WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:15.300 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:22.660 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:28.080 Good morning. My name is Amanda. I am a part of the Alameda Small Group. 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:35.659 So today's reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 35 to 41, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:43.439 The next day again, John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:49.079 Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:54.200 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, What are you seeking? 00:00:54.200 --> 00:01:00.600 And they said to him, Rabbi, which means teacher, where are you staying? 00:01:01.040 --> 00:01:03.540 He said to them, Come and you will see. 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:10.480 So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:16.900 One of the two who heard John speak and follow Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:23.700 He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah, which means Christ. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:29.680 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon, the son of John. 00:01:30.100 --> 00:01:32.880 You shall be called Cephas, which means Peter. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:36.980 The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:40.280 He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:45.120 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:52.700 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses and the law and also the prophets wrote, 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:55.519 Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 00:01:56.740 --> 00:02:00.260 Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:02.980 Philip said to him, Come and see. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:11.700 Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said to him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit. 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:15.020 Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:21.319 Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:25.599 Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the son of God. 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:27.420 You are the king of Israel. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:32.859 Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree. 00:02:33.239 --> 00:02:34.000 Do you believe? 00:02:34.459 --> 00:02:36.319 You will see greater things than these. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:45.459 And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of man. 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:47.819 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:48.619 --> 00:02:50.079 Praise you, O Christ. 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:54.619 You can take your seats. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:55.459 Good morning, everyone. 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:56.560 My name is Andrew. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:58.260 I'm the assistant pastor here. 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:00.159 It's good to celebrate Christmas with you. 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:06.020 And in case you're wondering what some of the things that I love, well, I love the warriors and I love Christmas. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:09.180 And I love that the warriors are in first place right now. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:10.360 Thanks be to God. 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:11.060 Merry Christmas. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:14.300 Will you join me in prayer before we get into God's word? 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:19.400 Father, we are so glad that your son has come. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:27.800 We're so glad that there can be joy in this world and that we have hope that your son will come again. 00:03:28.700 --> 00:03:30.280 And that's good news for us. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:39.020 Help us to see and savor this good news as followers, as disciples of this risen and exalted son we celebrate this season. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:40.080 In his name we pray. 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:40.920 Amen. 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:43.159 So again, Merry Christmas, everyone. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:44.659 The word has become flesh. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:47.780 That's what we're talking about a lot here in the gospel of John. 00:03:47.839 --> 00:03:50.399 The word has become flesh and dwelt among us. 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:51.239 Emmanuel, right? 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:52.839 God is with us. 00:03:52.839 --> 00:03:58.000 And we're going to continue emphasizing that theme throughout our sermon series in John's gospel. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:03.019 But today, I want to conclude, as we conclude the first chapter of John, 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:07.719 we're going to have a glimpse of the other side of this God with us coin. 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:08.659 The other side of it. 00:04:08.700 --> 00:04:16.060 You see, yes, it's absolutely profound that the eternal and infinite and divine Lord became God with us. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:24.259 But today's text invites us to consider the equally true reality of us with God. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:25.900 Us with God. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:32.199 Not just God abiding with us, but us abiding with God as his disciples. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:38.500 Here in John chapter 1, we're looking at the beginnings of the discipleship ministry of Jesus. 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.699 Now, honestly, Jonathan and I and Christ Church historically, 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:47.620 we have tried really hard to avoid using Christian-y language. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:53.319 As much as we can, we want to translate terms from the Bible into our everyday common speech. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:55.459 I remember sitting down with some of our past pastors, 00:04:55.860 --> 00:05:00.199 Bart, Patrick, and Quinn, a couple years ago, discussing this very word, discipleship. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:00.839 Discipleship. 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:06.420 And we were trying to come up with a suitable synonym, because discipleship just sounds so Christian-y, right? 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:11.319 It sounds like language that's only used inside the church or maybe within a cult 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:14.759 or in other strange hierarchical kinds of relationships. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:20.079 And it just so offends our egalitarian, everybody's equal sensibilities, right? 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:22.719 So we were like, okay, what's it going to be? 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:29.180 It's going to be apprenticeship, mentorship, followers, pupils, I don't know, Padawans, I don't know. 00:05:29.900 --> 00:05:32.380 But none of them really stuck. 00:05:32.900 --> 00:05:33.600 None of them really stuck. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:40.840 So even though I hesitated a bunch in deciding whether or not to use this term, discipleship, 00:05:40.900 --> 00:05:43.360 talk about disciples today, I'm just going to go with it. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:44.920 I'm just going to go with it. 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:47.939 And if you have a better one, go ahead and email me, let me know. 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:53.580 But I also think, you know, there's something quite beautiful about reclaiming this term, discipleship, 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:59.240 and unashamedly using it in our everyday language to describe who we are 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.580 and who we want to be in relationship to Jesus. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:05.500 See, because language creates culture. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:12.060 And that's what I'm hoping to do here very intentionally by using this term, discipleship, 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.680 to talk about us as disciples of Jesus. 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:16.339 This is what we want for our church. 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:18.920 We want to be a church with a discipleship culture. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.839 This is what we mean when we say that Christchurch exists, 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:28.060 to lead people into deeper relationships with Christ and His church through community for the city. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:32.579 This is what we're truly after, the making of disciples. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.860 This is what we want, the making of disciples. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:39.780 You know, recently, someone who's newer to our church was having a conversation with Jonathan, 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:43.879 and they said to Jonathan something that we just absolutely love to hear. 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:46.600 They said, you know, now that I'm here at Christchurch, 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:53.540 I'm beginning to see myself less as just a Christian, less as just a believer, and more as a disciple. 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:58.259 And that was just music to our ears that made our hearts sore because that's what we're after. 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:01.340 Remember the risen Jesus, He didn't say, 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:04.379 All authority in heaven and on earth have been given unto me. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:07.620 Therefore, go and make nominal cultural Christians. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.800 Therefore, go make mere believers. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:12.699 He said, therefore, go and make disciples. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:15.399 Not just churchgoers, disciples. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:18.379 He said, therefore, go and make disciples, teaching them to do what? 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:21.360 Everything that I have commanded you. 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:24.240 He wasn't looking for the growth of Christendom. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:29.300 He wasn't looking for an increase in church attendance, upping the membership and baptism counts, 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:30.540 just getting people into the door. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:36.360 He was looking to have the formation of disciplined followers from among the nations 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:41.019 who would sit at His feet under His ultimate authority as the master rabbi. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:42.579 People who would abide with Him. 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:50.480 People who would serve Him and commit themselves to knowing and memorizing and imitating His words and His ways. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:56.640 That's what it means to be a disciple, especially one of Jesus, the master rabbi, the Lord, the Son of God. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:00.319 And if this intimidates you, well, it should. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:02.460 It should intimidate us. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:08.400 This call to follow Jesus in His way and on His terms rather than our own. 00:08:09.200 --> 00:08:09.860 It's serious. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:13.759 It's the biggest and most important decision that any of us could ever make. 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:16.840 It's not a call to be mere admirers of Jesus. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:20.040 It's not a call to be mere partners or associates. 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:24.180 It's a call to be ride-or-die disciples. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:32.440 Jesus said, if anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:36.399 yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:38.320 Wow, right? 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.700 Jesus doesn't play. 00:08:41.760 --> 00:08:42.640 Jesus doesn't play. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:48.620 But you know, at the same time, what I hope to convey to you from these scriptures today, from John chapter 1, 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:52.800 is that while discipleship under Jesus comes with a fair measure of intimidation, 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:57.000 it comes with just as much, if not more, personal invitation. 00:08:58.180 --> 00:09:01.420 Jesus doesn't just say, you must hate your own life to be my disciple. 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:07.620 He says, come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:16.899 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:22.539 So wherever you're at with respect to Jesus this morning, all I want to do, all I want for Christmas, 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:32.459 is to make clear his invitation to you, to all of us, his invitation, my invitation, to all of us in the words of Jesus and his disciples here from John chapter 1, 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.939 to come and see. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.799 Just come and see. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:36.839 That's it. 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:45.840 In fact, this invitation from the lips of Jesus, from his disciples to come and see, it's really at the core of what discipleship is all about. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:46.720 Come. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:47.879 Come. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:49.320 Like, just follow me. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:55.120 But it's not like, come, follow me, or else, or come, follow me, you idiot. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.300 No, it's come and see. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:59.920 Less command and more invitation. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:03.660 It's, hey, come, follow me, because I really want to show you something. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:06.980 Hey, come, follow me, and see what I've discovered. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.939 Hey, yo, check it out. 00:10:10.199 --> 00:10:15.719 It's amazing, and I'm convinced you'll think so, too, if you just see it with your own eyes. 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.879 If you just see it with your own eyes. 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:23.360 And see, this is the one thing that is, or at least it's one of the things I love about the Christian faith, 00:10:23.439 --> 00:10:25.159 is that it's not a coercive faith. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:29.939 We don't seek to convert through coercion, but by conviction. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:33.640 Christians don't force people into the family of God. 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:39.540 We hope that the gospel itself, the good news about Jesus, fascinates people into the family of God, 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:41.920 because it's just the best news ever. 00:10:42.920 --> 00:10:46.460 Really, that's all that discipleship under Jesus is about. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:50.040 Beholding the goodness of Jesus. 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:56.480 Seeing him for who he really is, and then extending his invitation to come and see to others, 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:58.980 so that they might come and see, too. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.920 Let's look at this text. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:02.639 Look with me at verse 35. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.720 This is how it all starts. 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:10.420 The next day, again, John the Baptist was standing with his two disciples, with two of his disciples. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:13.500 John the Baptist has at least two guys, right, who are his disciples. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:16.679 They're committed to following him, but look what he does in verse 36. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:19.200 And he looked at Jesus. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.980 In the Greek, it's this word, he gazed intently. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:27.419 He beheld Jesus as he walked by, and seeing with eyes wide open, 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:30.759 seeing Jesus for who he truly was, this prophet of God, John the Baptist, 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:35.159 invites his disciples to see what he sees, and he says, 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:38.039 Behold, behold the Lamb of God. 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:39.879 And I love that word, behold. 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.399 I love that word, behold. 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:47.019 See, this is how it all starts, with one person beholding Jesus for who he really is, 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:51.360 and then prophetically inviting his own disciples to come and see, 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:54.079 to come and see what he sees in Jesus. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:57.059 This is where it has to start. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.579 This is where it has to start. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.039 We will never be disciples of Jesus, 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:03.459 and we'll definitely never be disciples of Jesus, 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:04.759 who make disciples of Jesus, 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:06.659 who make disciples of Jesus, 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:12.360 unless we have beheld Jesus as the most amazing person that he is. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.839 We've got to behold him. 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:17.219 And you know, in reflecting on this this week, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:20.459 I was so encouraged by this model. 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:22.379 Because lately, if I'm honest, 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:24.659 I've been feeling a little lost as a preacher. 00:12:25.319 --> 00:12:26.399 Chelsea even asked me, 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:28.419 after one of my sermons a few weeks ago, 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:30.399 is it possible to get worse at preaching? 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.579 And then, 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:36.139 the past handful of times, 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.360 I have been, 00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:40.399 I have been, you know, 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:41.659 I've been working on these sermons, 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:44.879 and I've been kind of second-guessing myself. 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.559 I've been kind of wondering, like, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:46.959 what is, 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.059 what is my goal? 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.419 What is the purpose of preaching? 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.899 Is it to inspire, 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:52.539 to comfort, 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.099 to challenge, 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:53.620 to rebuke, 00:12:53.719 --> 00:12:54.179 to encourage, 00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:54.599 exhort, 00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:55.039 provoke, 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:56.879 to get people to repent, 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.259 get people to rejoice, 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:58.820 receive, 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.779 to laugh, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.659 to cry? 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:03.519 What is it that I'm supposed to be doing up here? 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:08.439 And I imagine that it's a combination of all these things, 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.779 but the challenge of getting the right balance of all these things, 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.899 from all these different passages of Scripture, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.939 it's tough. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:15.960 And if I'm honest, 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.500 most of the time I usually come up here 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:19.779 not feeling like I've figured it out. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.240 But you know, 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:23.659 in reflecting upon this passage this week, 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:24.759 and thinking about, 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.539 not just what I'm supposed to be doing 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.179 as a preacher, 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:30.679 but thinking about what we're trying to do as a church, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.579 and leading people into deeper relationships with Christ, 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.639 and His church, 00:13:35.099 --> 00:13:36.139 making disciples, 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:40.620 I was reminded that even as I'm still figuring out this preaching thing, 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.360 there's at least one thing 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:45.099 that I should definitely keep trying to do. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:48.480 And it's to get us all to behold. 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:50.740 To behold the Lamb of God. 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.939 To see Him for who He really is. 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:54.319 You know when I often say, 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:55.580 this is the gospel. 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.520 That's what I'm trying to do. 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.120 I'm trying to say, 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:57.820 behold. 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.180 I'm saying, 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.220 come and see. 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.060 Check this good news out. 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:02.700 Behold. 00:14:03.300 --> 00:14:05.040 The good news of Jesus. 00:14:06.140 --> 00:14:08.040 And so it's been helpful for me as a preacher 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:11.780 to remember that I'm not coming up here primarily as a preacher. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.879 But more importantly, 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.740 as a disciple maker. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:19.459 As a disciple of Jesus who wants to make more disciples of Jesus. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:24.039 Simply beseeching people to come and see and behold. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.720 And I wonder if that might help the rest of us here too. 00:14:27.839 --> 00:14:29.879 For those of us who identify as Christians, 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:33.379 for those of us who identify as disciples of Jesus, 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:36.480 but maybe we haven't given much thought to next steps, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.559 about how to invite people into discipleship. 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:42.579 We haven't given much thought into what to do 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:47.039 to become disciple-making disciples of Jesus. 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:50.159 I wonder if it's because we're kind of psyched out. 00:14:50.239 --> 00:14:53.619 We've psyched ourselves out with this seemingly daunting task, 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:55.939 right, of, ooh, doing discipleship. 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:59.059 Oh, I'm not mature enough for that stuff yet. 00:14:59.119 --> 00:15:00.319 I'm not holy enough. 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:01.519 I'm not smart enough. 00:15:01.739 --> 00:15:03.159 Who'd want to learn from me? 00:15:03.219 --> 00:15:04.579 Who'd want to follow me? 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:06.919 But what I want to say this morning is, 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:08.239 hey, let's slow down. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.759 Let's slow down. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:12.399 And like, what if we saw discipleship 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:15.700 and the making of disciples not primarily as 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:20.060 seeking to become a teacher or some Jedi master, right? 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:23.940 What if we saw discipleship more as a way of life? 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.399 What if we saw it as being a person who is intentional 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:29.180 about being invitational 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:33.180 and beckoning others to simply come and see, 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:37.240 to come and behold Jesus for who he truly is? 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:40.200 And sure, that might look like what we have in our minds, 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.840 you know, someone leading a Bible study 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:45.539 and investing in a group of people on a regular basis 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.919 and keeping each other accountable. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:50.460 But it could also just look like conveying to a friend, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.379 a coworker, a neighbor, someone in our family, 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.899 our kids, whether Christians or not, 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:59.460 just conveying to anyone and everyone in fresh and creative ways 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.480 what we see in Jesus. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:05.940 And hoping that they too will see what we see in Jesus 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:09.000 as amazing as we believe it to be. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:12.139 Just living an invitational life, 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:16.159 inviting people to see the beautiful things we see in Jesus. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:18.300 Like really, discipleship, 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:20.399 it can come in baby steps. 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:23.259 The key is this simple invitation 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:27.600 to come and see Jesus for who he really is. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.740 I mean, look, look at verse 41. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:32.420 This is all that one of the first disciples, Andrew, 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.379 really does, right? 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.980 He just makes an introduction. 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.300 That's all he does. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.800 We don't know him for much else in church history, 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.980 in the rest of the scriptures. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.560 I asked my parents, 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:43.120 why did you name me Andrew? 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:45.580 Because I was actually named after this disciple. 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.379 So I texted them earlier this week 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.300 and this is what my mom texted me. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:50.820 She said, 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.460 at the time, 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.480 we really wanted to name you 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.760 after a person in the Bible 00:16:54.760 --> 00:16:56.420 that wasn't a bad person, 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.060 you know, like Satan or Judas. 00:16:59.020 --> 00:17:00.379 So thanks, Mom, right? 00:17:02.140 --> 00:17:03.640 But then my mom said, 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.220 however, 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.220 since then we've learned much 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.340 about the disciple Andrew 00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:09.600 and feel that it was providential 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:11.980 since he introduced Peter to Jesus. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.779 And that is how we see God calling you 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:17.460 to introduce others to the gospel. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.160 See, introductions, 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.759 introductions to Jesus, 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.759 just bringing people 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:23.600 to come and to see. 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:25.779 Andrew isn't a big, 00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:26.820 huge character in the Bible, 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.880 but with no invitation 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.820 from Andrew to Peter, 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.680 we don't get Peter. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.040 We don't get Peter. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.880 So the question for us, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.380 for those of us who identify 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:38.540 as disciples of Jesus today, 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.500 is who in our lives 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.259 might we invite 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:43.940 to come and see Jesus? 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.640 And might it be that 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.940 they're closer to us 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.880 than we think? 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:48.740 I mean, again, 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.740 for Andrew in verse 41, 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.380 I love how it says, 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.700 he first found his own brother. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.319 He went to his family. 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.240 Easy. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.279 And as it says in verse 42, 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.620 he brought him to Jesus. 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:00.180 He brought him to Jesus. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.480 And I know that's for some of us, 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.180 we might have these 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.299 decades-long, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:05.339 complicated family dynamics 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:07.039 and tense and complicated things 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.799 going on there. 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.259 But at the end of the day, 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.059 it's still family. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.880 And how better to love 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.920 those whom we're called 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.599 to love most 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.819 than to invite them 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.619 to come and see Jesus? 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.579 Or maybe parents, 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.000 are we at least doing this 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.480 with our kids? 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.639 Are we bringing our kids 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.159 to Jesus? 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:25.039 Do our kids see us 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.919 beholding the Lamb of God? 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.279 Do they see us 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.139 opening up our Bibles? 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.759 Do they see us 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.720 talking to God? 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.279 Do they see us 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.240 singing to God? 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.559 And are we inviting them 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.559 into that 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.659 to come and see? 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.460 Discipleship is actually 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.200 best done 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.599 within families. 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.779 So again, 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.419 who are the people 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.139 in our families, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.779 whether Christians or not, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.980 that we want to bring to Jesus? 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.700 I've been really encouraged 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.399 by two guys 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.440 in the discipleship group 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.299 that I have here. 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.099 One has just recently 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.200 invited his brother 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.319 to lessons and carols 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.399 and to church 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.519 and is often praying 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:56.980 for his brother, 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.839 asking him how he can 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.559 pray for him. 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.099 He's inviting him 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.819 to come and see. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.619 And another guy 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.960 is about to start 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.339 reading Mere Christianity 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.519 with his brother, 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.859 wanting to invite him 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.559 as well to come and see. 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.779 This is come and see 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.420 discipleship. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:11.960 This is it. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.960 At work, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.860 in everyday life, 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.900 in our families. 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:15.980 And even outside 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.519 our families, 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:18.140 come and see discipleship 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.380 is for everyone. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.480 Even for those 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.620 we might not expect 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.840 to be very interested 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:23.340 in Jesus. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.539 Philip was a Greek name. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.400 Who would have thought 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.039 he'd be interested 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.660 in following 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.980 this Jewish rabbi? 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.180 Or Nathaniel, 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.100 we might consider him 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:33.600 an antagonistic skeptic 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:36.980 who might have something 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.059 against where Jesus 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:39.299 was from, right? 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.480 Can anything good 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.960 come from Nazareth? 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.620 But notice how 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.500 Philip handles 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.579 this skepticism. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.240 He doesn't feel like 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.799 he needs to have 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.740 all the answers 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.940 for his friend Nathaniel. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.720 He isn't fazed 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.599 by the skepticism. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.339 Philip has had 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.440 his own life-changing 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.779 encounter with Jesus. 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:55.980 And he's convinced 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.019 that Nathaniel will too 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.980 if he will just come 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.299 and see Jesus 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.160 for who he really is. 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.700 It's the easiest job 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:02.980 in the world. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.819 I don't need to convince 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.640 people of anything. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.900 They just need 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.220 to encounter Jesus. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.420 Jesus. 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.860 Some of you 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.480 might remember 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.880 a couple weeks ago 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.559 when I was preaching 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.120 and I mentioned 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.680 how we had a newcomer 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.460 come to my house 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.500 who had some questions 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.120 and we had 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.380 popcorn chicken 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.559 and watered-down boba 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:18.940 together. 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.319 And he had these 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.680 tough theological questions. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.000 But, you know, 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.140 he actually first asked 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:25.240 these tough theological 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.299 questions to 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.180 Josh Lynn, 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:27.640 actually, 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.779 one of our youth mentors. 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:31.259 And Josh, 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.339 I love how Josh 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.360 was humble enough 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.600 to admit that 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:34.940 he didn't know 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.440 how to answer 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.180 these questions, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.420 but he was also 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.620 bold and confident 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:40.000 enough in his own 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.080 encounter with Jesus 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:42.380 to not be fazed 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.080 by his inability 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:43.960 to answer 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.580 these skeptical 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.440 questions. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.340 Instead, 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.940 Josh just invited him, 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.559 this newcomer, 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:49.160 to investigate 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.900 these questions 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.880 together with his pastor. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.460 Like Philip, 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.440 Josh's priority 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:56.019 was not answering 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.059 a skeptic's questions, 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.840 but his priority 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:59.140 was inviting him 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.640 to come and see. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.160 And also like Philip, 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.440 Josh wasn't just saying, 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.640 hey, go and see. 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:05.960 He said, 00:21:06.320 --> 00:21:06.660 come, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.059 as in I am coming 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.860 with you. 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.680 And Josh picked up 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.059 the boba, 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.680 and he picked up 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.380 the popcorn chicken, 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.059 and he drove 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.080 this friend 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:14.360 all the way to my house 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.120 in Casha Valley 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.880 in the middle of the day 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.440 on a Friday 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:18.100 during Leah's nap time. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.960 This is come and see 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.279 discipleship. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.120 It's invitations 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.340 to behold Jesus, 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.400 just like John the Baptist's 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.220 invitation. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.240 Behold, 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.600 the Lamb of God, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:30.920 right? 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:33.080 It's coming alongside people. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.440 It's going the extra mile. 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.539 It's meeting people 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.140 where they're at 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.799 and taking the time 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.360 to understand 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:38.600 where they're at 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.720 and what they're after 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.980 in their lives. 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.320 And it's doing it 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:44.120 with genuine hospitality, 00:21:44.320 --> 00:21:44.920 just like Jesus. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.440 Jesus invited these two guys 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.400 to stay with him, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.799 to abide with him 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:51.000 in verses 38 and 39. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.100 Why do you think 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.680 I'm always trying 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.180 to have people 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.340 over at my house? 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.980 It's because I believe 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:58.019 what the former professor 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.160 at Syracuse, 00:21:59.360 --> 00:21:59.900 this author, 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.900 Rosario Butterfield, 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.300 says. 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:01.680 She says, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.700 the gospel comes 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.900 with a house key. 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.240 There's something 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.060 really special 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:07.000 about hospitality 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.800 and I'd love to tell you 00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:08.780 her story sometime. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.759 You could look it up 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.980 in the secret thoughts 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:12.080 of an unlikely convert. 00:22:13.280 --> 00:22:14.300 But there's something special, 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:14.780 she says, 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.080 about, 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.180 there's something powerful 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.100 about having people 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:17.720 in our houses, 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.080 you know, 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.019 feeding them 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.280 and having honest 00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:21.360 and real and personal 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:23.500 face-to-face conversations 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:26.340 just like Jesus did here. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.720 Asking people 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.140 with genuine interest. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.799 What are you seeking? 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:31.460 Right? 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:31.960 Verse 38. 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.120 What are you seeking? 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.960 Being genuinely interested 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:37.059 in people as people 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.279 and what they're seeking 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.839 in life. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.799 The goal of Christian discipleship 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:44.259 is simply to help people 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.140 on this quest 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.640 with the confidence 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.960 that Jesus is the key 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.180 to their quest. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.100 Notice how when Andrew 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.680 goes to Peter, 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.440 he says, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.640 we found the Messiah 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.220 because he knows 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.380 Peter's looking for the Messiah. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.680 When Philip goes 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.680 to Nathaniel, 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.039 he says, 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.140 we have found him 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.940 of whom Moses 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.559 and the Law 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.220 and the Prophets wrote 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.839 because he knows 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.100 Nathaniel is a student 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.819 of the Hebrew Scriptures. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.680 I love how, 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.579 notice both Andrew 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.019 and Peter say, 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.740 we have found 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.839 what you're looking for. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.980 We have found it. 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.559 The one you've been 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.420 looking for, 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.799 we have found him. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.079 Again, 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.640 this is invitational 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.660 discipleship 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.059 fueled by the joy 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.460 of an incredible discovery 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.940 that's too good 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.900 to keep secret. 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.019 So again, 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:26.079 who might we invite 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.699 to come and see 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.579 in 2022? 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.439 And how might we take 00:23:30.439 --> 00:23:31.639 steps toward this? 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.339 We love seeing 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.119 so many of your friends 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.779 and families 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.259 at Lessons and Carols 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.259 and at Christmas Eve. 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.519 We hope that you'll invite 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.159 some of your friends 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.559 and family 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.939 to Christianity Explored, 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.500 which begins 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.659 on January 12th. 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:43.639 Or maybe for the youth, 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.379 inviting people 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.240 to our youth retreat 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.299 or to our youth gatherings 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.599 on Wednesdays. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.559 Now, 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.559 I know there are 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.259 some of us though, 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.519 maybe many of us 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.079 in this room. 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.900 Whether we identify 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.460 as Christians 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.920 and disciples of Jesus 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.619 or not, 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.480 who are still unsure though 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.480 if Jesus is worth 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.279 coming to see 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.900 for ourselves. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.079 Or if he's worth 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.940 inviting others 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.940 to come and see 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.980 for themselves. 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.099 And like I said earlier, 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.559 this invitational 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.079 come and see approach 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.980 to discipleship, 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.500 it only makes sense 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.700 if we've personally 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.900 beheld Jesus 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:17.940 for who he really is. 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.500 It only makes sense 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.660 if one's been captured 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.940 by a vision 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.900 of the glory of Christ. 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.200 So I want to wrap up 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.740 by pointing out 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.500 two things 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.480 from the end 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.799 of John chapter 1 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.180 that I think 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.440 are absolutely compelling 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:32.099 about who Jesus is 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.440 and why he is worth 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.240 coming to see 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.019 and inviting others 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.440 to come and see. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.220 And the first is this, 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:40.140 that Jesus sees us, 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.720 he knows us, 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:43.400 and he's interested in us 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.460 personally, 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.240 intimately, 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.880 and individually. 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.839 Like think about that 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.519 for a second, 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.799 that the Son of God, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.459 the creator of the universe, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.480 is interested in you. 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:58.559 He's interested in you 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.500 personally, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.839 individually. 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.079 Look with me 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.579 at verses 37 and 39. 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.539 These two disciples 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.579 of John the Baptist, 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.259 they start stalking Jesus, 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.899 and it says he just stops 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:11.559 and then he turns around, 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.859 he turns toward them, 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.959 and he gives them 00:25:13.959 --> 00:25:15.419 his whole attention. 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.240 The Greek word is 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.819 theomai. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.819 He marveled at them, 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.480 he beheld them, 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.399 he was intrigued 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:20.980 and impressed 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.659 and interested in them. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.439 And this Lord of the universe 00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.659 who's on his own mission 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.839 to fulfill his heavenly 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:28.259 Father's grand plans 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.679 for the world, 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.879 he stoops down 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.740 and has the tenderness 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.399 and care 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:33.839 to genuinely inquire 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.279 to these two guys, 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:36.939 what are you seeking? 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:39.240 He really wanted to know. 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.439 Like he really wants 00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:42.319 to hear from you. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.339 He really wants 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.099 to hear from us. 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:46.019 So bring your hard questions, 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.759 bring all your skepticism. 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:48.859 He invites you 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.659 to just come, 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.939 to just come 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:51.759 and see for yourself. 00:25:51.939 --> 00:25:53.219 Come investigate him 00:25:53.219 --> 00:25:54.639 as thoroughly as you want. 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.159 He's ready. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.679 Come. 00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:57.000 This is a God 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:58.199 who cares about 00:25:58.199 --> 00:25:59.679 what we care about. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.119 It's not trivial to him. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.000 Whatever is on your heart 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.459 and mind, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.439 whatever you're bringing 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:06.480 here today, 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.619 it's okay to tell him. 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.579 In fact, 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.779 he's interested. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.519 He's interested. 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:13.000 He wants to help you with it. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.879 That he is the creator 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:16.000 of the universe. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.019 It doesn't make you 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.819 and your concerns 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.059 too small for him. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.119 But actually, 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.299 that he is the creator 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.200 of the universe 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.440 means that he is 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.960 absolutely concerned 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.920 about what you're 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.920 concerned about. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.559 And he sees you. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.859 He sees us. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.759 Isn't that good news? 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.940 You are not overlooked. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.440 We are not overlooked. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.579 We are seen 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.879 by the gaze 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.900 of God himself. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.759 Look at verse 38. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:42.079 Jesus turned and saw 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.420 these first two disciples 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.079 in their seeking. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.940 Verse 42. 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.819 Jesus looked at Peter 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.440 intently 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.379 and saw him 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.220 in all his potential. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.279 Jesus looked at Peter 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.559 and saw a lifelong friend. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.420 Someone he wanted 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.599 to have a personal relationship. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.180 So personal, 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.859 he even gave him 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.900 a nickname, right? 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.720 Kephes, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.460 Rocky, 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.440 he calls him. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.200 Verse 47. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.900 Jesus saw Nathaniel 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:02.960 coming to him. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.299 And he saw him 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.960 for whom he really was. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.539 In Israel, 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.879 in whom there was no deceit. 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:09.119 A man concerned with the truth 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.359 and keeping it real. 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.539 And then when Nathaniel 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.799 was like, 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.399 wow, 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.899 how did you know me? 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.019 In verse 48, 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.919 Jesus also says, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.219 I even saw you 00:27:17.219 --> 00:27:18.559 under the fig tree. 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.539 He sees us. 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:21.659 You know, 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.639 a lot of commentators, 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.939 they try to guess 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:25.719 what Jesus saw 00:27:25.719 --> 00:27:27.159 Nathaniel doing 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:28.479 under that fig tree, 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.059 but there is, 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:30.000 there's no consensus. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.959 People make guesses, 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.879 there's no consensus, 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.659 and I'm not gonna 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.039 give you a guess either. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.680 We don't know 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.139 what Jesus saw Nathaniel 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:38.359 doing under that fig tree. 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.859 And we don't know 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.980 why Jesus mentioning 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.779 this to Nathaniel 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.299 all of a sudden 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.659 made this skeptic 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.619 suddenly go from, 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.680 can anything good 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.539 come from Nazareth? 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.279 All the way to, 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:47.779 Rabbi, 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.500 you are now, 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.539 you are the son of God. 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:51.220 You are the king of Israel. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.119 But you know, 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.659 I wonder if that's the point. 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.339 That we don't know 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.240 what Jesus saw. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:58.899 Like, 00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:00.339 we can't know, 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.099 and we won't know, 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.019 but Jesus knew. 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.980 And Nathaniel knew. 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.839 And this was between 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:08.159 Jesus and Nathaniel 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.759 in the context 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.519 of their own 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.740 unique personal relationship. 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.799 Isn't that fascinating? 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.460 That in Jesus, 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.200 we have a God 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.579 who is interested in us 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:20.059 and who sees us 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.899 in our fig tree moments. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.139 These moments 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.819 where we feel 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.639 maybe unseen, 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.480 these moments 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.079 that no one else sees, 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.779 Jesus sees. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:30.759 And he assures us 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.899 that we are known 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.099 and loved 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.459 and cared for 00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:35.639 and valued, 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.719 not just generally, 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.579 but in a unique, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.599 individual, 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:40.939 personal way 00:28:40.939 --> 00:28:42.679 as his disciple. 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.299 You know, 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.299 I'm probably over time now, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:45.879 but the last thing 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.619 I want to point out 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.859 about who Jesus is 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.639 and why he's worth 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.619 coming to see 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:51.000 and inviting others 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.259 to come and see 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.980 is that not only 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.839 is he, 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:56.679 not only does he know us, 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.079 not only does he see us 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.019 and take interest 00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.960 in us personally 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.379 and individually, 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.939 but what I love 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:03.639 about Jesus 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.960 is that he is both 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.659 the ladder 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:07.119 and the lamb. 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.240 He is both 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.679 the ladder 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.179 and the lamb. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.939 This chapter ends 00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.579 with Jesus saying 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.099 to Nathaniel 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:11.960 in the last two verses, 00:29:12.699 --> 00:29:12.839 man, 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.439 you thought me 00:29:13.439 --> 00:29:14.439 knowing about you 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:15.139 and the fig tree 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.759 was impressive? 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:16.779 He says, 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.720 wait till you see 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.720 what I really 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.339 came here to do. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.639 And he makes 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:22.220 this reference 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.579 to Genesis chapter 28. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.319 If you want to look 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.220 on page 22 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.200 in your pew Bibles, 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.720 starting in verse 10, 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.480 he makes this reference 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:30.339 to Genesis chapter 28. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.720 And in Genesis chapter 28, 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.819 you have Jacob, 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:34.259 right? 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.460 This guy who fathered 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.940 the 12 tribes of Israel 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.860 and he's in really, 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.680 really bad shape. 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.460 He's just deceived 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.019 his father. 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.640 He's deceived his brother. 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.720 He's now estranged 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.339 from his family, 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.240 running away from home. 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.039 He's literally hit 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.559 rock bottom. 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.440 He's got a stone 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.720 for a pillow. 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.640 And the promise of God 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.420 to bless him 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.160 and his family 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.700 and the world 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:54.160 through them richly, 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.700 it just seems 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.640 impossible, 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.920 outlandish, right? 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.720 But on his journey 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.620 away from home, 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.140 God encounters him 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.720 in a dream. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.559 And what Jacob sees 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.680 is he sees this ladder. 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.980 And at the top 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.480 of the ladder 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.620 is God himself. 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.680 And on this ladder, 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.860 he sees the agents 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.279 of God, 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:11.080 the power and presence 00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:11.480 of God 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.240 and the persons 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.080 of angels 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:14.700 ascending and descending 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:16.299 on this ladder. 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.420 And in this dream, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:20.019 God assures Jacob, 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.779 deceitful, 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.220 run away from home, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.640 nothing in his pockets, 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.100 Jacob. 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.960 He assures him 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.640 of his promise 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:28.100 that no matter what, 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.759 I will never leave you, 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:31.400 I will never forsake you, 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.580 but I'm going to be 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.200 your God 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.559 and I'm going to be 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.440 with you, 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.720 your personal God. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.680 I'm going to be with you 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.440 no matter what. 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.160 And so what Jesus 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.220 was saying to Nathanael 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.279 in verse 51 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.819 when he said, 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.120 you will see the heavens 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.660 opened 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.259 and the angels of God 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.600 ascending and descending 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.720 on the Son of Man, 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.600 Jesus was saying, 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.360 Nathanael, 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.139 O true Israelite, 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:54.839 O student of the Scriptures, 00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:56.639 don't you see 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:58.479 that I am the ladder? 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:01.119 I am the connecting point 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.879 between heaven and earth. 00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:05.199 I am the way to God. 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.379 I am the very sign 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.139 and assurance 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:08.059 of God's promise 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:08.839 to be present 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.219 with his people, 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.399 to be present 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.099 with you, 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.000 with us. 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.699 And in one sense, 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.459 this is amazing 00:31:15.459 --> 00:31:16.500 all by itself 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.559 that Jesus is the ladder 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.819 between us and God 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.399 because God 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.419 is our greatest need. 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.439 He's the very thing 00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:22.839 that all of us wanderers 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.619 are seeking. 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:26.099 But perhaps even more amazing 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:28.139 is what qualifies us 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:30.220 to even get on the ladder 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:32.700 into the presence of God. 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.700 In Psalm chapter 24, 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.299 verse 3, 00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:36.339 the psalmist asks, 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.960 Who shall ascend 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.939 the hill of the Lord? 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.759 And who shall stand 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.779 in his holy place? 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:44.059 He who has clean hands 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:45.339 and a pure heart, 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:47.259 who does not lift up his soul 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.000 to what is false 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.839 and does not swear deceitfully. 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.359 Now, according to that criteria 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.920 from Psalm 24, 00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:55.259 neither Jacob 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.980 nor any of us 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.259 are qualified 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:00.000 to ascend the hill of the Lord. 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.819 Neither Jacob 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.480 nor any of us 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.259 are qualified 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.759 or able to get on 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.539 that ladder. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.799 For none of us 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.599 has clean hands. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.700 None of us 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:09.039 has a pure heart. 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.759 And all of us 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:11.599 have lifted up our souls 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.700 to false gods. 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.859 All of us have trusted in 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.299 and followed 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.460 and become disciples 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:17.299 of lesser lords. 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.920 But the good news 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.539 of the gospel 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:22.640 is that not only 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:23.599 is Jesus the ladder, 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:26.079 but just as John the Baptist 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.619 proclaimed, 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.240 Behold, 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.960 he is the Lamb 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:30.019 of God 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.740 who takes away 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.400 the sins 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.400 of the world 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:35.740 by his precious blood 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.279 poured out for us 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.980 in love 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.720 to cleanse us 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.440 of our sins 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.519 and to make us 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:42.539 white as Christmas snow. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.920 And this is the gospel. 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.619 The good news 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:48.799 that Jesus invites us all 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:50.799 to come and see 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.220 and to behold 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.899 and to be with him 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:55.619 because he is the ladder 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:57.000 and the Lamb 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.180 for us 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.559 and for all 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.539 who want to follow him 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.639 in this path 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.480 of discipleship. 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.139 Will you pray with me? 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:04.960 Amen. 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:09.019 Lord, 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.819 help us to see. 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.160 Help us to behold. 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.319 Help us to taste 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.759 and see 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:16.700 that you are truly good. 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.700 That the good news 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.220 of Christmas 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:22.240 is the best news, 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.120 the best gift, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.279 and that your son 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.360 is so worthy 00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:29.100 for us to follow. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:31.119 It has to start 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.059 with us seeing, Lord. 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:33.179 So would you open our eyes 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:34.619 like only your spirit can 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.319 and help us to 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.299 come and see 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.619 and to behold 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.599 the Lamb of God, 00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:39.759 the ladder 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.279 and the Lamb, 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.759 we pray. 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:41.839 Amen.