WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.140 Turn your Bibles this morning to John chapter 19, beginning there in verse 38. 00:00:10.279 --> 00:00:29.980 ! After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:40.439 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds in weight. 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:49.380 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloth and with spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:58.560 Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been lain. 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:11.299 So because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:13.759 Let's pray. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:22.159 Father God, this morning as we take the Scriptures in hand, we are mindful 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:28.519 that what we have in front of us, that which we read, 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:36.420 that's which we rely upon, is the very words that you have chosen to reveal yourself to us, 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:43.760 to help us understand the glory of your salvation, 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:53.120 to help us gain a better affection and deeper appreciation for our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:53.120 --> 00:02:02.740 to help us have confidence in the life that you've called us to live as children of the Heavenly Father, 00:02:03.800 --> 00:02:08.420 to give us courage and faith that we, 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:11.259 growing from glory to glory, 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:14.319 through the working of your Spirit and the Word, 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:17.960 may become more like Jesus today 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:20.200 and in the days that follow. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:25.900 And we pray that you would give me your strength to speak 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:27.680 as an oracle of God 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:30.439 and that your people would receive the Word with gladness 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:33.659 and that the Spirit of God would bear fruit 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:35.500 in the lives of those that are here today 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:36.840 that know Christ 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:40.580 and that those that are here today 00:02:40.580 --> 00:02:42.420 that do not know the Lord Jesus, 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:45.600 that today, by the power of the Spirit of God, 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.099 would be drawn to the cross to understand 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:50.799 there is no hope and no salvation apart 00:02:50.799 --> 00:02:53.900 from our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.579 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:57.400 Amen. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:03.219 Let me start our passage this morning 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:09.079 by reminding you of the reason that I generally begin by reading Scripture. 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:15.740 It's not something that I was coached, per se, to do in seminary, 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:20.060 and it is not something that the deacons have appointed and said, 00:03:20.160 --> 00:03:21.960 Pastor, whatever you do when you get started, 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:23.760 please read the passage of Scripture, 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:25.540 and I want to be careful that I communicate 00:03:25.540 --> 00:03:28.520 that it's not the necessary and automatic way 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:30.920 that every pastor should always begin a sermon. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:32.080 But for Tim Knoyer, 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:35.160 I like to remind you from the very beginning 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.439 that the thing that has put me here 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:38.859 and has put you here 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:40.780 is the Word of God 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:42.400 that is infallible 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:43.939 and absolutely reliable 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:44.900 and sufficient, 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:47.539 and that the starting point 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:49.359 and the center point of our attention 00:03:49.359 --> 00:03:52.800 is what God has chosen to reveal to us. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:56.139 In relationship to that, 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:59.099 I began reading in John chapter 19, 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:00.319 but I want you to turn over 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:02.719 to John chapter 20, verse 31 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:05.180 to frame another little piece here 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:09.859 as we get into a reasonably complex passage. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:13.719 John chapter 20, verse 31 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:15.979 tells us why this is written. 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:18.839 Incidentally, if you don't have a Bible, 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:20.560 there's one in the pew 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:22.899 or there's one in the chair by you, 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:24.420 and we have those there 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:26.180 so that you can follow along. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:29.740 It helps to actually look at the text. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:32.639 So grab a Bible 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:34.279 if you don't have one 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:36.339 and at least go through the exercise 00:04:36.339 --> 00:04:39.000 of allowing that Word 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.899 to interact with your thinking. 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:44.019 John chapter 20, verse 31, 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:45.600 but these things are written 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:48.319 so that you may believe 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:50.199 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:51.199 the Son of God, 00:04:51.339 --> 00:04:52.399 and that by believing 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:54.120 you may have life in His name. 00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:59.920 I remember reading at one point 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:01.580 and I'm not positive 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:02.699 of the one who said it. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:04.640 I think it was Zane Gray. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:07.939 Someone asked him 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:10.319 at one of his, you know, 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:12.100 author conferences type of things. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:12.600 They said, 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:15.300 so why does it take the hero 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:18.560 five shots to kill any man? 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:21.060 And Zane Gray, 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.300 the author that he was, 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:24.340 who wrote just a number of Westerns 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:26.080 and pretty well redundant 00:05:26.080 --> 00:05:26.939 in every one of them, 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:27.779 he said, 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:28.839 well, because I get paid 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:29.920 five cents a word. 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.399 Do the math. 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:36.219 One bullet's five cents. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:38.439 Five bullets is always better. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:40.680 And I bring that to your attention 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:42.019 because when you look 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:42.779 at the Word of God, 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:44.480 you are not looking at a document 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:46.220 and you're not looking at words 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:47.500 that were just put down 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:48.839 either for entertainment 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:52.079 or for some kind of economic value. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:53.300 They are given to us 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:54.740 that you and I 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:56.979 might be transformed 00:05:56.979 --> 00:05:59.439 by the power of the Word of God. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:03.000 I think about 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18, 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:03.839 where it says, 00:06:03.979 --> 00:06:06.139 we are changed from glory into glory. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:07.719 And namely, that happens 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:09.779 as we see the Lord Jesus Christ 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:10.519 in the Scriptures 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:12.659 and growing to understand Him 00:06:12.659 --> 00:06:14.019 and His love for us 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:14.719 and His wisdom, 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:16.939 we are slowly being transformed 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.120 to be like Him. 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:21.439 And so, this morning 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.920 as you take John chapter 19 in hand, 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:27.160 we are looking at a passage 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:29.720 that if you were just skimming along 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:30.680 and speed reading, 00:06:31.060 --> 00:06:32.780 you probably would step over 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:34.899 and not think very much about. 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:39.340 To amplify that characteristic, 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:40.459 I want you to recognize 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:41.500 that if you were to take 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:43.759 all of John chapter 19 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:46.120 and think carefully about 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:48.000 how much of John 19 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.639 actually has to do 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:51.720 with the physical suffering of Christ 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:53.439 in His crucifixion, 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.000 you would be stunned 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:56.439 to recognize 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:59.939 John 19 has very little to say 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.079 about His suffering. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.420 Far more attention 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:06.420 is given actually 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:09.519 to the related materials 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:11.120 surrounding Christ's crucifixion 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:12.860 and the effect 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:14.579 that what was taking place 00:07:14.579 --> 00:07:15.659 had on those 00:07:15.659 --> 00:07:17.039 who were watching it 00:07:17.039 --> 00:07:19.719 and were witnesses to it. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.279 And so, this morning 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.479 as you look at this passage, 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:24.699 we are actually looking 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:27.099 at the very concluding moments 00:07:27.099 --> 00:07:29.120 of that evening on Friday 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.759 when Christ actually died. 00:07:31.039 --> 00:07:32.379 You remember up in verse 30 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:33.699 when Jesus had received 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:34.599 the sour wine, 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:35.180 He said, 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:36.139 it is finished 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:37.339 and He bowed His head 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:38.279 and gave up His spirit. 00:07:39.659 --> 00:07:41.419 Now, what we are dealing with here 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:43.560 in verse 38 through 42 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.980 is further information 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.220 that the Holy Spirit 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:49.100 has chosen to give to us 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:50.840 and to inform us 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:52.680 about the nature of our Savior 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:54.439 and the phenomenal work 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:56.000 of His grace in saving us. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.620 So, I want you, 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.740 as you look at this passage, 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:00.220 to recognize, first of all, 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.580 that what we find here 00:08:01.580 --> 00:08:03.580 is Christ's power to change men. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.980 Christ's power to change men. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.600 As we take up the text, 00:08:08.220 --> 00:08:10.379 we can't miss some of the detail 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.660 that John provides. 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:13.300 We're given the names 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:14.120 of two men 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:16.120 who willingly risked 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.180 their reputations 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.000 and their standing 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.040 in the Jewish community 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:21.200 to show an exceptional care 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:22.040 for the body 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:22.819 of our Lord Jesus. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.000 Generally, the bodies 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:25.700 of individuals 00:08:25.700 --> 00:08:26.520 who were crucified 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:27.600 were treated 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:28.900 several different ways 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:31.180 in Roman law 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:33.139 or Roman discipline. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.940 Individuals that were crucified 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:37.340 for some relatively 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.560 common crime 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:39.840 could be expected 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.120 to be taken off the cross 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:41.880 after they'd suffered 00:08:41.880 --> 00:08:42.320 and died 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:43.340 however long it took 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.880 and they would be thrown 00:08:44.880 --> 00:08:45.900 in a common grave, 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.240 you know, 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:47.600 kind of a hole in the ground 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:48.260 and that's where 00:08:48.260 --> 00:08:50.420 irrelevant pieces of trash 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:50.980 in the bodies 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:51.920 of criminals went. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.940 Individuals that were 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:56.060 actually executed 00:08:56.060 --> 00:08:56.880 for sedition 00:08:56.880 --> 00:08:57.820 or rebellion 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:58.940 against the Roman government 00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.420 were treated 00:08:59.420 --> 00:09:00.980 a completely different way. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.280 They were dragged out 00:09:03.280 --> 00:09:04.340 unceremoniously 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.560 into a field 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.919 and left there 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:08.219 to be consumed 00:09:08.219 --> 00:09:09.099 by vultures 00:09:09.099 --> 00:09:10.039 and jackals. 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:11.899 And if you were 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.939 to think with me 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:13.659 just for a moment 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.899 back through the Old Testament, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:15.500 you'll remember 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:17.500 one of the despicable 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.579 treatments of a body, 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:19.799 God wants us to treat 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:20.639 the dead 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.239 with a certain amount 00:09:21.239 --> 00:09:21.839 of decorum 00:09:21.839 --> 00:09:23.079 and one of the despicable 00:09:23.079 --> 00:09:24.199 treatments of those 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:25.659 who died exceptionally 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.879 bad deaths, 00:09:27.119 --> 00:09:28.059 disobedient, etc. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.559 Remember it says this, 00:09:29.619 --> 00:09:31.019 the son who is disobedient 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.919 and rebellious 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:32.699 against his father, 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:33.399 what will happen? 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.719 The vulture will pick out, 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.000 the eagle will pick out 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.459 his eye, 00:09:37.579 --> 00:09:38.299 an indication 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:39.279 he's going to die 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.299 a pretty tough death. 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:42.860 And so those who died 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:43.959 as criminals 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:45.379 treated one way, 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:46.579 those who died 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.959 as rebels 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:49.339 were treated another way. 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:50.939 And so you find here, 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:53.779 here are two Jewish individuals 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:55.019 who come to Pilate 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:57.360 and they ask for a favor. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.220 Remember earlier 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:02.519 when the Sanhedrin, 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.300 the high priest, 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.680 came to ask 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:06.000 that Jesus be crucified, 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.519 they wouldn't come in. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:08.820 Why would they not come in? 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:09.720 They didn't want 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.720 to violate themselves 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.039 and not be able 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:12.860 to have the Passover. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:13.980 And so here are 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.320 Nicodemus and Joseph 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:16.019 actually coming 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.320 into Pilate's presence 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.659 and they're asking 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:19.840 for the privilege 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:21.899 of burying Jesus 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:23.320 and caring for his body 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:23.899 properly. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.800 I would imagine 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:27.080 that if you had asked 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:30.060 the Sanhedrin, 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.240 the high priests, 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.040 if they were approving 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:33.920 in any way 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.420 of this level of respect 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:36.480 that was being shown 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.220 to the man 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.660 they so vilely hated, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.940 they would have objected 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:40.620 very strongly. 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:40.900 Remember, 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.980 they wanted him crucified 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.660 as a rebel 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:45.320 and they also really 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:46.020 were upset 00:10:46.020 --> 00:10:47.700 when Pilate put 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.420 what sign over 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:49.240 the head of Jesus? 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:50.800 King of the Jews. 00:10:50.900 --> 00:10:51.180 They said, 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.580 don't do that. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:54.340 Just say he thought 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:54.860 he was the king 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:55.480 of the Jews. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:57.159 They hated him 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.320 and the idea 00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:59.399 of Jesus being shown 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.879 any respect whatever 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.779 must have been 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:03.279 highly offensive to them. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:04.960 So, imagine 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.639 and understand 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.039 that against the backdrop 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:07.779 of the hatred 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:08.460 of the Jews, 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.460 two men 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.860 of exceptional rank 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:13.340 came to bury Jesus. 00:11:15.420 --> 00:11:16.860 Joseph of Arimathea 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.840 came directly 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:18.460 to Pilate 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.700 into his presence 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:21.320 and asked for permission 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:22.159 to remove 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:23.300 Jesus' body. 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:25.079 We know also 00:11:25.079 --> 00:11:25.859 from the text 00:11:25.859 --> 00:11:26.599 here in John 00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:27.819 that Nicodemus 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:29.159 was involved as well. 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:30.099 So, let's stop 00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:30.939 and think just a little bit 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:31.979 more about these two men, 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.759 Joseph and Nicodemus. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:35.259 For one, 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.539 we know from the 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.500 Synoptic Gospels 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.500 and will not turn there 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.099 this morning, 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.099 but we do know 00:11:40.099 --> 00:11:41.319 from the Synoptics 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:43.339 that both of these members, 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:43.959 these men, 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:44.500 were members 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.459 of the Sanhedrin. 00:11:45.859 --> 00:11:46.899 They were the actual, 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:49.539 kind of like the court 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:51.139 of Israel 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:52.039 and involved 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.240 in making significant 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.679 religious 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:55.199 and practical 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.179 political decisions 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:57.279 that were outside 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.120 the venue 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.159 of the government 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:00.620 of Rome. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.259 We also know 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:02.819 previously 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:03.599 that Joseph 00:12:03.599 --> 00:12:04.939 and Nicodemus 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.000 had been unwilling 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.980 earlier 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:08.439 to stand up 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:09.919 and let their faith 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.559 and relationship 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.659 with Christ be known. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:13.279 The text here 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.539 in John chapter 19, 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:15.139 and look at it 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.819 just for a moment, 00:12:16.459 --> 00:12:17.279 it says this, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.139 Joseph of Arimathea 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:20.600 was a disciple of Jesus 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.439 but secretly 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:23.039 for fear of the Jews. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:25.000 He had believed 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.740 to a degree, 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:27.939 but he had not been willing 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:29.399 to make his faith 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.319 known publicly 00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:31.620 and take a stand 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.980 for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:35.120 Remember what Jesus said? 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.480 You who will not 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.959 take a stand for me publicly, 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.139 I will not take a stand 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.620 for you. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.179 And here were individuals 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.919 who had been drawn to Christ, 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:43.939 were interested in Christ, 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:44.579 oh man, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.439 he's pretty spectacular, 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:46.839 but they'd not been willing 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.899 to make a public stand 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.580 at this point. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.420 Now we also know 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:51.259 about Nicodemus 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.879 and we find there 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.560 in the passage, 00:12:53.540 --> 00:12:54.840 Nicodemus in verse 39, 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:55.840 who earlier had come 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.960 to Jesus by night. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.460 Here was a man, 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.139 interested, 00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:02.639 knew he was a prophet, 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.440 knew that Jesus 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.440 was somebody special, 00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:05.340 but again, 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.700 he really didn't get, 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.080 did not understand 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.340 who Christ was 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.379 or what he had come for. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.540 And so now here we have, 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:13.840 at the end, 00:13:14.040 --> 00:13:14.879 after the cross, 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.720 after Jesus' death, 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.060 anyway, 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.860 we have Joseph 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.740 and Nicodemus 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.980 both coming boldly 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.639 and publicly 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.800 to Pilate 00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:24.639 and asking for the privilege 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.600 of giving honor 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.160 to the body 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:26.960 of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:27.779 What had happened? 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.560 I think it's important 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.600 for us to ask that question. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:32.100 What brought the change? 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.720 Now I do want you 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.259 to recognize, 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.259 and it's fair to say, 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.120 that we have no 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.519 clear indication, 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.019 ah, 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.120 that Nicodemus 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.500 and Joseph specifically 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.180 in the construct 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.899 of the cross 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.639 had come to faith, 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.960 but it would seem 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.139 that at one time 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.120 they had been afraid, 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:48.240 we do know that, 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:49.100 they'd been afraid 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.360 to take a stand for Christ, 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.440 now they were ready 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.100 to do it. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.960 They were no longer 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.580 intimidated 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.080 by the thought 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.660 of being thrown 00:13:56.660 --> 00:13:59.780 out of the synagogue. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.360 They were no longer 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.139 afraid of what 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.160 other people thought 00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:04.259 about their readiness 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.360 to be identified 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.740 with the Lord Jesus. 00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:07.340 You remember, 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.700 when Jesus healed 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.340 the blind man, 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:10.259 they brought the parents 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:11.420 in and said, 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.299 so what happened? 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.360 And they were afraid 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.759 to bear any kind 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.279 of testimony 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.620 because they knew 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.959 that the Jews 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:18.360 had said, 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.779 if you will confess Christ, 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:20.439 you'll take a stand 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:20.740 for Him, 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.579 we're going to kick you 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.439 out of the synagogue. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:25.319 We'll disfellowship you. 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:26.959 And so how 00:14:26.959 --> 00:14:28.799 do these two men 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.759 come to this point 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.659 of making this 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.839 significant change? 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:32.959 Well, 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:33.860 it is evident 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.639 as you look 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.339 at the text 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:36.659 that the death 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.179 of Christ 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.439 had had some 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:39.279 kind of effect 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.600 on these two 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.039 high-ranking individuals. 00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:43.679 And I would propose 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:44.759 that it was only 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.559 faith in Christ 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.079 that could have 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:46.740 drawn them out 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.399 of the shadows 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.480 where they had been 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.579 kind of hiding 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:50.740 and interested 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.779 and curious 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.100 and respectful. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.319 Now they were ready 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:55.059 to step out 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.399 and boldly make a stand 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.839 and indicate their faith 00:14:57.839 --> 00:14:58.439 and confidence 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.240 in the Lord Jesus. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:00.879 They had come 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.439 to the place 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.480 where they were 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.360 willing to risk 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.559 all they had 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.860 for Christ. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.740 I want you 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.679 to recognize this 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.620 as you think about this. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.719 Faith actually 00:15:10.719 --> 00:15:11.699 brings change 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.779 to a person's life. 00:15:12.839 --> 00:15:13.539 Do you understand that? 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.899 Faith brings 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.039 genuine change 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.279 to a person's life. 00:15:17.579 --> 00:15:18.159 And one of the things 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.899 that is important 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.719 for me to draw 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:20.399 to your attention, 00:15:20.859 --> 00:15:21.779 particularly in a fellowship 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.359 like this, 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.279 where there are some 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.479 of you that have grown up 00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:25.639 learning the vocabulary, 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.000 hearing the Bible stories, 00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.259 knowing all about 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.699 the facts of Jesus, 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.099 but you've never 00:15:32.099 --> 00:15:33.319 really come to the place 00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:35.500 where the grace of God 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.079 and the power 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:36.639 of the cross 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.980 has drawn you 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.860 from darkness 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.819 into light 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.059 and your life 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:42.100 has been radically 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:44.319 and forever changed 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.439 by the power 00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:46.460 of salvation. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.340 Paul said this 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.419 in Romans chapter 1, 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.519 I am not ashamed 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.199 of the gospel. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.639 Why? 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.960 Because it is the power 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.439 of God unto salvation. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.819 And I think we need 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.399 to recognize 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.980 that those who trust 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.759 in Christ, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.399 those who trust 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:00.939 in Jesus, 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.480 begin to think differently 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.299 and act differently. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.059 It's a fact. 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:07.199 You look back earlier 00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:10.199 and Jesus made the statement 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:11.239 in John chapter 12, 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:11.819 verse 32, 00:16:11.979 --> 00:16:12.199 He said, 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:12.899 and I, 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.839 if I be lifted up 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:14.399 from the earth, 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.719 I will draw all men 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.339 to myself. 00:16:16.479 --> 00:16:17.099 And the result 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:18.299 of being drawn to Christ 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.839 is that your life 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:21.079 ends up being different 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:22.119 than it was before. 00:16:22.859 --> 00:16:23.500 I want you to think 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.399 with me just for a moment 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.219 to another passage 00:16:25.219 --> 00:16:26.699 in relationship to this. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.939 And I can't help 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.939 but kind of tag along 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.659 with what John 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.819 was referring to earlier. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.239 Turn in your Bibles 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.980 to 2 Corinthians 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.860 chapter 5, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.560 verse 17. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.200 Let's look at this passage. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.080 Turn in your Bible 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.320 to John chapter 5, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:40.899 verse 17. 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:42.000 Put your finger 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.080 on it. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.060 Therefore, 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:48.299 if anyone 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.600 is in Christ, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.740 he is a 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:52.259 new creation. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.680 The old 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.539 has passed away, 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:54.980 behold, 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.039 the new has come. 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.279 If any man 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:58.919 be in Christ, 00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.700 he is a 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.680 different 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.539 person. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:02.960 You're different. 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.680 You have 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.940 different affections. 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.279 You have 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.240 different abilities. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.000 You have 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.000 different interests. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.000 There is 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.000 a significant 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.799 change 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.720 in the life 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.220 of those 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.099 that have been 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.380 genuinely converted. 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.559 And as you look 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.279 at the life 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.819 of Joseph 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.620 and Nicodemus, 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.519 you see two 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.039 illustrations 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.819 of individuals 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.640 who in the 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.599 proximity of the 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:22.920 cross 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.900 had their lives 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.500 changed 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.380 by Christ. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.039 Let me remind you 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.519 of one other 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.500 before we move on. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.859 You remember 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.880 the thief on the cross? 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.480 There he hung 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.039 with Jesus, 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.920 actually one thief 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.620 on one side 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.420 and another 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.019 on the other. 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:36.079 And at the outset, 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.059 both of those thieves 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.240 speaking ill of Christ 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.839 and later, 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.680 one of them 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.579 comes to faith. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.839 He rebukes 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:45.860 the companion 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.860 on the other side 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.319 of Jesus 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.839 and says, 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.140 listen, 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.960 we're suffering 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.180 justly for what 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.620 we've done. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.599 And this man 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.279 between us, 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.640 he is not suffering 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.279 as a criminal. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.039 He's not suffering 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.160 for anything he's done. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.339 And he says, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.680 remember me 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.140 when you come 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.700 into your kingdom. 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.380 And what does Jesus 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:00.980 say to him? 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.420 This day, 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.160 those are sweet words, 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:04.519 aren't they? 00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:05.460 This day, 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.779 you will be with me 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.460 in paradise. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.600 I tell you, 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.460 that was an encouraging 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.600 word for the man 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.240 that he was suffering 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.440 there. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.460 You are going 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.480 to be with me. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.140 So, 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.299 I ask you a practical 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.220 question as you think 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.819 about the issue 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.860 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.460 in this moment 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.059 of his death. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.200 Do you see 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.980 the changes 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.799 of salvation 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:25.120 in your life 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.759 as well? 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.380 That's a practical 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:26.860 question. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.279 You sit here 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.759 this morning 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.019 thinking about 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.099 Jesus dying, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.619 dead, 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.459 on the cross 00:18:32.459 --> 00:18:33.899 and in the 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:35.259 immediate proximity 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.099 of what had taken 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.740 place in that 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.539 moment in history, 00:18:37.939 --> 00:18:39.319 we find the thief, 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.979 we find Nicodemus, 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.139 we find Joseph 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.319 whose lives 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.099 had been touched 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.859 by the power 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.519 of the cross 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.740 and their lives 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.519 were not the same. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.419 And I want to touch 00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:50.859 on that 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:52.159 and have you think 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.240 seriously about it. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.680 those who know 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.019 Christ are not 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.740 the same 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.660 as they once 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.220 were. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.400 Let's look at 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.859 something else 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.319 as we look at 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:01.859 the passage. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.620 It says there 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.279 in verse 40, 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.740 so they took 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.539 the body of Jesus 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.180 and bound it 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.400 in linen cloths 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.500 with the spices 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.660 as is the burial 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.779 custom of the Jews. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.420 Now in the place 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:13.900 where he was 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.359 crucified, 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.359 there was a garden 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.059 and in the garden 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.700 a new tomb 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.259 in which no one 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.339 had yet been 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.940 laid. 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.860 laid. 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.940 So let's ask 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.400 the question, 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.500 what is the significance 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:26.380 of this historical 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:28.279 detail in the 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.860 immediate 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:31.039 surrounding 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.400 information that 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:32.940 we have 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.940 regarding Christ's 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.380 death? 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.860 Why is it there? 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.759 And let me 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.519 encourage you, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.960 in your Bible study, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.640 probably one of the 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.240 most important 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.400 questions you can ask 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.279 with the enabling 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.980 of the Holy Spirit 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.660 over and over 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.259 and over again 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.539 is why did God 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.779 choose to put it 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.080 there? 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.659 And if you're not 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.460 asking those kind 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.059 of questions, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.919 the fact of the 00:19:51.919 --> 00:19:52.379 matter is, 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.059 you're probably 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.879 just kind of skimming 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.720 across the top 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.740 of things and not 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.559 getting much of the 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.220 substance of what 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.099 God has there for 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.359 you. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.599 Why is it there? 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.259 Well, I want you 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.859 to take a minute, 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.519 keep your finger 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.139 there in John 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:05.099 chapter 19, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.359 but turn back 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.199 to Isaiah 00:20:07.199 --> 00:20:09.460 chapter 41. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.779 Isaiah chapter 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.319 41. 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.639 I love this 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.399 passage. 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.299 Isaiah chapter 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.000 41. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:26.939 Beginning there 00:20:26.939 --> 00:20:27.740 in verse 21, 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.139 here is one of 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:29.579 the things that 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.919 Isaiah loves to 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:32.579 do, or loved to 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.059 do, he's not 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.740 doing it today, 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:35.220 but he loved to 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.359 do was kind of 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.179 have smack down 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.939 with people who 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:38.779 believed in idols, 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:39.500 you know? 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.639 I mean, do you 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.539 understand how dumb 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.500 idol worship is? 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.259 I mean, we're all 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.859 illuminated. 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:47.339 There are none of 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.099 you that walk into 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.319 your house and bow 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.539 down to a copy of 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.119 Buddha and say, 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:52.219 oh, Buddha, you 00:20:52.219 --> 00:20:54.719 know, we're way 00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.179 beyond that. 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:55.899 We're not into 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.500 idols, right? 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:56.819 Okay? 00:20:56.959 --> 00:20:57.819 Anyway, here we go. 00:20:58.979 --> 00:20:59.159 Yeah. 00:21:00.219 --> 00:21:02.699 Anyway, verse 21. 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.759 Set your case, set 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.639 forth your case, says 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:05.979 the Lord. 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:07.039 Bring your proof, 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.740 says the king of 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.019 Jacob. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.240 Let them bring them 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.920 and tell us what 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.440 is to happen. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.880 Here's God saying 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.279 to idolaters, why 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.000 don't you have your 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.339 God show up and 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.200 tell me something 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.859 that's going to 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.460 happen in the 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.819 future? 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.460 Tell us the 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.299 former things, what 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.120 they are, that we 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:25.900 may consider them, 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.559 that we may know 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.299 their outcome or 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.539 declare to us the 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.420 things that are to 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.740 come. 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.259 Tell us what is to 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:32.620 come hereafter, that 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:34.460 we may know that you 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.660 are gods. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.180 What's he saying? 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:39.240 Isaiah is 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.560 challenging idolaters, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.259 why don't you have 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.759 your idol go ahead and 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.840 tell us what's going to 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.640 happen tomorrow? 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.019 How many of you really 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.799 know what the weather is 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.320 going to be? 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.560 Just a second, check, 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:49.940 check, check. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.920 How many of you 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.960 actually looked at your 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.120 cell phone to kind of 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:54.820 get a prognostication of 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:55.799 what the weather was 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.820 probably going to be? 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.240 How many of you 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.400 looked? 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.160 Look, look, raise your 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.400 hands. 00:21:59.320 --> 00:21:59.920 I mean, you know, we 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.720 all checked it out. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.620 How many of you have 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:03.039 learned that weather 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.320 prognosticators are 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:05.420 people that get to lie 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.440 50% of the time? 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:09.920 I mean, I don't care 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.720 what it says is going 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.000 to happen. 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.820 I remember a couple 00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:14.000 weeks ago, Greg and I 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.720 were planning on a 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.160 work day. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.680 Remember that? 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.299 Where are you, Greg? 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:16.720 You're out there 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.019 somewhere. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.480 And we had it all 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.220 planned and we were 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.299 going to be working on 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.180 the ditch out there 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:24.640 and there was this, I 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.720 mean, ugly looking 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.259 cloud that was moving 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:29.860 towards Columbus and 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.340 it was just coming 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:32.180 right along and we 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.140 called it off at the 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.460 last minute and within 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.500 minutes of us calling 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.140 it off, guess what 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.420 happened? 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.960 I was out in the 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.759 parking lot actually 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.539 working on something 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.160 and we got about 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.039 little three or four 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.980 spritzes enough to get 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.340 my glasses wet and it 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.799 stopped. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:47.140 Can you predict 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.500 tomorrow? 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:47.840 No. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.160 But God can. 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.720 And what we find in 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:54.360 this passage going back 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:56.799 to John chapter 19 is 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.279 that we find that God 00:22:58.279 --> 00:23:00.560 has the power to make a 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:01.840 prophetic utterance and 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.560 to fulfill it. 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:12.019 God intends for you to 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.759 pay attention to the fact 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:16.220 that he can make prophetic 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:18.179 statements and that he can 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.960 fulfill them. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:22.960 First one is in the book 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.919 of Isaiah chapter 53 verse 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.539 9 and I'm just going to 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.960 refer to it in broad terms 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.980 but in Isaiah chapter 53 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:32.700 verse 9 we find Isaiah 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.340 the prophet about 700 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:36.480 years before Christ's 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.600 coming and his 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:39.940 crucifixion predicting two 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.900 things in relationship to 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:43.460 the death and burial of 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:43.900 Christ. 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:46.680 One is that he would die 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.740 with criminals. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.920 Did that happen? 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.460 Did that happen? 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.660 Yes. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.420 He would die with 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:53.740 criminals. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:56.880 Number two that while he 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.339 would die with criminals 00:23:58.339 --> 00:24:00.279 it also tells us where he 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.859 would be buried. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.819 And so understand this 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.220 the scriptures predicted 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.620 who Jesus would die with 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.160 and where he would be 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.579 buried. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:10.000 Only a sovereign God 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.759 can predict with that 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.599 kind of accuracy with any 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.859 kind of accuracy at all. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.579 And so we have to 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:18.200 recognize that that as 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.900 you read the text the fact 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.859 that it is here is given 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:23.979 to you to remind you of 00:24:23.979 --> 00:24:25.319 the God that is our 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:27.000 God and Savior and the 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.019 one that we have to do 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.379 with. 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:31.199 Now the fact of dying 00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:32.459 among criminals probably 00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:35.659 the probability of that 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.439 happened is probably 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:39.579 higher than the idea of 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.879 Jesus being crucified 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.539 with print criminals and 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.759 yet being buried with 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.359 rich men. 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.599 That really kind of 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.439 stretched the thing. 00:24:49.199 --> 00:24:49.959 And I want to remind you 00:24:49.959 --> 00:24:50.599 of what had actually 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.819 happened number one that 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.279 in Christ's death his 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.639 disciples had done what? 00:24:54.719 --> 00:24:55.339 Where did they go? 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.299 They all disappeared. 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.939 They ran away. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.199 And furthermore none of 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:03.559 Jesus' disciples could be 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.539 categorized as being 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.559 exceptionally rich. 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.619 We know that. 00:25:06.719 --> 00:25:07.919 Fishermen and whatever 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:09.339 else they were but being 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.299 rich was probably not 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.259 high on their list. 00:25:12.219 --> 00:25:13.399 And yet we see here the 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.619 hand of God working in 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:16.319 such a way that we find 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.839 an exceptionally rich man 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.219 coming by faith and 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.440 asking for the body of 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.920 Christ so that Jesus 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:23.380 could be buried in the 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.740 tomb of a rich man. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.059 I want you to look at 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.900 another passage. 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.420 Matthew chapter 12 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.279 verse 20. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.680 Matthew chapter 12 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.860 verse 20. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:43.339 The first passage that we 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:45.279 recognize is here is Jesus 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:48.039 crucified with wicked men 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.619 buried with a rich man. 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.219 But look at Matthew chapter 00:25:51.219 --> 00:25:52.579 12 verse 20. 00:25:53.479 --> 00:25:54.959 What had happened is here is 00:25:54.959 --> 00:25:56.740 Jesus in conflict with the 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:58.699 scribes and Pharisees etc. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:01.099 And they ask for a sign. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.000 And what does he say? 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.599 Verse 40. 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.420 For just as Jonah was 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.599 three days and three nights 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.480 in the belly of a great 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.059 fish so will the son of 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.119 man be three days and 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:11.299 three nights in the heart 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:11.900 of the earth. 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.940 Now what if Jesus treated 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:18.319 as a common criminal had 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.960 been thrown in just a 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.180 shallow depression in the 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.519 ground? 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.900 What if he had been 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:27.019 dragged out as rebels were 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.480 normally treated and just 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:30.119 left with his body lying 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:32.680 out openly in the public to 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.220 be eaten by jackals and 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.320 and vultures? 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.000 No. 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:38.560 In Matthew chapter 20 or 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:40.200 12 when Jesus is asked a 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.680 question about a sign he 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.820 goes on record and he says 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.660 let me tell you something 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.519 the the son of man is going 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.779 to be three days in the 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.799 ground and raise again. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.420 And so here we have Jesus. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.799 He died on Friday. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:56.360 And he had to be buried by 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:58.980 sundown in order for the day 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.380 to count. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.799 And so here we have remember 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:03.920 isn't that strange how the 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.039 Jewish leaders were really 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.620 concerned that the body of 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.599 these the bodies of these 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:08.740 criminals were not left on 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.759 the cross and so they check 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.720 and Jesus is dead. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.940 The others are are have their 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.240 legs beaten and crushed and 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.660 they die. 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:19.920 And so Jesus has Nicodemus and 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.460 Joseph ask for his body and 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:25.400 he is in the tomb by Friday 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.940 night. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.560 He is in the tomb Saturday and 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.519 what happens on Sunday? 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.920 We have the resurrection don't 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.100 we? 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.640 So I want you to recognize here 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.680 is Jesus back there in in 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.200 Matthew prophesying that he 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.380 would be dead for three days 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.960 and he would rise again. 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:45.620 Now I want to remind you again 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.920 that neither you nor I can 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.660 predict anything. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.820 I mean we try. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.200 Well we think this is going to 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.200 happen or we think that's going 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.000 to happen but the truth of 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:55.099 matter is it's probably wise 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.259 whenever we say we're going 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.480 to do thus and so to remember 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.720 what it says in James. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:02.500 If the Lord wills. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.259 But here we have the Lord 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:10.160 Jesus and we have Isaiah the 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.420 prophet under the prompting of 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:13.940 the Holy Spirit saying literally 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:16.099 hundreds of years before Christ 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:18.720 that certain things were going 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.200 to happen. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.660 And the fact that fulfilled 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:23.640 prophecy should take make us 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:25.740 take his promises for the future 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.500 seriously. 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.019 Let me make that point and have 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.980 it settle in your mind. 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:31.800 The fact that God shows his 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:34.240 power both to make a prophecy 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.820 and bring it about should prompt 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:39.240 us to take his statements 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.040 seriously. 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.720 Why do I say that? 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.759 Why do I say that? 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.240 Because here is what the 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.259 scripture says. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:51.960 Whosoever believes in the Lord 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.819 Jesus shall have what? 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.920 Everlasting life. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:59.359 That is essential to understand. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.779 And what does it say? 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.839 Those who refuse him, what is the 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.140 outcome and what is the 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.740 consequences? 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:08.400 Those who reject the offer of God 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:10.460 of salvation through the finished 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:12.839 work of the Lord Jesus Christ will be 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:15.339 judged forever and suffer for all of 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.819 eternity. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:18.799 And so here you sit this morning as 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.720 believers, some of you, and you are 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:23.099 saying, wow, I am so thankful that the 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:25.019 God I know, the one who's drawn me to 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.819 the cross, is the one who makes 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.980 promises and keeps them. 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:30.579 And there's so many things that we can 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:32.599 thank him for in advance because we 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:34.179 know how the story ends. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:37.639 I happen to love what it says. 00:29:38.699 --> 00:29:40.279 Different places in Philippians, but 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.459 one of the things it says, he who has 00:29:41.459 --> 00:29:44.119 begun a good work in you will, he's 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.959 going to pull it off. 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.559 How many of you looked in the mirror 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:48.139 this morning and thought, well, I wish 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.019 you'd do it a little sooner? 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:52.039 Fact of the matter is, if he began a 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:54.339 good work, he's going to finish it and 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.619 trust him to get it done. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.679 There are others of you that are 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:59.299 sitting here this morning that do not 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:01.079 know Christ, and I want to appeal to 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:03.399 you on the basis of the fact that the 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:05.339 God we serve is the one who makes 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.619 promises and keeps them. 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:09.279 It says this, it's appointed unto man 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.839 once to die, and after that, what? 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:41.839 What? 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:43.779 Come to grips with the darkness of 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.799 your soul and understand you can't 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:48.480 save yourself, not by works of 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:50.679 righteousness, lest we all think we 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:51.240 can pull it off. 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.939 We can't. 00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:56.259 It comes, faith comes by hearing the 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:58.480 reality of the gospel, and faith 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:00.099 brings us to believe in the Lord Jesus 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:02.359 Christ in whom alone is salvation. 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:06.039 Let me close in prayer, and John come 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.579 to lead us in singing. 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.639 Our Father God, this morning, as we 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:13.579 consider the reality of the power you 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:16.200 have both to predict and then to 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:19.159 fulfill, and we realize the power of the 00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:21.139 Lord Jesus Christ to take broken and 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:23.680 ruined sinners and change them by grace 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:25.980 to be saved and delivered from the 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.720 burden of sin. 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:29.500 We revel this morning, we who know the 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:32.159 Lord Jesus, we rejoice in the power of 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:34.100 the cross, and we're thankful that you've 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.759 saved us. 00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:38.200 And Father, this morning, those that are 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.840 here that do not know the Lord Jesus 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:42.340 Christ, my prayer is this, is that this 00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:44.519 morning your spirit would draw them to 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:47.019 see that the bankruptcy of their soul has 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:51.300 no remedy, no hope, apart from crying 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:53.200 out to the Lord Jesus Christ and asking 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:55.019 him to be their God and Savior. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:57.120 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:57.680 Amen. 00:31:58.380 --> 00:32:00.400 Let's stand together as we close, and if 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.680 you're here today and the spirit of 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:01.920 And this.