WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.980 John 20. It's on page 906 if you've got a church Bible. And I want us to begin at the end. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:24.940 And I want you to look at verse 31. Because John tells you in verse 31 why he's written this 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:30.640 gospel. And why he's written this chapter that we're going to look at this morning. So let me read it to you. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:41.640 Jesus did many other signs, miracles, in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book. 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:51.359 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:01:00.740 These are written, these particular things that I've written about John says, these particular miracles, these particular signs, this particular account of the resurrection 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:12.000 is written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the King, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you might have life in his name. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:26.560 John says, I put pen to paper to give you belief about Jesus and life in Jesus. In other words, the miraculous signs and certainly the resurrection show you who Jesus is. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:41.219 They show you he is the Messiah, that he is God's King. And as you see that, John says, as you grasp that, it floods your heart with wonder and love and awe and worship. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:55.420 As you see that happen, you have life. So if this morning, as we gather to worship made up of family and friends, all the people that make up our church family week by week, 00:01:55.420 --> 00:02:08.340 if you believe that Jesus Christ is God's King, you have life. If you don't believe that, well according to John, you are physically alive, your heart is beating, 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:17.300 your pulse is operating, your pulse is operating, but you are dead. And it's something so easy that we miss, I think, when we come to this chapter. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:26.280 This word life here at the end of verse 31. A chapter which is about one man coming back from the dead, 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:41.280 but John says, he came back from the dead, because without him, everyone else is dead. He came back to life to give us life, because without it, we are dead. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:49.979 We know what this is like. So you have a father and a son, and they have a terrible falling out. 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:56.580 And eventually the father says to the son, from this day on, you are dead to me. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:03.420 And although the son, he keeps on living and he keeps on breathing, as long as that door is closed, 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:08.399 as long as that relationship, it is over. He is dead. 00:03:10.619 --> 00:03:14.060 Without Jesus, you are the son in that scenario. 00:03:15.279 --> 00:03:16.819 Without Jesus, that is me. 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:21.119 Dead in my sins and my guilt and my shame. 00:03:21.519 --> 00:03:24.959 And the gates of God's kingdom are firmly closed to me. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:28.699 So John says to you this morning, do you want to come in? 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:35.759 Do you want to be granted privileged access, right into the king's palace, into heaven itself? 00:03:35.859 --> 00:03:37.959 Do you want to sit at the father's table? 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:40.280 Do you want to have life? 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:42.780 Well, let me show you who Jesus is. 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:44.919 So that you will believe in him. 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:50.219 But more than that, so that as you believe, you cross over from death to life. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:55.439 As you believe, the doors of the palace swing open and you enter in. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:59.079 And as you believe, the father pulls up a chair at his table and says, welcome. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:05.159 So I want to see four life-giving ways in which John shows you who Jesus is. 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:08.000 First of all, there is no body in the tomb. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:10.780 There is no body in the tomb. 00:04:11.419 --> 00:04:14.360 And so Jesus brings the dawn of a new world. 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:17.180 And this is the great sticking point, isn't it? 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:18.920 For many, many people this Easter. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:24.240 The claim that on Easter morning, the tomb was empty. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:30.259 For this same Jesus who died, rose bodily from the grave. 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:36.560 Now, if it is hard for us to believe that this morning, I want to say to you, it was no less hard for the people in the ancient world. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:47.400 So notice with me, that John has written his narrative to stress the factual, historical reliability of what we read. 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:53.279 Whether we believe it or not, John wants you to see this morning that he believed it. 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:55.219 For all sorts of reasons. 00:04:55.339 --> 00:04:57.120 So look, the first witnesses are the women. 00:04:57.539 --> 00:04:57.859 The women. 00:04:57.860 --> 00:05:08.020 The gender who you would choose in the first century if you were going to make up an incredible story that you wanted to be passed off as the truth. 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:08.860 No, you wouldn't. 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:11.240 They weren't even allowed to testify in court. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:12.460 Look at the details. 00:05:13.580 --> 00:05:14.360 The timing. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:17.500 It was early and it was dark. 00:05:17.580 --> 00:05:18.500 Look at the race. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:21.620 The race between two disciples outrunning the other. 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:24.300 And especially notice the grave clothes. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:29.399 John sees strips of linen lying there but won't go in. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:31.340 But Peter does go in. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:38.579 And it's not just the clothes that wrap the body, but lying separately, the cloth that wrap the head. 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:41.600 He takes the time to tell us that. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:45.840 That it was folded up by itself, separate from the other linen. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:46.620 Now why? 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.379 Why tell us that? 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:52.139 Well, because he says that is just what I saw. 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:53.879 That's what I saw. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:58.680 I am telling you the precise details so that you will know I was there. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:03.300 No grave robber would take the time to unwrap the body. 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:08.560 Certainly would not take the time to separate the head and the body clothes and leave them to one side. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:09.980 No grave robber would do that. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:15.379 No, you see, John has stressed all the way through his gospel that they were eyewitnesses. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.139 He was an eyewitness. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:23.939 He saw what he is telling us with his very own eyes so that we can believe him. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:24.920 And it's the same here. 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:28.839 The empty tomb is not empty thinking. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:32.639 It is not grief stricken imaginings. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:33.560 It is real. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.980 The body was gone. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:36.600 And that's what John saw. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:38.040 But look at verse 8. 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:44.060 John saw and believed. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:50.079 He believed that Jesus was alive again. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.100 And that is the whole point of the chapter. 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:57.720 John is not out to give you hard, cold facts. 00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:01.120 It's logical, loyal, loyal-like evidence that the tomb was empty. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.240 John writes, 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:04.760 To say to you and to me, everything changed that morning. 00:07:06.380 --> 00:07:09.620 Everything he'd ever thought about who Jesus was. 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:13.780 Everything he'd ever thought about life and about death was turned completely on its head. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:16.900 As light dawned into his heart. 00:07:16.899 --> 00:07:20.859 Death is not what I thought it was, John is saying. 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:21.939 It is not the end. 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:26.279 You see, if you were a Jew in the first century, 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:29.439 you were waiting for God to act in history. 00:07:30.239 --> 00:07:31.239 To free you. 00:07:32.099 --> 00:07:33.179 To save you. 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:36.720 To kick out the Romans who were waiting for the king. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:40.060 Who would bring in a whole new creation. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:41.720 That's what you were waiting for. 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:46.720 You were waiting for the king who would make everything sad in the world come and true. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:50.060 You were waiting for the king who would rewind death itself. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:53.379 Who would raise people from the dead and raise them to life. 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:54.340 Restore them to life. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:56.819 With God in a world made new. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:58.519 And that is what you were hoping for. 00:07:58.519 --> 00:07:59.639 That was your hope. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.079 The greatest longing. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:08.180 And as John looks and sees, so he begins to really see. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.480 He believes. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:17.300 As he realises, the world for which they have all been waiting and wanting has suddenly arrived. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:23.220 You remember the awful story of Joseph Fritzl? 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:24.300 Does that name ring a bell? 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.019 Joseph Fritzl in Austria. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:31.220 He was a chap who imprisoned his daughter under his house in a sala. 00:08:31.220 --> 00:08:33.259 In 1984. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:36.740 He fathered children by her. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:37.620 Some of whom died. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:40.360 Some of whom he brought up from under the sala. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:44.519 But three of those children lived in that sala. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.840 Without ever seeing daylight. 00:08:48.420 --> 00:08:49.120 Can you imagine it? 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:55.060 All they knew was the narrow corridors and the low ceilings of their sala world. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:55.960 That's all they knew. 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:57.919 That was it. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:59.560 As far as they were concerned. 00:08:59.799 --> 00:09:00.679 That was life. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.080 This is how everyone lives. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:06.200 There's a sense in which that's true, isn't there? 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:06.899 Darkness. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:07.539 Swallow. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.539 That is the world. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:14.759 Can you imagine what it was like for those children as they were freed? 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.699 As Fritzl was captured and arrested. 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:26.000 Now, there would be, wouldn't there, for those three children, all sorts of problems readjusting into this world. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:32.960 But if that process was handled well, and handled carefully, just think about that for a moment. 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:39.320 Think of a child discovering for the first time the beach. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.059 And oceans. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.720 And waves. 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:47.620 And sand that exists. 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:53.419 Imagine a child realizing that they were real. 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.560 They were really real. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.460 You could feel the sand. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.200 And the water. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.080 Imagine a child discovering there was coke. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.019 And ice cream. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:08.440 And hamburgers. 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:10.960 And cars. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:12.899 And toys. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:14.600 And dolls. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:16.980 And sky. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:19.299 And grass. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.720 And sunshine. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.860 And rainbows. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:27.019 And swings. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.419 Think of the best things that would ever thrill a child's heart. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:35.659 And imagine there now being a new world which dawned into their heart. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.840 That's what happened that day. 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:38.259 For Mary. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.320 For John. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.259 And for Peter. 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:44.220 Not that the Jesus that they loved was alive. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:47.220 But the way that they viewed the world changed. 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:52.179 The confines of their lives have been shattered forever. 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:54.519 We are born. 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:55.139 We grow. 00:10:55.359 --> 00:10:55.839 We live. 00:10:55.979 --> 00:10:56.519 We work. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.359 We grow old. 00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:57.979 We die. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.699 Some in happiness. 00:10:58.859 --> 00:10:59.659 Some in prosperity. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.079 Others in hardship. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.059 Others in poverty. 00:11:02.479 --> 00:11:03.399 And we think this is it. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:06.239 Three score years in turn if you're lucky. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:08.019 And then the end. 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:09.519 You see we live in the cellar. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.819 Our vision blinkered. 00:11:11.939 --> 00:11:12.980 Our growth stunted. 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:22.860 Unless we can see that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead holds out to us a cast iron guarantee that the new creation is coming. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.480 It is coming. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:24.639 It is coming. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.539 It is coming. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.740 How do we know that the new creation is coming? 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.700 How do we know? 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:35.500 How do we know that one day the dead will be raised? 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:43.480 That the bodies placed in the furnace or in the grave will rise to stand before Almighty God? 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:46.200 How do we know that one day all suffering will end? 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:51.259 How do we know that all tears will be wiped away by God's tender hand? 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:52.200 How do we know? 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:54.860 How can I possibly believe that this morning? 00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:57.980 When it hurts so much in the here and now? 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:05.660 Do you know that if this morning you are a skeptic looking on in the Christian faith. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.020 Wondering if this is true. 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:15.240 Can I say to you that you should want with all your heart for the resurrection to be true. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.040 You should want it. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:25.780 The resurrection of Jesus is God's promise of a new world given in advance while we still live in the old one. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:32.660 The resurrection is God's promise of a new world given in advance while we still live in the old one. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:39.000 We know don't we what it's like when we see the first daffodils in the springtime. 00:12:40.400 --> 00:12:43.400 You don't see so many in London as where I grew up. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:46.519 But when you see the first daffodils. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:51.699 It doesn't matter does it if there are wintry days still ahead. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.259 And the wind is lashing. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:56.740 The rain is lashing down and the wind is blowing. 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:58.579 We've seen the daffodils. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.699 There's no going back. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.679 Summer is coming. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:05.459 And so it is with death. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.979 Death is still with us very very painful isn't it. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:16.419 But Christ's resurrection stands in history as the evidence that death's stranglehold is broken. 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.019 A new world is coming. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:24.239 Well second look at how John shows us there should be no tears in the garden. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:27.120 No body in the tomb. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:32.000 And now no tears in the garden because a new relationship is possible. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.360 The whole passage as Emma and I read it. 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.200 I don't know whether you saw it. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:38.620 It pulses with emotion and with energy. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:41.539 We've had Mary and the disciples running here and there. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:44.399 Breathless with confusion and excitement. 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:47.899 And in verse 10 we are invited to witness Mary's grief. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:54.459 Notice she is not just crying here because she thinks Jesus is simply dead. 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:59.159 No Mary is crying because her grief has been violated. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.319 Interrupted. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:01.319 The body is missing. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:04.419 And isn't that exactly what happens? 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:08.000 There's no closure when there's no body. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:14.860 I've got a very good friend whose father disappeared last September. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.559 And has not been found. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:18.500 And there are no signs of his body being found. 00:14:18.579 --> 00:14:19.619 I spoke to him this week. 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:22.659 And he said it's just that there's no closure. 00:14:23.619 --> 00:14:26.899 He said it's just that we just have no idea what has happened. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.799 And so it's the same with Mary. 00:14:30.119 --> 00:14:31.500 Her trauma is intense. 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.439 Because of that. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.819 Don't you think that it's strange. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.699 That first the angels. 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:38.239 And then Jesus asks her. 00:14:38.719 --> 00:14:39.500 Why are you crying? 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.139 Isn't that a strange question? 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:45.039 You don't need to be sure you're not countless, do you? 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:48.139 To work out why somebody's crying in a cemetery. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:48.860 Do you? 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.360 You see somebody crying in a cemetery. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.039 You don't close it. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.740 Oh, what's wrong? 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.559 Is it obvious? 00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:58.360 Notice the subtleties of John's narrative. 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:01.240 This is a gentle rebuke to Mary. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.699 You can see it Mary. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:07.379 So like John. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:09.400 Can't you see it and believe? 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:13.320 Mary, there's no place for tears in this garden. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:16.520 And she turns to see Jesus. 00:15:16.780 --> 00:15:19.800 No doubt her sight is blurred with tears, isn't it? 00:15:20.420 --> 00:15:23.300 And he gently pushes her level of understanding. 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.800 Who is it you're looking for? 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.440 Yes, sir. 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:28.400 There is no place for tears, Mary. 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.820 Don't you see who I am? 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:32.280 And he says her name, Mary. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:41.460 She sees and believes and anguish and despair are swallowed up in astonishment and delight. 00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:50.520 And in what Jesus says next in verse 17, he shows us that not only are Mary's tears unnecessary, but so are ours if we grasp who he is. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:53.399 Isn't that another strange thing to say? 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:54.879 In verse 17. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.939 Do not cling to me. 00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:00.480 Do not cling to me. 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:03.539 For I have not yet ascended to my father. 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:10.879 What Jesus is saying to Mary is he's not yet in his ascended state. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.960 He hasn't yet left the earth. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:17.720 So Mary doesn't need to cling to him as if he's about to disappear at any moment. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:23.080 But she must go and tell the disciples that Jesus is en route to his father. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.620 What's happening is this. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:28.840 Mary is weeping in the garden looking for the teacher. 00:16:29.400 --> 00:16:31.200 That is what she calls him in verse 16. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.900 The teacher. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:35.379 But the Jesus that she now finds. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:37.360 The Jesus that she clings to. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:43.100 Is now returning to his rightful place on the throne of the universe. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:48.519 You see we like to think of Jesus don't we as a baby in a manger. 00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:51.120 Or as a wandering teacher. 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:54.299 Or as a man who wandered on a Roman cross. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:57.299 Actually he's the king who rules the world. 00:16:57.299 --> 00:17:02.939 The resurrection means that Jesus sits at God's right hand. 00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:07.059 But instead of that meaning that Jesus is distant from you this morning. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:10.859 And he's distant from us in all our ways. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.159 We think of that don't we. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.379 A king is normally so distant. 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:16.519 A king is not interested in us. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.740 He is too powerful for us. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:20.419 Do you see what Jesus says to Mary? 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.379 He says doesn't he. 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:27.240 Look at verse 17. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.940 I am ascending to my father. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.980 And your father. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.700 To my God. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.680 And your God. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.260 In other words Mary. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:39.380 My death was not a failure. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.920 It was a success. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.800 I came. 00:17:43.280 --> 00:17:45.080 And I did what I was supposed to do. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.900 I have restored my followers. 00:17:47.280 --> 00:17:49.600 To the relationship with God. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.200 That they were created to enjoy. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:56.100 Now when I go home to Swansea. 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:57.500 And to my parents. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.240 I have a key. 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.260 If only I could find it. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:02.120 I can turn up unannounced. 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.380 I can unlock the door. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.780 And I can go right in. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.960 To wherever my parents are. 00:18:09.020 --> 00:18:10.040 If they're at the back of the house. 00:18:10.300 --> 00:18:11.080 And find them. 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.560 If you visit. 00:18:14.040 --> 00:18:15.380 As nice as you are. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.200 And as nice as my parents are. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.320 You would ring the bell. 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.700 And you would wait outside. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:24.019 And you would wait. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.220 To be welcomed in. 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:27.100 Because you are not their child. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.819 Sonship gives me rights. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.200 And it gives me privileges. 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:34.039 Which include me in their family. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.340 And Jesus says. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.940 Mary what I've done. 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:38.299 Now grants you. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.180 The key. 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:42.279 It grants you privileged access. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.039 To the father. 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.559 You are now adopted. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.480 You belong now and forever. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:48.259 You belong now in my family. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.559 I'm going to my father. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.619 And your father. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.879 To my God. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.220 And your God. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.440 There are all sorts of reasons. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.140 This morning aren't there. 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.759 Why we tend to stand far off. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.359 From God. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.259 I don't believe he's real. 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.660 It seems made up to me. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:06.299 I'm not good enough. 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.799 He'd never ever be interested. 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.660 In someone like me. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.740 Whatever the reason. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.099 For your distance this morning. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:14.379 The resurrection is like a rescuer. 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.659 Who breaks into the cellar. 00:19:16.719 --> 00:19:17.719 Where the child lives. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.980 In darkness and squalor. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.619 All alone. 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.699 And the rescuer says to them. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.980 There is a palace. 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:26.419 There is a table. 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.139 That you can sit at. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.939 There's a palace. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.839 Which is more beautiful. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.079 Than you can ever imagine. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.659 There is a king more loving. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.159 Than you could ever possibly. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.299 Understand. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.339 And he sent me to get you. 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.079 And he is preparing a banquet. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.199 Of food and drink. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.039 The likes of which. 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.080 You've never seen. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.400 And there's a place. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.160 At the table. 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:45.799 For you. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.940 There's a place. 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.860 At the table. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.660 For you. 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:52.440 Isn't that what Jesus is saying? 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.960 Everything that is mine. 00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.840 By right. 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.559 As the true son. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.480 By nature. 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.640 I am sharing. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.600 With you. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.860 Sons. 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.900 And daughters. 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.460 By. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.860 Adoption. 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.640 So no tears. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.440 Come. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.240 A relationship. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.340 Is possible. 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:16.860 Thirdly. 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.900 When Jesus appears. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.620 To his disciples. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.920 And he gives them a new commission. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.380 He says there's no need for guilt. 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:27.400 There's no need for guilt. 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:29.160 To repress the human heart. 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.759 Three times. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.779 From verse 19. 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.360 Can you see it? 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.539 Jesus tells the disciples. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.059 Peace. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.279 Be with you. 00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:37.740 Peace. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.140 Be with you. 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:41.460 It's pretty much a standard greeting. 00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:42.800 In the ancient world. 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:44.020 But by repeating it. 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:44.960 Three times. 00:20:45.320 --> 00:20:46.000 Doesn't John. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.940 Want you to see. 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.940 That it is pregnant. 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:48.580 With meaning. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.320 Peace. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.140 Be with you. 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.380 In verse 20. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.420 When he said this. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.660 He showed them his hands. 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.500 And his disciples. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.220 The sides. 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.300 Side. 00:21:00.800 --> 00:21:01.580 And then the disciples. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.300 Were glad. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.280 When they saw the Lord. 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.360 And Jesus said to them again. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:04.820 Peace. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.820 Be with you. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:08.939 Earlier on in John's gospel. 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.919 Jesus has said. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.740 Whoever believes. 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.619 John has told us. 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.700 That whoever believes in Jesus. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.720 Has eternal life. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:17.179 But whoever rejects him. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:20.259 Will not see life. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.460 For God's wrath. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.039 Remains on him. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.919 So how does somebody this morning. 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:29.259 Move from being under God's wrath. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.099 And anger. 00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:33.379 To being under God's mercy. 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.100 And grace. 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:35.100 How does somebody. 00:21:35.300 --> 00:21:35.820 Move from. 00:21:36.260 --> 00:21:37.120 Wrath and anger. 00:21:37.280 --> 00:21:37.980 To mercy. 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.000 And what is John saying. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.400 Jesus showed them his hands. 00:21:42.540 --> 00:21:43.180 And his side. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.800 It's as if Jesus. 00:21:45.800 --> 00:21:47.020 Is standing there. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.140 Saying look. 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.280 Just as I said. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:50.740 On the cross. 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.560 It is finished. 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.840 Now that I am alive. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.040 And you see me. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.520 And you believe. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.880 That you are reconciled. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.260 To God. 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:00.440 And he breathes on them. 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.980 And he gives them his spirit. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.079 And he commissions them. 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.019 To go into the world. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.759 With a message. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.819 That they have just believed. 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.039 That is the best way. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.299 To understand verse 23. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.039 This verse. 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.620 Does not refer to some priest. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.059 Going around today. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.819 Simply pronouncing to one person. 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.759 Oh you are forgiven. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.240 And saying to another. 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:19.299 You are not forgiven. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.500 That is how some Christian traditions. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.620 Have understood the verse. 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:23.759 But there is no record. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.400 In the New Testament. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.420 Of that ever being done. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.740 Of a Christian leader. 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.599 Simply announcing. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.579 Forgiving us like that. 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.039 No. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.139 What he refers to. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.039 Is simply the result. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.139 Of the preaching of the gospel. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.899 The message of the gospel. 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.019 Which either. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.539 Brings us to repent. 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.920 And believe. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.559 Or Jesus death. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.240 Leaves us cold. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.119 And unresponsive. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.759 So if this morning. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.399 You see who Jesus is. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.059 And you cast yourself. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.659 On him. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.420 Then I am entitled. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.279 To tell you. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.659 Your sins are forgiven. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:58.100 And if the person. 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.180 Sitting next to you. 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.400 Believes in Jesus. 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.560 And trusts in him. 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.779 You are entitled. 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.019 To say to that person. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.440 Your sins are forgiven. 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.640 If the person. 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.700 Sitting beside you. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.420 Over tea and coffee. 00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:10.759 Says I don't buy into this. 00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.480 Jesus stuff. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.480 It's not for me. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.600 You are entitled. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.340 To say to them. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.420 Your sins are not forgiven. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.060 And you know. 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:20.279 Things don't get much simpler. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.660 Than that. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.019 Do they? 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.620 As Jesus sent. 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.880 These first disciples. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.900 Into the world. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.420 With a message. 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.580 That whoever you are. 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.840 Whatever you've done. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.620 Whatever you're. 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.980 Wherever you're from. 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.220 You can have. 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:36.220 A fresh start. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.180 You can know. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.760 Full forgiveness. 00:23:40.060 --> 00:23:40.420 You can know. 00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:41.060 Free forgiveness. 00:23:42.520 --> 00:23:43.540 Because the God. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.420 You've rebelled against. 00:23:44.520 --> 00:23:45.180 And ignored. 00:23:45.320 --> 00:23:45.760 The God. 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.140 You've been at war with. 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.300 Has made peace. 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:51.400 Think what this must have been like. 00:23:51.540 --> 00:23:51.800 For Peter. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.220 The Lord. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.240 The Lord. 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:56.180 Whom he disowned. 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:57.480 And left to die. 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:59.100 Now standing in the same room. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.620 Bringing peace and forgiveness. 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:02.120 Imagine the joy. 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.640 The freedom. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.200 The peace. 00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.860 A new commission to fulfil. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:10.360 And many of us know. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.720 Don't we. 00:24:10.760 --> 00:24:11.200 This morning. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.780 We know what it's like. 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:14.020 To feel what Peter felt. 00:24:14.520 --> 00:24:15.000 Tears. 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.700 Of regret. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.620 And shame. 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.880 The kind of guilt. 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:19.680 Which weeps you. 00:24:19.760 --> 00:24:21.020 In the small hours of the morning. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.740 And the message of the resurrection. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.339 Is that. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.619 Whoever you are. 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:26.299 And whatever you have done. 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.779 And wherever you're from. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.259 And whoever you've offended. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.240 First and foremost. 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:33.319 Your offence was against God. 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.639 And God can forgive you. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.180 You can wipe the slate clean. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:43.559 And now I see the peace that Jesus offers. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.879 There is no need for guilt in my heart. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:50.240 There is no need for guilt in my heart. 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.680 Well finally and famously. 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:56.120 All of this is happening. 00:24:56.280 --> 00:24:57.260 One disciple is absent. 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.760 Isn't it? 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.640 Doubting Thomas. 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.760 But Jesus says. 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.940 There's no need for unbelief. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.500 There's no need for unbelief. 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:08.980 Thomas simply won't believe it. 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:12.380 He's heard what the others tell him. 00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:14.060 He's felt the excitement. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.180 He's heard the voices. 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:18.320 And as he can tell. 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.000 Something is happening. 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.560 But he says. 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.860 Unless I see the wounds. 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:22.759 And feel the flesh with my fingers. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.620 I will not believe. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.680 I will not believe it. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:28.120 Now I think this incident with Thomas. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.019 Is often misunderstood. 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:31.360 The interpretation goes like this. 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:33.500 We say Thomas wanted evidence. 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:36.039 Thomas wanted things to match up. 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:38.259 He wanted to check the facts. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:41.680 But when Thomas says in verse 29. 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:45.860 Have you believed because you've seen me. 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:49.299 Blessed are those who've not seen and yet have believed. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.420 Now people say. 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.920 What he's saying is that it's better to believe without evidence. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:56.259 Now that is often what we think. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.360 Thomas. 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.480 You'd be better off. 00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:00.460 Just close your eyes. 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:01.680 Take a blind leap of faith. 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:04.259 Blessed are those who just believe. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.759 But I don't think that's right at all. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:09.160 There is a rebuke for Thomas. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.640 Certainly. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.819 Stop doubting and believe. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.379 That is what Jesus is telling him. 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:14.700 Stop. 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.240 Stop doubting and believe. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:21.240 But notice Jesus graciously gives him the evidence he's looking for. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.019 Touch me. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.700 Feel me. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.299 Feel where the nails went in. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.980 But when Jesus says what he says in verse 9. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.500 He is saying. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:30.359 Thomas you've seen me and believed. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.859 But know now. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.940 This. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.839 Know this. 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:37.399 Generation after generation after generation. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:39.579 Are going to believe even though they've not seen. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.119 And that is wonderful. 00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:45.959 But they will not come to believe without evidence. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:50.419 Now they will not believe because they're taking a blind leap of faith. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.759 A step into the dark. 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.559 But because verse 31. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.859 Do you see it? 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.899 These are written so that you may believe. 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.179 They're written down as evidence. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.859 What was Thomas' problem? 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:04.500 Thomas' problem was not that he wanted evidence. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.099 It's not at all. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:09.880 His problem was that he would not accept the evidence of the apostles' testimony. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.940 Is that your problem? 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.859 Your problem is not that you want evidence. 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:17.619 But actually you will not believe the evidence of the apostles' testimony. 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:20.759 And blessed said Jesus. 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:26.319 Blessed is the man or woman in Ealing or in Africa or in Japan or in Asia. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:32.879 Blessed is the man or woman in the 18th century or the boy or girl in the 21st century or any other age. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.239 Blessed is the man. 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:37.059 Blessed is the person who believes the word. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.500 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.059 Holocaust. 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.059 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.559 ! 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:46.159 ! 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.159 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:49.159 ! ! 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.159 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.980 body revived 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.879 his heart started 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.500 working 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:14.559 and he left it to him 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:16.940 it really is 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.839 a very foreign concept 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.379 to get your head around and accept 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:22.919 if you are on the outside looking in on the Christian faith 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:24.940 you are not sure what to make of it 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:27.059 but can I assure you 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.519 of this 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:30.480 can I say to you, biblical Christianity 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.940 never ever encourages 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.799 you to believe something 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.740 that isn't true 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:39.079 Christians never ever 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.940 say let's pretend 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:44.980 I know he couldn't really have 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:47.299 risen from the dead but he's alive in my heart 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.680 it's nonsense 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.900 the Christian faith 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:53.319 never says take a blind leap of faith 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:55.140 jump and it will work 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.640 out 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:58.319 take a step into the dark 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:00.620 the only thing that happens if you step into the dark is going to hurt 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.440 isn't it 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:04.900 the Christian faith never says it will all work out alright 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.740 in the end just take a blind leap of faith 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.900 you know the Christian faith says look at the evidence 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.920 join up the dots 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.880 and it makes sense 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:15.720 there is no other believable explanation 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.740 test the evidence 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.400 check it out 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.120 see for yourself 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.940 and if you are a believer this morning 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.240 somebody who loves Jesus 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.620 you will know 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:26.740 you will know what it is to have doubts 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.740 from time to time 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:31.859 anybody who lives in the real world 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:33.759 and sees its sorrows 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:37.079 anyone who suffers and hurts 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.640 from time to time 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:42.059 aren't we left scratching our heads 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.700 wondering where is God 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:46.259 is he real 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:50.859 and sometimes it feels like this massive distance 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:52.519 between the world of the Bible 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:54.900 and the world in which I live 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:56.740 and it seems to be separated 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.180 by a huge gulf 00:29:58.180 --> 00:30:01.920 and it often leads us to say 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.320 is this really true 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:05.019 evil 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.360 suffering 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:08.600 natural disasters 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:10.600 predestination 00:30:10.600 --> 00:30:11.740 I don't know what the nature 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:13.320 of your personal doubts are 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:17.060 but I do know that 00:30:17.060 --> 00:30:19.400 they are often there for many of us 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:22.000 well what I have discovered 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.759 in my own life 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.140 is that 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.720 wherever they come 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.900 for whatever reason 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.880 they come 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:28.360 they always 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.080 each and every one 00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:31.440 every single time 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.420 collapse on the rock 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.060 of the resurrection 00:30:33.060 --> 00:30:34.259 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.860 from the dead 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:38.860 my doubt leaves 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:40.620 when I take it to the empty tomb 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:44.240 and as I look at the gospels 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.300 and I look at the evidence 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.660 as I weigh up the alternatives 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:48.800 I can give no other explanation 00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.740 for the empty tomb 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:52.140 which led to the transformation 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:54.360 of fearful and broken men 00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.540 into the greatest 00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:57.160 fastest growing missionary movement 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.080 the world has ever seen 00:30:58.080 --> 00:31:01.740 and if the resurrection is true 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:04.060 if Jesus really is who he said he is 00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:06.160 if he really did put his foot 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:07.380 on death's throat 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:08.519 and crush it 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:10.019 if he did that 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:13.220 then I can trust him 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:15.819 and you can trust him 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:17.279 in all the other areas 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.960 that you and I 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.960 are tempted to doubt 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:21.180 if he did that 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:23.660 if he is 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.960 who he says he is 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.480 I will bow my knee to him 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:29.299 and I will worship him 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:31.079 with the words of Thomas 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.799 in this chapter 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:34.519 and I will worship him 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.500 for the new world 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.339 that he begins 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:38.839 I will worship him 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.660 for the relationship 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.380 with the father 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:41.480 that he gives me 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:43.880 and I will worship him 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.440 for the guilt 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.839 that he washes away 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.539 forever 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:49.099 and that says John 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:50.759 is something to be believed 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:53.519 a king like that 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:56.400 a king like Jesus 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:59.500 well don't we want to say 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.680 this Thomas this morning 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:03.299 in verse 28 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:05.420 my lord 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:07.880 and my god 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:10.400 amen