WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Well, as promised last Sunday, we're taking this morning's message to look at and consider the words that God the Father spoke to Jesus in John chapter 12. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:18.559 If you have your Bible with you, you can open up to John chapter 12, verse 28. 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:22.519 We'll also have it on the screen for you in a moment here. 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:29.460 Here in John chapter 12, this is after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 00:00:30.019 --> 00:00:32.240 The Greeks have come to see Jesus. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:37.820 And now Jesus has told his disciples that he's deeply troubled in his soul. 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:45.399 He's wrestling with his thoughts and emotions with the difficulty of this hour that has now come for him. 00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:55.960 And at the end of this, here in verse 28, Jesus prays out loud to God in front of the whole group standing around. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:00:59.060 And he says, Father, glorify your name. 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:02.380 And something awesome happened. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:08.299 God the Father answered back to Jesus with an audible voice from heaven. 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:12.420 Then a voice came from heaven. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:15.459 I have glorified it. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:18.799 And I will glorify it again. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:32.159 This little exchange reminds me of other places in John's gospel where we seem to catch a glimpse of this special relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:34.939 There's a kind of strangeness to this. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:40.799 We feel almost like we're outsiders listening in on this conversation between Jesus and his Father. 00:01:41.539 --> 00:01:44.399 Or like the conversation started a long time ago. 00:01:44.539 --> 00:01:47.539 And maybe they know exactly what they mean by this. 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:48.620 Glorify your name. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.459 I have and I will. 00:01:51.259 --> 00:01:52.819 But we're maybe not so sure. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:55.719 What exactly is Jesus asking God to do here? 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.700 He says, glorify your name. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:05.739 And we might paraphrase that with other words like magnify, exalt, lift high your name. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:07.900 But how? 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:11.780 In what way does Jesus mean this? 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.479 What is he asking God to do? 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:17.000 To bring glory to his own name? 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.340 And then the Father responds by saying, I have glorified it. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:24.039 And I will glorify it again. 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:25.319 What does that mean? 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:32.699 What do you mean that you've magnified, you've exalted, you've lifted high your name? 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:34.620 When? 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:36.719 With Jesus? 00:02:37.539 --> 00:02:38.659 Before Jesus? 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:42.400 And then I will glorify it again. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:46.360 Is God referring to something in particular that's about to happen? 00:02:46.740 --> 00:02:50.180 Or is it that he will simply continue doing what he's always done? 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:52.120 What the Son is asking? 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:57.500 Let's look at a little more word for word translation of this little exchange. 00:02:57.640 --> 00:03:00.340 The New King James Version does a great job. 00:03:01.920 --> 00:03:10.480 A voice came from heaven saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:19.339 If you have this translation open in front of you or you have New American Standard, you'll notice that the its are in italics. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:22.219 And it's nothing to be worried about. 00:03:22.299 --> 00:03:29.079 It just means that in the original Greek that the Bible was written in, those words are not there. 00:03:29.799 --> 00:03:33.819 But often, words were not put in when they were implied. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:37.120 When it's obvious which words are implied. 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:39.319 And we do this in English all the time too. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:41.239 Here's an example. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:43.199 The dead tell no tales. 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:51.459 Well, we all know intuitively, even though the word is missing, that it's the dead people tell no tales. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:54.439 Not the dead cats or the dead animals. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.219 It's the dead people. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:03:59.459 That's kind of like what's happening here. 00:03:59.519 --> 00:04:01.339 If you want the most literal translation. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:04.719 Father, glorify of you the name. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:06.819 Came then a voice from heaven. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:12.099 Both I have glorified and again I will glorify. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:16.420 Now why are we drilling down so deeply into this? 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:24.740 Because I want you to think about what the it is in this statement that God makes from heaven. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:27.819 Glorify what? 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:31.980 Glorify what again? 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:36.879 And the only way to get the right answer here is to just read the whole thing in one go. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:39.580 Father, glorify your name. 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:43.840 I have glorified it. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:45.300 My name. 00:04:45.700 --> 00:04:48.460 And I will glorify it again. 00:04:48.960 --> 00:04:49.560 Whose name? 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:51.879 His own. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.300 God's own name. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:58.400 Who will God glorify again in the future? 00:04:59.120 --> 00:04:59.840 To this moment? 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:02.699 His own name. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:12.740 Now I make a little deal of this because it's easy to get to this part of the story and just assume that God is talking about glorifying Jesus, his son. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:17.439 And we've heard about that already in John's gospel. 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:21.680 Jesus has talked about how the father will glorify him. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:30.280 But if we're reading this carefully, we'll notice that Jesus is praying and asking God, his father, to exalt and lift high his own name. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:37.699 And God the father is saying, I have been doing that and I will do it again. 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:43.019 Does it sound strange to your ears to hear that? 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:50.000 To hear God say, I have glorified my name and I will glorify it again. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:06:00.579 It's as though God is saying, I have worked to bring honor and praise and attention to my own name. 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:02.639 And I will do it again. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:04.579 Is that what God is saying to Jesus here? 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:08.340 That is what God is saying to Jesus. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:11.819 Now this may raise a little flag in your heart. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.980 You may be thinking, well, wait a second. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:18.560 I thought we were never supposed to do anything to draw attention to ourselves. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:20.460 Isn't that the very definition of pride? 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:24.020 Kind of goes against virtue, doesn't it? 00:06:24.040 --> 00:06:26.060 To seek glory for ourselves. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:29.300 We have an adjective for that. 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:30.640 Self-centered. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:35.140 Someone who cares mainly about themselves, about their own reputation. 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:39.500 Who's just looking for praise from other people. 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:47.060 So how can it be that God says, I have glorified my name and I will glorify it again? 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:52.620 Well, this is a much neglected discussion in the Christian church today. 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:54.199 So we're going to talk about it this morning. 00:06:54.599 --> 00:06:58.539 Does God act to bring glory to his own name? 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:01.220 I'll give you the short answer first. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:03.000 Absolutely. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:06.480 God acts to bring glory to his own name. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:11.500 But in his case alone, he is absolutely right to do it. 00:07:12.520 --> 00:07:17.580 First of all, let's look at a couple places in the Bible where God makes it clear that he does this. 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:22.040 Exodus chapter 9 verse 16. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:24.980 We've been going through the story with the kids and alive. 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:31.560 This is God telling Moses word for word what to say to Pharaoh on his behalf. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:33.200 Say this to Pharaoh. 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:36.160 I have raised you up, Pharaoh, for this very purpose. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:43.480 That I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:50.800 In other words, God's reason for raising this man, this Pharaoh to power in Egypt 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:55.180 was so that his power and his greatness would be known everywhere. 00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:57.259 In all the nations around. 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.740 I brought you to power. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:04.220 I did it on purpose so the world would see the greatness of my name. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:06.240 Of who I am. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.639 Fast forward to the Ten Commandments. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:15.500 What does God say to the Israelites there? 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:20.060 You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:24.560 or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:33.419 And he basically commands the Israelites to worship him and him only. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:36.899 He says, I am a jealous God. 00:08:39.479 --> 00:08:41.819 Don't glorify anything you see in heaven above. 00:08:41.959 --> 00:08:42.599 Not the sun. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:43.679 Not the moon. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.419 Not the stars. 00:08:44.599 --> 00:08:46.500 Don't glorify anything on earth. 00:08:46.599 --> 00:08:47.199 Not idols. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.919 Not things made by human hands. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:50.599 Or things in the created world. 00:08:50.939 --> 00:08:52.759 You're to glorify and worship me. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.059 Says the Lord. 00:08:54.599 --> 00:08:56.099 I am a jealous God. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.860 It's a very strong word. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:04.460 And it speaks of God's strong, intense desire for our worship. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:12.600 It speaks of how God feels cheated when what belongs to him, worship, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.820 goes to something else. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:16.639 To others. 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:18.419 To the gods. 00:09:20.060 --> 00:09:23.100 He deserves the credit for the good things that we have. 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:25.600 Not something or someone else. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:30.080 Exodus chapter 20 verse 24. 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:33.019 Still kind of nearby that. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:36.080 Where there's some instructions that God is giving to Moses. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:37.620 Says this. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:41.200 Make an altar of earth for me. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:44.080 Sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:46.279 And then there's this statement. 00:09:46.540 --> 00:09:49.360 Wherever I cause my name to be honored. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.920 Says the Lord. 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:52.519 I will come to you. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:53.800 And bless you. 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:56.019 Notice the language here. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:56.579 God says. 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.979 Wherever I cause my name. 00:09:59.579 --> 00:10:00.479 To be honored. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:04.479 So God doesn't just sit around and wait for people to notice him. 00:10:04.599 --> 00:10:06.259 To give him the praise that he's due. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:12.439 He regularly causes his name to be honored in various places. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:12.979 Causes. 00:10:13.179 --> 00:10:15.799 He intentionally works to bring it about. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:17.659 That his name is honored. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:21.100 Leviticus 19 verse 12. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:24.600 This is another list of commands that God gave Moses. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:27.639 To give to the people of Israel. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:31.279 Do not swear falsely by my name. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:34.899 And so profane the name of the Lord. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.419 The name of your God. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.799 I am the Lord. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.519 Or Yahweh. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:40.399 In other words. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:42.699 When you swear falsely. 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:44.819 And invoke my name. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:46.899 As you do it. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:48.639 You profane my name. 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:51.079 It's like you're dragging it into the mud. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.179 Don't invoke my name. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.960 Just to get someone to believe you. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:57.019 Even though you know very well. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.939 In the moment that you're telling a lie. 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:01.240 God has great concern. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:03.039 For his own name. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:04.959 Another example. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:07.519 Psalm 46 verse 8 to 10. 00:11:07.599 --> 00:11:09.240 I was reading this earlier this week. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:11.079 In my devotions. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.059 Come and see what the Lord has done. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:16.959 The desolations he has brought on the earth. 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:20.259 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:22.480 He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.860 He burns the shields with fire. 00:11:25.599 --> 00:11:27.599 He says be still. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.459 And know that I am God. 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:33.900 I will be exalted. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.560 Among the nations. 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:37.600 I will be exalted. 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.340 In the earth. 00:11:40.160 --> 00:11:41.420 What a thing to say. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:43.720 There's a whole context to this psalm. 00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:45.580 We're not going to dig into all of that this morning. 00:11:45.800 --> 00:11:47.660 But listen to how God speaks. 00:11:48.660 --> 00:11:49.720 Be still. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:50.540 He says. 00:11:51.060 --> 00:11:52.240 Stop what you're doing. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.139 And in this moment. 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:55.759 Know that I am God. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:55.840 God. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:01.019 And then he declares that he will be glorified. 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:03.039 Among the nations. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.319 It's more than a prediction. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.519 It's a resolution. 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:10.379 It's an I will see to it. 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:12.120 That this happens. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:13.879 So again. 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.819 Very clearly. 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:17.679 God acts to bring glory to his own name. 00:12:18.359 --> 00:12:24.899 Probably the most explicit statement of this in the whole Bible is Isaiah chapter 42 verse 8. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.099 The Lord says there. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.039 I am the Lord or Yahweh. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.959 That is my name. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:37.319 I will not yield my glory to another. 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:41.259 Or my praise to idols. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.699 What a powerful statement. 00:12:44.359 --> 00:12:44.740 And again. 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:46.199 Notice the language God uses. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.879 I will not yield. 00:12:48.020 --> 00:12:50.580 I will not give up my glory. 00:12:52.020 --> 00:12:53.220 My praise. 00:12:53.640 --> 00:12:54.600 To idols. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:59.060 So God claims that the glory and the praise of people. 00:13:00.140 --> 00:13:01.120 Belongs to him. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:01.800 It's his. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.720 It's his due. 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:05.120 It's his right. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.560 My glory. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:08.800 My praise. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:13.100 And he's not going to let idols or other so-called gods. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.399 Take the credit. 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:16.340 That belongs to him. 00:13:18.040 --> 00:13:19.159 A little further down. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:21.700 In Isaiah 43 verses 6 and 7. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:26.620 There's a whole prophecy here about how God will redeem his people. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.560 But in the midst of it. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:32.600 He gives us a little glimpse about why he has done all this with his people. 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:36.540 Why has he created his people and formed them and made them. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:42.079 He says bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth. 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:44.219 Everyone who is called by my name. 00:13:44.219 --> 00:13:47.719 Whom I created for my glory. 00:13:48.719 --> 00:13:51.719 Whom I formed and made. 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:55.459 I did it deliberately for my glory. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.819 Says God. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.700 God acts. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.560 He creates. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.660 To bring glory. 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:02.920 To his own name. 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:07.080 Ezekiel chapter 20 verse 9. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:11.220 But for the sake of my name. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.660 I brought them out of Egypt. 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:18.400 I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations. 00:14:18.800 --> 00:14:21.020 Among whom they lived. 00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:25.160 God is here giving Ezekiel words to say to the elders of Israel. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:30.600 Three times he uses the same sort of statement in this passage. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:34.079 The reason I brought them out of Egypt. 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:37.120 That I didn't give them what they deserve there. 00:14:37.219 --> 00:14:38.379 Because he mentions. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:40.959 Actually they turned away from me in Egypt. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:44.059 They started worshiping the gods of the Egyptians and idols. 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:48.100 It wasn't for their righteousness or goodness. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.819 That I saved them from Egypt. 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:52.039 It was for the sake of my own name. 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:55.620 I had made a promise to Abraham. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.699 To Isaac. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.399 To Jacob. 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:00.199 And my name was on the line. 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:02.879 And so. 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.259 I acted. 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:06.259 I brought them out. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.759 I brought them into the promised land. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:11.240 I did it to keep my own name. 00:15:11.959 --> 00:15:13.319 From being profaned. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:16.040 Same thing in the wilderness. 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:19.879 One more example from the New Testament. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:23.720 Ephesians chapter 1. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:29.340 Paul is here listing out some of the major blessings that we have in Christ. 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.980 It's a wonderful passage. 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.200 You probably know it well. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:36.379 I'll just read a little bit here from verse 6. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:39.379 He predestined us for adoption to sonship. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.560 Through Jesus Christ. 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:44.360 In accordance with his pleasure and will. 00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:47.980 To the praise of his glorious grace. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.860 Which he's freely given us in the one he loves. 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:52.960 So the reason he gives us these blessings. 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:55.379 Is so that we might praise. 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:57.440 His glorious grace. 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.600 So that we might see it. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.280 Know it. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:02.679 And give him glory for who he is. 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.819 Same thing again in verse 12. 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:08.519 In order that we who are the first to put our hope in Christ. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.220 Might be for the praise. 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.759 Of his glory. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.500 God acts. 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.480 He chose. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.439 He predestined. 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:26.459 We're not going to get into all of the details on that. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:28.360 So that. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:29.639 His. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.720 Name might be glorified. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.300 And honored. 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.440 And praised. 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:36.400 So it's an undeniable fact throughout the Bible. 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:38.180 From these passages and many more. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.580 That God acts to bring glory. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.240 And praise. 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:41.879 And honor. 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.060 To his own name. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.720 But in God's case. 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.379 It's not inappropriate. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.519 It's not selfish. 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.360 It's not prideful. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:54.360 For him to have our praise. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.480 And honor. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.560 And worship. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.740 Is actually what's right. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.120 It's what's good. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.080 It's his due. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.180 It's what belongs to him. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.700 I mean think about it. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.519 He is the creator. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.880 We are his creatures. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.980 He's the designer. 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:15.220 He's the mind behind all of the blueprints. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:17.019 Which made our world. 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:18.120 And which made us. 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:22.159 And we are the products of his creative design. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:27.500 He is the constant sustainer of all life on earth. 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.639 And we are the sustained. 00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:33.379 He is the utterly self-sufficient. 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:36.639 It's one of the most glorious things about him. 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:39.619 It's why he is worthy of our praise. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.159 For us. 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:44.199 We're utterly dependent on him. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.819 For everything. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:48.980 These are just a few of the ways that God is worthy of our worship. 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.339 Of glory. 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:52.240 In a way that we are not. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:56.159 We have some similarities to our creator. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.059 We are personal. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.619 He is personal. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.460 We think. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.919 He thinks. 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.799 We speak. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.659 And have relationship. 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.819 He speaks. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.259 And has relationship. 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.460 We work. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.559 He works. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:14.119 But there are many things. 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:16.559 In which we are very different from God. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.619 We need sleep. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.919 He never does. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.220 We need air to breathe. 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.119 Food to eat. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.179 Water to drink. 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.679 He does not. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:30.399 We have such limited strength. 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.259 And power. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.740 He does not. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:35.059 We are each singular persons. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:38.279 He is a tri-personal being. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:41.319 We have limited knowledge. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:44.980 His knowledge and wisdom is immeasurable. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:48.799 He knows what the future holds. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.160 We can only guess at it. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:56.859 We do right when we humble ourselves before him. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:02.899 He does right when he exalts himself before us. 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:06.300 We do right when we worship him. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:10.920 He does right when he receives that worship. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.560 It's his right. 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.680 It belongs to him. 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:19.240 Think about it like this. 00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:23.940 For us to live any kind of a good life here on earth. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.160 We need the sun. 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:29.160 I'm talking about the blazing ball of fire sun in space. 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:32.100 Without that we would all soon die. 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:36.019 It keeps all the plants alive and growing for our food. 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:39.539 And it keeps us from instantly freezing to death. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:44.639 We orbit the sun and we receive its life-giving benefits. 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:49.659 Not only that but we also get light from the sun. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.859 So that we can see the world in all its beauty. 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:56.219 Our very existence is dependent on the sun. 00:19:57.179 --> 00:19:59.439 We would not be what we are. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:02.360 We wouldn't be able to do what we do without it. 00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:04.920 But the flip side of that is not true. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.980 The sun doesn't need us at all. 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:13.000 It is what it is and it does what it does without our help. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:20.880 And so we're right to cherish the sun and all the benefits of life that it gives and sustains. 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:26.140 We're right to give the sun some major credit for how things go on earth. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:30.360 But the sun doesn't owe us any credit. 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:33.860 And really we don't expect it to give us any. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:39.600 We just all know that we should appreciate the sun for all that it gives to us. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.960 It's the same way with God. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:47.140 It doesn't even make sense for him to praise or honor or exalt us. 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:49.380 Because we're not worthy of it. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.539 We should cherish him. 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.120 We should love him. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:58.880 We should worship him and fear him and serve him and listen to him. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:04.320 And for his part, he should receive that love and worship. 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.960 That fear, that service, that obedience. 00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:09.000 It's his due. 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:11.220 It belongs to him. 00:21:12.020 --> 00:21:14.060 It's just the reality between him and us. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.100 Take another analogy. 00:21:18.040 --> 00:21:19.940 Imagine for a moment that you love painting. 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:30.080 And with your brush on the canvas, you express something that you saw one day that really grabbed at your heart. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:33.019 And the painting turns out wonderful. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:36.220 In fact, everybody that you show it to loves it. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.799 What a masterpiece. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:44.880 And a world-famous museum calls you up and asks if you'd be willing to put it on display there. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.559 Wow. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.180 Sure. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.320 I'm honored. 00:21:50.600 --> 00:22:07.160 But imagine now that somewhere in the transition to the museum, somebody else at the museum gets this painting, gets it into the museum, changes the name of the painting, and changes the attribution to say that they painted it. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:15.920 And then they stand there with it, day after day, showing it off proudly as their own work to the delight of the world. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:20.420 How do you, as the one who painted it, feel about that? 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:25.400 You are right in this case to be upset about it. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.900 It is wrong for him to do that. 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.900 It's stealing the credit. 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:34.720 It's stealing the glory, the fame that is rightfully yours. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:38.100 The painting is yours, not his. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:50.119 And what's special about this painting is the explanation that you give to it, the true story behind it, not the lies that he's making up about it and telling people at the museum. 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:53.359 And then comes the award. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:59.339 Your painting is selected and chosen winner of a prestigious award and with it $10 million. 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:04.959 And that man is quite happy to receive that money for himself. 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:18.099 And you are quite right to be indignant, angry, upset about his stealing what rightfully belongs to you. 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:20.559 You might even say jealous. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:23.159 And it's not a bad jealousy. 00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:26.019 It's a righteous jealousy. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:28.160 That's kind of how it is with God. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:30.740 He is the grand designer. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:33.539 This universe and everything in it. 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.539 Us. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:37.400 We are his masterpiece. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:41.519 We are the product of his creative strokes. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:53.599 And yet we have the audacity to shut him out again and again and to give the credit for everything good that we are and that we have to something or someone else. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:24:01.519 We would sooner make up a bunch of lies than give him the glory that he deserves for his masterpiece. 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:08.279 This, according to Paul, in Romans chapter 1, is wicked. 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:13.200 You know the passage, Romans chapter 1. 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:25.059 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.919 He goes on in verse 23. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.399 He says, 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:41.799 For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:44.519 But then verse 23. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:54.599 Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, which would be the right thing to do, nor gave thanks to him. 00:24:55.159 --> 00:25:00.299 But their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:13.559 They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal men, birds, animals, and reptiles. 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.819 Do you hear what Paul is saying? 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:22.079 Giving glory, giving praise, giving honor to the created things rather than to our creator, it's wicked. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.519 It's wrong. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:30.359 It's like giving the credit for all the good in our world to something or to someone that just doesn't deserve it. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:35.940 Is it not right for God to uphold his own authorship? 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:44.059 Is it not right for him to assert himself as the true and loving artist and architect? 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:52.279 Is he not worthy of great glory for all he has made and all he has done with what he has made? 00:25:52.279 --> 00:26:04.019 God is absolutely justified and good and righteous in acting to bring glory to his own name. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.200 It's his due. 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:14.960 To yield it to us or to anyone else would be like the ultimate sin, the ultimate injustice, the ultimate wrong, 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:20.079 the very definition of corruption and perversity. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:26.039 It would be like allowing the ultimate lie to go unanswered and truth to perish. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:30.179 That's why God acts. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:35.220 That's why God works to bring glory and praise and honor for his own name. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:38.559 He always has and he always will. 00:26:39.699 --> 00:26:43.579 But now let's think for a moment where Jesus fits into all of this. 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:51.759 We've seen some snippets of how God has been working to bring glory to his own name through the Bible, through the Old Testament. 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.460 But now we come to Jesus. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:56.579 Where does he fit in this greater story? 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:59.779 How does he bring glory to the name of God? 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.059 This is a big question. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.000 A deep one. 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:08.460 One worthy of careful study and meditation. 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:12.960 I don't even think I could give a comprehensive answer to that this morning. 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:18.400 But let's look at a couple ways that we can see how Jesus fits into this. 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:21.039 How Jesus brings glory to God. 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:22.960 Let's begin with John 11 verse 4. 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:26.039 You remember when Lazarus got sick? 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:29.460 And news came to Jesus that he was ill. 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.980 What did Jesus say? 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.840 John 11 verse 4. 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.879 When Jesus heard this, he said, 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:38.279 This sickness will not end in death. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.559 No. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:42.659 It is for God's glory. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:46.759 So that God's son may be glorified through it. 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:49.339 Such an interesting statement of Jesus. 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:51.799 He already knows what's coming for Lazarus. 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:54.319 He knows that Lazarus is going to die. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:59.139 He knows that he's going to go down there and raise Lazarus from the dead. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:03.180 And so the sickness, Jesus says, 00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:07.520 It's an opportunity for God to be glorified. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.759 And the son as well. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:15.580 How does Lazarus being raised from the dead bring glory to God? 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:17.800 It shows God's power. 00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:21.180 It shows how he can give life. 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:22.860 How he can do what we can't do. 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:27.480 And the very same act also brings glory to the son. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:31.200 The son is the one who raises Lazarus from the dead. 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:38.380 And it's here we see this sort of union or togetherness of father and son. 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.960 They work together. 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:43.839 God is at work to bring glory to his own name. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:46.339 And he's doing it through the son. 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:50.599 Right here in this miracle, raising Lazarus from the dead. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:55.700 It causes God's name to be exalted. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:29:00.740 We don't have time to look at a whole bunch of examples of this. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.660 But Acts chapter 2 verse 22. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:05.480 We see the same sort of principle coming out. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:09.100 Not just with the resurrection of Lazarus. 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.740 It undergirds all the miracles. 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:13.140 All the signs and wonders that Jesus did. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:15.160 They are for the glory of God. 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:20.400 And so that God's son may be glorified through them. 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:24.560 We could take a quick peek back to John chapter 9 verse 3. 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:27.180 The healing of the man born blind. 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.400 What did Jesus say? 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:34.460 It wasn't because this man sinned or his parents sinned. 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:40.500 No, this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:44.420 And then Jesus gives sight to the man who had never seen. 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:49.720 In God's great plan, this man was born blind. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:54.200 It was so that God could work. 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.420 God could act with his power. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.920 And that his power might be seen. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.259 Bringing glory to his name. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.279 As the man was healed. 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.559 In fact, we can broaden this principle out even further. 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:11.539 God isn't just working to bring glory to his own name. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:15.120 Through the miracles and signs and wonders that Jesus does. 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:20.479 He's working to bring glory to his own name through everything that Jesus does. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.579 Through Jesus' whole ministry. 00:30:23.479 --> 00:30:24.539 Everything he does. 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.759 Everything he says. 00:30:26.939 --> 00:30:29.719 As Jesus has made crystal clear in this gospel. 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:32.859 He's not here on his own authority or his own initiative. 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:35.219 He has been sent by the Father. 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:39.879 And he's not here to teach people his own stuff. 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:42.359 He says, John 7 verse 16. 00:30:42.479 --> 00:30:44.219 My teaching is not my own. 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:46.739 It comes from the one who sent me. 00:30:47.739 --> 00:30:49.959 And what is Jesus teaching people to do? 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.939 To love the Lord your God. 00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.579 With all your heart. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:57.159 Soul, mind and strength. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.639 To worship him. 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.679 To serve him. 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:01.000 To give glory to him. 00:31:02.719 --> 00:31:05.019 God is speaking through Jesus. 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:07.139 To get glory for himself. 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:09.019 The glory that he is due. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:12.739 And then we can take even one more step back. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:15.620 Because it's even bigger than that. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:18.319 We've heard about it a little bit through John. 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.839 And how he started this gospel. 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.420 Who is this Jesus? 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:25.640 I love the way that the author of Hebrews says it. 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:27.299 Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:32.759 The son is the radiance of God's glory. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:36.879 And the exact representation of his being. 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:41.460 Sustaining all things by his powerful word. 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:45.920 So God brings glory to his own name. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:47.500 Not just by the works of Jesus. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.860 Or the words of Jesus. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.819 It's even deeper than that. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.860 The son Jesus himself. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:56.319 Is the radiance of God's glory. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:58.680 The exact representation of his being. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:01.460 What's glorious about God. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:03.460 Is shining forth visibly. 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.940 Visibly to us. 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:07.340 In the very person of Jesus. 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.380 He is. 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:11.000 The glorious God. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:14.940 The fullness of deity in human form. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.920 Human flesh and blood. 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:19.940 Which means that simply by looking at Jesus. 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.059 We are seeing. 00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:22.440 The glory. 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.539 Of God. 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.840 Up close and personal. 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:30.299 We're getting the opportunity to see what is praiseworthy. 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.940 About him. 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.419 His character. 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.180 The love. 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.700 The friendship. 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.319 The goodness. 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.980 The kindness. 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.299 The compassion. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.399 The purity. 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.720 The righteousness. 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.779 The patience. 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:49.519 The refusal to do what is wrong or sinful. 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:52.779 His obedience to God's commands. 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:55.759 Since he is also a man. 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.659 And the love for God. 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:57.759 God. 00:32:58.860 --> 00:33:02.160 This is getting into the realm of what goes beyond our understanding. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:04.120 And our appreciation. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:07.640 God is bringing glory to his own name. 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:09.180 Just by Jesus. 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:12.380 Coming and being here on earth. 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.920 Being present. 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.560 Being seen. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.380 And known by us. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:21.660 Something that we'll meditate on for the rest of our lives. 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:24.160 How God has been glorifying. 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:26.880 His own name through Jesus the son. 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:29.820 But now we come to that other half of the statement. 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:33.480 I have glorified my name. 00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:34.400 Says the father. 00:33:35.800 --> 00:33:37.420 He's been doing that all along. 00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:38.880 Through Jesus. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:41.280 And everything that's happened with him. 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:44.840 And I will glorify my name again. 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:48.420 Now we could simply say here. 00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:52.240 Well God is promising to do what he's always done. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:54.880 To bring glory to his own name. 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:58.420 But I think we can go just a little bit further. 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:00.140 Than that here. 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:03.660 There's something very special about this hour. 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:06.380 To which Jesus has come. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:08.820 It's unlike anything that has ever happened. 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:12.340 It represents a great pinnacle moment. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.219 The son. 00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:16.000 And let's remember who he is. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:18.279 The God man. 00:34:19.899 --> 00:34:21.599 The son is about to go through. 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:23.139 With something that he is utterly. 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.159 Unworthy of. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:28.939 Peek ahead to John 17 verse 5. 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:32.619 Where Jesus prays to his father. 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:34.659 He says father glorify me. 00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:35.779 In your presence. 00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:37.480 With the glory I had with you. 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:39.039 Before the world began. 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:43.079 Just before his arrest. 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:46.099 Who is this Jesus? 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.639 He is the one. 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:50.460 Who was glorious. 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.900 With God. 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:53.840 Before the world began. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.380 The one. 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:54.900 Who. 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.759 With God. 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.639 Back then. 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.119 Was worthy of all praise. 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.920 All honor. 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.139 All worship. 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:02.139 And now here. 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.920 In the already very humble form. 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.079 Of a man. 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.940 He's about to go through. 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.940 The most shameful. 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:09.340 Dishonoring. 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.800 And despicable treatment. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:12.400 The universe will ever know. 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:16.079 And not just at the hands of men. 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.659 Who will dishonor him. 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:20.579 Seek to discredit him. 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:23.059 Tell all kinds of lies about him. 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.720 Falsely accuse him. 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.980 Beat him. 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.119 Mock him. 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.059 Insult him. 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:29.800 Deal unjustly with him. 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.780 And murder him. 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:34.940 But he is about to be treated by God. 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.099 The father. 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:39.839 As if he had done all the wickedness. 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.639 Of the world. 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.279 Himself. 00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:51.179 Is it possible. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.819 That God's glory. 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.639 And majesty. 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:56.139 And beauty. 00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:57.000 And goodness. 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.279 And greatness. 00:35:59.279 --> 00:36:00.679 Can be magnified. 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.559 Through that. 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:05.659 Through Jesus. 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:07.219 Going to the cross. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:09.639 Can glory come. 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:11.679 Through undeserved suffering. 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.880 Shame. 00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.099 Pain. 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.840 Injustice. 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.440 Evil. 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.579 Amazingly. 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.079 It can. 00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:25.299 It will. 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.659 It does. 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:28.159 It will. 00:36:28.719 --> 00:36:29.719 That is what I think. 00:36:29.779 --> 00:36:30.199 The father. 00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:31.199 Is telling his son. 00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:32.299 In this audible voice. 00:36:32.299 --> 00:36:32.879 From heaven. 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.000 The son. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:34.639 Trembles. 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.359 In this moment. 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.179 Like a lamb. 00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.299 Before. 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.259 It's shearers. 00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:38.899 The weight. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.659 Of this hour. 00:36:39.819 --> 00:36:40.460 Is crushing. 00:36:40.819 --> 00:36:41.559 To Jesus. 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.920 And the father. 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.980 Assures his son. 00:36:44.379 --> 00:36:45.139 That yes. 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:46.879 Glory. 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:47.599 Will come. 00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.079 To me. 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:50.179 Even through. 00:36:50.779 --> 00:36:51.840 This hour. 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.860 And the horrors. 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.739 It contains. 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:58.239 God will glorify his name. 00:36:59.199 --> 00:37:01.420 He will magnify. 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.299 And exalt. 00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:04.319 Through this hour. 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.039 His mercy. 00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:07.880 His love. 00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:09.679 His kindness. 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.420 And compassion. 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.420 We. 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.460 The people of the world. 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.440 Will be the recipients. 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:17.299 Of all of it. 00:37:17.300 --> 00:37:18.960 This incredible gift. 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.800 And even though. 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.760 It's not stated here. 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.900 I think Jesus knows. 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:25.500 He will be glorified. 00:37:25.640 --> 00:37:26.960 He will receive his due. 00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:29.539 From the father. 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.100 Through all of this too. 00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:34.500 God will glorify his son. 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.620 Lift him up. 00:37:35.660 --> 00:37:36.840 To the highest place. 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:38.080 Of honor and praise. 00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.500 Even. 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:42.140 Through this moment. 00:37:42.140 --> 00:37:43.340 Where he is lifted up. 00:37:44.220 --> 00:37:45.280 To the position. 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.360 Of utmost shame. 00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:49.360 Do you see why I say. 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.420 We could meditate on this. 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.620 For the rest of our lives. 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:53.840 We're barely catching the contours. 00:37:54.240 --> 00:37:55.580 We're barely seeing the tip. 00:37:55.600 --> 00:37:56.700 Of the iceberg here. 00:38:05.640 --> 00:38:07.180 God acts to bring glory. 00:38:07.180 --> 00:38:08.039 To his own name. 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.640 He always has. 00:38:10.180 --> 00:38:11.200 It's absolutely. 00:38:11.580 --> 00:38:12.860 Right for him to do. 00:38:13.200 --> 00:38:14.539 And he always will. 00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:17.179 Because he is the glorious one. 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.860 He's been doing it through. 00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:21.699 The whole story of Jesus. 00:38:22.259 --> 00:38:23.860 From his miraculous conception. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:24.639 Until now. 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:26.239 And he will again. 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:28.779 Bring glory to his son's name. 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:30.420 Even through Jesus. 00:38:30.759 --> 00:38:31.500 Shameful death. 00:38:32.279 --> 00:38:33.139 This too. 00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:35.519 Is for God's glory. 00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:38.099 So that the son might be glorified. 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.619 Through it. 00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:42.359 And we could end right here. 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.739 And have enough to think about. 00:38:43.859 --> 00:38:44.519 And chew on. 00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:46.420 And to worship God for. 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.099 To ponder. 00:38:47.859 --> 00:38:49.199 But I can't help but take it. 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:50.579 Just one step further. 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:50.659 Father. 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.559 I don't know what you guys are going through. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:57.440 All the details of your lives. 00:38:58.159 --> 00:38:59.019 I don't know. 00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:01.039 The inner struggles of your hearts. 00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:04.880 But I know that some of you may be going through. 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:06.119 Some really hard things. 00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:08.659 Some really deep struggles. 00:39:10.719 --> 00:39:12.819 Not hard compared to what Jesus went through. 00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.400 Of course. 00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.799 But still really tough. 00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.519 Really difficult. 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:19.280 Maybe it has to do with relationships. 00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:20.599 That have gone off the rails. 00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:22.800 Maybe it has to do with. 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:24.239 What's going on in our world today. 00:39:24.360 --> 00:39:25.340 Maybe it has to do with. 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.239 Health troubles. 00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:29.400 Whatever it is for you today. 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:31.980 Can this too. 00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.820 Be for God's glory. 00:39:35.579 --> 00:39:36.860 So that God's son. 00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:38.800 Be glorified through it. 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.900 If the cross of Jesus can. 00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:46.199 Anything can. 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.480 God's glory. 00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.300 Can come. 00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.900 By the way of suffering. 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:53.539 Struggle. 00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:54.980 Pain. 00:39:56.239 --> 00:39:56.639 Shame. 00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:58.320 Sickness. 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.239 And sorrow. 00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:04.159 That's one of the most amazing things. 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.940 About our God. 00:40:06.559 --> 00:40:08.739 He works all things together. 00:40:08.739 --> 00:40:09.619 For the good. 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.259 Of those who love him. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.980 And for his. 00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:13.920 Glory. 00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.900 And our enjoyment of it. 00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:21.239 I want to invite you to pray with me now. 00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:24.340 Pray with me these words of Jesus. 00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:26.000 Think about your own struggles. 00:40:26.900 --> 00:40:27.619 And pray. 00:40:27.759 --> 00:40:28.920 Pray about them with me. 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:31.500 Father. 00:40:32.300 --> 00:40:33.159 In my life. 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:36.179 Glorify your name. 00:40:36.179 --> 00:40:43.279 And now hear God's declaration. 00:40:43.899 --> 00:40:45.159 From heaven over you. 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:47.559 I have. 00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:49.679 And I will. 00:40:49.919 --> 00:40:50.239 Again. 00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:52.239 Amen. 00:40:52.399 --> 00:40:52.699 Amen. 00:40:52.759 --> 00:40:52.819 Amen. 00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.419 Thank you.