WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 00:00:05.060 --> 00:00:07.600 The earth is filled with your love, O Lord. 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:09.259 Teach me your decrees. 00:00:10.279 --> 00:00:13.080 Do good to your servant according to your word, O Lord. 00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:18.140 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. 00:00:18.699 --> 00:00:23.519 Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word. 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:26.300 You are good, and what you do is good. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:28.060 Teach me your decrees. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:34.019 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 00:00:34.659 --> 00:00:38.799 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 00:00:39.479 --> 00:00:44.019 It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees. 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:50.219 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:01:00.979 And the second reading is John chapter 14, verses 1 to 17. 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:09.299 Do not let your hearts be troubled. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:10.719 Trust in God. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:12.519 Trust also in me. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:16.159 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:01:16.759 --> 00:01:19.159 If it were not so, I would have told you. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:22.659 I'm going there to prepare a place for you. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:28.780 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, 00:01:29.179 --> 00:01:32.719 that you also may be where I am. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:35.759 You know the way to the place where I am going. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:38.340 Thomas said to him, 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:42.099 Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way? 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:43.939 Jesus answered, 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:47.419 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:01:48.119 --> 00:01:51.019 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:01:51.479 --> 00:01:54.799 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. 00:01:55.419 --> 00:01:58.560 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:01:59.199 --> 00:01:59.919 Philip said, 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:03.879 Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. 00:02:04.679 --> 00:02:05.519 Jesus answered, 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:11.019 Don't you know me, Philip, even after I've been among you such a long time? 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:14.159 Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:17.340 How can you say, show us the Father? 00:02:18.040 --> 00:02:21.580 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:25.100 The words I say to you are not just my own. 00:02:25.660 --> 00:02:29.140 Rather, it is the Father living in me who is doing his work. 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:34.020 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:37.740 Or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 00:02:38.540 --> 00:02:39.980 I tell you the truth. 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:44.280 Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:49.339 He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. 00:02:49.959 --> 00:02:55.399 And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 00:02:56.039 --> 00:03:00.120 You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:03.419 If you love me, you will obey what I command. 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:09.359 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another counsellor to be with you forever. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:16.419 The spirit of truth, the world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. 00:03:16.799 --> 00:03:20.500 But you know him for he lives with you and he will be in you. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:31.939 Good evening everyone. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:33.340 Great to be here. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:38.759 Let me pray that God would help us understand his word tonight. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:44.639 Father God, we do pray for your spirit to be with us now. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:51.359 Your word says here in John that your spirit will come and lead us into all truth. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.779 And so we ask that you might do that for us now. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:59.659 Lord, you know the wrestle that has happened over this passage. 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:07.659 And so Lord, I pray that in spite of my inadequacies that you would pour out your spirit to help us to understand it. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:17.639 Bring us clarity as you promised you will by your spirit so that we might see the glory of Jesus and love him and love his word and seek to obey him. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:19.000 And we ask it for your sake. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:19.560 Amen. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:30.899 The departures level at an international airport is very different than the arrivals level. 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:42.040 In departures, if you've been there, you'll notice that there are tears, apprehension, uncertainty, even fear on some people's faces. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:50.500 But on the arrival level, there is joy and hugs and kisses and balloons and gifts and all sorts of other stuff like that. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:58.920 What I've noticed is on the departure level, just before you go through into customs where only those who hold tickets are allowed to go, 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:05.460 people tend to linger in that area, making it very frustrating for people like myself who just want to go through. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:09.939 People linger and there's just hugs and there's tears and the last sort of hugs. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:14.620 And we come back and we have another hug and it's like, oh, come on, you know, just get on with it. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:22.519 But it's particularly, in fact, last time I went there, there was customs guys shooing people out who decided they're going to follow their family in. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:30.420 It's particularly disappointing or heart-wrenching, I suppose, when you see children saying goodbye to mum or dad or someone like that 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:38.079 and just tears running down their face and they just can't go through that door and follow them through into the building. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:42.899 However, there's not the same kind of lingering at arrivals. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:46.399 You don't want to get to the doorway to walk out of customs. 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:52.539 Go, let's get a last glimpse of customs before I cruise on out into the arrival hall. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:56.079 It's like, no lingering, get my bag, you know, get out of the way, dogs. 00:05:56.299 --> 00:05:58.299 I just want to go straight through. 00:05:58.419 --> 00:06:02.279 No lingering, get straight to the people who are awaiting me at the other end. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:06.819 Well, I don't know, I'm assuming you've picked this up in the last couple of weeks, 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:12.279 but when we look into John 13 to 17 as we are at the moment, we are in the departure terminal. 00:06:12.659 --> 00:06:13.379 That's where we are. 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:19.399 Jesus is spending the last few hours with his disciples before his departure, 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:22.859 before he's arrested, his trial and his execution. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:26.979 And so the atmosphere in the large upper room is tense. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:28.219 It's unhappy. 00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:29.219 It's uncertain. 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:36.060 The news that Jesus was leaving was the worst possible news for the disciples. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:42.000 The thought of life without Jesus was almost too much for them to bear. 00:06:42.880 --> 00:06:48.540 Of course, the irony is on this night that it is Jesus who is about to go to the agony of the cross. 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:56.560 And as it says in chapter 13, verse 21, it is Jesus who is troubled in spirit in this moment. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:02.759 But on the night where it would have been appropriate for the disciples to comfort Jesus 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:07.480 and to give Jesus some kind of support, they can only see their loss. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.480 On the night that he's going to taste death on their behalf, 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:18.019 he speaks to their confused bewilderment, their fickle faith, their dim vision and their self-absorption. 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.600 He begins in verse 1, 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.580 Do not let your hearts be troubled. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:22.360 Trust in God. 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:24.360 Trust also in me. 00:07:25.900 --> 00:07:33.280 To demand untroubled hearts would be cruel and it would be empty advice 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:39.800 if Jesus hadn't also spoken on the basis of which such untroubled hearts could be accomplished. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:41.120 And he says it there. 00:07:41.200 --> 00:07:41.780 It's trust. 00:07:42.840 --> 00:07:44.280 He says, trust in God the Father. 00:07:44.400 --> 00:07:45.640 Trust in himself. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:48.060 Trust in God. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.159 Trust in me. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.139 Is what he says. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:54.860 And it is a massive claim. 00:07:56.919 --> 00:08:02.099 Jesus is saying something very significant about himself with that statement. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:06.199 But I suspect it has slipped right by the disciples. 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:11.259 And so what Jesus does is, in these first few verses of John 14, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:19.019 is he reviews some of his earlier teaching on who is Jesus for the slow learners, 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.740 which is basically all of them. 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:25.259 Which is quite comforting for people like me, that there are others out there as well. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:27.659 And so in verses 2 to 7, 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:33.259 Jesus lays out three great truths that must be believed 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:37.960 if the disciples have any comfort at all with the departure of Jesus. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:42.040 Three big truths about Jesus and what he will achieve. 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:46.680 So firstly, that Jesus isn't just simply going away, 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:51.420 but that his going away is to his Father's spacious house 00:08:51.420 --> 00:08:55.320 and in getting there to prepare a place for his disciples. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.160 So it says there, 00:08:56.300 --> 00:08:58.560 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:03.139 If it were not so, I would have told you I'm going there to prepare a place for you. 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:07.120 So that's a verse which, most often than not, 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:10.179 it's used in funerals to bring some sort of comfort. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.960 But the bottom line here of Jesus' assurance to the disciples 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:19.379 is that although he is returning to the Father, 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:23.379 he will one day be united with his disciples again 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:26.120 because he goes to prepare a place for them, 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:28.639 a permanent dwelling in the presence of God. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.139 Well, why does he need to do that? 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:36.799 Why does he need to clear off? 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:40.740 Why does he need to depart in order to go and do that? 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.919 I mean, at the beginning of John's Gospel, 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:46.019 it says that Jesus is God's agent in creation. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:49.439 He speaks and worlds come into existence. 00:09:50.939 --> 00:09:55.819 So why is it taking so long to fix up a few rooms? 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.879 Or maybe quite a few rooms. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:01.059 2,000 years at the moment. 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:05.759 The key is this. 00:10:06.479 --> 00:10:11.959 The departure of Jesus in John's Gospel is referred to a number of different ways, 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:13.579 but it all refers to one event. 00:10:14.579 --> 00:10:19.119 His return to his Father by way of the cross and resurrection. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:22.460 So Jesus is not saying, 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:27.240 I'm going back to the Father's house so that after I get there, 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:30.060 I'll be able to get some rooms ready for you, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:34.399 make up some beds and put out some flowers or whatever it might be. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:37.379 Instead, he's saying, 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:47.360 I'm returning to the Father's house in order that the very return may be the way I prepare the place. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:59.060 It is the way he departs which prepares the place for us in the Father's house. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:05.000 The rooms with God are prepared via the cross. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.659 That is the truth of his departure. 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.659 And if it is believed, 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:17.120 then their trust in God and in Jesus will triumph over doubts and troubled minds. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.019 That's the first thing they must believe. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:25.879 The faith of these first disciples will be stable and strong in proportion 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:29.200 as it rests in Jesus, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.220 as it does in God, 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:35.439 believing that Jesus' departure via the cross 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:38.159 was a return to the Father's presence, 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.000 a return to the Father's presence, 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:45.399 which has opened up the presence of God to them. 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:50.399 There's 12 guys sitting in a room with him. 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:53.700 11 now, actually. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:12:00.100 The faith of 21st century disciples of Jesus 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:04.140 will be stable and strong in proportion 00:12:04.140 --> 00:12:06.460 as it rests in Jesus, 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.720 as it does in God, 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:11.860 believing that Jesus' departure via the cross 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:14.379 was a return to the Father's presence, 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:18.840 a return that has opened up the presence of God for us. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.440 The second truth that must be believed 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:25.520 that the disciples have any comfort is in verse 3. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:28.940 And if I go to prepare a place for you, 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:31.180 I will come back and take you to be with me, 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:33.280 that you also may be where I am. 00:12:33.880 --> 00:12:35.360 So what the promise here is, 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:38.580 Jesus will return and he will fetch his own 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:39.920 and take them to be with him. 00:12:40.400 --> 00:12:42.500 It's an intensely personal promise. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:45.660 I am going to prepare a place for you. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:49.539 I will come back and take you to be with me, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:52.620 that you also will be where I am. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:59.340 What troubles the disciples here 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:01.399 is the sense of abandonment. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.159 But Jesus makes it clear that his departure 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:09.480 is the necessary preparation for them joining him. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:13.299 He assures them that they are not losing him, 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.440 they are in fact gaining him. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:18.000 He will come back and he will take them to be where he is. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.620 It is the supreme hope of the church. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.519 That Christ will come back 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.519 and he will take us to be with him. 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.860 But in waiting for him now, 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:33.700 we must never lose sight of the most blessed thing 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.379 about the second coming of Christ. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:38.320 It is to be with Christ. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:41.200 That's the best bit. 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:43.780 It is true that when Jesus comes back, 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.600 this world as we know it will wind up. 00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:46.700 History will end. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:49.280 Moral chaos and human rebellion will cease. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:52.240 It is true that the second coming of Christ 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.280 means that this world is not out of control. 00:13:54.520 --> 00:13:55.379 It has a future. 00:13:55.520 --> 00:13:56.160 It's heading somewhere. 00:13:56.260 --> 00:13:56.780 It has purpose. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.480 It has meaning. 00:13:59.260 --> 00:14:01.680 But the greatest thing about the second coming of Christ 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:04.240 is it means that we will be with Christ. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.680 We get Christ. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.940 We get Jesus, the presence of Jesus. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:11.440 It's not even that we get heaven per se. 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:15.960 It is not the arrival of final and decisive judgment. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:19.160 It is not the end of disease and sickness and pain. 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:24.120 It is Jesus to see him face to face. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:28.980 The third truth that must be believed 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.899 if the disciples did have any comfort with Jesus' departure 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.740 is in verse 4. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:35.460 You know the way to the place where I'm going. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.879 Thomas said to him, 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.399 Lord, we don't know where you're going, 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.720 so how can we know the way? 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.179 Jesus answered, 00:14:41.179 --> 00:15:03.799 The third comfort is that Jesus' disciples know the way to the place where he's going. 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:07.599 But apparently they don't. 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:13.759 You see, you're confused Thomas pipes in, 00:15:14.479 --> 00:15:16.299 although the others are probably thinking it, 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.120 in verse 5. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.279 Lord, we don't know where you're going, 00:15:20.859 --> 00:15:22.699 so how can we know the way? 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:26.420 There's something very attractive about this Thomas. 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:28.759 He doesn't bluff. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:31.280 He doesn't sort of sit back there and, you know, 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.879 rub his chin and nod wisely 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.600 as if he knows exactly what Jesus is saying 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:38.540 when he's got no idea what he's saying. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:44.399 But he's actually probably more ignorant than he thinks. 00:15:45.599 --> 00:15:46.839 Notice what he says here. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.019 Have a look at it. 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:48.659 Verse 5. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:53.719 We don't know where you are going, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.360 so how can we know the way? 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:02.819 Not only does he not know the way to the Father's presence, 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.659 but he's making the assumption 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:08.740 that the way that Jesus gets to the Father's presence 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:11.539 is the way that the disciples get to the Father's presence. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.699 If Jesus had gone that way, 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:18.179 then we would naturally just follow Jesus. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.459 And so Jesus, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:24.219 sensitive to Thomas' misunderstanding, 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:27.439 stops talking about his own departure 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.559 and way to the Father 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:32.819 and starts talking about the way Thomas 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:35.319 and the disciples must travel. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.539 Verse 6. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:39.439 I am the way 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:41.600 and the truth 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.000 and the life. 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.279 No one comes to the Father 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.339 except through me. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:48.500 The way of Jesus to the Father's presence 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.159 is via the cross 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:52.179 and the way of the disciples 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.439 to the Father's presence 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.459 is Jesus. 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.719 It's Jesus. 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.819 He is the way. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.920 He who was betrayed by an apostle, 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.279 disowned by another apostle, 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:06.299 abandoned by the rest of the apostles, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.960 condemned by lying witnesses. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.880 This Jesus is the truth. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.680 It's not just that he speaks truth, 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:14.100 but that he is truth. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.640 He is truth in bodily form 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.259 just as he was loving bodily form 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:21.860 and holiness in bodily form. 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.960 He unveils the truth of God. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:26.840 He reveals God to us. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:30.660 And he who died condemned 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.700 through his death 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:33.279 allows others to have life. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:35.920 The triple claim here is staggering. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.240 He is not saying that he is another way 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.620 to the Father's presence. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.460 He is saying he is the way 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.779 and the truth 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.100 and the life. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.160 There is no other option. 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:50.160 This is the answer to Thomas' question. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.460 He is the way. 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.100 Jesus is the way to the Father 00:17:53.100 --> 00:17:53.940 for the disciples. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.100 And with that statement, 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:58.480 we have now gone back to verse 1. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.220 Trust in God. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.120 Trust also in me. 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:10.960 Stable, serene, triumphant faith 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:15.180 between the first and second comings of Jesus 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:18.840 has Jesus as its object. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:29.940 But is that enough comfort for the disciples? 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.100 Great to know Jesus. 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.860 You're going to depart. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.600 You're going to open up a way. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.420 We're going to get to the Father's presence. 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:41.160 You're preparing some rooms for us. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.840 Fantastic. 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.559 But it all just seems so distant. 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.700 It seems so future. 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.920 What about now, Jesus? 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:50.380 The reality is we're still sitting in the departure lounge 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.759 and you're going to leave. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.759 You're still going. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.420 What about now? 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.560 Verse 16. 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:05.000 And I will ask the Father 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.860 and he will give you another counselor 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:09.620 to be with you forever. 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.160 The spirit of truth. 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:14.140 Jesus says to his grieving disciples, 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.779 I am going to the Father 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:18.300 and he will send you another counselor. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:20.580 Another, meaning literally, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.500 of the same kind. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:26.000 Doing just the work that Jesus was doing. 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:27.380 Just like Jesus. 00:19:28.540 --> 00:19:30.160 And according to verse 16, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.620 this other counselor 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:34.420 is going to come and be with them forever. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.480 This other counselor will not depart 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.740 like Jesus has departed. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:44.359 Is that not what you need 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.559 when you're feeling abandoned? 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.799 Is it not what you need? 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:50.579 Is this not a comfort to the disciples, 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.259 do you think? 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.980 A permanent counselor? 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.099 Any ideas? 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.759 The odd nod of a head would be great. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:05.240 Is this not what the disciples needed? 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:08.120 I don't think so. 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.599 I'll tell you why. 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:17.380 I'm standing at the door in the customs. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.859 I've got my ticket. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.140 Nat's got her ticket. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:23.559 And we say to Isabel and Phoebe, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:27.099 we're going away. 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.839 We're going away for a while. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:32.140 We just got some business we need to attend to. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.940 We'll sort it out. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.460 And when we come back at some point, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.660 we'll take you with us 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.480 and you'll come with us. 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.740 But we don't know when that will be, 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:40.279 but it'll be sometime in the future. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.740 What do you mean? 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.720 They're going to be staggered at that point. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.680 But don't worry. 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:53.680 We're going to... 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:56.380 We've already asked a relative 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.740 who you've never met before 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.080 to come in and look after you 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.820 until we're gone. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:01.879 Oh, fantastic. 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:04.779 Do you think that's great news for them? 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.799 They want... 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:10.339 Jesus is what they want. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.220 And so it's not a comfort 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:20.779 until you get verse 16 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.819 and you match it with verse 23 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:25.419 and the staggering implications. 00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:29.220 If anyone loves me, 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:31.019 he will obey my teaching. 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:33.379 My Father will love him 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.480 and we, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.079 Jesus and the Father, 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:39.000 will come to him 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.720 and make our home with him. 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:44.559 Notice the word home here. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.960 Let's just hone in on this. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.899 If you haven't got a Bible open, 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.119 you really need a Bible open. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.139 Seriously. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.980 And because I'm going to get to a point 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.640 later in the sermon, 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.280 you're going to feel guilty 00:21:52.280 --> 00:21:53.520 if you haven't got a Bible open right now. 00:21:56.780 --> 00:21:59.180 Notice the word home in verse 23. 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:02.300 It is a rare word in the New Testament. 00:22:03.780 --> 00:22:04.720 In fact, 00:22:05.020 --> 00:22:07.480 it is only used in one other place 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.320 in the New Testament. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:12.140 And it's used in verse 2 of John 14 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:15.060 where it is translated rooms. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:17.899 In verse 2, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.940 Jesus says that by going to the cross, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.599 he is preparing a room, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.299 a dwelling place with the Father. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.899 But in verse 23, 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.399 Jesus is saying 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:29.599 that he's going to prepare in us 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.319 a home, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.579 a dwelling place, 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:34.720 a room for him and his Father. 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.639 The departure of Jesus 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:39.859 to the Father via the cross 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.639 is going to prepare two things. 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:43.019 A room for us 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.119 with the Father and the Son 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.920 in heaven 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.379 in eternal bliss 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:49.259 and a room for the Father 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.980 and the Son 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.839 with us here 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.519 on earth 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.359 now. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:57.099 That 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.919 is good news. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:02.240 That is what they wanted to hear. 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:06.279 Not just a place with God 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.500 at some point in the future, 00:23:07.719 --> 00:23:08.319 good thing, 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:09.979 great thing to look forward to, 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.240 but a place for God 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.319 with us here 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.859 right now. 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:16.579 The coming of the Spirit 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:18.240 who will never leave 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.359 will unite 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:21.159 the Father and the Son 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:22.779 with the disciple. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:30.379 Jesus is 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.659 not distant. 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.519 His disciples 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:35.199 have not been abandoned. 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:38.240 I actually think 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.740 that Jesus 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.000 is saying here 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.740 to his bewildered disciples 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:44.219 when the Spirit comes 00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:45.199 it will in fact 00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:45.859 be better. 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.740 He actually says 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.619 before you're good 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.500 that I depart. 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.799 And I think he's saying 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.740 the reason is 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:53.000 because when the Spirit comes 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.940 it will be better. 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.500 It's not going to be as good 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.259 as when we get to heaven. 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.180 That's going to be fantastic. 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.980 But it's going to be better 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.559 than what it was 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.720 for the last three years. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.859 His presence 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.640 will be permanent 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.160 with us 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.940 is what he's saying. 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.019 And so how do we, 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.660 how does the Spirit do that? 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.480 How does the Spirit 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:16.720 connect us 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.540 so that we have 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:18.700 the presence of Christ 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.720 and the Father now? 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.279 Well, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.540 now that we know 00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.200 the way 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:28.500 to the Father's presence 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.080 is Jesus 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:30.279 and for the Father's presence 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.720 with us 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.320 is Jesus. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:35.759 we also need to remember 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.619 the Holy Spirit 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.279 has come 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.480 so that we will not forget 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.819 that Jesus is also the truth. 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:41.519 Verse 26, 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.259 the Counselor, 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:42.919 the Holy Spirit 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.460 and the Father 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.839 will send in my name 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.279 will teach you all things 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.839 and will remind you 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.339 of everything 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.179 I've said to you. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:50.039 The Spirit will teach 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.480 the disciples 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:53.240 referring specifically 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.579 to these 12 dudes, 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.179 11 dudes 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:55.879 sitting with Jesus 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.759 in his upper room 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.279 teach the disciples 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.980 all things 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.720 and remind them 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.299 of everything 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.099 that Jesus said. 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.059 See, 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.019 and this is fantastic 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.319 because up until this point 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.220 these blokes 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.720 have been 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:08.399 basically quite confused. 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.439 They have been 00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:10.039 characterized 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.419 by misunderstanding 00:25:11.419 --> 00:25:12.939 as to the person 00:25:12.939 --> 00:25:13.419 of Jesus. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.079 We even see it 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.759 at the beginning there 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.539 of John 14. 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.579 And all of this 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.419 is going to change 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:20.720 when the Spirit arrives. 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.519 That's one of the reasons 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.220 it's going to be better 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.019 when the Spirit comes 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:26.200 because there will be clarity 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.359 on the person of Jesus. 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.599 The Holy Spirit 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.200 will come 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.179 and will teach 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.220 from exactly 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.259 the same syllabus 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.039 that Jesus 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.080 has been teaching from. 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.120 He will, 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.620 as it says in verse 26, 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.860 remind them of 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:39.920 and take them back 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.100 to the teaching of Jesus. 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:43.080 The Spirit would ensure 00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:45.560 that these original disciples 00:25:45.560 --> 00:25:47.700 would not forget Jesus, 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:48.480 would ensure 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.940 that they have 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.160 absolute clarity 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.000 on Jesus, 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.000 on his life 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.660 and his commandments 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.480 and his teaching. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.539 salvation. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.099 Well, that's great for them 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.819 but what about us? 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.960 I mean, I wasn't there 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.839 when Jesus taught. 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.860 I didn't walk with Jesus 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.380 and eat with him 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.480 and listen to him 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.640 and 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:07.079 how do we know 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.319 the presence of Jesus now? 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.640 How can I get his comfort 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.519 while I wait for him 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.380 to return now? 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.520 Well, 00:26:17.520 --> 00:26:18.660 I think it's 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.000 verse 21 of 14, 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.820 Jesus says 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.480 that he will 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.520 show himself 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:25.600 and in chapter 17 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.220 verse 20, 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:27.720 Jesus prays this prayer. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.160 My prayer is not 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:30.980 for them alone, 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.620 talking about 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.760 his original disciples, 00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:34.540 the ones that are 00:26:34.540 --> 00:26:34.960 sitting there 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.840 in the room with him. 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:37.779 I pray also 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.799 for those 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.759 who will believe 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.619 in me 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.619 through 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.639 their 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.679 message. 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.699 Jesus 00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.879 reveals himself 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.519 to us 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.439 through 00:26:49.439 --> 00:26:50.339 their 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.019 message. 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.319 The same Holy Spirit 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.240 that helped them 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.299 to remember 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.879 Jesus 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.599 is the same Holy Spirit 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.220 that helps us 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.740 to see Jesus 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.159 in what they have 00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:00.480 written. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.579 We experience 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.199 the presence 00:27:03.199 --> 00:27:03.799 and the promise 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.439 and the comfort 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.179 and the truth 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.960 of Jesus 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:08.320 in what they 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.299 have written. 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.519 The Word of God. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.080 The Spirit 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.200 takes 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.539 the Word of God 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:20.240 and makes it 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.060 come alive. 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.500 That is one reason. 00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:27.380 In fact, 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:29.160 I would suggest 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:30.080 it's the main reason 00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:31.220 why we have 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.400 Christ-centered 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.380 Bible saturation 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.400 as one of our 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.160 core values. 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.299 Jesus. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.580 Why do I have 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:37.820 that? 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.940 Because I want 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.480 Jesus. 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.799 I want the 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.320 presence of 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:43.840 Jesus. 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:47.820 Preaching, 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:48.920 journaling, 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.600 quiet times, 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.460 Bible study, 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:51.860 whatever you want 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.320 to call it, 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.620 they are all 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.140 the backbone 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:55.279 of stable faith. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.279 Bible study. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.379 The Bible is our 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.440 standard of faith 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.099 and conduct 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.960 and leads us 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.740 to know Jesus 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.559 and see Jesus 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.279 and believe Jesus 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.379 and trust Jesus 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.420 and treasure Jesus 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.519 and experience 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.200 the presence 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.899 of Jesus. 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:09.680 you see, 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.620 we don't just gather 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.600 here week after 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.380 week just to have 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.860 the Bible 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.540 explained. 00:28:13.780 --> 00:28:14.280 It's not just about 00:28:14.280 --> 00:28:15.720 gathering knowledge. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.080 I mean, 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:16.900 I used to do that 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.620 for many years 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.160 of my ministry. 00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:18.660 I'd get up 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.220 and I'd pray, 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:19.800 Lord, 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.500 help me to explain 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.019 the Bible. 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.480 Well, 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.080 that's good, 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.140 but that's one step 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:23.660 back. 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.280 I mean, 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.820 you explain the Bible 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:26.560 so that you might 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.440 see Jesus. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.540 That's the point. 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.500 that's why you've 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.680 got to work hard 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.920 to explain it well 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.740 so that you might 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.019 see Jesus. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.960 Explaining, 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.819 it's not just the end. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.980 That's not the end of it. 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:45.279 The work of the Spirit 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.180 is not simply 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.740 the revelation 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:48.319 of truth to be known, 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.839 but that this clarity 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.639 might lead us 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:53.139 to something 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:56.319 so that we might 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.119 love Jesus 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:59.019 and treasure Jesus. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.119 And so, 00:29:02.239 --> 00:29:03.099 one of the clear marks 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.519 of the work 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.199 of the Spirit 00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:05.779 in a Christian's life 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.959 is that they do, 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:07.339 in fact, 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:08.119 love Jesus 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.519 and savour Jesus 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.659 and treasure Jesus 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:12.319 and how do we know 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.379 if we love Jesus? 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:15.839 Jesus, 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.419 in fact, 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.619 makes it four times, 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:17.959 he says, 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.979 it makes it very clear 00:29:18.979 --> 00:29:19.859 in John 14 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:21.059 what it means 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.819 to love him. 00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.579 How do we know 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.479 that we love him? 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.979 Verse 15, 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.699 if you love me, 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.180 you will obey 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.059 what I command. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.299 Verse 21, 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.519 whoever has my commands 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.319 and obeys them, 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.360 he is the one 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.019 who loves me. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.240 Verse 23, 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.120 if anyone loves me, 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.299 he will obey my teaching. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.720 Verse 24, 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.200 he who does not love me 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.940 will not obey 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.819 my teaching. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.559 The test 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.700 of authentic love 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.559 of Christ 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.380 and the clear evidence 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.440 that you are united 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.640 with Christ 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.580 by the Spirit 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:52.119 is whether you obey 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.720 his commands 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.379 and his teaching. 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.619 The possibility 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:59.019 here for these disciples 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.879 of the abandonment 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.339 of Jesus 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.519 was just shocking 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.019 for them. 00:30:03.419 --> 00:30:04.059 He speaks 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.019 to their confused 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.619 bewilderment, 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:06.399 their fickle faith, 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.019 their dim vision, 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:08.000 their self-absorption 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:10.319 and how does he 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.279 deal 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.200 with 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:15.119 their great concern 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:16.339 that Jesus 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.180 is departing? 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.240 By focusing 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.839 the attention 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.440 on himself. 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.720 He doesn't say, 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.420 okay guys, 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.119 I'm going, 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.420 but I'm going to send 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.079 a counselor, 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.180 he'll take care of you, 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.200 he'll sort of like 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.140 sort things out 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.319 until I come back again. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.240 He's going to be 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.900 my proxy. 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:36.160 that's not the comfort. 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:42.080 And it's not 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:42.600 some sort of 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.500 cheap comfort, 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.060 a simple slap 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.560 on the back 00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:46.320 and a quick hug 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.580 and a nice little 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:48.660 card or a casserole 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.840 for them to take home. 00:30:51.280 --> 00:30:52.080 Comfort for the 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:53.180 disciples here 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:55.680 is intensely 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.440 focused on the 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.220 person of Jesus. 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.700 And the Spirit 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.400 will come 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.519 to make sure 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.500 the spotlight 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.180 stays on the way, 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.160 the truth 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:07.039 and the life. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.960 And so if you are 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.339 a struggling disciple 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.119 right now, 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.980 I want you to know 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.359 that there are 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.160 no quick fixes, 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.839 no shortcuts, 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.799 no techniques, 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.279 no extra spiritual 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.740 blessing 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.039 that will make you 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.619 stable, 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.519 that will make you 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.579 comforted 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.839 as a disciple 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.539 of Jesus 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.859 while you wait 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.619 for him to come. 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:33.059 you want to know 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:34.099 Jesus, 00:31:34.219 --> 00:31:34.799 you want to love 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:34.979 him, 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.319 you want to 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:35.879 treasure him, 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.539 you want to 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.379 experience 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.439 the presence 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.319 of Christ, 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:43.939 you'll find it 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.399 in the scriptures. 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.479 The Spirit 00:31:47.479 --> 00:31:48.039 of God 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.500 will make 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.279 those words 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:50.859 on pages 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.459 come alive 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.140 and you 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.880 will see 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:54.840 Christ. 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.299 That's the work 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.819 of the Spirit, 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.860 one of the works 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.319 of the Spirit. 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.259 There are no 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.819 quick fixes, 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.660 just the earnest 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.700 discipline searching 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.200 the scriptures 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.120 in the power of 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.640 the Spirit 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.819 to see Christ, 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.120 to know his 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.000 presence and his 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.380 comfort. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.440 I work hard 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:15.299 not just to do 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.360 Bible study, 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:20.079 I work hard 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:21.079 to commune 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:22.039 with Christ 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:24.939 in the scriptures, 00:32:25.459 --> 00:32:27.919 to commune 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.879 with Christ 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:30.439 in the scriptures. 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.979 It's a real shame 00:32:35.979 --> 00:32:36.659 that he's very 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.699 hard to understand 00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.240 but it would all 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.259 do us very well 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.039 to read John 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.359 Owen. 00:32:41.659 --> 00:32:42.719 He's incredibly 00:32:42.719 --> 00:32:43.279 difficult to 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.719 understand 00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:44.979 but it would do 00:32:44.979 --> 00:32:45.619 us very well 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.699 to read 00:32:46.699 --> 00:32:47.419 John Owen's 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:48.039 communion with 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.299 God. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:55.159 If we are not 00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:56.079 consistently 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:57.019 searching the 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.839 scriptures for 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.419 communion with 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.839 God, 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:01.119 then our 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.419 faith will 00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:02.939 be fickle, 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.119 we will be 00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:04.819 disillusioned, 00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.319 discouraged, 00:33:05.459 --> 00:33:05.859 we will feel 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.619 abandoned by 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.019 God 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.519 regularly. 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.119 And so it's 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.779 a great concern 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.279 for me that 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.299 over 70% of 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.000 Christians don't 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.579 see the Bible 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.439 as crucial for 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.100 their faith. 00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.660 They don't see 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.440 the Bible as 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:20.980 crucial for 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.640 their faith. 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.080 In the 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.640 struggles and 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.180 the battles of 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.640 living in this 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.100 world as 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:27.559 followers of 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.200 Christ, we 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.580 are not 00:33:28.580 --> 00:33:28.960 alone. 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.059 Jesus is 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.840 with us 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:33.120 and the 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.940 Spirit is 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.820 helping us to 00:33:34.820 --> 00:33:35.820 see Jesus in 00:33:35.820 --> 00:33:36.299 the scriptures 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:36.820 and if you're 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.480 not reading the 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.120 scriptures, you're 00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:38.559 not seeing 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.019 Jesus. 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.320 You won't 00:33:40.320 --> 00:33:40.720 find him 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.420 somewhere else. 00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:43.420 God, I 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:43.660 want to 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.519 see the 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:44.920 truth. 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.580 He is the 00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:47.519 truth and he is 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.480 the life and the 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.220 Holy Spirit makes 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.900 sure that we know 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:51.560 it, that we know 00:33:51.560 --> 00:33:52.500 Jesus and see Jesus and 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:52.539 that we experience his 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.340 presence and his 00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:53.740 comfort. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:54.759 He has not 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.600 abandoned us. 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.400 If you are fickle, 00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.880 you're struggling in 00:33:58.880 --> 00:33:59.800 your faith, pick up 00:33:59.800 --> 00:34:01.779 your Bible and read it 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:03.900 and ask God, the 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:05.660 Spirit, to bring 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:07.160 illumination that you 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:08.260 might see the glory of 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:09.060 God in the face of 00:34:09.060 --> 00:34:09.400 Christ. 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.240 Let's pray. 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:12.380 Father God, pour out 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.200 your Spirit upon your 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:15.440 people here, we pray, so 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.240 that when we come to 00:34:16.240 --> 00:34:17.380 your word, it's not 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.720 just an intellectual 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:20.040 exercise of just 00:34:20.040 --> 00:34:21.480 wanting to 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:24.540 understand a book. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.920 God forbid that we 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.820 would stop there. 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.400 Father, we pray that we 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.720 would earnestly study 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:34.340 your word, not just to 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:35.460 simply gain knowledge, 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:36.900 but to commune with 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.180 you. 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:40.200 Father, give us, I 00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:42.040 pray, mercifully give 00:34:42.040 --> 00:34:43.860 us a glimpse of what, 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.080 give us a taste of what 00:34:45.080 --> 00:34:46.900 that's like in such a 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.720 way that we would 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:49.060 desire not just a taste, 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:50.680 but to desire to feast 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.820 on you and your word, 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:53.160 that we might see the 00:34:53.160 --> 00:34:54.500 glory of you in the 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.200 face of Christ. 00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.380 And we ask it for your 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:56.640 sake. 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.280 Amen.