in on that 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:19.220 because what we're going to find in this extended passage is, first of all, 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:23.280 we're going to find that seeing Jesus clearly shrinks and satisfies. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.180 Shrinks and satisfies. 00:05:27.140 --> 00:05:31.259 Second thing we're going to see is that seeing Jesus clearly leads to sharing. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:34.860 It just follows as the night, the day. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:36.220 The two go together. 00:05:37.640 --> 00:05:43.040 So let's talk, first of all, about seeing Jesus clearly shrinks and satisfies. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.260 You pick up there in verse 35, and the next day, again, 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:48.160 John was standing with two of his disciples, 00:05:48.460 --> 00:05:51.240 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by, and he said, 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:53.420 Behold, the Lamb of God. 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:59.560 I know that an entire week has passed since the last time we looked at the, 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:03.780 in fact, two weeks since we looked at John 1, verse 19 through 28. 00:06:04.780 --> 00:06:08.160 But what we saw when we, three weeks now, I guess, 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:12.120 but when we looked at that passage, one of the things we saw is that, 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:14.120 for one, we're all witnesses. 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:16.800 Do you understand that? 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:19.020 We're all witnesses. 00:06:19.140 --> 00:06:21.180 Now, some of us may choose to be bad witnesses. 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:23.800 I'll never forget. 00:06:25.400 --> 00:06:30.960 At one point, I was on the phone with an individual dealing with a problem 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:32.920 that I was having with insurance. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:34.680 Anybody ever here have problems with insurance? 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:37.000 I mean, you know, it was just a little thing, you know, like, 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:38.079 and I'd been on the phone. 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:41.980 I mean, I have a record in the computer of how many times I'd called this person, 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:42.600 and, you know, I was like, 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:46.259 How many of you like listening to music ad nauseum? 00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:49.120 Oh, they're playing my song, you know. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:54.800 And so I remember when I finally got to a human voice being a little snarky, 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:56.720 you know, I was like, I wanted to let them know 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.860 that I was a little disappointed with the service I was getting, 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:05.259 and my pastor's shepherd's heart was really kind of right there with it, 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:07.220 and I kind of went off on a tear. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:13.460 And this woman, unusually, I don't think she was being recorded, 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:15.819 she stopped me and says, 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:16.639 You got an attitude. 00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:20.360 Me? Attitude? 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:24.180 And I had to say, 00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:26.160 I am ashamed, 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:28.319 and thank you for correcting me. 00:07:29.080 --> 00:07:31.900 I want you to know that the guy you're talking to is a pastor. 00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:35.460 And I have never met you, 00:07:35.520 --> 00:07:36.600 but I ought to know better. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:40.319 And I have every reason not to be this way, 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:41.500 and I ask you to forgive me. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:42.540 Hmm? 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:44.980 You see, 00:07:45.520 --> 00:07:47.980 we're going to be good witnesses sometimes, 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:49.220 and we're going to be bad witnesses, 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:51.200 but let's face the fact we're all witnesses. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:54.800 And furthermore, 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:56.100 one of the things that we do see 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:58.320 as we look at that passage in John chapter 1 00:07:58.320 --> 00:08:01.580 is that a biblical witness is not self-focused. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.020 And that's what I mean when I speak about shrinking. 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:08.700 You know, if you look at the passage, 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.060 you'll find here that 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:14.640 John the Baptist was very, very clear about who he was. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:19.180 And we're going to see that in three different instances 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:20.800 as we work our way through this passage. 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:23.459 First, let's recognize that John the Baptist, 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:27.159 a man who God sent to be his chosen forerunner, 00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:28.639 one of a kind, 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.959 the only one, 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:36.019 sent by God directly in front of Jesus. 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:40.179 And as we work our way through 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.480 the testimony of John the Baptist, 00:08:42.579 --> 00:08:43.819 the thing we're going to find is that 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:49.980 here was a man who had no self-focus or ambition. 00:08:51.579 --> 00:08:52.559 His humility, 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:53.860 I want you to understand, 00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:55.860 was not something that was put on. 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:56.860 How many of you know what I mean 00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:58.500 by kind of put on humility? 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:01.500 Oh, that was a wonderful special. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:04.000 Oh, no, it was nothing. 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:04.519 You know, I mean, 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.779 it's like, yeah, right. 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.799 I mean, you just can't wait for me 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:09.779 to say another sentence. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:10.840 You know, you're right. 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:12.320 I guess when I stop and think about it again, 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.279 that was a real dud. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.960 I hope you don't sing that again. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:15.700 You know, that kind of thing. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:18.899 You know, we find that John was just, 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.899 his heart was humble. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:27.059 And we read later on in the text 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.559 as we work our way through the book of John 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.480 that there came a time 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:31.899 when John the Baptist's disciples 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.439 began following, guess who? 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:36.419 That guy that he baptized. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.059 And remember, his disciples 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.500 are kind of worried about this, 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.519 and they come to John, 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.860 and they say, 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.039 hey, John, I don't know 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:44.740 if you're paying attention, 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.620 but the crowd is dwindling. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:49.840 And on that basis, 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.060 what John says, 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:51.519 he says, 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.420 he must increase 00:09:53.420 --> 00:09:54.800 and I must decrease. 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:55.860 Now, listen to me. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:58.040 John speaks in the Greek 00:09:58.040 --> 00:09:58.820 in an imperative. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:09:59.980 Do you know what imperative is? 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.920 It has to happen. 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.240 How many of you understand 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.580 that gravity is an imperative? 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:09.460 I mean, if I stepped off from here, 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:12.920 whether I had all kinds of faith 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:15.759 about my ability to walk on air, 00:10:15.900 --> 00:10:16.759 guess what would happen? 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:20.039 It's about 14, 16 inches. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:22.480 Gravity is an imperative. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.519 It would take over and do its job. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:27.840 And so here is John the Baptist saying, 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:30.299 it's an absolute fact 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:32.319 that he must increase 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:33.759 and I must decrease. 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:35.919 It has to happen. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:38.980 John understood that. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:43.700 And he saw the work of God 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:44.779 in that fact 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:47.360 and he was satisfied with it. 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:51.039 And so as you look at this passage, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.680 here's one of the things 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:52.600 I want you to understand. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:55.300 You can't make much of Jesus 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:58.080 and yourself at the same time. 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:03.259 And so here we see John's lack of self-focus. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.759 There in verse 35, 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.399 the next day again, 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:09.259 John was standing with two of his disciples, 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.080 you know, kind of the buds 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:10.899 just talking together 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.779 and along comes Jesus, 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.819 just walking by. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.720 There's no indication that Jesus said, 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:19.360 hey, John, thanks for baptizing me. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.720 Man, that was awesome. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:21.620 And by the way, 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.360 John, do you remember 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.879 when the Holy Spirit came down on me 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:26.000 and let you know who I am? 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:26.519 You know, it was like, 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:29.500 John just, there he is, 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.240 saw Jesus. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:34.180 And out of his heart, 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.460 because of his understanding 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:40.680 of who Jesus was and is, 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.860 he said this, 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:44.639 behold the Lamb of God. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:48.220 Just a profoundly significant 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:49.879 theological statement 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.700 about the fact 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.700 that God sent his son 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:54.379 to be the savior of the world 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:56.899 and that his ministry 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.680 of saving us from sin 00:11:58.680 --> 00:12:00.759 meant that he had to die 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:02.919 in my place 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:04.360 and your place. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.980 And as a result of that, 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:09.519 throughout all eternity, 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:10.799 when we get to heaven 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:13.879 and we enjoy eternal bliss, 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:15.480 we will remember Jesus 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.819 as the Lamb 00:12:17.819 --> 00:12:19.319 who was slain 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:21.039 before the foundation 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.240 of the world. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.460 I want you to imagine 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.259 just for a moment, though, 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:28.139 that here is John 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.480 and he says, 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.519 behold the Lamb of God. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.860 And the next thing we find there, 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:33.980 he looked at Jesus 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.919 at verse 36, 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.360 he looked at, 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:36.019 behold the Lamb, 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:37.360 and then verse 37, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.019 the disciples, 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:38.779 the two disciples 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.759 heard him say this 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.039 and what did they do? 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.159 They followed Jesus. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.460 We know that numbers 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.159 are important, 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:48.720 aren't they? 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.680 how many employees 00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.320 do you have? 00:12:53.040 --> 00:12:54.480 How much did that cost? 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.639 How many come to the church? 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.820 How many watched the game? 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:02.040 Truth of the matter is, 00:13:02.060 --> 00:13:03.160 as I was thinking about this, 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.320 when I happened, 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:05.300 I didn't watch the game, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.800 I just kind of googled 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:07.740 what the score was 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.420 and one of the things 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.560 I actually paid attention to 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:11.920 was how big was the crowd 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:13.860 at the Maryland OSU game? 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:14.879 It was something like 52,000, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.879 I thought, 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.580 peanuts. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.139 I mean, 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.679 small stuff. 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:23.820 When we have a game here, 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:26.279 we have 108,000. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:27.600 Am I right, Joe? 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:28.960 Gary? 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.559 Give or take, 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:31.779 you know, 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:32.279 who's counting? 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:35.240 We're about numbers. 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.100 And so, 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.000 we don't know 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.519 what John was thinking 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.559 when he saw 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:44.860 these two disciples 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.939 that he cared about 00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:47.360 walking off. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:51.100 But if our carnal spirits 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:51.679 were involved 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.600 in any of the thinking 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.419 that he may have had, 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.199 guess what he was thinking? 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:56.639 Man, 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.460 I poured my heart 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.399 into these two guys. 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:00.699 They've been following me 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.659 and there they go. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.279 We've been there. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:10.019 Someone sings a special. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:13.360 Or someone teaches a lesson. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.279 Or someone shares a victory. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:19.259 And as soon as the conversation 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.519 plays out, 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.399 we find ourselves thinking, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:22.779 hey, 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.259 I sang that song before. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.299 Don't you remember 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:28.360 the lesson I taught 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.199 two weeks ago? 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.079 How many of you understand 00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:30.759 what I'm talking about? 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.120 That wicked, 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:32.779 perverse, 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.379 I mean, 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:33.659 you know, 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:34.100 it's like, 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.600 where did that thought 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.179 come from? 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.539 Hell, 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:37.120 you know, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.000 and our own wicked heart. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.860 But you know, 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.759 here is John. 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:45.360 And he exclaims 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.240 ecstatically, 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:48.320 with emotion and affection, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.539 behold, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.620 look, 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.139 it's the Lamb. 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.679 And as a result 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.539 of his 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.039 clear 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:59.399 testimony, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:03.019 he has two 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.639 that follow. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.000 you look at the passage, 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.360 and it says, 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.799 they followed Jesus. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.539 Jesus turned 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.419 and saw them following 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.039 and said to them, 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.259 what are you seeking? 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.659 What's up? 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.220 By the way, 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.019 how many of you realize 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.720 that questions 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.779 are one of the ways 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.919 to really find out 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.000 what's in people's hearts? 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:22.779 Okay? 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.100 Questions are 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.819 supremely important. 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.540 And so, 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:29.560 here are the two disciples. 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.260 Hey, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.720 what's up? 00:15:30.780 --> 00:15:31.240 What are you thinking? 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:33.200 And I love the fact 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.440 that they invite themselves 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.520 to Jesus' home. 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:36.420 Now, 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.900 that's an indication 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:38.360 to me 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.300 that they really 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:40.020 wanted 00:15:40.020 --> 00:15:42.700 something from Jesus. 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:45.060 This wasn't just 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.980 a passing fancy. 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:46.920 Their heart 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:47.640 had been convicted 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:48.720 by the Spirit of God 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.720 that Jesus 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.800 is the one 00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:52.220 they needed. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.720 Remember later 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.800 in John chapter 6 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:56.000 where Jesus 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.740 preaches that 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.779 thunder and brimstone 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:58.480 kind of sermon 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.759 where at the beginning 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.820 he has a big crowd 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.779 and when it's all gone, 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.299 who's left? 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:03.080 Does anybody remember? 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.159 Just the disciples. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:07.080 And Jesus turns to them 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.399 and says, 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.480 are you guys packing up 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.159 and leaving too? 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:11.240 And what did Peter say? 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:11.779 Who remembers? 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:14.120 Where are we going? 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.600 You got the words. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.539 You're the one. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:20.840 Evidently, 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.940 these two disciples 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.639 were persuaded 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.440 of the supremacy 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.100 of Christ 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.700 and they said, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.060 no, 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.360 we want to spend 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.780 time with you. 00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:33.220 And he said, 00:16:33.280 --> 00:16:33.480 come, 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.400 come on, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:35.540 come with me. 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.420 And as you look 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.160 at this passage, 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.440 there are a couple things 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:42.340 that I want you to mark. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:42.880 For one, 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.860 in verse 37 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.160 it says, 00:16:44.260 --> 00:16:45.140 they followed him. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.360 We're going to get back 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:46.660 to that. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.220 I want you to put your finger 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.240 on verse 40 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.360 because I want to tell you 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.300 that I've already started 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.220 preparing the message 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:52.779 for this. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.139 Verse 40. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.759 We're a long way, 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.840 Lord willing, 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.240 we're a long way 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:00.040 from John chapter 13. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.639 But in verse 40 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.100 it says, 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.460 one of the two. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:04.680 Now, 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.860 does anybody know offhand 00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:06.720 who one is? 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.200 This is important. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.059 It's actually 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:14.220 the apostle John. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:19.339 And in the gospel 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.220 that he wrote, 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:23.400 he never names himself. 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.079 He only refers to himself, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.400 I think, 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.220 three or four times 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.079 by this title. 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:35.940 One whom Jesus loved. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:37.700 Now, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.480 would the Holy Spirit 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.200 endorse 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:45.240 someone being arrogant 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.960 and proud 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.799 about the fact 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.819 that they had been 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.920 loved by Christ? 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.860 And what is the answer 00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:51.480 from reasonable Christians? 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.319 The answer is, 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.039 not in your life. 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.259 Now, 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.440 could John have said 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.380 something ungodly? 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:56.940 That's true. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.120 But we'd have somewhere 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.960 kind of rebuttal 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.900 in relationship to that. 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.400 We're going to come 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:00.980 to this issue 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:03.299 of what John meant 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.840 when he said, 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.840 one whom Jesus loved. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.779 But I want you to recognize 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.360 that as we work our way 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.400 through the text now, 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:11.180 one of the things 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.240 that I want you to see here 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.040 is that a clear view 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:13.460 of Jesus 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.880 changes life's directions. 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:18.180 It changes life's directions. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.380 We are going to see 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:23.580 in this passage, 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.259 verse 35 on, 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:25.820 we're going to see 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:26.420 for one thing 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:30.420 that as these two disciples 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.259 heard John speak 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.660 definitively, 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:33.860 I mean, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.500 clearly, 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.980 convictingly, 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:38.080 this is the Lamb of God. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.279 This is the Messiah. 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.579 This is the Savior 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.460 of the world. 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.480 What happened 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.419 is that 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:48.159 they changed their direction. 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:51.199 We read that Philip left 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:52.299 whatever he was doing 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.859 to follow. 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.699 And I want you to recognize 00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:55.559 that it wasn't because 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.399 of coercion 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.339 or pressure. 00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:58.799 It wasn't because 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.759 there was a certain 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.619 benefit package 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.339 that came with 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.559 following Jesus 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.720 in the immediate present, 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.359 better health insurance, 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:05.599 you know, 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.159 that kind of thing. 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.379 I want you to understand 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:07.880 when you really 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.780 get down to it 00:19:08.780 --> 00:19:10.180 that apart from 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.400 John the Apostle, 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.440 who they believe 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:14.300 died as an exile, 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.380 every, 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.640 except for Judas, 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:18.400 every other disciple 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.020 was executed 00:19:20.020 --> 00:19:21.180 for their faith. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.100 It was their view 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.700 of Christ 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.820 that led to a change 00:19:26.820 --> 00:19:27.300 of direction. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.280 So as you sit out here, 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.160 one of the questions 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:29.880 to ask yourself 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.160 practically is, 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:33.040 is your life's direction 00:19:33.040 --> 00:19:33.820 different 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.879 because you've seen 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.000 Jesus clearly. 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.919 Now stop just for a minute. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.839 When we think about 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.639 life's direction, 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.439 we have a tendency 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:44.200 of getting caught up 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.240 in the mundane 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.500 and the things 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.079 that have no 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.059 eternal significance. 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:48.539 Let me explain 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.359 what I mean by that. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.339 I mean tomorrow morning, 00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:52.000 given time, 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.319 whatever, 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.960 most of you here 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.919 are going to either 00:19:54.919 --> 00:19:55.519 go to school 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.259 or go to work. 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:57.919 Right? 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:01.140 That's not 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.440 your life's 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.259 real direction. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.420 That's just how 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.820 God has employed you 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:08.680 to have a spiritual 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:10.180 and lasting impact 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.700 in the lives 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.320 of other people 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:11.860 who desperately 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.640 need Christ. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.820 I want you to 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:18.740 understand something else 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.700 as we look at the passage 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.580 in broad terms. 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.860 A clear view of Jesus 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:23.560 changes life's purpose. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.259 That's part of what 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.259 I'm reflecting on here. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.759 Some went from 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.600 being fishermen 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:33.019 to being fishers of men. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.279 One went from 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.960 being a doctor 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:40.240 to being a disciple. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.460 Another went from 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:44.140 being a tax collector 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:46.779 to a disciple. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.800 Ask any person 00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:53.340 that has been swept away 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.740 by the gospel 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.759 about what their life 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.680 is all about. 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.200 Let me say that again 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:01.060 slowly because I think 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:02.140 we have to understand this. 00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:03.700 Ask any person 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:05.200 whose life has been 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.180 swept away 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.120 by the beauty 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.840 of the gospel, 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.759 what's your life about? 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.820 Here's what they won't say. 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.539 It's about my retirement. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:20.160 It's about my motor home. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:23.300 It's about how much 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:24.420 my investments 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.000 are making 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.779 so I can be 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.460 a pretty self-indulgent 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.200 fool. 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.800 Tell a story 00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:32.360 on myself. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.740 Three, four years ago, 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.620 well, that's two years ago 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:35.920 actually, 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.759 that I began thinking 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.279 to myself, 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.300 when I retire, 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.460 I think I'm going 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.759 to get a small plot 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.279 of land, 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.580 about ten acres, 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.880 and I'm going to raise 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:46.019 chickens and cows. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.240 house. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.379 This is true. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.339 In fact, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.279 my bride 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.139 even entertained me 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:55.579 so much, 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.079 hi Judith, 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.099 that we began 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.740 driving around 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.639 looking at properties. 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:02.940 I remember actually 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.860 thinking to myself, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.900 you know what? 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.120 If you have 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:08.200 those ten acres 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.100 or twelve acres 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:09.600 or whatever, 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.160 the next thing 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.040 you have to have 00:22:12.040 --> 00:22:12.580 is a mower. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.340 And then, 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.540 this is just Tim 00:22:16.540 --> 00:22:17.740 kind of speculating 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.300 in his mind 00:22:18.300 --> 00:22:18.740 and he thought, 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.620 you know what? 00:22:19.800 --> 00:22:20.400 If you're going 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.100 to keep it mowed 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.880 so you can kind of 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.980 sit there and look at it 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.600 and like short grass, 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:24.880 you know, 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.800 you're going to spend 00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:26.460 four, five, 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.480 maybe six hours 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.420 mowing the sucker 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.140 every week 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.360 when it rains, 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.759 you know, 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.520 and then, 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.500 you know something 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.360 about cows 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.920 and chickens 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.460 and goats? 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:35.420 You have to feed them. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.080 I remember actually 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.840 doing the math 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:43.960 and I was convicted. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.920 I was convicted. 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:54.320 God rescued me 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.280 from being a miserable, 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.440 despicable sinner 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.360 to spend the rest 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.420 of my life 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:03.380 pointing to Jesus, 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.539 not at the back end 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.720 of chickens and cows. 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.759 And when you talk 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.180 to people 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.160 who have been swept away 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.440 by the glory of Christ, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:20.759 you hear about it. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:23.740 So, 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.980 as you look at this 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.240 radical change here, 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.119 we find in John the Baptist 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.740 for one, 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.500 and then we find 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.480 in the two disciples 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:34.000 there in verse 37 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.859 and again in verse 40, 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.980 one of the things 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.960 that we understand 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.279 is that these individuals 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.500 were willing 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.960 to lay it all aside 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.640 so that they could have 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.599 a sweeter 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.079 and more significant 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.000 relationship 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:48.079 with the Lord Jesus. 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:51.119 Does that mark 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.599 your life? 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.099 Think with me 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:54.679 just for a moment 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:56.019 of a companion passage 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.639 in relationship 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.359 to this 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.500 and turn over 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.099 in your Bible 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.399 to Philippians chapter 3 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:01.639 verse 7 through 9. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.599 Let me kind of 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.960 start earlier 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:14.359 in verse 4. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.699 Though I myself 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.940 have reason for confidence 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.940 in the flesh also, 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.660 if anyone else 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.420 thinks he has reason 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.000 for confidence 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.420 in the flesh, 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:22.400 I have more. 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.059 Verse 5. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.980 I was making 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.519 $500,000 a year 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.819 as a speaker 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.640 on a tour 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:33.259 and I had property 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.880 in Florida 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:35.299 and I also had property 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.319 just not in the passage 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.120 but just understand 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.580 the passage. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.440 Here is John the, 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.660 is Paul saying, 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.980 I had it all. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:47.099 property in the Rockies, 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.519 property in the 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.299 Smoky Mountains, 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.259 vacation home 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.860 in Florida, 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.000 you know, 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.440 and I had it all. 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.779 Everybody thought 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.940 I was the real thing 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.860 and then, 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.519 guess what? 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.579 Verse 8. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.339 Indeed, 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.460 I count everything 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.240 as lost 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.860 because of the 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.839 surpassing worth 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.440 of knowing Christ Jesus 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.059 my Lord. 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:09.700 all that 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.779 has become 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.539 junk 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:13.200 in my thinking 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.759 in comparison 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:16.339 to the glory 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.960 and the satisfaction 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.779 of knowing Christ. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:22.139 Where is that 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.319 in your thinking? 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.980 He says, 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.579 I count it all rubbish 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:34.779 that I may gain Christ 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:37.039 and be found 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.480 in him 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.139 not having 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.139 mine own righteousness 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:40.399 that comes from the law 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.680 but that which 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.440 comes through 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:44.000 faith in Christ 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.839 the righteousness 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.980 from God 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.660 that depends 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.279 on Christ. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.339 Let's see 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.099 something second. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.799 Seeing Jesus 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:58.160 clearly 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.680 leads 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.579 to sharing. 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.420 We should know 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.039 by now 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.279 that John the Baptist 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.299 saw Jesus 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.980 clearly 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.960 and we understand 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.759 that the reason 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.460 he saw him 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.859 clearly 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.759 was because 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.319 of the work 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.000 of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.440 How many of you 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.039 recognize that? 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.039 Remember what John said? 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.559 I had no idea 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.379 who he was going 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.879 to be 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:19.220 except for the fact 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.539 that I had been 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.940 told by divine 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.399 utterance 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.359 that the one 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.240 that the Holy Spirit 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.960 came down 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.899 and stayed on 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.220 that's the Messiah. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.059 And then he met 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.460 Jesus 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.619 and saw that happen. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.299 That's him. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:32.899 That's him. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.559 And so here is 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.399 John the Baptist 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:38.299 who 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.379 had a clear picture 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.379 of Jesus 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.720 and as a result 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.680 the thing 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.500 that we find 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.259 about John 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.079 working our way 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.740 through the passage 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.579 is that 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.579 his joy 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.639 and his satisfaction 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:51.039 was in pointing 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.639 others to Christ. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.920 And some 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:59.240 saw Jesus 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:01.779 through John's testimony 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.619 and were affected. 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.379 How do we know that? 00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:05.459 Well what we find 00:27:05.459 --> 00:27:06.159 here in the passage 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:06.899 as we allude 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.179 to verse 37 00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.719 and then again 00:27:08.719 --> 00:27:09.259 to 40 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.439 was that what 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:11.119 happened is 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.419 as a result 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:14.399 of the testimony 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.319 of John the Baptist 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.899 there were two 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.019 that were drawn 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.399 off to become 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:19.219 the disciples 00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:19.879 of Christ. 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.179 And so I want 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:22.759 you to recognize 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.959 that seeing 00:27:23.959 --> 00:27:25.319 Jesus clearly 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.000 by the work 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.500 of the Spirit 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.979 of God 00:27:26.979 --> 00:27:28.059 ends up 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:29.659 calling individuals 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.439 away from 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.200 where they are 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.180 and their goals 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.680 and ambitions 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.160 of life 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.080 and changing 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:34.900 them dramatically 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.720 to make them 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:37.100 focused on 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:37.799 the Lord Jesus 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.980 and following 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.680 that 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:42.980 you end up 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.660 with a sequence 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.500 that we shouldn't 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.000 miss. 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.059 Look at 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.779 the passage 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.320 again. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.840 It says 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.360 there in verse 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:52.660 40 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.400 one of the two 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:53.900 who heard 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.640 John speak 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.200 and followed 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.580 Jesus 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.259 was Andrew 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.500 Simon Peter's 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:57.779 brother. 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.519 He first 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.339 found 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.460 when did 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:01.880 he do it? 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:02.819 When did 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.299 he find 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.920 his brother? 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.119 Immediately. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.279 We find 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.779 the same 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.420 thing play 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.839 out 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.599 if you will 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.039 in verse 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.220 43 and 45 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.900 kind of skip 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.359 ahead a little 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:14.579 bit. 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.420 The next day 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.180 Jesus decided 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.519 to go to 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.900 Galilee 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.359 he found 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.640 Philip 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:17.980 and said 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.160 to him 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.819 follow me 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:20.359 and Philip 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.019 was from 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.519 Bethsaida 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.079 the city 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.900 of Andrew 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.380 and Peter 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.200 Philip 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.640 found 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.339 Nathanael 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:30.159 what really 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.599 prompts 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.079 gospel 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.559 witnessing? 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.579 I want to 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:32.839 say this 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.179 carefully. 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:34.939 What really 00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:35.519 prompts 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.639 gospel 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.079 witnessing? 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.079 I want to 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.299 say it 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.720 this way 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.879 an abiding 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.599 joy in 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.000 forgiven 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.579 sin and 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.000 a personal 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.639 relationship 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.379 with Christ. 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.000 That's what 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.359 does it. 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.480 Secondly 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.899 I would add 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.720 this a desire 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.299 to share 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.659 what's 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.119 supremely 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.859 satisfying 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:54.759 as I was 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.319 driving to 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.839 church this 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.119 morning. 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.240 I was 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.759 thinking about 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.200 my back 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.480 surgery 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.099 some 15 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.599 20 years 00:28:59.599 --> 00:28:59.759 ago. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.119 I forget 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.439 when it 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:00.919 was but 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:02.439 I remember 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:05.000 being 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.439 gurnied 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.399 into surgery 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:08.240 with numbness 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.659 down my 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.279 leg and 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.579 constant pain 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.980 and after 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.539 I woke 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.960 up 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.939 and all 00:29:13.939 --> 00:29:14.319 those other 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.720 things were 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.059 out of my 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.960 body I 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.399 remember 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:16.919 kind of 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:17.720 moving my 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.159 leg to 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.679 find out 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.279 so how's 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.619 the pain? 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.139 It wasn't 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.460 there. 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.839 I became 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.759 a lifetime 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.379 debtor to 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:23.759 Dr. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.139 Bay. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:28.480 Anybody 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.159 that comes 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.519 to me 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:29.819 and says 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.119 I'm 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.339 having 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.700 back 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.079 pain 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:32.299 go see 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:32.639 Dr. 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:32.980 Bay. 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:35.079 It's 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.279 just 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.799 natural. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.259 You 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.500 follow 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:36.819 that? 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.079 The 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.379 stunning 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:41.879 truth 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:44.519 about the 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:44.980 history of 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.319 gospel 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.759 witnessing 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.319 around the 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.659 world 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:48.359 is that the 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.419 vast majority 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.960 of people 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.339 that have 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.759 been drawn 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.379 to Christ 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:53.839 have had 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.220 no 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.440 professional 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.039 training 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.980 no 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.440 preparation 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.740 other than 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.640 being 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.640 recipients of 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.079 the grace 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.559 of God 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:04.839 in their 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.379 lives. 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.359 I want 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.700 you to look 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.079 at a couple 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.599 things in 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.180 relationships. 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.779 I've got to 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.119 prove my 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.500 point with 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:10.839 the Bible. 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.140 Would you 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.420 agree with 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:11.660 that? 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.500 Let's go 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:14.859 to Acts 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.420 chapter 8 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:15.960 verse 1. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.339 Keep your 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.819 finger because 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.220 we're coming 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:19.119 back to 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.720 John but 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.279 Acts chapter 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:23.079 8 verse 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.439 1. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.240 And Saul 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.839 approved of 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.519 his execution 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:29.159 and there 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.899 arose on that 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.480 day a great 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:32.579 persecution 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.259 against the 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.639 church in 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.599 Jerusalem and 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.359 they were all 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.159 scattered throughout 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:37.000 the regions of 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.039 Judea and 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.019 Samaria except 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.679 the apostles. 00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:40.919 The professionals 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.799 stayed home. 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.480 Who went 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.339 everywhere else? 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:48.419 Just the 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:48.700 common 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.279 disciples. 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.819 The people 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.980 whose lives 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.399 had been 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.079 radically 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:56.539 changed by 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.119 the ministry 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.919 of the gospel 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:59.139 and knew the 00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:00.039 complete forgiveness 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:01.159 for all sins 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.980 through the 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.679 finished work 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.179 of the Lord 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:03.700 Jesus. 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.559 And you know 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:05.740 what? 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.480 They couldn't 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.079 help but talk 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.720 about what was 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.220 good in their 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.720 lives. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.019 I want you 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.700 to see the 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.879 way this all 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.359 played out. 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:13.799 We kind of 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.980 cut ahead to 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.700 Acts chapter 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.619 17 verse 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.239 6. 00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:26.379 Here's 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:26.799 Paul. 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:31.179 Paul and 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:31.959 Silas actually 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:33.179 in Thessalonica 00:31:33.179 --> 00:31:33.679 I believe it 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:33.879 is. 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.619 And people 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.139 end up being 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.859 pretty upset 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.519 by having 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.619 these preachers 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.219 here in town. 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.319 But a very 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.039 interesting little 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.699 statement is made 00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.379 in verse 6. 00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:43.599 And what they 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:45.039 could not find, 00:31:45.219 --> 00:31:46.000 Paul and Silas, 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.599 they'd been 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.039 hidden by 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.619 other believers, 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:50.440 they cry out 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.059 to the city 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.779 authorities and 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.299 say, listen, 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.460 these men who 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.339 have turned the 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.319 world upside 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:58.180 down have 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.640 come here 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.019 also. 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.059 Stop and 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.440 think for me 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.099 just for a 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.180 minute. 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.839 Do you think 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.299 it was just 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:03.720 Paul and 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.299 Silas really 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.680 that were 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.319 used by God 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:05.759 to turn the 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.279 world upside 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.660 down? 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.319 Not in 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:07.939 your life. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.879 We know 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.319 of names 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.899 like D.L. 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.200 Moody. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.639 Most of us 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.139 don't know 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:17.879 that Kincaid 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.200 was the 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.000 guy who 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.339 actually 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.839 witnessed 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.539 to a 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.399 young shoe 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.960 salesman 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:24.059 and sharing 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.619 the gospel 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.159 led to a 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.559 transformed 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.119 life. 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.259 We know 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.259 Billy Graham, 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:32.139 but the 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:33.240 vast majority 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.899 of people 00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:34.319 who have 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.079 really been 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.179 transformed by 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.759 the gospel 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.279 and are 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.080 transforming 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:38.960 the lives 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.400 of others 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.000 with the 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.400 testimony 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.100 of Christ 00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:44.160 are unnamed. 00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:48.920 So let me 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.299 ask you a 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.620 question. 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.320 How is your 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:50.600 witness? 00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:52.960 Is that a 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.480 fair question? 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:54.880 How is your 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.140 witness? 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.460 If I were 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.600 to honestly 00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:01.240 ask other 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.259 people at 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.180 work, 00:33:03.560 --> 00:33:03.840 and we're 00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:04.160 talking about 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.480 work, 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.480 politics? 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.299 What are 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.980 the things 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.480 that you 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.099 are passionate 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.000 about and 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.279 that you 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.799 have complete 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.680 confidence in? 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:11.980 Oh, 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.980 politics. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.339 There's a 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.920 Greek word for 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.019 it. 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:17.339 It's called 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:17.960 meganoito. 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.440 No more 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:18.819 of that. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.420 It's like, 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.440 I am convinced 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.019 that God 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.660 does not 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:25.420 wear a label 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:25.860 that says 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.500 vote for me, 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.279 Republican or 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.640 Democrat. 00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:27.759 that. 00:33:29.520 --> 00:33:30.240 Here's another 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.580 thing. 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:34.540 God is not 00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.180 that primarily 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.100 concerned that 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:37.420 his children 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.660 become evangelists 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:41.380 for the 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.759 things they're 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.100 selling, 00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:45.400 or evangelists 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:45.780 for their 00:33:45.780 --> 00:33:46.540 child's 00:33:46.540 --> 00:33:48.360 t-ball team, 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:48.860 or whatever 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.340 else. 00:33:49.780 --> 00:33:50.180 The thing 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.240 that I should 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.640 be known 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:51.860 of, 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.540 listen, 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.280 the thing 00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:53.780 that I should 00:33:53.780 --> 00:33:54.200 be known 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.500 for, 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:55.200 particularly in 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:55.779 the unbelieving 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.380 circles that 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:56.819 I end up 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.319 on occasion 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.700 around, 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:59.360 is that I 00:33:59.360 --> 00:33:59.539 am, 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.279 first of all, 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.480 a testimony 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.440 by my 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.680 behavior to 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.240 the grace 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:06.039 of Christ. 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.940 And secondly, 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:12.139 that when God 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.720 gives me an 00:34:12.720 --> 00:34:13.320 opportunity, 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:15.119 I'm excited 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.920 to talk about 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.480 the one who 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.099 forgave all 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.099 my sins. 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.460 Is that 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:20.840 where it's 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.199 at with 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.460 you? 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:25.519 So, 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.920 first question 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.619 I would ask 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.380 in relationship 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.880 to this 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.320 business of 00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:30.619 how you're 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.039 witness is 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.220 that, 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:31.740 well, 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.360 do you 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.880 really know 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.079 him? 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.440 I mean, 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.440 I'm convinced 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:37.019 one of the 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.460 things that 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.079 happens is 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:38.619 people grow 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.039 up in a 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.280 church, 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:39.720 they learn 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.240 the vocabulary 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.659 of the 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:40.960 church, 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.280 they could 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:42.740 even be 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:43.099 baptized. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:43.820 I have 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.820 baptized more 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.539 people more 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.079 than once 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.500 than I care 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:46.780 to think 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.000 about. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:51.079 how many 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.199 of you 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.599 caught that? 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.219 Nothing wrong 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:53.719 with baptism, 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.239 but I want you 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.679 to understand 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.179 that baptism 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.920 doesn't save 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.119 you. 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.679 Baptism is 00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:58.019 an outward 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.659 sign of what 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.079 God's done 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.519 in your heart 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.179 and salvation. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:00.500 So, 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.159 I want you 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.619 to understand 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:01.960 if you're 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.480 sitting here 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.019 and you, 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:03.940 I have 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:04.239 never 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:04.820 witnessed 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:07.579 other than 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.019 about my 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.619 kids, 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.440 you know, 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:09.760 whatever, 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:11.039 or my dog 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.380 or whatever, 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.119 okay, 00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:13.900 if it's not 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.139 in your 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:14.460 heart, 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.320 you may not 00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.960 be a person 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.320 who has 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.780 enjoyed 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.660 the blessing 00:35:17.660 --> 00:35:18.220 of complete 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:18.680 forgiveness. 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.320 You're not 00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:19.980 a repentant 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.480 individual 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.280 who's been 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:21.920 drawn to 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.460 realize 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.860 the abiding 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.660 grace 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.440 of God 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.220 in salvation. 00:35:28.120 --> 00:35:28.300 And, 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:28.600 you know, 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:29.700 the woman 00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:30.340 at the well, 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.360 no coaching, 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.000 off she went 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.460 to town. 00:35:33.620 --> 00:35:34.620 The demoniac 00:35:34.620 --> 00:35:35.100 just needed 00:35:35.100 --> 00:35:35.780 a little push, 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.320 remember that? 00:35:37.080 --> 00:35:37.420 He said, 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:37.700 Jesus, 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.160 I don't want 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:38.500 to go back 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:38.840 to town. 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.100 Everybody 00:35:39.100 --> 00:35:39.580 remembers 00:35:39.580 --> 00:35:40.280 what a skunk 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:40.720 I was. 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:41.000 He said, 00:35:41.060 --> 00:35:41.420 go back 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:41.840 and show 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.040 them. 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.120 You're 00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:43.620 changed. 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.300 The truth 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:47.600 of the matter 00:35:47.600 --> 00:35:48.120 is that 00:35:48.120 --> 00:35:48.580 some of you 00:35:48.580 --> 00:35:48.920 don't know 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.260 Christ, 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.640 and that's 00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:50.040 the reason 00:35:50.040 --> 00:35:50.820 for the lack 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:52.120 of affection 00:35:52.120 --> 00:35:52.900 and passion. 00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:54.940 Number two, 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.420 there are some 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:55.740 of you here 00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:56.300 that have lost 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:57.320 your first love. 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.680 How many of you 00:35:59.680 --> 00:36:00.200 know that love 00:36:00.200 --> 00:36:01.040 needs to be nurtured? 00:36:01.120 --> 00:36:01.580 It just doesn't 00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:02.480 kind of stay there? 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.580 Some of you 00:36:07.580 --> 00:36:08.440 have had the enemy 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.000 of your soul 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.640 trap you with 00:36:09.640 --> 00:36:10.540 a secret sin, 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:12.860 and you're 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.380 bound up 00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.239 with bitterness 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.320 and sullenness. 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:17.920 Can I tell you 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.239 something? 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.179 You can't have 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.960 a bad attitude 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.639 and be a good 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:20.940 witness. 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.259 Can everybody 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:21.840 smile at that 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:21.980 one? 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.759 That can't be 00:36:23.759 --> 00:36:24.380 applied to anybody 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.279 here that I know, 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.179 but you can't 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:26.960 say it so we 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.519 understand it. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.500 You can't be a 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.239 person with a bad 00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:29.960 attitude and be a 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.420 good witness. 00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.420 And all God's 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.039 people said, 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.960 well, that wasn't 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.340 bad. 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.519 Okay. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.519 I want to say 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:41.960 this. 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.179 Believers who 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:44.639 are not 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.539 passionate about 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:47.699 the Lamb have 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:49.840 something that is 00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:52.139 hindering their 00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:53.820 joy and their 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:54.219 witness. 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:57.699 And so when that 00:36:57.699 --> 00:37:01.059 is the fact, you 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:03.800 who know Christ can 00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:05.779 do one of two 00:37:05.779 --> 00:37:07.759 things in the face 00:37:07.759 --> 00:37:08.900 of the Spirit's 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.880 work this morning 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:11.180 which is tapping 00:37:11.180 --> 00:37:12.380 on your shoulder 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.500 and saying, 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:15.119 this needs to be 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:15.920 changed. 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.220 Two choices. 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.700 You can go ahead 00:37:20.700 --> 00:37:21.619 and just tempt God 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.340 with your stubborn 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:22.800 spirit. 00:37:25.140 --> 00:37:26.059 Anybody ever tried 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.740 that before besides 00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:26.960 me? 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:29.599 You don't mean to 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.800 say bring it on, 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:32.119 but when you say 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:33.260 no to God, when He 00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:34.300 is speaking to you 00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:35.460 about having a 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:36.920 contrite spirit in 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.700 the face of the 00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:38.519 convicting work of 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.680 the Spirit, and you 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:41.639 just say yeah, He 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:43.559 just says, I'm 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:45.199 there, and He'll 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.559 help you. 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:51.199 Or, and here's 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:51.839 what Tim Kenoyer 00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.500 has to do on a 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.319 periodic basis, 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.779 because me and 00:37:54.779 --> 00:37:55.500 attitudes are 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.219 something God has 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:56.839 to help me with. 00:37:56.899 --> 00:37:57.239 You understand 00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.559 that? 00:37:57.919 --> 00:37:58.859 I'm an attitude 00:37:58.859 --> 00:37:59.399 inventor. 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:01.339 I just pop. 00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:02.399 Where did that 00:38:02.399 --> 00:38:02.739 come from? 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:07.559 You can confess the 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.759 need that you have 00:38:08.759 --> 00:38:12.519 in your lack of awe 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.459 and love for the 00:38:13.459 --> 00:38:14.579 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:38:16.179 --> 00:38:17.000 You can go ahead and 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.399 say it. 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.279 By the way, does He 00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:18.839 not know this? 00:38:18.899 --> 00:38:19.459 No, He knows. 00:38:19.819 --> 00:38:20.879 But He likes for you 00:38:20.879 --> 00:38:21.739 to have the humility 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:24.819 to say, I don't feel 00:38:24.819 --> 00:38:25.259 anything. 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:27.419 I don't have any 00:38:27.419 --> 00:38:28.719 affections for you. 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:30.459 And it's not your 00:38:30.459 --> 00:38:32.899 problem, but I need 00:38:32.899 --> 00:38:33.559 your help. 00:38:35.379 --> 00:38:36.719 Now, which of the 00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.399 two is more 00:38:37.399 --> 00:38:37.959 intelligent? 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.279 Help me here. 00:38:41.459 --> 00:38:43.179 One or two? 00:38:44.839 --> 00:38:45.799 One of the things I 00:38:45.799 --> 00:38:46.659 read in a book by, 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:48.119 forget the name, 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:50.339 John Krodz. 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:52.639 He said, being foolish 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:54.019 is a career choice. 00:38:56.719 --> 00:38:57.779 There are some of you 00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:58.819 in this service this 00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.920 morning that are 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.799 consciously and 00:39:00.799 --> 00:39:01.960 deliberately saying 00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:05.440 no to God about 00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:07.139 the shallowness of 00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:09.699 your affection and 00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:11.699 the lack of joy in 00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:14.319 the Holy Spirit and 00:39:14.319 --> 00:39:16.219 the complete absence 00:39:16.219 --> 00:39:19.079 of just that natural 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:20.539 bubbling of saying, 00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:22.500 come and see, 00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.960 the one who has 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:25.599 forgiven all of my 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.379 sins. 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.460 And I would plead 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:29.960 with you this 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.259 morning. 00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:34.219 Do not tempt 00:39:34.219 --> 00:39:36.339 the Lord. 00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:40.319 Humble yourself 00:39:40.319 --> 00:39:43.339 because as Charles 00:39:43.339 --> 00:39:44.259 Spurgeon rightly 00:39:44.259 --> 00:39:45.339 says, we have two 00:39:45.339 --> 00:39:46.259 choices, either 00:39:46.259 --> 00:39:47.619 humble ourself or 00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:48.400 let Him humble 00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:48.940 us. 00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:54.400 being foolish is a 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.179 career choice. 00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:57.820 Let's pray. 00:39:57.820 --> 00:40:02.660 Father, this morning 00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:03.340 as our hearts 00:40:03.340 --> 00:40:05.680 consider the text 00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:06.480 and we see what 00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:07.400 you did in John 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:08.620 the Baptist's life 00:40:08.620 --> 00:40:09.380 and we see what 00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.720 you did in the 00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:12.140 lives of these men 00:40:12.140 --> 00:40:13.380 that you called to 00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.280 become disciples, 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:15.620 we don't want to 00:40:15.620 --> 00:40:16.900 waste our lives in 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:17.600 pettiness and 00:40:17.600 --> 00:40:18.300 smallness. 00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:19.380 We want to have the 00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:20.600 humility to confess 00:40:20.600 --> 00:40:22.260 the hardness of our 00:40:22.260 --> 00:40:22.620 heart. 00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:24.199 and we know 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:25.420 our thinking is 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.500 wrong and we need 00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:27.500 the Spirit to make 00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.139 a difference. 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:31.400 We don't want to be 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:31.900 foolish 00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:35.839 and thumb our 00:40:35.839 --> 00:40:37.319 nose at the 00:40:37.319 --> 00:40:37.859 Holy One of 00:40:37.859 --> 00:40:38.179 Israel. 00:40:39.619 --> 00:40:40.880 And so it is my 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:43.119 prayer that this 00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:44.039 morning your Spirit 00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:45.119 would get a hold of 00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:46.339 the hearts of all 00:40:46.339 --> 00:40:47.500 of your people. 00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:52.159 that our view of 00:40:52.159 --> 00:40:55.840 Christ would be the 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:57.079 thing that dominates, 00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:00.420 brings about 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:05.079 transformation to 00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:06.599 the glory of our 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:06.920 Savior. 00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:08.920 And we ask this in 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.599 Jesus' name. 00:41:10.039 --> 00:41:10.360 Amen.