WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.540 Turn in your Bibles this morning to John chapter 12. 00:00:13.540 --> 00:00:21.280 ! We're going to look in just a minute at John chapter 12, verse 9, 10, and 11. 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:29.160 But before I have you follow that passage, I want to take just a moment 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:36.320 and give you perhaps one of the most redundant statements of my ministry, 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:40.740 and that is that I would plead with you to pray for me. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:50.000 I think one of the things I've said more than anything else would be that I am dependent upon your prayers. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:58.359 I can't speak for other pastors, but I can tell you this, that for Tim Knoyer, 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:07.799 an indication of where I am spiritually is how consistently and how persistently I beg for prayer. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:15.659 It is a reflection of my confidence in God answering prayer, 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:23.859 and it is also a reflection of my recognition of my own heart and the need of God's help. 00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:29.019 So I trust that as I am preaching that you are multitaskers. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:36.379 What I mean by that is that you are listening, and along with listening, you are praying for me. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:43.579 And I am not the least bit put off if at moments you decide that you need to kind of ventilate and say it publicly. 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:47.900 It wouldn't put me off in the least if one of you would stop in the middle of my sermon. 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:50.480 Don't stop, but just say, oh, Lord, help him. 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:59.440 It's not going to bother me because I am aware that preaching the Word of God 00:01:59.440 --> 00:02:05.100 is not merely an intellectual or an academic exercise 00:02:05.100 --> 00:02:12.319 that is dependent upon an individual's ability alone. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:18.299 That doesn't mean that preaching is not something that requires study 00:02:18.299 --> 00:02:21.280 and deliberate and careful thinking. 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:26.419 But at the end of the day, preaching that is powerful and is used by the Spirit of God 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:28.699 is something that is dependent upon God. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:31.359 And I want you to remember that. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:33.159 I want you to pray for that. 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:41.800 Now, with that said, I want to start out by having you just kind of mark this passage in your thinking. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:44.759 We're going to be looking at verse 9, 10, and 11. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:49.319 And at the beginning of our lesson, I want to tell you ahead of time what it's about. 00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:57.659 The first thing that I want you to recognize is that Christ's power raises the dead to life 00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.719 and makes them incredible witnesses to His grace. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:08.819 Christ's power does something that people can't get their head around in one sense 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:14.579 and allows the individual who has been saved by the grace of God to be a testimony to His power. 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:22.479 Secondly, I think another thing that we should see in this passage is that the blindness of sin 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:25.560 isn't simply overcome by more evidence. 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:31.659 I think we'd all like to think that just a little more education, 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.060 a little more information is the undeniable key to life transformation, 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:39.520 and that's not the case. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:48.039 Ultimately, genuine conversion is not simply a matter of information, 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:53.379 but it is the work of God taking information, driving it home in an individual's heart, 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:56.680 and bringing them to the point of understanding, first of all, 00:03:56.899 --> 00:04:05.219 the absolute despair of the human soul and man's inability to transform who he is really inside 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:08.799 that brings us to the point of saying, 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.620 God, if you don't work, I'm lost, 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:17.720 and I desperately need the work of Christ to change me and to save me. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:24.259 So with these things in mind, let me read the passage, and then we'll pray. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.860 John chapter 12, verse 9, 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.860 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:35.759 they came not only on account of Him, but also to see Lazarus, 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:38.079 whom He'd raised from the dead. 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:44.620 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:50.079 because on account of Him, many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:57.379 Father, this morning as we take this passage in hand, 00:04:57.919 --> 00:05:03.959 we are thankful that You've given to us the sure and settled scriptures 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:09.599 that we may rely upon to instruct us, to inform us, 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:13.319 to help us see the power of Christ. 00:05:14.659 --> 00:05:18.759 We're thankful also, Father, that we may call upon You to work in us 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:23.920 and in that request we confess that we in ourselves 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:28.459 are not going to grasp the sweetness of the scriptures 00:05:28.459 --> 00:05:31.279 apart from Your helping us to see it. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:38.579 And so, touch our hearts, open our ears, 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:44.259 incline our thinking and our affections towards You 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:50.360 that we would see wonderful and beautiful truths in Your Word, 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:54.539 and that those who are here that know the Lord Jesus Christ 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:57.279 would grow in their affection for Him 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:02.219 and their clear and convincing pursuit of His glory. 00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:06.399 And that those that are here that do not know Christ 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:10.420 would be drawn to see their desperate need for the Lord Jesus 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:15.080 as their only Savior, and that today they would call upon His name 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:15.819 and be saved. 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:18.840 And we ask this in Jesus' name, amen. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:22.580 So now, as we take this passage in mind, 00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:24.120 the first thing that I want you to recognize 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:26.639 is that as we look at these three little verses, 00:06:26.780 --> 00:06:30.300 what we are seeing is the powerful draw of a changed life. 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:34.560 And we're going to see primarily Lazarus 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:38.180 that was an attractive and magnetic individual, 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:40.180 not by virtue of his personality, 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:43.360 but by virtue of what Christ had done in him. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:46.740 I think it's important to understand a little bit of the background 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:49.139 because, as I commented last week, 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:51.920 we're only a week away from the cross. 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:58.780 We're not very far from Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. 00:06:58.779 --> 00:07:07.199 And it is interesting that as Christ made His way methodically towards the cross, 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:13.779 He set the stage for His public ministry as the Lamb of God. 00:07:15.099 --> 00:07:19.559 Now, there's no specific text to actually support the idea, 00:07:19.719 --> 00:07:23.059 but you would have to recognize that it was not an accident 00:07:23.059 --> 00:07:25.979 that here is Jesus coming into Bethany 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:29.319 that is only two miles away from Jerusalem. 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:32.860 And He came into Bethany to do a miracle 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:35.120 that because of its proximity, 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.240 how close it was to Jerusalem, 00:07:37.640 --> 00:07:40.020 it allowed for many of the people in Jerusalem, 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:44.240 the absolute center of the Jewish world, so to speak, 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:45.900 to come down to Bethany 00:07:45.900 --> 00:07:49.939 to sympathize with Martha and with Mary 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:52.060 at the death of their brother. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:55.040 And in that culture, 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:57.600 you'll remember that the death of a loved one 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:00.860 was something that was given a great deal of weight, 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:02.939 and so many, many had gathered around. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.620 They had come to comfort 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:07.480 and encourage Mary and Martha as they were grieving, 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:09.540 and they were witness 00:08:09.540 --> 00:08:11.120 to the fact that 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.899 Jesus had finally arrived 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.519 after a four-day delay. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:19.339 And when He came into town, 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.599 ultimately what He did 00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:23.859 was He asked that He be taken to the gravesite, 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:25.099 and there it was. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:27.639 There was a tomb that had been cut into the rock, 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:29.680 and there was stone rolled across the front of it, 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:31.259 and in that little chamber 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.860 was a body that now had been aging 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.840 for four days. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.120 And you'll remember that 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:41.299 Jesus had made a statement to Martha 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:44.500 about Him being the resurrection and the life, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:46.100 and she had borne testimony 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.340 to her faith in Christ. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:48.320 And later, 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:51.480 He had asked that they go to the gravesite, 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:52.580 actually to the point where, 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:54.600 the place where Lazarus was buried, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:57.120 and in the presence of all this audience 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.440 that had gathered around Him, 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.700 remember what Jesus said? 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:01.539 He said, 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:02.100 Do you believe? 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:03.240 Yes. 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.080 Well, roll the stone away. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.080 What was the response 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:09.019 of Mary and Martha, 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.460 and what did the rest of the crowd think 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:12.019 when He said, 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:12.960 roll the stone away? 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:14.899 Huh? 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:19.080 Their very practical statement was, 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:22.620 if you kind of rely on the King James, 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:23.019 it says, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:23.779 He stinketh. 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:24.600 You know? 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.879 There's something going on inside 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:28.139 that we don't want outside. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.700 Just let it go. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:31.080 We're all right. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.100 And He says, 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:32.799 roll the stone away. 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:33.559 They rolled it away, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.679 and I want you to imagine 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:39.799 the impression on the crowd 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:42.019 that were kind of around Mary and Martha 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:42.639 when they said, 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:43.759 okay, okay, roll it away. 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:47.460 And after Jesus had had the stone rolled away, 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.579 you remember what happened. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:49.600 He prays. 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:50.039 By the way, 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:50.740 who did He pray for? 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:52.519 He prayed, 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.759 it tells us in the passage, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.860 to bring information and insight 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.500 into the lives of those who were listening, 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.440 and after He'd finished His prayer, 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.320 He shouts, 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:02.519 Lazarus, 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:03.360 come forth. 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:04.840 Question, 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:07.379 could Jesus have brought Lazarus 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:10.720 through the face of the tomb, 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:11.639 through the stone, 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.960 out into public, 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:16.059 completely stripped of the grave clothes 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:17.379 and with new clothes on and all? 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:18.179 Could He have done that? 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:18.859 The answer is, 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.199 not a problem. 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:24.879 But He had called Mary and Martha 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:26.279 to an act of faith, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.759 rolled the stone away, 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.579 and then out He called on Lazarus, 00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:31.620 and out He came, 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:34.519 and there He was with His grave clothes on, okay? 00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:35.639 Now, grave clothes, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:38.059 we're not talking about a three-piece suit. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.500 We're talking about a guy 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:43.039 that basically had a sheet wrapped around Him, 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:43.879 and then, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.219 you know, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.120 it's like they didn't duct tape Him, 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.759 they didn't have duct tape in the good old days, 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:51.120 but they had taken strips of linen 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.820 and wrapped it around His legs, 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.060 and so I gotta tell you, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.779 you can kind of have a little bit of 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:57.919 spiritual fantasy here, 00:10:57.980 --> 00:11:00.240 kind of imagining how Lazarus 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.360 had gotten out of the tomb, 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:01.620 you know, 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:03.100 hop, hop, hop, hop, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:03.919 He came to the front, 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.560 and Jesus said, 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.039 hey, let Him loose, 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:13.220 and it was an impressive moment. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.940 It was something that captured 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:18.560 everybody's imagination. 00:11:18.880 --> 00:11:20.080 Now, stop with me just for a minute, 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.960 and think about a couple other instances 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:25.980 of Jesus dealing with dead people. 00:11:27.140 --> 00:11:27.980 How many of you know 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:31.480 that this was not the first resurrection 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.440 that He had done? 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:35.620 One of them is that He had stopped 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:39.040 a graveside procession, 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.740 and the widow's son, 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.680 the widow of Nain, 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.760 He had stopped the procession, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:45.500 and He'd spoken to the young man, 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.700 and He'd risen up. 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:49.019 Another one, 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.580 Jairus' daughter, 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:51.860 remember, 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:52.980 they'd called him, 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.679 he'd gone down into the town, 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:56.200 and he said, 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:56.879 she's sleeping, 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:57.539 and they said, 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:57.840 no, 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.980 she's dead, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.639 and they'd already gathered 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.840 to kind of weep and mourn, 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.720 but in neither case 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:08.360 had the death 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:11.920 been longstanding. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.100 What I mean by that is that 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:15.019 in Jairus' daughter 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:16.800 and in the widow's son, 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:18.460 because of the burial process 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.680 in the ancient time, 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:21.879 the burial happened very quickly, 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:24.460 but with Lazarus, 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:26.779 he had been dead for four days. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.779 There was no question 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.159 that he was dead, 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.159 to the point 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:32.559 that when the idea 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:34.319 of rolling the stone away 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:34.959 came up, 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:35.959 everybody was, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:36.360 whoa, 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.220 don't go there. 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.480 That's not a good idea, 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:38.839 Jesus. 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:40.240 We appreciate what you did 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.480 feeding the 5,000, 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.480 and dealing with blind people, 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.319 we're good with that, 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.299 but let him stay. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.720 Roll the stone back, 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:48.659 and out he comes. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:49.919 Now, 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:50.980 the takeaway on that 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:54.120 is that Lazarus 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.019 ended up being 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.980 an undeniable 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.960 and spectacular 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.699 illustration 00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:58.840 of the power of Christ. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.759 Lazarus proved 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:03.199 to everyone 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:05.240 what Jesus could do 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.120 and who he was. 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.399 He served 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.919 as an undeniable 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.740 proof of Christ's 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.659 power and authority 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.879 over sin and death, 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:12.759 and I think it's important 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.220 for us 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.899 to get our head 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.439 around that 00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:16.079 and recognize 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:17.639 that Lazarus 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.960 was an undeniable 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.519 testimony 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.019 to the power of Christ. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:21.779 Now, 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:22.360 let's take that 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:23.279 and play it out 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.840 a little bit more 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.980 in our own personal lives 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.100 recognize this. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:29.280 The reality is this, 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.920 is that a painting 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:33.820 is an illustration 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:35.540 of the painter's skill. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.160 Isn't that right? 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.139 I look at Thad, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.600 and Thad is an artist. 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:39.360 He went to 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.240 Columbus School 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.060 of Art and Design, 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.360 and anytime we have 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.379 some artwork around here, 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.580 we don't ask 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.340 Tim Knoyer 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.060 to do it 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.460 because crayons 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.240 are about the limit 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:49.900 of my skill. 00:13:49.900 --> 00:13:51.300 We ask Thad, 00:13:51.780 --> 00:13:53.019 and he does a good job. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.779 By the way, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.039 when you really 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.819 want to figure out 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.720 whether an engineer 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.159 has any capability, 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.079 what do you look at? 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.059 You look at 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.980 what they've made. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.600 You look at 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.639 what they've accomplished, 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.019 and as you look 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.740 at the machinery 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.879 or whatever it is 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:09.620 that that engineer 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.279 has put together, 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.480 you end up saying, 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:11.840 man, 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.059 that guy's got it. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.939 I want you to realize 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:18.699 that every genuine convert 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:21.100 points to the power 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.000 of Christ. 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:25.560 Every genuine convert 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:27.659 points to the power 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.360 of Christ. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.860 And I want you 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.440 to recognize 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.060 that Scripture 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.920 is full 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:33.899 of illustrations 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.940 to this point. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.000 Stop and think 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.680 with me 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.920 of the passage 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:40.019 in John chapter 4, 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:40.840 and let's go back there 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.560 just for a moment. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.019 John chapter 4, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.259 verse 28 and 29, 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.480 after Jesus 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:47.340 touches the life 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:47.820 of the woman 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.519 at the well. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:50.600 Look at what it says 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.539 there in verse 28 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.299 and 29. 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:53.699 So the woman 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.699 left her water jar 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:55.220 and went away 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.659 into town 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.620 and said to the people, 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.039 and stop just 00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.460 for a moment. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.579 Here's a woman 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:03.480 we know 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.360 from the account 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.659 was at the well 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.220 because she was 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.439 embarrassed 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.480 with what people 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.419 knew about her, 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.460 and she was kind 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.299 of shunned 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:14.159 and put out 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.000 by the society. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.919 She was kind 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.860 of on the outskirts 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.860 of culture 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.560 and community, 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.800 and here she is 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.300 transformed 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:21.200 by the gospel, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.680 and after she 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.360 has converted, 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.379 what does she do? 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.259 Go to look 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.879 at verse 29. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.320 Come, 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.360 see a man 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.000 who told me 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.480 all that I ever did. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.300 Can this be the Christ? 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.740 I like the way 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.500 in which it says 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.980 that passage 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.779 in the King James. 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:38.600 Is not this the Christ? 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:38.940 Come, 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.539 see the man 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.340 who told me 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.680 all that I ever did. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.800 Now stop and think 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.639 with me just for a moment. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:46.399 How many of you 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.240 have things in your life 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.600 that you are really 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.340 glad other people 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:49.779 don't know? 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.120 Okay? 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.000 Here is a woman 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.419 who goes into town 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:57.659 and everybody knew 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.759 pretty much everything 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.299 about her 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.879 because in a small town 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.559 are there secrets? 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.279 What's the answer? 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.000 In a small town 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.759 are there secrets? 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:06.580 Nah, 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.139 not to, 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.299 eventually you figure 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:08.620 it out, 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:08.840 right? 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.139 And here is a woman 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.639 who goes back 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.279 into town and says, 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.460 hey, 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.259 you come meet the man 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.360 who told me all about me. 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:14.899 Underlying that 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.319 is that 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.840 he also loves me 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.659 and has forgiven me. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.240 Let me have you look 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.019 at another passage 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.319 in John chapter 9. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.580 John chapter 9 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.500 verse 10 and 11. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.960 So they said to them, 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.539 this is the man 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.399 that was born blind 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.419 that Jesus heals 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:36.759 and following that 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.580 he ends up 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:38.159 being brought 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.279 before the Sanhedrin, 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.919 before the council 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.899 because of the fact 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.639 that Jesus healed 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.240 on the Sabbath. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:45.819 verse 10, 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:47.059 so they said to him, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.779 then how were 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.819 your eyes opened? 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.740 Verse 11, 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.340 he answered, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.679 the man called Jesus, 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.259 made mud 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.139 and anointed my eyes 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.759 and said to me, 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:55.899 go to Siloam 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.460 and wash. 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.639 So I went and washed 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.860 and received my sight. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.419 Third illustration 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.240 I want you to see 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.099 is over in Luke 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.240 chapter 8. 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.299 Luke chapter 8, 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.019 you're in John, 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.220 just kind of turn back 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.940 a little bit 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.220 to Luke chapter 8 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.900 verse 35 through 39. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.839 Now let me give you 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.539 a little bit of background 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.160 because I think 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.620 it's important 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.200 to understand 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.940 the significance 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.980 of what had taken place. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.920 Here was a man 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.120 who had reached 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:26.880 the point 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:29.400 in his extreme 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.360 captivity 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:32.200 to Satan's power 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.360 that he had not only 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.160 been driven out 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.940 by the town, 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.980 but he was also 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.860 living naked 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.699 in the tombs 00:17:37.699 --> 00:17:38.659 and he was 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:39.639 self-abusive 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.740 as well as abusive 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.659 to all kinds 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.359 of other people. 00:17:42.719 --> 00:17:43.939 He was an outcast 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.879 by society. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.959 He was hated. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.659 He was disliked. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.439 And Jesus came to him 00:17:50.439 --> 00:17:51.179 and delivered him 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.359 of all that baggage 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.119 and that burden. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.579 And we read there 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.459 in verse 35, 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.399 then people came out 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.279 to see what had happened 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.959 and they came to Jesus 00:17:59.959 --> 00:18:00.859 and found the man 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.639 from whom the demons 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.139 had gone, 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.479 sitting at the feet 00:18:03.479 --> 00:18:04.059 of Jesus, 00:18:04.459 --> 00:18:05.139 clothed 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:07.060 and in his right mind 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:08.360 and they were, 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.780 what? 00:18:09.780 --> 00:18:10.220 Afraid. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.620 And those who had seen it 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:16.400 told how the demon-possessed man 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.200 had been healed. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.680 Then all the people 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.820 of the surrounding country 00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:22.040 of Gazerines 00:18:22.040 --> 00:18:23.080 asked him to depart 00:18:23.080 --> 00:18:23.560 from them 00:18:23.560 --> 00:18:24.740 for they were seized 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.600 with great fear. 00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:27.340 So he got into the boat 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:27.960 and returned 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.960 to the man, 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:31.100 verse 38, 00:18:31.580 --> 00:18:32.940 from whom the demons 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.480 had gone, 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.100 begged that he might be 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.619 with him. 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:37.439 But Jesus sent him away 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:37.980 saying, 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.259 return to your home 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.259 and declare how much 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.619 God has done for you. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.939 And he went away 00:18:42.939 --> 00:18:43.939 proclaiming throughout 00:18:43.939 --> 00:18:44.759 the whole city 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:46.399 how much Jesus 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:48.219 had done for him. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.919 I love this story. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.099 Do you know why? 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.659 Because I can identify 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:55.480 as you can as well 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.959 at what it must have been like 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.919 to be an individual 00:18:58.919 --> 00:19:00.199 who was a little ashamed 00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:01.279 of their history 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.099 and their past. 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:04.699 And here was a man 00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:06.099 who Jesus had radically 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.879 transformed 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.839 with the power 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.519 of the gospel 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.359 who says, 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:09.579 hey, 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.240 I would like to leave 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.619 my past behind 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.799 and I would like 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:15.039 to go somewhere else 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.899 where I can get 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.859 a fresh start. 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.539 And what did Jesus say? 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.980 You go back to town 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:24.099 and serve as an 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.579 undeniable illustration 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.240 of my power 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.460 to change a life. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.980 I'll never forget 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.919 many years ago 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.559 in ministry, 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.659 not here, 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:41.159 I had a man come up 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.859 to me in the church 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.319 and say, 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.279 so would you allow 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.720 a convicted felon 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.559 to come to church? 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.619 And the obvious answer 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:48.439 from any of us 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:48.960 would be what? 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.539 Absolutely. 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:53.439 The person went on 00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:53.779 and said, 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.779 would you allow 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.980 a convicted felon 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.059 who was in prison 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.960 for 10 years 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.480 for child pornography 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.720 to come to church? 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.259 I said, 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:02.899 absolutely. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.700 And I remember 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.899 counseling that man 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.799 when he came back 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.259 to town 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.899 after he had been 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.460 sent away 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.319 for 10 years 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:15.480 and he said to me, 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.920 how is it 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.779 that you are willing 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.460 to have me here? 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:18.759 I said, 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:18.940 well, 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.980 sinners need to be here 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.720 to hear the gospel. 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.200 He said, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.359 well, 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:22.980 I'm saved. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.019 I have come to faith. 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:25.799 I said, 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:27.380 then I expect you here 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.460 to be a testimony 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.539 of the power of Christ 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.440 to change a life. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.700 Does that make sense? 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.700 I got a call 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.539 two weeks ago 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:38.500 when I was in the hospital. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.140 Terry Wolcott 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.460 called me three times. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.079 Three times. 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:47.140 He wanted to know 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.839 how I was doing. 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.880 And he brought it up. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.120 He said, 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.420 Pastor, 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.160 I'll never forget 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.680 what it was 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.480 when you were willing 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.200 to let me come 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.820 to the church. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.220 Incidentally, 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:55.900 over time, 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.580 he ended up 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.960 serving cookies 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.660 in VBS 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.500 with me standing 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.140 at his shoulder. 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.980 Do you understand that? 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.700 Later, 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.480 he became a deacon 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.180 in our fellowship. 00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:07.600 An undeniable, 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.620 godly testimony 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.580 to the power of Christ. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:09.860 Do you know 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.560 what he's doing today? 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.259 He's 72. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.220 He is traveling 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.980 back and forth 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.519 to prisons 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.620 all over this state 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.679 and he is telling 00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:18.500 people every chance 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.059 he gets, 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.639 Jesus can change 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.359 a broken 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.759 and ruined life. 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.319 And you know what? 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.759 When Terry tells his story, 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.979 I want to tell you something. 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.539 He's not the hero in it. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.039 Lazarus wasn't the hero 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.979 in his story either. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.659 He was proof 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.519 of the power of Christ. 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.339 Isn't that what we see? 00:21:41.239 --> 00:21:42.739 I want you to recognize that. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.299 So here is Lazarus 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:49.680 and you look at the passage there, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.460 go back to John chapter 12 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:58.000 and it says that 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.339 people came, 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.000 verse 9, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.440 not only account of him 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.660 but also to see Lazarus. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.759 Yes, people wanted 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.480 to see Jesus 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.480 but here's the deal. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.740 They really wanted 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.339 to see the evidence 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.940 of the power of the gospel 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.799 to do something incredible 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.859 in the life 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.500 of a person 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.700 who at one point 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.819 had been dead. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.779 They wanted to see 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.700 the power of Christ 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:24.099 on display 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.619 and evident. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.099 And I wonder this morning 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.859 whether or not 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:32.379 your life bears 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.639 similar testimony 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.839 to the power of Christ 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.619 to change you 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.779 from who you used to be 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.759 to who you are 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.680 and who you someday will be. 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:42.259 You know, 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.420 I wish the fact 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.160 of the matter is 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.340 is that conversion 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.860 made us go from 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.920 absolute dark 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.060 to absolute light 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:50.019 with no in between, 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.380 right? 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.000 Okay? 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:53.080 It's like nothing else 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.640 to be done 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:55.700 to continue the process 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.880 of growing in grace 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:59.240 but here's what conversion does. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:01.299 Conversion brings life 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.700 to a dead heart. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.279 Conversion changes 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:07.640 a person's eternal address. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:10.540 Conversion gives to a person 00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:12.200 a new interest. 00:23:13.020 --> 00:23:14.880 Conversion gives to a person 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.920 a different desire. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.920 And Lazarus bore testimony 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.980 to the power of Christ 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.920 to change a life. 00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:23.200 So let me ask you 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.120 a practical question. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.259 Here is Lazarus 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.580 who as a result 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:27.759 of the power of Christ 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.980 was undeniable, 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.080 irrefutable proof 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.020 of the power of Jesus 00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:32.020 to change a person. 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.519 How clearly? 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.759 How clearly 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.319 does your life 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.160 point to the power 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.639 of Jesus 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.940 to save and change a heart? 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.019 How clearly? 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:44.619 Are you different today? 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.220 Are you growing? 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:49.660 Are you different 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.900 than you used to be? 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.519 And can you see 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.339 the evidence 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:55.019 of progressive sanctification, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.440 the process of Jesus 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.480 changing you 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.639 to be more and more 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.279 like Him 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.519 and less and less 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.879 like you used to be? 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.740 I've got to tell you something. 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:09.899 One of the convincing facts, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.460 it's interesting, 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.319 I asked the question 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.440 last Wednesday night 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.940 in our Bible study, 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.259 I said, 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.220 so what are some 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.460 of the theological truths 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.460 that you are firmly 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.299 convinced of? 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:21.619 One individual said, 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.899 I'm convinced of the, 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.099 he used the word 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.279 soteriology 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.619 and that's kind of 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.359 like heavy duty. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.420 He said, 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.119 I'm convinced 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.259 of the power of Christ 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.019 to save. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.039 Are you convinced 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.440 of that? 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.259 Are you convinced 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.299 of the power of Christ 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.539 to save because you know 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:39.059 what He's done for you 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.139 and you're not 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.319 who you used to be? 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.200 That's what should be 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.259 going on in your life. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.399 And Lazarus 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.639 was such an illustration 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:49.059 of that power 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.839 that the unbelieving world 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.819 came to see it 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.879 and they came to bear 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.920 testimony to it. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.639 Now that brings up 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.480 something else 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.359 that I want you to see. 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.779 Look there at verse 10. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.740 So the chief priest 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.440 made plans 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.299 to put Lazarus 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.759 to death as well. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.879 There is a hateful desire 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:08.339 to destroy evidence. 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.220 Do you follow that? 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.420 We like to believe 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.700 that all people need 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.460 is proof 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.539 and proof 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.879 would stand by itself 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:17.000 and do its job 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.660 on its own. 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.039 No. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.099 The unbeliever 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.019 is not going to be 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.039 persuaded necessarily 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.720 by the proof. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.139 In fact, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.000 when the proof 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.819 is on the table, 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.899 one of the things 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.880 that often happens 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.440 in the heart 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.040 of an unregenerate person 00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:30.200 is they end up 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.120 disliking 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:32.960 what is convicting. 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.660 And so as we move 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.220 a little further 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.100 into this scene, 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.720 we see just how dark 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.800 and how hard 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:40.640 the hearts 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.759 of unregenerate people 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.259 can be. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:44.800 Here the highest authorities 00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:45.920 of Jewish culture 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:48.000 had decided 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.840 that the appropriate 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:49.540 thing to do 00:25:49.540 --> 00:25:50.500 was not only murder 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.940 Jesus, 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.400 who was the Messiah 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.080 and the Savior, 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.900 and was doing 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.820 all these miracles, 00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:55.980 but they decided 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.860 that not in addition 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.780 to murdering Jesus, 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.300 they were going 00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:00.300 to murder Lazarus. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:00.960 Why? 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:03.100 Because he was evidence 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.759 of the power of Christ 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.900 to change a life. 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.540 And so here, 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.580 we recognize 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.420 that the leaders 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.700 of the nation of Israel 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.240 had become a law 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.380 unto themselves. 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.920 They saw themselves 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:18.500 not as the law teachers, 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:21.220 but as the lawmakers. 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.259 And as a side note, 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.879 one of the things 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.980 that you should recognize 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.859 and just understand 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.559 about culture 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.819 is that when a nation 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.619 turns its eyes away 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.579 from the truth 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.480 of the law of God, 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.619 ultimately what happens 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:35.299 is those who are there 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.079 to support 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.140 and encourage 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:38.400 or respect for the law 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.299 end up being 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.200 a law to themselves 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.299 and not applying 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.440 the law to themselves. 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.920 So don't be surprised 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.599 at what we see 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.240 in our culture 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.779 and the cultures 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.500 around the world 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.940 where people have 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.660 turned their back 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.440 on the word of God 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.220 and turned their back 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.119 on the law of God. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.239 It happens. 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.579 It happened here. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.739 Nor should you be surprised 00:26:57.739 --> 00:26:58.799 at the sinfulness 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:00.539 of an unregenerate heart. 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:02.139 What I want you to see here, 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.239 it says there 00:27:03.239 --> 00:27:03.939 in verse 11, 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.879 because of an account 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.299 of him, 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.679 talking about Lazarus, 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.039 many of the Jews 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.739 were going away 00:27:08.739 --> 00:27:09.759 and believing in Jesus 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.599 and as a result 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:11.819 of the impact 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.539 of the life of Lazarus, 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.500 the people 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.539 who were in leadership 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:15.919 thought, 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.379 hey listen, 00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.439 we got to get rid 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.059 of Lazarus 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.019 as well as Jesus. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.840 And so recognize 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:23.539 that sinners 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.220 are going to hate 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.620 the light 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:26.180 and their hatred 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:27.019 of the truth 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.500 will always seek 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.259 to suppress 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.420 its convicting power. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.799 That's what happens. 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.240 I want you to look 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.980 at another passage 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.759 with me just to kind 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.799 of firm this up 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.320 in your thinking. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.420 Go back in your Bible 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.900 to John chapter 3 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.120 verse 19 and 20. 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:42.140 John chapter 3 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:43.440 verse 19 and 20. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:46.380 He'd like to believe 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.200 that all people need 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.720 is light. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.080 Ah, get enough light, 00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:51.840 the problem solved. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.740 That's not necessarily 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.460 the truth at all. 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.340 Sometimes all that light 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.460 does is give 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.340 a clear picture 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:58.700 of the blackness 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.380 and the darkness 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:00.360 of the human heart 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.299 and it leads 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.259 to a rebellion 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.539 against the light. 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.660 Look at John chapter 3 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.460 verse 19. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.660 This is the judgment. 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.820 The light has come 00:28:10.820 --> 00:28:11.440 into the world 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.400 and people love 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:12.980 the darkness 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.920 rather than the light 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.240 because their works 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.980 were evil. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.079 For everyone 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:19.400 who does wicked things 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.200 hates the light 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.539 and does not come 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.120 to the light 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.240 lest his work 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.240 should be exposed. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.099 Now by the way, 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.819 there may be 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.440 some of you here 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.420 that are in the process 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.579 of kind of thinking 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.259 through who is Jesus 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.900 and what's he all about? 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.400 I can't think 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.180 of a better thing 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.920 for you to do 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.220 if that is a curious 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.160 question in the back 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.640 of your mind. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.579 Who is Jesus 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.519 and what's he all about? 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.400 The ideal thing 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.859 for you to do 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.359 would be take 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.420 the gospel of John. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.059 In fact, 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:48.180 you can take 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.740 the Bible 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.539 that is in the pew 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.339 right in front of you. 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.619 We have stacks 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.559 of in the back room 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.619 and if you don't have 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:53.980 a Bible, 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.799 take it home with you. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.240 You got me? 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:55.960 How many of you 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.680 understood what I said? 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.799 You want a Bible? 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.460 Take it. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.639 Read the gospel of John 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.900 and keep on asking yourself 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.480 this question. 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.160 Who is Jesus? 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.859 Why did he come? 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.160 Jesus said, 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.720 I am the light 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.259 of the world. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:09.319 So when the light 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.519 becomes clear, 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.879 the unregenerate heart, 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.920 apart from the grace 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.379 of God, 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.379 has a tendency 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.299 to dislike 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.740 what they see 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:20.359 and react against it. 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:24.039 I want you to recognize 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:27.259 that as we read 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.019 this passage, 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:30.819 we see a clear picture 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:32.059 of how the unregenerate 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:33.279 respond to the light. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.399 Now, beloved, 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.139 I encourage you 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.679 to recognize 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:37.699 that in the culture 00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.439 in which we live, 00:29:38.479 --> 00:29:39.740 we ought to not be surprised 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.039 if when we serve 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.659 in humility 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.299 and tenderness 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.519 and serve as the light, 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.279 there's going to be 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.139 a little bit of pushback. 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:47.560 I want you to recognize 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.480 at the same time 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.220 when we think about 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.080 the issue of serving 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:50.680 in the community 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.160 and culture 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:52.060 where God's put us, 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:53.440 that we are careful 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.340 at the same time 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.200 that we are light, 00:29:55.540 --> 00:29:56.640 that we're not brassy 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.220 and arrogant 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.140 in being that. 00:30:00.060 --> 00:30:00.840 I want you to look 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:01.300 at a passage 00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:02.020 just for a moment 00:30:02.020 --> 00:30:02.940 to kind of confirm 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.759 that in your hearts. 00:30:04.280 --> 00:30:05.240 You're there in John, 00:30:05.320 --> 00:30:06.860 but go to 1 Peter 3. 00:30:08.020 --> 00:30:09.180 1 Peter 3. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.960 I'm just going to read 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.500 this passage 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.480 and let it kind of 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.460 soak in 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.500 to your own thinking 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.759 for a later time. 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.900 1 Peter 3, verse 8, 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.820 it says this, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.140 Finally, all of you 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.080 have unity of mind, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.300 sympathy, brotherly love, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.400 a tender heart, 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.300 and a humble mind. 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.640 Stop just for a moment. 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.200 Everybody smile at me 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.540 so you know 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.240 I'm talking to you. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.500 The unbelieving world 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:34.540 completely understands 00:30:34.540 --> 00:30:36.800 not really getting along. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.259 Do you follow that? 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.680 The unbelieving world 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:43.120 completely understands 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:44.420 really not getting along. 00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:47.220 The thing that is stunning 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:49.820 is when people 00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:52.120 stay in relationships 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:54.480 despite the frailties 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.380 of the flesh 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.500 of other people 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:58.180 in the circle with them. 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.180 Wouldn't it be nice 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.120 if every sinner 00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:02.440 in the canoe with you 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.900 was better than you are 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.520 in their heart? 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.480 The problem is 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.820 is that all of the people 00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:08.000 that are in companionship 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.080 and community with you 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.920 are struggling 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.240 with some of the same things. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:15.120 And here is Peter 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.220 as he is coming 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.400 towards the end of his life 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.099 and he says this, 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.900 hey, he says, 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.400 Have unity of mind, 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.660 sympathy, brotherly love, 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.339 a tender heart, 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.500 and a humble mind. 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.220 Verse 9, 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.740 Do not repay evil for evil 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:29.420 or reviling for reviling, 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.599 but on the contrary, 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.160 bless, 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:33.900 for to this you were called. 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:36.400 Why were you called? 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:38.460 To be a blessing, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.040 to give a blessing. 00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:42.460 Then it goes on there 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.800 in verse 10, 00:31:45.040 --> 00:31:46.700 Whoever desires to love life 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.720 and see good days, 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:50.460 let him keep his tongue 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.019 from evil. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.280 Now, how do you keep 00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:53.000 your tongue from evil? 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.440 Question. 00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.300 How many of you 00:31:55.300 --> 00:31:56.320 don't need practice 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:57.460 at being stupid 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.300 with what you say? 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.420 Okay. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:02.920 I think one of the distinct 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.779 privileges of being 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.620 a little older 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:05.840 is that I have 00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:07.840 suffered adequately 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:09.000 for stupid things 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.500 I've said 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.400 that I at least think 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.080 more carefully 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.860 than I used to. 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.700 Well, in addition to that, 00:32:14.800 --> 00:32:15.500 the grace of God 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.220 should teach us 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.019 to be more gentle 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.560 and patient 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:18.860 and cautious 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.960 in what we have to say. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.519 And here it says, 00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.700 Hey, keep your tongue 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.200 from evil. 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.360 Verse 11, 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.420 Let him turn away 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.360 from evil and do good. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.180 Let him seek peace 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.820 and pursue it. 00:32:27.060 --> 00:32:28.019 For the eyes of the Lord 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.759 are on the righteous 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.740 and his ears 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.019 are open to their prayers. 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.599 But the face of the Lord 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.339 is against those 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.140 who do evil. 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.299 Now, who is there 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.879 to harm you 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.640 if you are zealous 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.500 for what is good? 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.379 But even if you should 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.920 suffer for righteousness' sake, 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:43.000 you will be blessed. 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.700 Have no fear of them 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.599 nor be troubled. 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.980 But in your hearts, 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:51.180 honor Christ the Lord 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:51.900 as holy, 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:54.559 always being prepared 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.819 to make a defense 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.539 to anyone 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.599 who asks you 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.220 for a reason 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.819 for the hope 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.899 that is in you. 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.099 Now, mark the end, 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:03.259 yet do it with gentleness 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:04.859 and respect. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.079 Listen to me. 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.980 We are living in a day 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:14.779 when the belligerence 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:16.779 of the unbelieving world 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:19.079 is just like it's on steroids. 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.619 And I would appeal to you 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:23.379 who are believers 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:25.740 that that kind of spirit 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.600 should not characterize 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:30.060 your Facebook posts, 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:32.420 your little comments 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.360 that you make 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:35.220 on Snapchat or Twitter 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.140 or wherever else, 00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.860 or even things you say 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.640 in the office. 00:33:38.760 --> 00:33:39.000 Or here, 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.920 let's go one better. 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:42.220 Or things you say 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.480 to companions 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:45.320 professedly in the gospel. 00:33:45.540 --> 00:33:46.380 I gotta tell you, 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.420 I'm tired of snarky statements 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.640 from believers. 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.880 How many of you heard me? 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:53.480 You know what snarky statements are? 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:56.440 Critical, sarcastic little comments 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:58.300 that belong in a bar room, 00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:00.000 not in the family of God. 00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:01.460 And all God's people said, 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.740 okay. 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:05.780 So next time someone does it, 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.720 and I do drift 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.860 left of center occasionally, 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.440 here's what I want you to do. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.940 Put your arm around me 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.160 and say, 00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:11.480 Pastor, 00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.440 you just preached on that. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.940 Stop. 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.039 Help me. 00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:16.140 By the way, 00:34:16.160 --> 00:34:16.920 I'm here to help you. 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:18.820 Okay. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:20.360 Now we got that out of the way. 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:22.080 Let's talk about 00:34:22.080 --> 00:34:23.539 practical textual fruit. 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.660 In other words, 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.720 when you preach the word, 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:28.140 there's gotta be something 00:34:28.140 --> 00:34:28.860 to do with it, 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.080 and that's where we're at. 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.400 I am struck, 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.320 for one, 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.100 by the evidence 00:34:35.100 --> 00:34:35.740 that a witness 00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.840 to Christ's power 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:38.780 is simply that. 00:34:42.180 --> 00:34:43.280 There's no indication 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.860 that before 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:46.180 the woman at the well 00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:47.260 scampered into town 00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:48.000 to talk to people 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.679 about Jesus, 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.360 or the man 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.619 who once had been blind, 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:52.599 or Lazarus, 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:54.320 took a 12-week course 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.340 in how to share the gospel 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.360 before they waltzed in 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.480 and did their thing, 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:57.800 right? 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.239 All they did 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.039 was say, 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.300 I used to be blind 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.179 and now I see. 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.739 Come meet the man 00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:04.519 who loves me 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.280 despite the fact 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.320 that I've been a skunk. 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.579 So, 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:12.780 I can't tell you 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:13.300 how many times 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.260 I've heard people say 00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:15.159 that they just 00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:16.000 don't witness 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.139 because they don't know how. 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.380 I'm not convinced of that. 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.880 I don't think it's true. 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.380 Witnessing is not 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.019 about training. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.840 Write that down. 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.119 Witnessing is not 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.639 about training. 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.559 Witnessing is about 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.420 being evidence 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.159 of His power 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.179 to change a broken 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:32.000 and ruined life. 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.579 That's simple. 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.380 The woman at the well, 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.739 the blind man, 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.320 the demoniac, 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.539 Lazarus, 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:43.380 all they did 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.199 was bear testimony 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.779 of what Christ 00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.639 had done in their lives. 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.099 So, 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.719 if there is a consistent 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.759 lack of witnessing 00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:50.119 opportunity in your life, 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.679 it's fair to ask 00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.579 a couple questions 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.119 of yourself. 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:53.779 Number one, 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:57.659 you may not really be 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:59.079 convinced 00:35:59.079 --> 00:36:00.219 of His power 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:02.039 to change life. 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:08.059 Years ago, 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:09.980 I remember 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.920 I hurt myself, 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.440 my back, 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.519 serious injury, 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:14.380 and I had numbness 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.739 down the left leg 00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.940 and it got to the point 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.820 that I was staggering 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:18.500 around and 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:20.699 I went to a 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.019 doctor and said, 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.199 yeah, 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:22.940 you need an MRI 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.039 and the doctor said, 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:26.179 you have a herniated disc 00:36:26.179 --> 00:36:27.279 and there's no solution 00:36:27.279 --> 00:36:28.239 but surgery. 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:31.539 My wife was working 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.699 for a group of attorneys 00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:33.400 that specialized 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.320 in lawsuits 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:35.500 for malpractice, 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:35.940 etc., 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.360 and I said, 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:36.940 find out 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:38.440 who the best surgeon 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:39.300 is in Columbus. 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.219 Does all that make sense 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.480 to you, 00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:40.659 right? 00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.599 And, 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:45.039 she found out 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:47.340 that Dr. Janet Bay 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:49.300 was top of the line. 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.219 I begged, 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.579 borrowed, 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.360 and whatever else 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:52.840 and got into 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:54.099 Dr. Janet's office 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:55.719 and she did my surgery 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:57.079 and I have never 00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:58.019 had another, 00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.760 I'm good, 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.820 my back, 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.139 I mean, 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:02.559 that's 25 years ago, 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.300 do you follow that? 00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:03.860 So, 00:37:04.140 --> 00:37:05.539 I am all the time 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.539 ready to talk about 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.700 the best surgeon I know 00:37:07.700 --> 00:37:08.340 when it comes to 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.980 back surgery. 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:13.340 It may be that you 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:14.100 don't understand 00:37:14.100 --> 00:37:15.240 the power of Christ 00:37:15.240 --> 00:37:17.960 and that's the reason 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:18.800 you can't speak 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:19.880 to the power of Christ 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:22.360 and I would plead 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.100 with you that if you're 00:37:23.100 --> 00:37:23.760 here this morning 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.460 and you do not 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:25.320 understand the power 00:37:25.320 --> 00:37:25.760 of Christ, 00:37:26.100 --> 00:37:27.539 it might be that 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.560 you've never really 00:37:28.560 --> 00:37:29.460 come to faith. 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.620 Do you follow that? 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:34.560 The blind man 00:37:34.560 --> 00:37:35.320 put it this way, 00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:37.200 I don't know who he is 00:37:37.200 --> 00:37:38.200 and what he has to do 00:37:38.200 --> 00:37:38.840 but I'll tell you, 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.860 I was blind 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:41.420 and now I see. 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:46.100 I do think sometimes 00:37:46.100 --> 00:37:46.680 that believers 00:37:46.680 --> 00:37:47.980 can get caught up 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:50.440 in things that are 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.580 of no eternal purpose 00:37:51.580 --> 00:37:52.340 and their lives 00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:53.240 can be compromised. 00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:55.760 I think about a passage 00:37:55.760 --> 00:37:56.900 in 2 Timothy 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:57.680 where it says this, 00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:59.960 Demas has forsaken me 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.860 having loved 00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:01.880 this present age. 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:06.960 we can be seduced 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.760 as believers 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:08.980 who are on our way 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.500 to heaven 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:11.160 to be so caught up 00:38:11.160 --> 00:38:12.060 in the things 00:38:12.060 --> 00:38:13.300 of this present life 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:16.280 that we just lose sight 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:18.260 of the glory of Christ. 00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:18.800 Isn't that right? 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.940 I've got to tell you, 00:38:22.640 --> 00:38:24.240 the most important thing 00:38:24.240 --> 00:38:27.280 is not what I'm going 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:29.220 to leave behind 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:32.480 or where my vacations were 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:34.339 or whether or not 00:38:34.339 --> 00:38:35.879 my children put a bunch 00:38:35.879 --> 00:38:36.719 of trophies 00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.859 on a shelf 00:38:37.859 --> 00:38:39.219 that later go in 00:38:39.219 --> 00:38:40.959 a cardboard box 00:38:40.959 --> 00:38:41.759 that end up 00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.579 in a garage 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:44.000 that my grandchildren 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:45.219 have to dispose of. 00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:45.959 Do you got my point? 00:38:45.959 --> 00:38:46.219 The point? 00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:49.379 The truth of the matter 00:38:49.379 --> 00:38:50.159 is this, 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:55.619 we have been saved 00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.819 for His glory 00:38:56.819 --> 00:38:58.179 and we are to bear 00:38:58.179 --> 00:38:59.759 testimony to His power 00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:01.379 to change a life. 00:39:02.679 --> 00:39:03.579 Don't get caught 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.239 and seduced 00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:05.879 by the things 00:39:05.879 --> 00:39:06.519 of this world. 00:39:07.799 --> 00:39:08.619 There's one other thing. 00:39:09.619 --> 00:39:10.920 I think about that statement 00:39:10.920 --> 00:39:11.579 in Revelation 00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:12.259 where it says, 00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.659 you've lost 00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.699 your first love. 00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:19.000 Some of you 00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.699 may have forgotten 00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.579 what Jesus did 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.319 in saving you. 00:39:22.759 --> 00:39:23.519 Some of you 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.299 may have forgotten 00:39:24.299 --> 00:39:24.899 the darkness 00:39:24.899 --> 00:39:25.539 and the misery 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.339 of your heart. 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.599 And as a result 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.259 of forgetting 00:39:31.259 --> 00:39:32.000 the blessing 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:33.480 of His salvation, 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:35.079 you no longer 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.699 share it 00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:36.339 with affection 00:39:36.339 --> 00:39:37.159 and passion. 00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:40.099 And there is 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.799 no remedy 00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:43.099 apart from 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.919 rekindling 00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.740 your spirit 00:39:44.740 --> 00:39:45.460 with humility 00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:45.980 and saying, 00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:46.260 Lord, 00:39:46.740 --> 00:39:47.460 restore to me 00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:48.039 the affection 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:48.619 and the love 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.139 that I had 00:39:49.139 --> 00:39:49.480 for you 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.059 at that time 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:51.240 when you saved me. 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.139 I want you 00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:54.780 to think also 00:39:54.780 --> 00:39:55.220 of the fact 00:39:55.220 --> 00:39:55.700 that witnessing 00:39:55.700 --> 00:39:56.320 is about being 00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:56.780 an evidence 00:39:56.780 --> 00:39:57.440 of His power 00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:58.599 but here's another thing. 00:39:58.700 --> 00:39:59.340 I want you to know 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:00.880 that you can count 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:02.280 on the fact 00:40:02.280 --> 00:40:02.980 that over time 00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:04.200 being living proof 00:40:04.200 --> 00:40:04.780 of His power 00:40:04.780 --> 00:40:05.420 will lead some 00:40:05.420 --> 00:40:05.860 to faith. 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:06.800 That's what happened 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:08.480 in John's passage here. 00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:10.240 Lazarus, 00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:12.159 by virtue 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:12.780 of the life 00:40:12.780 --> 00:40:13.420 that he lived, 00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:14.380 ended up 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:15.480 drawing people 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.200 to Christ. 00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:18.420 That's what we see 00:40:18.420 --> 00:40:19.260 happening in the Bible. 00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:20.800 Do you know 00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:22.980 that as a result 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.740 of practical, 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:25.099 quiet testimonies 00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:25.559 of faith, 00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:26.639 people are coming 00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:27.780 to faith 00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:28.960 all over the world? 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.760 All over the world. 00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:33.200 The most powerful 00:40:33.200 --> 00:40:33.960 testimonies 00:40:33.960 --> 00:40:34.740 are generally 00:40:34.740 --> 00:40:36.500 in the hottest 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.460 crucibles 00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.019 and under 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:38.920 the greatest suffering. 00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:41.820 Do you know 00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:42.940 where the gospel 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:43.380 is having 00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:44.019 some of the greatest 00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:44.860 impact today? 00:40:45.700 --> 00:40:46.740 It's in Iran. 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:49.860 People lose 00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:50.619 their lives 00:40:50.619 --> 00:40:51.380 for their faith 00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:51.980 in Iran. 00:40:52.740 --> 00:40:53.539 Do you know 00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.280 that Christians 00:40:54.280 --> 00:40:55.099 in China 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:56.760 numerically 00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.360 are going to 00:40:57.360 --> 00:40:57.900 surpass 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.139 Christians in America? 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:01.139 And it isn't 00:41:01.139 --> 00:41:02.360 because you have 00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:03.079 all kinds of 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:03.840 Christian radio 00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:04.659 and all kinds 00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:05.519 of Christian music 00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:06.539 and all kinds 00:41:06.539 --> 00:41:07.519 of Christian preaching. 00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:08.360 It's because 00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:08.779 you have 00:41:08.779 --> 00:41:09.739 Christian witnessing. 00:41:10.739 --> 00:41:11.800 Lives that are 00:41:11.800 --> 00:41:12.400 changed 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:13.440 by the power 00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:14.500 of the cross. 00:41:17.699 --> 00:41:18.759 So my question 00:41:18.759 --> 00:41:19.579 to you this morning 00:41:19.579 --> 00:41:20.239 is this. 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.500 Where are you 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:25.480 in your testimony? 00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:28.659 Are you like Lazarus 00:41:28.659 --> 00:41:30.860 who by virtue 00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.699 of the power 00:41:31.699 --> 00:41:32.420 of Christ 00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:33.440 to change a life 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:35.019 are being used 00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:35.659 by Christ 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:36.359 to draw other 00:41:36.359 --> 00:41:37.739 people to see 00:41:37.739 --> 00:41:38.879 and to hope 00:41:38.879 --> 00:41:40.039 and to believe 00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:41.139 in the Lord Jesus 00:41:41.139 --> 00:41:42.239 Christ as Savior 00:41:42.239 --> 00:41:43.039 of the world 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:44.059 or are you 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.899 someone who is 00:41:44.899 --> 00:41:45.480 here today 00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:46.699 and does not 00:41:46.699 --> 00:41:47.739 know Christ? 00:41:51.299 --> 00:41:52.079 If you're here 00:41:52.079 --> 00:41:52.940 and you know Christ 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:55.119 I would plead 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.420 with you 00:41:55.420 --> 00:41:56.099 that what you do 00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:56.659 is repent 00:41:56.659 --> 00:41:57.299 if you've not 00:41:57.299 --> 00:41:58.079 been the testimony 00:41:58.079 --> 00:41:58.599 and witness 00:41:58.599 --> 00:41:59.420 that you should be. 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:02.579 And if you are here 00:42:02.579 --> 00:42:03.819 and do not know Christ 00:42:03.819 --> 00:42:04.739 then I would plead 00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:05.539 with you now is 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.000 the hour 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:07.039 now is the time 00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:07.779 to believe on the 00:42:07.779 --> 00:42:08.699 Lord Jesus Christ 00:42:08.699 --> 00:42:10.879 in whom is salvation 00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:11.659 alone. 00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.719 Let's close in prayer. 00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:18.219 Our Father God 00:42:18.219 --> 00:42:18.899 we are thankful 00:42:18.899 --> 00:42:19.919 for the little reminder 00:42:19.919 --> 00:42:20.919 of Lazarus 00:42:20.919 --> 00:42:21.479 and a life 00:42:21.479 --> 00:42:22.299 that was changed 00:42:22.299 --> 00:42:23.119 by the power 00:42:23.119 --> 00:42:23.719 of Christ 00:42:23.719 --> 00:42:26.079 and the magnetic 00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:27.419 witness that he was 00:42:27.419 --> 00:42:28.119 and the testimony 00:42:28.119 --> 00:42:29.179 that that is to us 00:42:29.179 --> 00:42:29.699 that we 00:42:29.699 --> 00:42:31.339 who know the Lord Jesus 00:42:31.339 --> 00:42:32.879 are to bear testimony 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:33.800 to his power. 00:42:33.800 --> 00:42:35.460 That that's the purpose 00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:36.260 of our life. 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:39.000 And I pray this morning 00:42:39.000 --> 00:42:40.599 that as the word of God 00:42:40.599 --> 00:42:42.940 sits on the hearts 00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:43.640 and lives 00:42:43.640 --> 00:42:44.400 of your people 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:45.760 that it would be used 00:42:45.760 --> 00:42:46.619 to draw people 00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:47.300 to obedience 00:42:47.300 --> 00:42:50.180 and to being godly witnesses. 00:42:51.180 --> 00:42:52.220 Also that those 00:42:52.220 --> 00:42:52.760 who are here 00:42:52.760 --> 00:42:53.320 this morning 00:42:53.320 --> 00:42:54.119 that do not know 00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:55.220 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:42:55.220 --> 00:42:56.180 would be drawn 00:42:56.180 --> 00:42:56.820 to the cross 00:42:56.820 --> 00:42:57.619 by the power 00:42:57.619 --> 00:42:58.300 of the gospel 00:42:58.300 --> 00:43:00.119 that Christ Jesus 00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:01.099 might be exalted 00:43:01.099 --> 00:43:03.460 here as he is 00:43:03.460 --> 00:43:04.139 in eternity. 00:43:04.779 --> 00:43:05.539 And we ask this 00:43:05.539 --> 00:43:06.400 in Jesus name. 00:43:06.579 --> 00:43:06.839 Amen.