WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:26.240 Well, we have a challenging task this morning in that I have a heart that is full and I have a very earthy vessel. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:42.060 So, I'm going to read the Bible and then I'm going to pray and then you're going to pray and listen. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:46.399 John chapter 5. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:01:16.379 John chapter 5. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:18.400 John chapter 5. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:48.400 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:49.400 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:48.400 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:56.599 It was Jesus who had healed him and this is why the Jews were persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:03:06.699 But Jesus answered them, my father is working until now and I'm working. 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:09.579 Let's pray. 00:03:09.580 --> 00:03:23.460 Precious God and Father, it is our undeserved privilege to be together this morning because of your grace. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:35.100 To be able to hold the scriptures in our hand that give to us an accurate reflection of the character and heart of our Savior. 00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:46.439 And I would ask that your spirit would work in the lives of those of us who are here that know the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:56.879 That seeing in these scriptures the heart and the character of our Lord Jesus that we would be drawn to love him more. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:03.599 That we would be drawn to follow him more. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:05.599 That we would be drawn to love him more. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:09.379 That we would be drawn with glad and humble hearts to obey him. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:23.560 And have our lives reflect his grace, his kindness, his affection for those who are lost and broken. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:32.079 And his resolute spirit in the face of adversity and spiritual darkness. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:37.280 I pray also this morning for those that are here that do not know Christ. 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:41.220 Some who are here and don't know that fact. 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:51.199 And I would pray that this morning as the preaching of the word is bathed with prayer. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:59.039 And empowered by your spirit that this morning they would be convicted to understand that apart from Christ there is no hope. 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:04.920 And only the fear of eternal condemnation. 00:05:06.659 --> 00:05:14.659 I pray for those that are here that do know the lost state of their soul but are despairing to think that there is any remedy. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:24.080 Let them see Jesus who is here among us this morning even as he was at that pool. 00:05:26.380 --> 00:05:38.879 And we who know Jesus pray that he would give the same command to the soul of a man or a woman or a boy or a girl that needs Christ that he did. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:41.779 To the man who was infirm. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.079 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:47.759 And for his glory. 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:49.399 Amen. 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:58.680 Well, I wanted to read the passage to you this morning because this passage, which is longer than some, 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:03.360 is a very interesting passage in terms of it is a shift. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:10.740 Chapter 5 is a change of direction in the Gospel of John. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:19.319 The first four chapters are largely introductory and give us a picture of the Savior, 00:06:19.520 --> 00:06:21.300 help us understand his mission, 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:26.680 and give us some early indications of the ministry that he was going to be involved in. 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:28.080 Remember something about John. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:33.199 John is a book that doesn't give us a lot of detail. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:41.800 But the details that we are given are all designed to make it very clear that he is the Son of God, 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.399 the Savior of the world, 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:46.219 and he came to redeem fallen man. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:52.860 And you can understand that his ministry and his mission was going to put him in direct conflict 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:58.280 with unbelievers and the unbelieving world. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:02.580 And so as we open up this passage this morning, 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:05.780 I want to break it down for you into three different pieces. 00:07:06.080 --> 00:07:10.319 And bear with me as sometimes in the process of study, 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:13.379 what happens on Thursday when it goes to print, 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:17.379 and what is preached on Sunday may be just a little different. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:21.480 And if you get overly frustrated, just put the pencil down and listen 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:25.779 and rely upon the help of the Holy Spirit to make it clear and beautiful. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:26.500 Do you follow me? 00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:28.120 This is a good passage. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.459 It's simple. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:38.279 We see a broken man and a perfect picture of fallen humanity. 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:39.180 That's one. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:46.199 We see an unbelievably kind and gracious and sovereign Savior 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:50.600 who steps into the absolute messiness of human life 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:53.379 and calls a man to faith. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:08:02.540 And we see those stone-cold, hard-hearted, self-righteous, full-of-themselves people 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:06.960 who just can't stand the fact that Jesus doesn't buy their way of doing things. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:11.299 We don't want to be them, do we? 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:20.379 So let's dig in and, first of all, see an accurate picture of humanity. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:23.139 There we are in verse 1. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:23.979 It says this. 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:28.159 After this, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:32.840 Now, he had left Jerusalem earlier because at the outset of his ministry, 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:35.860 remember one of the early things that he did that was pretty dramatic? 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:40.159 How many of you remember that he stomped into Jerusalem and he cleansed the temple? 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:42.080 That was no small detail. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:50.300 And growing adversity and rejection of his presence in Jerusalem led him to leave 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:54.820 and go back up to his home country and spend some time. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:09:00.019 But back he comes to Jerusalem, and he comes up around the time of a feast. 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:06.819 And by this point in his ministry, he was not all that well-known yet. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:16.899 He comes to a place, the Sheep Gate, a pool there at Bethesda, 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:23.600 and it was a place where, for whatever reason, there was a large gathering of individuals 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:31.720 who came believing that it was one of these sacred, important sites where if the waters were roiled 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:37.319 and it was a pool that was fed by underground aquifier of some sort, 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:39.740 they believed that when the waters were stirred, 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:44.439 whoever scampered in first was the one who got blessed and healed. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:53.960 And so this was an absolutely miserable gathering of broken people. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:08.200 In our culture, we do a great job of kind of making brokenness fairly manageable and at least discreet. 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:13.280 We have hospitals. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:15.460 We have nursing homes. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.300 We have hospice. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:23.500 We have all different kinds of institutions that kind of tuck the problems of life over into a corner, 00:10:23.640 --> 00:10:27.060 and they're not right out there in front of us where we can see the ugly. 00:10:30.140 --> 00:10:32.360 That wasn't the way it was in the ancient world. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:41.180 I want you to imagine that you were to drive around all over the west side on a pretty decent day, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:48.620 and at every one of the places where there are stops, intersections, you'll have these people standing with signs. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.740 How many of you have noticed that? 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:52.379 I see signs. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:52.919 Homeless. 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:54.860 Hungry. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.620 Out of work. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:11:04.440 I want you to imagine that there was a certain locale where all of these people gathered at the same time, 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:10.320 all of them holding, in a sense, the sign that was indicating what their particular problem was. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.539 That's what this place was, Bethesda. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:19.639 It was the absolute gathering place for all the broken and hurting people of the area. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:31.220 I want you to recognize also that this was the place that was the actual reservoir for the city of Jerusalem. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:36.759 How many of you would like to have a crowd of people around your water supply like this? 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:38.419 Huh? 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:42.379 I mean, we're a little hyper about our water, are we not? 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:43.700 Yes? 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:43.780 Yes. 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:53.460 And yet, people came with the ambition and desire that maybe, maybe, just maybe, 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:59.340 that something would happen there spectacular and they would be healed of their disease. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:04.540 I do want you to understand that this pool setting tells us something. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:10.580 The pool is a reminder of just how desperate man's condition really is. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.860 That's what I want you to understand. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:18.659 This is a gathering place of all the brokenness of the nation and city of Jerusalem. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:19.840 And here they are. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:26.019 Everywhere you look, you see someone who has the physical, external evidence of the fall. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.779 Look at the passage. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:31.180 Blind, lame, paralyzed. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:38.039 And there they were all gathered together. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:40.740 I want you to understand that they were there in desperation. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:47.019 I can tell you that the first time someone had a little bit of a gimpy step, they didn't say, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:52.759 would you mind taking me down to Bethesda because I'm hoping we can do something about this. 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:58.700 People didn't go to Bethesda at the first indication of a little bit of discomfort. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:02.740 They only went there after they had despaired of every other option. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:07.879 And there they were. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.919 They were there with their hopes exhausted. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:20.759 And there they were gathered around this water reservoir in hopes that at some undetermined time, 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:27.200 the waters would kind of stir and the first person in, hopefully he'd have something happen positive. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:30.980 Now, I want you to stop and think with me just for a moment. 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:38.040 If disease would lead people to such a wild and, for the most part, unreasonable hope, 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:48.800 you cannot imagine that sin and the burden of a person's soul will lead them to do more significant and sober things. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.399 Isn't that true? 00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:58.519 Stop and think with me about the things that people engage in with the ambition that maybe something that they can engage in 00:13:58.519 --> 00:14:01.299 or involve themselves in is going to bring healing in their life. 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:09.939 How many of you bumped into people that have the idea that maybe a better education would make a difference? 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.479 Or maybe a different neighborhood? 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:16.479 Or another wife? 00:14:18.359 --> 00:14:19.599 Or a different drug? 00:14:21.479 --> 00:14:22.620 Or another boyfriend? 00:14:24.859 --> 00:14:28.759 Yes, there's a mess, but there's got to be something that I can do. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:31.980 And maybe if I get there, it'll take care of the problem. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:37.279 I want you to look with me now, if you would, at verse 5 and 6. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:37.460 It says, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:42.100 One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.000 38 years. 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:51.360 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he'd already been there a long time, 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.759 he said to him, 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:55.059 Do you want to be healed? 00:14:55.059 --> 00:15:00.419 38 years is a long time. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:04.799 I know some of you sitting here don't know what 38 years looks like yet. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:08.919 And there are some of you sitting here that think, 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:11.679 Well, I think 38 years is about as old as dirt. 00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:17.119 I mean, I remember when I was in my teens, 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:19.279 I thought someone who was in their 30s was, 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:21.500 Man, that was someone who was an antique. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:25.360 I mean, I'm thinking 38 years is really young now. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.500 And here's this guy, 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:33.460 For 38 years he'd been under this affliction, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.720 And he'd been hoping and hoping and hoping, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.500 And there, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:41.139 In the wild ambition, 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.080 That someday, somehow, 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:45.480 He would be healed of his problem. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:50.440 I do want you to understand something to relate it over to the issue of sin, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:54.620 That the deep and abiding stain of sin does not heal with time. 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.639 There's no remedy. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:00.259 There are some things that do fade, 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:03.200 But the truth of the matter is, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:07.899 Is that the sting and the stain of sin will never go away, 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:17.500 Unless someone does something that is outside of the soul of the person who's been snared with sin. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:21.100 And so if you're sitting here this morning, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.579 And the reality of the matter is, 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:26.139 Is that when you step back from the present moment, 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:28.179 And you stop to think a little bit objectively, 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.059 The reality of the matter is, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:32.079 You're like that person at the well. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:33.520 You've been caught, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:36.879 And you've been snared in the ugliness of sin, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:39.680 And even though you've been in some pursuit, 00:16:39.900 --> 00:16:43.340 There's really nothing that is changing any of it at all. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:49.259 I do want you to understand this morning, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.500 As you look at this situation, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.840 That you have Jesus here, 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.759 Stepping into this situation, 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:59.100 And coming in almost without being recognized. 00:16:59.900 --> 00:17:01.220 Just shows up at the pool. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:05.319 And I want you to fix this in your mind, 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.039 As you stop and think about the moment, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:11.360 That Jesus alone can heal the sin-sick soul. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:15.059 I think that's important for us to understand. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.220 And if you're here this morning, 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:19.600 And the reality of it is, 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:22.140 Is that the Spirit of God is convicting you, 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.420 That there is this darkness, 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.019 This ugliness, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.600 This despair in your soul, 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:29.640 And there are times where your conscience bears in on you, 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.819 And you don't know what to do with that burden, 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:34.220 I want you to know that only Jesus can help with that. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.000 Only Jesus. 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:40.740 I said there's a second part that we want to see. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:43.399 First of all, we see the mess of broken humanity. 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:44.599 But then secondly, 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:47.119 I want you to see this exclusive work of grace. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:52.199 So many times Jesus starts out with questions. 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:54.339 And by the way, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.319 Questions are a good way 00:17:57.319 --> 00:18:01.099 To discover what's going on in a person's life, 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.679 What they need, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:06.299 And how to help where they're really hurting. 00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:08.099 So here's Jesus, 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:12.719 And we find Him there in verse 6, 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.799 Asking a very interesting question. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:17.700 Do you want to be healed? 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:21.619 Now, 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:26.659 How many of you understand that if you really don't know what the problem is, 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.259 You don't know the solution? 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.139 Do you understand that? 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:37.320 There is a legend that in, 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:39.180 I think it was Gordon Conwell Seminary, 00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:40.800 For about 20 years, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:43.400 The teacher in systematic theology, 00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:44.960 The very first day of his class, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:48.660 He would walk in and he would write the number 2 on the board, 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:50.040 And the number 4. 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:53.040 And he would do this at the beginning, 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.360 And then he'd kind of wait a while, 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.980 And he'd say, 00:18:55.040 --> 00:18:55.259 Alright, 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.620 What does that mean? 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:59.799 And mathematicians immediately, 00:18:59.979 --> 00:19:00.119 You know, 00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:00.519 It's like, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.899 2 plus 4 equals, 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:03.979 Hello, 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:04.779 Anybody out there? 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.299 Robert, 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:14.099 You graduated with a master's in math, 00:19:14.199 --> 00:19:15.239 So help me out here a little bit, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.859 Or whatever it is, 00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:16.819 And that's way beyond me, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.259 2 plus 4 equals, 00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:19.619 Thank you! 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:20.099 Okay, 00:19:20.979 --> 00:19:21.199 Now, 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:23.259 But when you get mathematicians together, 00:19:23.739 --> 00:19:25.739 2 and a 4 could be something else, 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.380 What could it be? 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.640 2 times 4 is? 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.279 See, 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:32.920 And we could go off in ad nauseum on mathematical details, 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:36.620 Or it could actually be referring 24, 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.160 Right? 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:39.140 Which could be hours in the day, 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:42.640 And the professor gets different seminary students, 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.920 And seminary students are always incredibly bright, 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.299 And ready to answer in a moment's notice, 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.099 And I know, 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.400 I know, 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.740 I know, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:47.960 You know, 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.779 And then he stops and says, 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.019 Listen, 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.559 If you don't know what the problem is, 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:54.240 You really don't know what the solution is either. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:57.640 So Jesus asks this man, 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.200 Do you want to be healed? 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:01.319 Who is asking this poor guy, 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.240 Do you want to be healed? 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:05.039 It happens to be the creator of the universe, 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.559 The savior of mankind, 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.980 And when he says to this guy, 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.140 Do you want to be healed? 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.059 The obvious answer is, 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:11.819 Yes! 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.019 Do something, Jesus! 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.519 What's the guy say? 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.539 Duh! 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:16.960 Yeah, 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.440 Well, 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.039 Yeah, 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.960 I'd like to, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:21.200 But every time the waters stir, 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:21.559 You know, 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.339 Guess what happens? 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.460 Somebody beats me in! 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:25.079 Look at the solution here. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:36.200 If there ever was a picture of man's complete inability to understand spiritual truth that has a play on his salvation, 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.720 This man's an illustration. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:44.680 How many of you have ever been around people that you just can't figure out why they don't get it? 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:50.620 The truth of the matter is, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:54.700 Until the spirit of God opens their heart and brings conviction, 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:59.240 The remedy to their souls is absolutely beyond their ability, 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.940 Just like in this man's case. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:03.880 And so here's the guy, 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:06.480 Jesus asks the question, 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:09.000 And he's already got the solution figured out. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.000 Look at what he says here. 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.200 He says, 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.160 Well, yeah, yeah. 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:16.920 Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred, 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.600 And while I'm going, 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:19.680 I have a solution, 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.360 But it just hasn't panned out. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:26.419 How many of you have been around people that have solutions that just don't pan out? 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.879 The spiritual problems in their lives, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.439 They've got all figured out, 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:34.799 But the dots don't connect. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:41.099 I had a wonderful opportunity last night 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:47.240 To talk to a lady that I'd met probably three, four months ago, 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.559 And she was at the Spring Tea. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.240 And I've got to tell you ladies, 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.960 Listen to me. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.220 Let's get this clear. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:57.579 The Spring Tea is about lost people that need Jesus. 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.180 Isn't that right? 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.980 I'm going to tell you something. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:04.680 We are going to work to make the gospel absolutely crystal clear. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.419 When people walk away from it, 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.879 The one thought they want to have, 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:08.859 Or I want them to have, 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:13.039 Is that Jesus is the only answer to the desperate need of my soul. 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:18.180 This lady had picked up on the theme of forgiveness, 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.319 And she saw me standing there, 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:20.700 And she said, 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.799 Can I ask you a question? 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.279 Well, I actually got in a conversation, 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:23.700 And then, 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.859 Can I ask you a question? 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.099 Sure. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.500 She says, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:28.159 That forgiveness thing really hit me. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.440 And, 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:33.740 I said, 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.779 I'm glad to hear that. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.579 That's good. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:41.019 And then she kind of went into some of the details of her life. 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:42.159 Very challenging. 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:42.919 Very difficult. 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.519 You know what I said to her? 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:45.819 I said, 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.240 You know what? 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.200 There's only one solution. 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.819 That's Jesus. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.859 Only Jesus can change your heart. 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:55.019 Only Jesus can take away all the burden, 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.579 And the grief, 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:56.180 And the hardship, 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.099 And the heartache. 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:59.339 And I said, 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:03.079 I love the fact that Jesus is the only one who can answer that problem. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.639 Well, 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.039 I was very stoic. 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.339 You can understand how I am. 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:10.019 I'm pretty calm about things like that. 00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:10.240 You know, 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.480 Like, 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.439 Yeah, 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.019 Well, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.119 Just give it a shot. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.419 No. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.319 I mean, 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:16.599 I'm sitting there just about breaking up on the spot, 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:18.379 Right out there in the front. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.200 And, 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.859 She said, 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:20.980 Well, 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.659 Maybe that's why I've had a stroke. 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.079 Now, 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:26.019 What's the connection between a stroke and salvation? 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.419 I hadn't had that one figured out. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:27.899 Do you follow me? 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:28.920 I said, 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.360 Well, 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:31.519 People have strokes for all different kinds of reasons, 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:33.040 And I don't know why you had a stroke, 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.060 But I will tell you this. 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.040 You need Jesus. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:38.580 Let's come back around to the center of the issue. 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.120 And so, 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:44.320 Here is Jesus stepping in to a situation where, 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:44.980 Hey, 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.620 Listen to me. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:51.660 Did the man understand how desperately his condition really was determined by the one in front of him? 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.660 And the answer is, 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:54.400 Not in your life. 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:58.100 So, 00:23:59.060 --> 00:24:03.400 Now we come to this unbelievable response. 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.860 Jesus hears the guy, 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.500 And in verse 8, 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.400 Jesus said to him, 00:24:07.540 --> 00:24:07.920 Get up, 00:24:08.040 --> 00:24:08.900 Take up your bed, 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.600 And walk. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:14.040 I really don't know the tone of voice that Jesus used. 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.200 And I've kind of, 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:16.960 You know, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.340 I'm one of those guys who imagines. 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:20.540 So how did Jesus say this? 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.280 Get up, 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.660 Take up your bed, 00:24:22.800 --> 00:24:23.320 Walk. 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:23.540 You know, 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:24.380 I don't know how he did it. 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:26.019 It was probably just, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.160 Just kind of, 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.360 You know, 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.519 Just, 00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:28.100 I mean, 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:30.360 How many of you know what a preaching voice is? 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.620 Do you know what a preaching voice is? 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:32.660 Hey, 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:35.080 If you hear me with a preaching voice, 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.640 I can get fired up about almost anything. 00:24:37.780 --> 00:24:39.620 So don't think that I do this just on Sunday. 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:41.980 But, 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.320 You know, 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.100 I'm kind of against the, 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:48.060 The voice that gets ratcheted up for spiritual moments. 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:48.680 Do you follow me? 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.300 I just think Jesus would not, 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:50.780 Hey, 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.140 Just bang. 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:53.940 Get up. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:56.400 Take your bed. 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.279 Move out of here. 00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:57.519 You know, 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:57.700 I mean, 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:57.900 Whatever. 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:58.720 And the guy, 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.640 Bang! 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.600 There it happened. 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.100 So, 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:06.299 Why don't you just think about these three distinct commands that Jesus gave? 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.120 And the man's obedience, 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.859 This is something I want you to get your hands around. 00:25:10.199 --> 00:25:11.059 The man's obedience, 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.619 Listen, 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:17.599 Was a simple response to Christ's sovereign authority. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:21.099 Let's go off page here for a little bit. 00:25:21.979 --> 00:25:23.899 I'm going to use two very fancy words, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.599 And I've been trying to dial it down a little bit, 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:27.099 But there's a time to step into it. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.539 Okay? 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.539 Monergism. 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.799 Let's say that slowly. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.299 This is not English class, 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:37.359 But I'm trying to help you understand something. 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:40.839 How many of you know what mono is? 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:42.899 One. 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:44.519 You guys are on top of this. 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:49.399 Monergism means one person doing the heavy lifting. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.960 Got it? 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:55.000 Synergism means there's more than one helping. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:59.380 And if you want a classic illustration of monergism, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:01.119 One person doing the heavy lifting, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.079 This is it. 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.859 Now, there was a preaching voice in case you're wondering. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.680 Okay. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.500 Prior to Christ's words, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:14.519 This man was absolutely unable to act. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.839 He didn't get it. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.000 But, 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:24.039 Jesus steps into the scene. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:27.720 Jesus is tender to this man's brokenness. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.299 Jesus said, 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.200 Do you want to be healed? 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.799 Yeah, but, 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:35.319 It just hadn't been working for me the way I thought I had planned. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.839 Jesus said, 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.240 Pick up your bed and get out of here. 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.079 You know, it's a bang. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.500 I want you to understand, 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:49.500 Unless the Spirit of God speaks life into a dead heart, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.940 There is no faith. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.500 And there's no action. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:56.140 Is that a fair statement theologically from this passage? 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.960 From this one? 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.759 Now, let me stop, 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.900 Because I do want to help you understand that, 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:05.259 That Scripture helps us see, 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.039 That God is absolutely sovereign in salvation, 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:11.160 And He helps us see that man is absolutely responsible to respond. 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:13.119 How you put the two together? 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.359 I don't know. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.899 But, 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.579 In this case, 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:18.279 We see Jesus speaks the word, 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:19.279 The man responds, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.419 And what does He do? 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:21.299 He picks up His bed, 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.559 And He scampers right out of there. 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.019 Ah, 00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:26.199 That sounds pretty good, 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.559 Doesn't it? 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.000 Now, 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:31.099 Let's move ahead to come to the last little part. 00:27:32.939 --> 00:27:34.679 At the last part of verse 9, 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.019 It says, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.500 Now the day was the Sabbath. 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:37.919 Okay? 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:42.560 This is kind of a little reminder that there's problems coming. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:48.600 So let's come to grips with conflict with false religion. 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.160 There in verse 9, 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.400 It says, 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.300 Now the day was the Sabbath. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.400 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.820 It is the Sabbath, 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:59.220 And it is not lawful for you to take up your bed. 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:06.640 The Jews, 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.160 In this case, 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:11.140 Is not talking about just the generic Israelites, 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.779 Who were all over the city of Jerusalem. 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.940 It's really talking, 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.620 And I want you to understand the context. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.539 It's really talking about the spiritual leadership, 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.920 Of the nation of Israel, 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:22.059 That we're all caught up in their man-made religion, 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:24.700 Of the fact that salvation is something that comes about, 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:27.880 Because we all do these certain things that get us there. 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:31.960 And they were keeping score, 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.240 And making the rules, 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.880 And here was this guy, 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.720 I mean, 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.019 He was bopping through town, 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.980 Carrying his bed, 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.559 And nobody did that on the Sabbath. 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:42.860 And it was their moral responsibility, 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.440 When they see some lowlife, 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:46.160 Carrying a bed to stop, 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:47.019 What are you doing? 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.519 Now, 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:52.600 Let's pay attention to what happens next. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.620 Verse 11, 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.079 But, 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:58.000 How many of you like buts on occasion? 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.960 Buts are there for a reason. 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.019 It's like, 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.420 Whoa, 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:03.059 There's another part to this story. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.519 But, 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.519 He answered them, 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.619 Now, 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:08.519 They were the on-site authorities. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.240 Who told you, 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.799 You could carry your bed on the Sabbath? 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:14.980 He said, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.319 Oh yeah? 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:17.039 Good question you asked me, 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.039 But let me tell you something. 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.400 The man who said to me, 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.920 You take up your bed and walk, 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.799 He's the one who said, 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.359 Carry it. 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:24.199 So there. 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:29.179 Can you kind of sense this little tension between the two parties? 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:32.279 That guy had been at that place for 30, 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.899 He'd been sick for 38 years, 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:35.199 And someone said, 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.319 Take up your bed and walk, 00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.039 Get going. 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.379 And he was healed. 00:29:39.479 --> 00:29:41.279 Do you think he knew that something had been happening, 00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:42.459 That hadn't been happening before? 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.259 Yes. 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.079 And he, 00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.279 Hey listen, 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:47.079 If he can make me well, 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:49.519 He can make me carry things on Sunday, 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.160 Or Sabbath. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:58.839 He understood that the one who had made the miracle, 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.599 Had the right, 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.619 To give him instruction. 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.399 And let me make this point for you, 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.759 Sitting here this morning, 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.940 When Christ saves us, 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.000 He changes our heart, 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:13.160 And he's the one who we end up listening to. 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.899 Get that clear in your mind. 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.960 The one who saves us, 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:19.539 Has the right to command our obedience in all things. 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.899 The one who saves us, 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:24.680 Has the right to command our obedience in all things. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:27.519 And so one of the practical questions, 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:29.139 That you ought to be asking yourself today, 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.220 When you sit here, 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.000 And you're thinking about, 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.079 So what's going on in my life? 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:34.180 Who's running the show? 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:37.079 How much of what you're doing, 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.700 Is a reflection of the fact, 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:40.700 That your Savior is in charge? 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:50.379 If Jesus is my Savior, 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.500 Then one of the things, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.720 That should indicate, 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.519 That he is, 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.899 Is I'm following, 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:01.079 His instructions. 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.859 Part of what that means, 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:06.639 Is that my vocabulary on Sunday, 00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.539 In front of you, 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:09.460 Is the same as my vocabulary on Tuesday, 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:11.299 Anywhere else in the city. 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.840 Isn't that right? 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.799 That means that, 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:16.319 That my heart, 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.400 And my attitudes, 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:19.220 Reflect my relationship with Christ. 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:23.519 Well, 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.240 The man, 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:26.019 Stirred up quite a problem, 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.759 When he said that. 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:27.019 He said, 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.120 Hey, 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.839 The one who healed me, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.799 Is the one who told me to do this. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.039 Now, 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.600 Let's work forward, 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.440 Just a little bit, 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.680 And I'm going to skip over this issue, 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.480 In verse 14, 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.360 Of see you are well, 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.039 Sin no more. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.279 Deal with some of that, 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.980 In another time. 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.120 But I want you to recognize, 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:41.019 That later, 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:44.759 After the man had told the Jews, 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.980 That Jesus was the one, 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.500 Who had healed him. 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.960 Now verse 16 and 17, 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.640 And this is why the Jews, 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.779 Were persecuting Jesus, 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.160 Because he was doing these things, 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.779 On the Sabbath. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.240 Stop just for a minute. 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.759 How many of you remember, 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:58.059 The last setting, 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.839 In the book of John, 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.740 In which Jesus, 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.680 Ended up having a head-butting contest, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.759 With the Jews, 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:05.059 With the spiritual leadership. 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.279 Remember when he cleansed the temple? 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.980 And they kind of, 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.980 You can see them put their hands, 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.620 On their hips and said, 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:09.819 Yeah, 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.880 Who told you to do that? 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.100 And he, 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.559 Well here they are again. 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.980 They weren't very happy with him. 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.640 But here's the, 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.920 Here's the absolute zinger. 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:19.160 I love this. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.319 Verse 17, 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:23.259 And Jesus answered them, 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:25.440 My father is working until now, 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.880 And I am working. 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:28.000 The question, 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.400 Underlying this is, 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.460 What was the, 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:32.220 What was the Jews concerned? 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.900 Now the truth of the matter is, 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:36.559 They were concerned with any and every miracle, 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.380 Jesus did, 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.539 On any day, 00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:39.380 At any time. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.440 Not just the Sabbath. 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:43.059 But Jesus, 00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:45.140 In order to assert his authority, 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:49.059 Had no problem doing smackdown on Saturday. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.860 Do you follow that? 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.380 And it just really, 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:53.539 It just really torqued them. 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:57.840 Here's this guy in the flesh. 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.180 I mean, 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:01.140 You can touch him, 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:03.519 And he was healing people on Saturday. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.680 Now, 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:08.139 We come to this absolute zinger of an answer. 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:11.799 Let me have you spell it out in contemporary vocabulary. 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.559 Here's the way I do it. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.660 My dad's on the clock, 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.119 And I am too. 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:19.960 That's what Jesus said to the Pharisees. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.960 Now in more formal English, 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.039 Here's how we read it. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.920 My father is working until now, 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.039 And I am working. 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:26.920 Do you know what he was saying? 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:30.720 I and my father are one. 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.720 And by the way, 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:36.960 The Jews didn't have any problem with God the Father working on the Sabbath, 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:43.139 Because they understood that it was his work that was managing every detail of their lives. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.619 Am I right? 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.220 For by him, 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:49.119 The universe is sustained. 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:53.599 And Jesus steps right into their space, 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.619 Gets face to face with them, 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.399 And he says, 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:56.759 Hey, 00:33:57.919 --> 00:33:58.559 Back up. 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:02.079 My dad's working right now, 00:34:02.719 --> 00:34:03.319 Saturday, 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:05.219 And I am too. 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.299 So there. 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.799 What's going on? 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.359 Jesus, 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.940 Number one, 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:25.199 Gives us a clear picture of the fact that his affection for lost mankind, 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:30.079 Means he was willing to go where broken people were. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:32.380 What's that for us? 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:33.380 Are you following me? 00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:35.179 I wonder, 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:40.039 When was the last time you were in the space of broken people? 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:42.000 Oh, 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:44.859 Can I tell you something about being around where brokenness is? 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:46.359 It is a messy business. 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:49.079 It is a messy business. 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:51.779 But if Jesus was there, 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:54.199 Then we who belong to him, 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.599 Do we need to be there? 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:57.159 And the answer to all of us is what? 00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.059 Yeah. 00:34:58.799 --> 00:35:00.519 So a takeaway would be this. 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.599 You can check the box, 00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:02.779 And your little mind says, 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:06.299 I'm going to work to be around broken people, 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.739 Because they need Jesus. 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:10.239 Number two, 00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:22.039 Understand that genuine faith will always end up in conflict with faith that is not genuine. 00:35:24.239 --> 00:35:28.319 I was talking with an individual not too long ago, 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:39.019 Who was grieved because of some people that were bent out of shape over music style. 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:51.740 And I encourage this person to understand that actually turmoil in people's lives over music style 00:35:51.740 --> 00:35:55.800 Can be dated back to even before the cross. 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.580 Do you understand that? 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:58.860 How many of you understand that? 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:01.360 It's just the way life is. 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:04.759 And I encourage them to understand, 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.420 You're not going to get away from it. 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:10.340 And what you need to recognize is that 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:12.299 When you see that kind of turmoil, 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:14.699 It's an indication that something's off kilter. 00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:17.579 Talk to me 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:21.519 About your interest and affection for lost mankind. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:24.840 Don't get bent out of shape on things that don't count forever. 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.400 And Jesus, 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:32.340 He wanted people to understand what counted forever. 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:34.400 And it was the broken man at the well. 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:39.500 It was not the matter of these Sabbath rules that had been put into place 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:44.559 For the sake of self-righteous arrogance in people's lives. 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:49.000 Hey, 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:54.599 When you see the picture of Jesus who is in love with lost mankind 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:57.579 And is ready to go the distance for them. 00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.059 Huh? 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.219 You follow me? 00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:05.059 You who are touched by your own salvation 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:09.579 Begin thinking more carefully about 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:14.619 Since Jesus is like that and it blessed me, 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:18.919 I want to grow to be like Him to bless others. 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:20.259 Does that make sense? 00:37:20.260 --> 00:37:26.040 I want to be part of reaching a broken, lost world 00:37:26.040 --> 00:37:28.200 That desperately needs Christ. 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.360 That's what I want. 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:35.720 And I'm willing to go to where they are. 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:39.080 That's what He wants. 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:41.739 Let's close in prayer. 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:53.179 Our Father God, this morning as we see this picture of the heart of our Savior, 00:37:53.179 --> 00:38:00.819 We want Your Spirit to kindle in us an abiding desire to see Jesus lifted up. 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:06.300 The Savior of lost mankind. 00:38:07.700 --> 00:38:09.760 The healer of brokenness. 00:38:11.140 --> 00:38:17.360 The only help for the soul that is ruined and fallen because of sin. 00:38:18.740 --> 00:38:22.080 And let us who know Jesus have a heart like Him 00:38:22.080 --> 00:38:26.340 To draw people to the Savior we love. 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:28.420 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:38:29.160 --> 00:38:29.480 Amen. 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:32.519 I'm going to ask that we stand together as we close. 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.480 And let me encourage you. 00:38:33.800 --> 00:38:36.079 Let me tell you, if you're here today and you need Jesus, 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:39.519 This is an appropriate time for you to respond 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:41.400 To the prompting of the Spirit of God. 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:43.219 If He's been tugging on your heart, 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:44.460 How do you know He's tugging? 00:38:45.639 --> 00:38:49.679 Because He is giving to you that sense of shame and guilt and burden. 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:52.920 And let me tell you, nobody can solve that problem but Jesus.