WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 I'm reading this morning's John chapter 10, first 30 verses. 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:08.620 So if you'd like to open your Bibles and devices. 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:20.300 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:23.059 that man is a thief and a robber. 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:27.080 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:30.699 To him the gatekeepers open. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:38.640 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by their name and leads them out. 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:47.459 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his name, they know his voice. 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:54.340 A stranger they will not follow, but they flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 00:00:54.340 --> 00:01:00.360 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 00:01:01.300 --> 00:01:03.100 So Jesus again said to them, 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:07.700 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:14.079 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:15.599 I am the door. 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:21.700 If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:26.379 The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:31.379 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:33.560 I am the good shepherd. 00:01:34.199 --> 00:01:37.060 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:43.079 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, 00:01:43.539 --> 00:01:46.899 sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.859 And the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 00:01:51.039 --> 00:01:54.919 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:57.359 I am the good shepherd. 00:01:58.100 --> 00:02:03.760 I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father who knows me, 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:05.659 and I know the Father. 00:02:06.320 --> 00:02:09.240 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:12.580 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:17.000 I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice, 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:20.099 so there will be one flock, one shepherd. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.240 For this reason, the Father loves me, 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:26.920 because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:02:27.820 --> 00:02:32.340 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:37.420 I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.920 This charge I have received from my Father. 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:46.280 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:48.000 Many of them said, 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.039 He has a demon and is insane. 00:02:51.299 --> 00:02:52.099 Why listen to him? 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:53.759 Others said, 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.899 These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. 00:02:57.459 --> 00:02:59.500 Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:04.599 At that time, the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:09.819 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the colonnade of Solomon. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:13.379 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:15.599 How long will you keep us in suspense? 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:18.979 If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:20.859 Jesus answered them, 00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:23.740 I told you, and you do not believe. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.240 The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:32.540 But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:36.980 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 00:03:37.580 --> 00:03:41.360 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. 00:03:42.040 --> 00:03:44.920 And no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:49.180 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. 00:03:49.760 --> 00:03:50.760 Greater than all. 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:54.960 And no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. 00:03:55.760 --> 00:03:57.800 I and the Father are one. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:03:59.240 Thank you. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:09.820 Well, first, I just want to thank Dave for sharing the pulpit with me today. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:12.460 It's a great privilege to be able to preach. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:15.660 And it's something you don't take lightly. 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:18.000 But what a great text. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:19.879 I am the good shepherd. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:23.079 The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:29.060 In 2008, June and I were looking after, at least I was preaching up at Walker. 00:04:29.339 --> 00:04:34.539 And while she was getting settled into the mance, I went over to the church building. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:37.500 And I sat down behind the pulpit. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:42.260 And here, in large letters, was facing me these words. 00:04:42.960 --> 00:04:45.240 Sir, we would see Jesus. 00:04:47.320 --> 00:04:48.180 Let's pray. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:55.920 Father, we come together today with much expectation. 00:04:56.400 --> 00:04:59.579 We come to worship you in spirit and in truth. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:03.240 Because they are the ones that you desire to worship you. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:07.439 But, Father, we come today and we want to see you. 00:05:08.039 --> 00:05:10.060 We want to hear you speaking to us. 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:14.519 And we want to know that you love us with that everlasting love. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:19.659 And so we ask that you guide and direct us today in Christ's name. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:29.159 Well, what must we see in Jesus and hear about Jesus this morning? 00:05:30.919 --> 00:05:33.899 Just three points with a few subheadings. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:38.079 Firstly, we want to look at his deity. 00:05:39.500 --> 00:05:41.500 I am, he says. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.720 Not I was or I will be, but I am. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.220 I always was and I always will be. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:56.680 The Jews glorified, gloried in Abraham as their father 00:05:56.680 --> 00:06:00.699 and as being part of and upholders of his covenant. 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:07.060 But Jesus told them, before Abraham was, I am. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:13.680 He also said, in verse 24, the last part of this verse, 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:19.699 if you do not believe that I am, he, you will die in your sins. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.899 He told them in chapter 8 and verse 58. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:31.759 It's hard for anyone really, I think, to grasp the enormity of Jesus' divinity. 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:36.000 I don't know whether you've tried to think about it, to think. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:41.659 We often sing the children's song, my God is so big, so strong and so mighty. 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:43.139 But do we really believe it? 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:49.300 He is very God of very God. 00:06:51.219 --> 00:06:57.060 He's the creator of the heavens and the earth and the seas and all the things that are therein. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:02.899 He's the one who upholds all things by the word of his power. 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:11.839 The one before whom we shall all one day kneel and confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:21.299 But I believe that is exactly what Isaiah saw in the year King Uzziah died. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:29.399 In Isaiah 6, Isaiah said, in the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord lifted up. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:35.459 He was seated on his right and his train filled the whole of the temple. 00:07:36.659 --> 00:07:40.060 And here were the cherubim and seraphim around him calling out, 00:07:40.219 --> 00:07:42.899 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:50.659 And Isaiah fell down before the Lord. 00:07:52.179 --> 00:07:54.139 And he says, why am I? 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:59.379 He said, I'm a man of unclean lips and I live amongst a people of unclean lips. 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:09.159 But Isaiah saw the risen, glorified King of kings seated on the throne. 00:08:10.419 --> 00:08:14.060 In John chapter 12, you'll find that that's what Jesus says he saw. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.759 Others heard his voice. 00:08:20.739 --> 00:08:22.739 Some spoke with him face to face. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.599 One man wrestled with him. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:32.519 One had seen the back parts of him, felt his presence. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:38.700 But no one saw him in his glory seated on his throne. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:47.100 Nor seen and heard the declaration of heavenly hosts as Isaiah saw and heard. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:09:01.540 Jesus is declaring here in our text that he is the I am that told Moses of the burning bush to take the sandals off his feet. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.759 For the ground on which he was standing was holy ground. 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:10.600 He told Moses to tell the people of Israel, I am sent you. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:13.960 I am whom I am. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:18.519 Jesus is divine. 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:21.840 He is that second person of the Godhead. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:29.560 But we also want to see him not only as divine, but we want to see his humanity. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.399 Because in our text it says, I am the good shepherd. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.139 We want to see him as the good shepherd. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:44.440 Not only is Jesus the door to the sheepfold, as we see in the beginning of this chapter 10 of John. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:49.240 As the only way to get to heaven is through him. 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:52.840 To be part of his heavenly family, you must come through Jesus. 00:09:56.360 --> 00:10:02.240 But there in verse 7, as Jesus said, most assuredly I said to you, I am the door of the sheep. 00:10:04.780 --> 00:10:06.940 There he's pictured as an object. 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:08.420 A way. 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.480 A guardian. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:09.600 A guardian. 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:13.180 But here in our text he is the shepherd. 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:18.200 Indeed he's different from all the other shepherds of his flock. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:22.539 There are wicked shepherds as we see in our text. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:28.100 There are false shepherds who try to get into heaven some other way. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:34.920 And the faithful shepherds, like our own pastors here. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:39.879 But he is above all. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:42.639 He is the good shepherd. 00:10:46.199 --> 00:10:51.120 What he can do and does that no other shepherd can do. 00:10:51.219 --> 00:10:52.000 What is it? 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:58.079 I think David described it best in Ellen Stoll, my thunder here. 00:10:59.579 --> 00:11:01.279 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:05.199 That's a big statement. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:15.279 The Lord, the divine one, the control of all things, he is my shepherd. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:19.480 And he says, I shall not want. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:23.100 Shall not want anything. 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:28.319 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 00:11:28.439 --> 00:11:31.919 And yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.139 For you are with me. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:37.120 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:40.419 He says, my cup overflows. 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:44.679 And he says, one day, he said, I know, I shall be in the house of the Lord forever. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:51.719 I wonder if that's your understanding, your statement, your assurance this morning. 00:11:52.219 --> 00:11:55.439 You know the Lord is your shepherd and you know you're going to be in heaven. 00:11:58.219 --> 00:11:59.639 If you've lived very long. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:03.159 Only Arthur's lived longer than me, I think, here today. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:08.059 But there's some rough patches in our life. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.819 It's not all a bed of roses. 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:13.480 Not all a bowl of cherries. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.139 There is this valley. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:19.439 We sometimes think we'll never get through this valley of the shadow of death. 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.519 These tough times. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:23.980 But one thing we know, or two things we know. 00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:24.839 We know the Lord. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.879 And we know we're going to be with him forever. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.019 He is good. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.059 He is good. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:43.699 There are none of the fallen race of humanity since Adam sinned in the garden of Eden who are good. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:47.740 I mean good in the perfect sense. 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:51.919 Because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:58.039 And only the sinless son of God, Jesus Christ himself, is good. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.279 But how good? 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:05.600 How good is this good shepherd really? 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:11.100 And I think that we see this in that third part of our study today. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:14.100 We see it in his love. 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.139 He says, I am the good shepherd. 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:20.740 Good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.440 Good shepherd. 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:30.440 And the first thing we want to know about this is that Christ's love is sufficient. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:44.560 When the Virgin Mary was expecting the Christ child by the Holy Spirit, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:49.140 Joseph, her husband, was told to call his name Jesus, 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:54.140 for he will save everybody in the world from their sins. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:59.179 Every man, woman and child that ever entered into this world from their sins? 00:13:59.319 --> 00:13:59.519 No. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:05.199 He said he will save his people from their sins. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:16.879 And here he is in John 10, at the height of his earthly ministry, 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:22.320 telling his fellow countrymen that he would have to die to save them. 00:14:22.520 --> 00:14:25.720 He gives his life for his sheep. 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:29.440 No one took his life from him. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.420 He gave it freely. 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:34.500 How generous is that? 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:39.459 But it was planned from all eternity. 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:45.599 It was prophesied in Isaiah 53 clearly and applies precisely. 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:49.099 Look at the verses 14 through 18. 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:55.699 I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep and am known by my own. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:15:00.099 As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father. 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:03.259 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:08.620 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:12.980 And they will hear my voice and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:18.700 Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:23.120 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.460 I have power to lay it down. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.960 I have power to take it again. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:31.019 This commandment I have received from my Father. 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:45.679 It wasn't Judas Iscariot or Pilate, the Jewish rulers and the mob, nor the soldiers who took Jesus' life. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.360 He laid it down himself. 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:58.940 He could have called on 12 legions of angels to deliver him, as we see in Matthew 26, 53, but he didn't. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.060 Greater love has no man than this. 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:07.379 And that he lay down his life for his friends. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:14.159 His born-again friends. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:18.360 His life. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:24.319 The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life. 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:27.219 The sinless son of God. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.559 Lay down his life. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.480 What a cost. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:41.000 The hymn writer, Cecil Francis Alexander, an Irish woman wrote, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:45.580 There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:51.159 He only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:58.679 Jesus is telling his hearers who he is and what he is going to do. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:03.580 But we're in such a marvelous position this morning, aren't we? 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.759 Because we're on the other side of the cross. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:10.420 We know that what he said he was coming to do, he actually did. 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:13.839 He did die on the cross to save his people from their sins. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.220 He did rise again. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.599 He did ascend into heaven. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.640 And he sits as the King of kings and Lord of lords. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:28.940 Redemption has been accomplished and applied to those already saved. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:33.259 And to those who will be saved before the Lord Jesus comes again. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:36.200 But the sheep. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.740 Who are they? 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:43.599 Well, what distinguishes them from the goats? 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:48.140 Because on the judgment day, the Lord says when he comes, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:50.039 he'll sort out the sheep from the goats. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.140 The wheat from the tares. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:56.619 The believers from the unbelievers. 00:17:56.619 --> 00:18:03.279 But some clearly were not his sheep. 00:18:04.459 --> 00:18:05.959 Look at verse 26. 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.679 Or 25. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.699 Well, let's go back to 24. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:15.059 The Jews surrounded him and said to him, 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:17.239 How long do you keep us in doubt? 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:20.579 If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:23.759 Jesus answered him and said, 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.819 I told you. 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.699 And you do not believe. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:30.960 The works that I do in my Father's name, 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.240 they bear witness of me. 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:34.639 But you do not believe. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.679 Why don't they believe? 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:40.339 Because you are not of my sheep. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:48.720 It is very clear that some people are going to be in heaven 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.859 and some are not. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:54.259 Can we thank the Lord and say, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.980 Well, we know who they are that are not 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.759 and we can just not worry about them 00:18:57.759 --> 00:19:00.480 and we'll just speak to the ones that are going to be. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.159 But we're not God. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:05.879 We are to preach the gospel to every creature. 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:09.560 But the Lord himself is the one. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:11.020 He is the judge of all. 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:16.600 And he tells these Jews who are opposing constantly, 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:20.520 You're not my sheep because you do not believe. 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:31.340 The Lord knows, as David told the kids, 00:19:32.280 --> 00:19:34.300 he knows them by name. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.780 They know him, 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:40.540 not just about him. 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:43.760 Anyone can read the scriptures 00:19:43.760 --> 00:19:45.780 and have an intellectual understanding 00:19:45.780 --> 00:19:47.320 of who this Jesus is. 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:51.880 But they know him 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.720 because they have a personal relationship 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:57.560 with this one true and living God. 00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:01.260 This saviour that laid down his life for them 00:20:01.260 --> 00:20:03.260 and who loved them. 00:20:03.260 --> 00:20:05.000 They have a personal love for him. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:08.140 And they have a dependence upon him 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:11.280 and a hopefulness of life with him forever. 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:14.660 Having loved his own, 00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:16.960 he loved them to the end. 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.920 And heaven awaits them 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:21.000 after this earthly life. 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.460 And my friends, 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:24.020 is that what you're talking about? 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:30.000 Is it like after I looked on my wife that morning, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.859 21st of January 2011, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.500 and sure she was dead, 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:36.240 but I knew she was absent from the body 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.319 and present with the Lord. 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.059 Is that how it's going to be for you? 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:40.900 Is that your hope? 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:51.080 Nicodemus, 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.940 the head man we heard 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:56.680 in chapter 3 of John's Gospel. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:00.160 He was the one that led the Jewish nation. 00:21:00.280 --> 00:21:02.280 He was the Pharisee of the Pharisees, 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:02.820 if you like, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.560 the leader. 00:21:04.040 --> 00:21:06.180 But he knew he wasn't right with God. 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:08.299 And he comes to Jesus by night 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.740 and he says to him, 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:12.279 no one can do the works that you do 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.860 except if you come from God. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.620 Jesus didn't even answer him. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:15.920 He said, 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.580 Nicodemus, 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.279 you must be born again. 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:26.140 The woman at the well. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.500 She said, 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.820 I perceive that you're a prophet. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:34.379 And then Jesus reveals himself to her. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:39.779 And what about the blind man last week? 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.359 David was talking about, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.779 here he was. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.919 And they keep pestering these leaders of the Jews 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.759 and they want to know, 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:49.399 tell us plainly what happened. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:49.799 He said, 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.119 he said, 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.839 one thing I know, 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.919 once I was blind, 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.839 but now I see. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:22:00.019 These people entered into this personal relationship. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.599 They hear his voice 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:04.379 and Jesus gets their attention. 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.339 Verse 16, 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.559 I just put praise the Lord after this. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:17.019 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:18.400 them also I must bring. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.160 Isn't God good? 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.420 I don't think anyone here is a Jew, maybe. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.579 We used to have one who was part Jew, 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.279 once a time. 00:22:31.699 --> 00:22:33.699 But where are those others? 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:37.179 And Jesus said he must bring them 00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:39.799 from every nation, tongue and tribe. 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.720 He'll get your attention. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.539 Has he got my attention? 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:57.680 No matter what we are doing or where we're going, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:01.960 whether our sport is our great God, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:06.779 whether gaming is the thing that takes us all our time, 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.379 whether scrolling, we can't resist it, 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:14.399 or whether we're just depressed and we can't cope, 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:16.400 when the Lord says, 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.400 listen, 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.680 listen, 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:21.460 when he calls your name, 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:23.680 he gets your attention. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.660 And his sheep believe what they hear. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:32.220 That's what he says here in verse 27. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:35.780 But my sheep hear my voice. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:40.779 My sheep hear my voice and I know them 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:42.920 and they follow me. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.639 Matthew 5, 24 says, 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.319 he who hears my word 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:51.359 and believes on him who sent me 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.639 has everlasting life 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:54.240 and will not come into condemnation 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:56.019 but is passed from death unto life. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.539 Have you had that experience? 00:23:57.539 --> 00:24:02.319 Do you know that you've heard Christ calling you by name 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:04.799 and you've believed on him 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.480 and he's given you that assurance 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.539 that you have eternal life now? 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.180 How do we hear? 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.960 Well, it's by the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:26.660 Jesus has ascended 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.559 but he sent the Holy Spirit too 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.240 in John chapter 14 through 16. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:30.900 You'll see that 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:32.240 Jesus says, 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.420 it's right for me to go 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.940 so that the Holy Spirit can come. 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.259 And he's omnipresent. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:40.259 And he guides us into all truth. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.100 But what do they hear? 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.420 What do you and I hear 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.840 when he calls us by name? 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:49.660 Well, we hear that we have sinned 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.100 against this holy God. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.400 And that's the big difference. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.759 We've all done things wrong. 00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.759 Don't kid yourself. 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.100 I can point to say, 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.820 yes, I know you've done something wrong 00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:01.540 but there's always three pointing back at me. 00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:04.240 But it's when we see 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:07.160 that we've sinned against a holy God, 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.480 this I am, 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:14.019 we see this. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:19.139 and we see that we deserve to be condemned. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:24.920 And we see the need to repent of our sins. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:29.600 And we need to believe that Jesus has come 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:31.140 to give his life 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:34.660 as a substitute on the cross of Calvary 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:38.460 and that he rose again the third day 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.740 and ascended into heaven 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:41.860 to be with his father 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:45.120 and to intercede for his people. 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:47.120 Is that you this morning? 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:51.940 Dave mentioned this lady, 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.740 Rosaria, I think it was, 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:56.360 the converted lesbian, 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:59.679 professor of English. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.199 She said, 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:04.439 in April of 1999, 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:08.219 I felt the call of Jesus Christ upon my life. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.619 It was both subtle and blatant, 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:14.759 like the peace inside the eye of a hurricane. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:18.259 I could in no way resist 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.559 and in no way understood 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.599 what would become of my life. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:32.700 How does this affect 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:34.980 such repentant sinners 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:37.799 as you and I this morning 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.859 who have believed? 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:41.819 In verse 27 again, 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:44.099 my sheep hear my voice 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.179 and I know them 00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:47.179 and they follow me. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:50.000 We follow Jesus. 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.639 And how do we do that? 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:57.679 Well, we need to be reading his word 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:59.079 constantly, daily. 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:01.159 We need to be meditating on it 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.939 day and night. 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.959 We need to be those 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:05.699 who are able to speak 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.659 about the word of God, 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.319 to be able to share the word of God, 00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:10.599 to be able to be with other believers 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:12.639 and to be encouraged 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.539 and chastened 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:15.559 from the word of God. 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:17.539 We follow Jesus. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.339 But 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:30.460 the thing that I've noticed 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.920 is that Christ's love 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:34.220 is not only sufficient, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:37.319 but it's very divisive. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.940 Divisive. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.759 His love 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.640 is divisive. 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.860 And this is 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:47.220 obvious, I think, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.620 from the reaction of the Jews 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:50.140 as Chris read to us this morning. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.700 Look at verse 19. 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.799 Therefore, 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.400 there was a division 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.600 again 00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:01.080 amongst the Jews 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:02.259 because of these saints. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.640 And Melinda said, 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.940 he has a demon 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.759 and is mad. 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.720 Why do you listen to him? 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.560 Others said, 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:15.180 these are not the words 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.400 of one who is a demon. 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.780 Can a demon 00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:18.560 open the eyes 00:28:18.560 --> 00:28:19.160 of the blind? 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.259 There was a division. 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:26.080 If you're one of 00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:28.040 Christ's chosen people, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:31.359 you will have already 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:34.619 had a similar reaction 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:36.159 from your friends 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.539 and from your families. 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.759 Are you a Christian? 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:43.480 Are you one of Christ's sheep? 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.940 If you are, 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.440 then you know 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.539 the reality 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.279 and the cost 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.220 of what I'm saying. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.839 June and I 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.460 won't convert 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.960 until our late 20s. 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:57.100 But when we come 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:57.819 to understand 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.799 and have this relationship 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.400 with Christ, 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.240 we want to speak 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.039 about Christ, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.680 our friends 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.700 seem to drift away 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.299 from us. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.059 They didn't want 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.360 to hear about Christ. 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.340 When I left 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.980 the Masonic Lodge, 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:15.620 after being 15 years 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.120 a master 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:17.180 in the Masonic Lodge, 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.299 and I put in 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.100 my resignation, 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.860 I was cut off 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:23.400 from all these people. 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:27.500 But on a church scale, 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.019 and this is what 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.740 we're looking at here, 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.559 we're looking at Jesus 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:31.059 amongst these Jews, 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.779 these leaders 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.900 who want to get rid of him, 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:36.519 there's a great division. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.160 Thanks. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.720 And you can see here, 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:41.700 this is from a young child, 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.380 this is what was 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.519 confronted me 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.259 every Sunday. 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.140 Why is this draped 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.900 over the pulpit? 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.559 What do you notice 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.380 in the middle of it? 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.380 What do you notice 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:56.420 nobody knows anything? 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:57.620 I'm going to take 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.420 my glasses off, 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.120 I can see it. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.039 It's the burning bush, 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.400 isn't it? 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.720 That draped over 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.279 the pulpit 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.620 of the Presbyterian church 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.920 that I was in 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.620 all my life. 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.640 It's still up 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.200 at Charlestown, 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.579 the same, 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.480 I think it's still 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.340 in St Andrews. 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.600 But in St Andrews, 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.319 they had the most 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.220 popular minister 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.799 when I was a child 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.319 for many years. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.039 He married June and I 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:23.180 and it was just amazing 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.139 how many people 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:25.000 just flocked there. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.299 But he, 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.619 like me and my father 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.980 and a couple of my brothers, 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.980 we were Freemasons. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.519 It was a 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:37.180 liberal Presbyterian church. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:38.659 The gospel was not preached 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.720 as we hear here 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.460 every week. 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.579 And after this man 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.539 died, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:48.319 there came along 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.920 eventually 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:51.079 an evangelical Christian, 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.779 a Dutchman, 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.319 part of our 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.319 Reformed Minister's 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.799 Fellowship. 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.899 And he started 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.519 to preach 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.259 the gospel 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.359 that people 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.659 were sinners 00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.440 and they needed 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.059 to repent 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.940 and believe 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.119 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.799 to be saved. 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.440 There was such 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.019 a division 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.839 in the church 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.059 that one 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.099 quite wealthy man 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.399 offered 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:13.119 quite a sum of money 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.920 to get rid of him. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.820 I don't mean 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.620 to bump him off. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.279 I mean 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:19.720 just to get him 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.480 out of the place. 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:21.140 We don't want 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.880 to hear him. 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.460 However, 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:34.840 Christ's love 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.160 is sufficient 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:38.400 but it is divisive. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:40.780 but I think 00:31:40.780 --> 00:31:41.580 the wonderful 00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:42.220 thing about it 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.180 it's 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.660 decisive. 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:47.220 Verse 27 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.180 through 29 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:50.320 or through 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.140 verse 30 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.700 if you like. 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.420 My sheep 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.120 hear my voice 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.920 and I know them 00:31:55.920 --> 00:32:01.100 and they follow me. 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.740 I give them 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.500 eternal life 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:05.180 and they shall 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.180 never perish. 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:08.799 neither shall 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.560 anyone snatch 00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:10.019 them out of 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.539 my hand. 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:11.539 My father 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.380 who has given 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:12.880 them to me 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.480 is greater 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.019 than all 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.539 and no one 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.519 is able to 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.080 snatch them 00:32:17.080 --> 00:32:17.680 out of my 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.519 father's hand. 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:20.360 I and my 00:32:20.360 --> 00:32:20.820 father 00:32:20.820 --> 00:32:21.860 are one. 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.279 I just think 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.680 that's a 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.400 marvellous passage 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:28.860 don't you? 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:31.120 If you're one 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.660 of his sheep 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.120 you can say 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:32.980 praise the Lord 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.660 I'm safe 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.100 forever. 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:36.459 none can 00:32:36.459 --> 00:32:37.399 snatch me 00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:37.879 out of the 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.179 great 00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:38.939 I am's 00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:39.240 hand 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:41.439 and if you 00:32:41.439 --> 00:32:41.839 like none 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.480 can snatch 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.079 us out of 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.039 the father's 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.480 hand 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.199 who's greater 00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:45.599 than all 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:45.939 he talks 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:46.219 about 00:32:46.219 --> 00:32:46.759 but he's 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.259 saying from 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.980 the whole 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.500 trinity 00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.159 no one 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:49.819 can separate 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.279 you from 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.679 the love 00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:51.079 of God 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.459 that's in 00:32:51.459 --> 00:32:52.199 Christ Jesus. 00:32:53.219 --> 00:32:54.099 You're safe 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:54.519 for all 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.079 eternity. 00:32:55.079 --> 00:33:00.619 but I've 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:00.939 heard 00:33:00.939 --> 00:33:02.179 and I 00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:02.619 think some 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.139 misguided 00:33:03.139 --> 00:33:03.619 Christians 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.159 who think 00:33:04.159 --> 00:33:04.439 that they 00:33:04.439 --> 00:33:04.839 can pluck 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.460 themselves 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.799 out of 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.279 his hand. 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.000 I'm just 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.539 amazed. 00:33:11.919 --> 00:33:12.480 They can 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.879 talk about 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.419 the sovereignty 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.939 of God 00:33:13.939 --> 00:33:14.679 they can 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.119 talk about 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.480 him being 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:15.899 the I 00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:16.079 am 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.460 they can 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.960 talk about 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.579 him upholding 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.039 all things 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.460 by the 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.099 word of 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.619 his power 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:19.960 and yet 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.339 they think 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.659 they can 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.199 take him 00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:21.819 with their 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.240 own free 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.439 will 00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:22.720 out of 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.179 his hand. 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:26.019 My friend 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.319 that's 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:26.919 impossible. 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.759 That's 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.220 saying that 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.699 you are 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.480 above and 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.319 stronger than 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.000 the almighty 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.720 himself. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.699 But what's 00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:38.460 the object 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.839 of Christ 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.460 coming into 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:40.799 the world 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.179 to save 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:41.619 his people? 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:41.939 Did you 00:33:41.939 --> 00:33:42.480 notice as 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.199 Chris read 00:33:43.199 --> 00:33:43.919 you have 00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:44.179 a look at 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:44.759 verse 10 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:48.079 the thief 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.559 does not 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.240 come except 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.720 to steal 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.039 and to 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.480 kill and 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.139 to destroy. 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.559 I have 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.019 come 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:54.500 says the 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.720 Lord 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.140 Jesus 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.119 that they 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:56.599 may have 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:58.119 life and 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.460 that they 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.019 may have 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:00.019 it more 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:01.019 abundantly. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.019 Abundant 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.559 life. 00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.779 Is that 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.140 what you've 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.539 had after? 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.940 That's what 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.559 I've had 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.960 despite all 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.500 the ups and 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.860 downs. 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.719 Abundant 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.159 life. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.000 Fancy me 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.400 being here 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.920 this morning. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.480 Abundant 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.000 life. 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.139 I wonder 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.619 if that's 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.800 your experience 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:23.280 or are 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.660 you just 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:24.300 struggling 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.900 along 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.080 hoping 00:34:26.080 --> 00:34:27.000 that you'll 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.039 get to 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.400 heaven. 00:34:29.640 --> 00:34:30.160 The Lord 00:34:30.160 --> 00:34:30.580 has come 00:34:30.580 --> 00:34:30.900 to give 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.640 us life. 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:33.140 I don't 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.360 want to 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.840 make light 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.140 of the 00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:34.500 fact that 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:34.820 we all 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:34.980 have 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.500 struggles 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:35.900 and we 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.300 all have 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.260 our mental 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.760 struggles 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:38.360 and physical 00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:39.000 struggles 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:40.400 and financial 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.019 struggles 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.440 or whatever 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.860 it might 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.220 be. 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.240 But in 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.820 Christ is 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.240 abundant 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:46.800 life. 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.060 It's life 00:34:49.060 --> 00:34:49.500 to the 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:49.960 fullest. 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.539 and with 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.019 all these 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.639 problems and 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:53.019 all these 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.559 difficulties 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.199 we face 00:34:54.199 --> 00:34:54.659 we have 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:54.880 to look 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.360 away from 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:55.639 them and 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:55.960 look to 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.440 him. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.199 To see 00:34:58.199 --> 00:34:58.639 him for 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.059 who he 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.380 is and 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:00.800 what he's 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:01.980 done and 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.260 what he 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:02.820 will do. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.139 And no 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.559 one can 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.159 separate you 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.500 from the 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:05.820 love of 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.220 God in 00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:06.519 Christ 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.000 Jesus. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.760 Why would 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.400 he leave 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:12.179 his throne 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.699 of glory? 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:13.920 Why would 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.380 he humble 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.199 himself and 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.860 take on the 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.380 form of a 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:16.820 man and 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:17.480 endure such 00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.699 suffering at 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.300 the hand of 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:19.920 sinful man 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.320 kind? 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:21.720 Hebrews 12 00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:22.539 verse 3 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.119 tells us 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.700 for the 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:24.300 joy set 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:25.039 before him 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.280 he endured 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:26.980 the cross 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:28.019 and sat 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.619 down on the 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.260 right hand of 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.760 the majesty 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:30.420 on high. 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.059 So therefore 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:33.360 brethren seeing 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.139 we're compassed 00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.780 about by so 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.440 great a cloud 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:35.900 of witnesses 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:37.260 let us lay 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.900 aside the 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.539 sin that so 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.460 easily besets 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.079 us and run 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.840 with endurance 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.240 the right 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:42.019 set before us 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.960 looking unto 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:44.760 Jesus the 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.720 author and 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:46.320 finisher of 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:46.980 our faith. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.619 Let's pray. 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.380 Father we 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.820 thank you 00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:52.159 that you 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.400 are the 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.019 good shepherd 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:54.619 the good 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.180 shepherd that 00:35:55.180 --> 00:35:55.700 laid down 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:56.280 your life 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.740 for people 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.440 like us 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:59.500 and Father 00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.820 if it 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.480 please you 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.059 that you 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.760 might speak 00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.240 to people 00:36:02.240 --> 00:36:02.760 today you 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:03.380 call them 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.980 by name 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:05.480 and you 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.039 call them 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.619 to yourself 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:07.119 that might 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.900 have this 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.260 great experience 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:10.980 of being in 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.680 a relationship 00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:12.440 with you 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.800 the one who 00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:14.500 loved us 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.240 and gave his 00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.220 life for us 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:17.079 amen