WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:03.280 Super, thank you, Alice, and good morning. 00:00:04.179 --> 00:00:05.740 Good to see everybody this morning, 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:09.019 and super, super to be able to be together 00:00:09.019 --> 00:00:12.040 on such a lovely morning, isn't it? 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:13.919 Oh man, what a relief. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:15.599 And to worship the Lord. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:18.600 So we won't stay here, I don't think, all day. 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:20.080 I'll try not to preach that long, 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:22.460 so you can get back out into the lovely weather 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:23.800 and enjoy your afternoon. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:27.240 I want to thank you for the great fellowship 00:00:27.240 --> 00:00:29.240 in the gospel that we share together with you. 00:00:29.759 --> 00:00:34.239 We are so encouraged with what God is doing in our city. 00:00:35.839 --> 00:00:37.619 There's such a need, isn't there? 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:39.460 There is such a need. 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:42.780 What a time to be an ambassador for Christ. 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:43.460 Amen. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:49.359 What a time in the world, in our city, in our country. 00:00:49.739 --> 00:00:51.239 I mean, every time is a great time 00:00:51.239 --> 00:00:52.420 to be an ambassador for Christ. 00:00:53.099 --> 00:00:55.959 But what a great time just to be able to live for the truth 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:00.660 and stand for the truth and communicate the truth. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:04.659 And so we are just so, so thankful for you guys. 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:08.599 We're thankful for all those that God is raising up in the city, 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:11.760 some of the great churches and gatherings of believers 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:13.079 that God has here in Edinburgh. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:15.200 We see students come like you. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:17.299 See a lot of students come because of all the universities 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:18.519 and colleges and stuff in Edinburgh. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.480 And we often see parents that come, 00:01:21.679 --> 00:01:22.939 and they want to check us out 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:24.539 because they want to know what a Corubbers is. 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:26.000 What's a Corubbers? 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:27.859 Don't ever came across a Corubbers before. 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:28.379 What are you? 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:29.920 We don't blame them. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:31.879 But one of the things that we do tell them 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:34.400 is that their kids are going to be spoiled for choice. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:36.939 We've got to be thankful for that, really. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:37.819 Spoiled for choice. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:41.179 Just a lot of really good works going on here. 00:01:41.399 --> 00:01:45.719 And so we thank God with you just for the joy 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:47.919 and the privilege of just being able to be here for him 00:01:47.919 --> 00:01:51.319 at this particular point in time in our world's history 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:53.459 and in our lives. 00:01:53.639 --> 00:01:55.159 So, guys, this is our generation. 00:01:56.299 --> 00:01:56.479 Amen? 00:01:57.119 --> 00:01:58.239 This is our generation. 00:02:00.419 --> 00:02:01.679 It'll soon be passed. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:04.299 Life will soon be passed for us, 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:06.319 and if God tarries, 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:08.359 there'll be other people sitting here in your seats. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:10.840 And so we've got one shot. 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:13.439 We've got one shot. 00:02:14.579 --> 00:02:15.340 One life. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.319 Only one life will soon be passed. 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:19.419 Only one done for Christ will last. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:20.939 So let's do it. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:22.599 Okay, let's dive into John 12. 00:02:23.359 --> 00:02:27.240 So page 1080 in the Pew Bibles, 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:29.639 as Alice said, or on your Bible. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:31.019 So you shouldn't be looking at me right now. 00:02:31.019 --> 00:02:31.879 You should be looking at something 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:34.359 that is the Bible in your lap, 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:35.500 I hope anyway, 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:37.699 because this is God's word, not my word. 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:41.539 I'm just going to try and comment on it as best I can, 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:43.060 get out of the way as best I can, 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:45.439 and let's see what God has to say here. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:48.840 So John 12, verses 37 to 50, 00:02:48.979 --> 00:02:51.219 and we're going to be looking at this 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:54.019 under the title that I've given it, 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:56.379 Polarized by Truth, 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:59.180 because I think if you look close, 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:02.699 if you listen to the text, 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:04.939 as Alice read it for us this morning, 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:07.219 I think if you look close here, 00:03:07.299 --> 00:03:11.400 I think this is a huge part of what's going on here. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:17.800 And listen, not just here, right? 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.560 This is a particular historical account 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:24.600 that has been preserved for us 00:03:24.600 --> 00:03:27.719 in God's word, by God's spirit. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:29.540 It's a long time ago. 00:03:30.600 --> 00:03:33.340 And I think this is what's going on here. 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:36.580 People being polarized by truth, 00:03:36.700 --> 00:03:37.760 but not just here. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.700 Actually, since the dawn of time, I think. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:42.920 If you think about it, right? 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:49.799 The truth has been forcing people, I would say. 00:03:49.899 --> 00:03:52.060 The truth has been forcing people 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:55.739 to choose something. 00:03:56.119 --> 00:03:56.439 Fair? 00:03:57.099 --> 00:03:59.039 The truth, as God has revealed it, 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:00.419 right from the beginning. 00:04:02.459 --> 00:04:05.539 This is kind of one of the things that truth does. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:09.239 Truth lands on us, guys, doesn't it? 00:04:09.899 --> 00:04:10.919 Truth, not opinion, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:12.799 not people's opinion or thoughts or whatever. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:13.639 Truth. 00:04:14.119 --> 00:04:14.919 What did Jesus say? 00:04:15.179 --> 00:04:19.139 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:24.079 Jesus, speaking to the Father in his prayer in John 17, 00:04:24.219 --> 00:04:25.539 says, your word is? 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:27.539 Come on, guys. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:28.699 Right? 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:29.959 Truth, truth. 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:31.399 So God is truth. 00:04:31.479 --> 00:04:32.159 His word is truth. 00:04:32.219 --> 00:04:34.959 Everything that emanates from God, actually, is truth. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:37.199 And that stuff lands on us, guys. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:38.599 That stuff lands on us. 00:04:38.599 --> 00:04:39.959 It lands on the world. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.939 Don't ever be afraid to share it. 00:04:42.660 --> 00:04:44.079 Man, because it's powerful. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:45.339 You believe that? 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:48.920 You got to look better than what you're looking like this morning, man. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:50.240 It's powerful. 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:51.060 We believe that. 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:53.500 The word of God is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:54.220 My goodness. 00:04:54.220 --> 00:05:00.760 And so I think ever since the beginning, this is what the truth does. 00:05:00.820 --> 00:05:01.620 It polarizes. 00:05:02.960 --> 00:05:03.840 It polarizes. 00:05:03.940 --> 00:05:05.300 It forces us to choose. 00:05:05.700 --> 00:05:09.900 God says right in the beginning, don't eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or you'll die. 00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:12.939 And immediately, they had to choose, didn't they? 00:05:13.359 --> 00:05:14.459 Would they do it? 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:15.279 Would they believe it? 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:16.139 Would they accept it? 00:05:16.179 --> 00:05:17.099 Would they receive it? 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.419 Right from the very beginning, this is what truth does. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:25.979 Choose you this day whom you will serve, Joshua says. 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:26.319 Right? 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:27.939 And then you got to do it. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.019 You've got to do something with that. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:31.839 You got to do it. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:32.379 And you will. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:32.860 You will. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:33.360 You will. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:34.459 You'll do something with it. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:40.480 When you hear God's word, when you hear truth, when the world hears these things, they'll do something with it. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.700 One way or the other, they'll do something with it. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:46.220 And so polarized by the truth. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:49.240 And then here comes now Jesus comes along. 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:56.980 In John 5, 24, you've probably looked at this already, but he says, truly, truly. 00:05:57.140 --> 00:05:57.700 So there you go. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:05:58.080 Right? 00:05:58.560 --> 00:05:58.980 There you go. 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:00.200 Truly, truly. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:01.600 So what's he speaking? 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:03.540 He's speaking the truth. 00:06:03.640 --> 00:06:04.340 He's telling us that. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:05.680 Truly, truly. 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:06.680 Jesus said this often. 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:09.160 It's the way he introduced a lot of the stuff that he said. 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:10.360 Because it was right. 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:11.840 Truly, truly. 00:06:11.960 --> 00:06:19.720 I say to you, he says, the one who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and does not commit to judgment, but is passed out of death into life. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:20.860 And you think, oh, my goodness. 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.439 There you go. 00:06:24.580 --> 00:06:25.080 Oh, my goodness. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:26.200 There's a challenge. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:27.020 There's an offer. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:30.740 Choose. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:31.080 Right? 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:31.960 Choose. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:33.540 Choose. 00:06:34.200 --> 00:06:35.780 And now here we go in John 12. 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:37.040 Here comes Jesus. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:40.720 And now he's on the cusp of the cross. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:41.360 Isn't he? 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:43.480 You know how John's gospel is written. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:44.640 John's gospel is very unique. 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:45.560 There's four gospels. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.000 Three are called synoptics. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:47.780 They're very similar. 00:06:48.260 --> 00:06:51.260 They kind of spread Jesus' life out all the way through the whole gospel. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.400 John is different. 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:58.480 John writes about the majority of Jesus' life in the first 11 chapters. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:05.480 And then he spends the whole last half of his gospel just on the last week of Jesus' life. 00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:06.960 So John's saying something. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:12.540 He's focusing us in on this time frame now. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:17.200 From now until the end of your study here, you're going to more or less be in the last week of Jesus' life. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:18.720 John's very different. 00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:19.960 And so he's honing in. 00:07:20.020 --> 00:07:21.000 He's poking us down. 00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:22.080 He's making us look. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:27.920 Man, he's just sticking our nose in the truth here of the final week of Jesus' life. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:28.580 And now here he is. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:30.939 He's on the cusp of the cross. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:34.660 And he is pushing harder than ever. 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:35.259 Isn't he? 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:37.100 He's pushing harder than ever. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:38.240 He's about to die. 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:40.480 He's about to die. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.720 And man, you'll see this. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:42.720 You'll see this in this passage. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.520 And you'll see this to come. 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:45.720 He's pushing harder than ever. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:52.740 For centuries, for centuries, the prophets had been saying, 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:53.700 He's coming. 00:07:53.960 --> 00:07:54.620 He's coming. 00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:55.500 He's coming. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:55.840 Right? 00:07:55.840 --> 00:07:57.639 They've been foretelling this. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:07:59.920 They've been prophesying this. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:01.020 He's coming. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.540 He's coming. 00:08:01.640 --> 00:08:02.100 He's coming. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:06.120 And now, verse 46, Jesus says, I've come. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:07.540 I'm here. 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:12.860 I've come, he says, as light into the world, 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:18.819 so that no one who believes in me will remain in darkness. 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:27.599 He's pulling together all that he said about who he is and what he's doing in the world, 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:31.379 that he's come to rescue the world, restoration station. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:32.240 Right? 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:33.519 To restore the world. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:35.799 He's come to do that. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.200 He's the only one that can do that. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.200 God in human flesh. 00:08:38.319 --> 00:08:38.720 Emmanuel. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.939 God with us. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.819 Comes to do the very thing that we can't. 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:47.140 The one thing we're utterly incapable of doing, which is rescuing ourselves. 00:08:48.260 --> 00:08:49.320 All have sinned and fall. 00:08:49.520 --> 00:08:49.840 What? 00:08:51.020 --> 00:08:54.840 All have sinned and fall short, short of the glory of God. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.220 But the glory of God is what we've been created for. 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.540 It's what God demands. 00:08:59.099 --> 00:09:00.339 It's what God will have. 00:09:01.339 --> 00:09:05.860 It's what he will have in his presence in heaven forever. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.259 He will have us righteous. 00:09:09.339 --> 00:09:10.559 He will have us righteous. 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:11.559 But we're not righteous. 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.779 We don't possess that righteousness. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:14.620 Jesus possesses that righteousness. 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:16.019 We need that righteousness. 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:18.459 So Jesus comes and he makes the great exchange. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:20.500 He gives, he takes our sin. 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:23.079 He dies on the cross for us and offers us his righteousness. 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.360 Will you have it? 00:09:25.339 --> 00:09:26.399 Will you have it? 00:09:26.459 --> 00:09:27.559 What an offer, guys. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.859 What an offer. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.979 Maybe you've taken that offer this morning. 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:31.559 Maybe you haven't. 00:09:31.619 --> 00:09:33.839 Maybe you're just here hearing it for the first time. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:34.799 But you got to choose. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.699 You got to choose. 00:09:36.579 --> 00:09:37.479 You got to choose. 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:40.939 And that's what Jesus says here. 00:09:42.099 --> 00:09:44.559 I've come so that no one who believes in me should remain in darkness. 00:09:44.719 --> 00:09:45.059 Choose. 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.079 Choose, he says, for goodness sake. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:50.219 Choose because nobody has to live in the dark. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.659 Nobody has to live in the dark. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.899 Only if you want to. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.319 Only if you choose to. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:59.140 But Jesus in his mercy and his grace calls us to life. 00:09:59.540 --> 00:10:00.980 Choose you to say who you will serve. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.940 I put life and death before you. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.780 What are you going to have? 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.800 What do you want? 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.500 Guys, what do you want? 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:14.500 And this is, this is Jesus' offer. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:16.400 And this is our message, isn't it? 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.860 This is what we go to the world for. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:20.039 God puts it before us. 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:20.740 Life or death. 00:10:22.060 --> 00:10:22.340 Choose. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:23.639 You can have life. 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:25.680 And so here we are this morning. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:29.259 And I think all of us, in one way or another, we're choosing what we're going to do with Jesus. 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:30.919 Maybe for the first time. 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:31.360 I don't know. 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:32.680 But we're here, aren't we? 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:32.940 We're here. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.379 We're choosing. 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:36.539 Probably the reason we're here is because we're choosing what we're going to do with Jesus. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:41.939 And I think that this is at the crux of our text here. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.559 So let me give you four thoughts from the passage here. 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.299 All right, four quick thoughts, I hope. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:49.779 Number one here, be aware of the state of your heart. 00:10:49.839 --> 00:10:51.339 It just kind of stands to reason. 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:53.059 Right? 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:57.980 With all of this that Jesus is saying, all that we have heard, be aware of the state of your heart. 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:03.159 Because it's not just as easy as, well, you know, I've heard it. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:06.079 It's not just as easy as I've heard it. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.280 Is it, have I heard it? 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:10.080 Not just have I listened to it. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:10.700 Have I heard it? 00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:11.480 Have I heard it? 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:15.560 Isn't verse 37 a shocking statement? 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.120 Look at this. 00:11:16.420 --> 00:11:17.040 Verse 37. 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:18.520 Isn't this a shocking statement? 00:11:18.520 --> 00:11:27.560 John says, even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, 00:11:28.780 --> 00:11:29.540 they still what? 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.520 What's he say? 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:36.740 They still would not believe in him. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.279 They still would not believe in him. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.500 Listen, is that not incredible? 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.419 That's not incredible. 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:43.159 You read that. 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:50.000 When, when, when, when, when, when almost everybody that I know says, what about believing? 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:51.659 What's the catchphrase for believing? 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.159 Almost everybody I know says this. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.100 Says what? 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:58.060 Seeing is believing. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:00.920 Everybody I know says seeing is, I find this incredible. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.139 I find, I read this and I say, what? 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:08.259 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their, Jesus had performed the signs. 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.379 Nobody didn't tell him about them. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.060 They saw them. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.480 They saw them. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:17.600 And yet everybody I know says seeing is believing. 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.379 Isn't that interesting? 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.039 Isn't that interesting? 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:25.200 Because according to John, these people had seen everything you'd ever expect anyone would 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:31.440 ever need to see in order to believe. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.539 And yet they don't. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:35.019 So think about that. 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.700 Think about that. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.600 Don't just hear it. 00:12:36.800 --> 00:12:37.840 Think about that for a minute. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.540 Because you know what? 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:44.940 I think that is precisely because it's not primarily about evidence. 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:48.340 It's not primarily about evidence. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.759 It's about our hearts. 00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:54.120 It's about the state of our hearts. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:55.519 Not primarily about evidence. 00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:56.980 Evidence is great. 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.720 And it's all around us. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:00.259 It's all around us. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:02.200 It's not that God hasn't left us with any evidence. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.139 For goodness sake. 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:03.500 Fair? 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.740 Is that right? 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.940 And we go on and on and on and on and on and on and on. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:08.640 About the evidence this morning. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.700 There's plenty of evidence around us. 00:13:10.780 --> 00:13:13.380 But it's not primarily about the evidence. 00:13:13.540 --> 00:13:16.540 It actually is primarily the Bible tells us about the state of our hearts. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.200 Is that not fair? 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.440 I'm not off beam here, am I? 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:20.860 I think that's fair. 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:24.080 Paul says in Romans 1, Paul says that we've got plenty of evidence. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:27.880 He says, in fact, since the creation of the world, God's invisible attributes, 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:33.420 His eternal power, His divine nature, who God is essentially, have been clearly seen. 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:34.620 Everybody sees Him. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:37.560 Understood by what has been made so that we're without excuse. 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:44.320 He says, listen, for even though they knew God, they knew that actually everything around 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:47.000 them was His, comes from Him. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:50.139 Even though they knew God, they knew that that was His. 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:52.419 They didn't honor Him as God or give Him thanks. 00:13:52.539 --> 00:14:00.299 Instead, they became futile in their reasonings and their senseless hearts were darkened. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.720 Listen, you get it? 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.360 You get it? 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:10.960 God's given us all we need just in creation, Paul says, to start the ball rolling and to 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:14.139 cause us to seek Him and to seek Him and to seek Him. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:16.639 And yet these guys have had even more than that, didn't they? 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.279 They had Jesus. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.680 They had His life. 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.420 They had His words. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.120 They had His works. 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:21.759 And still they didn't believe. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:25.200 Listen, precisely because it's not evidence. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:27.620 This isn't the problem. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.400 There's plenty of evidence. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.400 But that's not the problem. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:37.400 The problem is the state of our hearts, folks. 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.620 And the issue of sin. 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:41.480 That's the problem. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.060 That's the problem. 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:52.939 And we desperately need what the Bible says is the light of the gospel, of the glory of God to shine on us. 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:57.279 And when it does, boy, it does some work. 00:14:58.359 --> 00:15:03.039 And so it's not seeing is believing nearly as much as it is believing is seeing. 00:15:03.619 --> 00:15:03.959 Fair? 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:07.019 Believing is seeing. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.620 I came to Christ when I was 19. 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.939 Fresher at university. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:15.059 I was really presented with the gospel. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.179 I'd heard about Jesus before. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.639 I was really presented with the gospel. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:21.379 When I was 19 years old, some guy came to me and, boy, he pressed it in. 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:23.319 He pressed it in. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.159 And I came to Christ. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:33.379 And I would say that from the time I was 19 years old, I have never seen so clearly in my life. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.079 Fair? 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.139 Can anybody relate? 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:39.620 I have never seen so clearly in my life. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:42.879 Because Jesus doesn't just open the eyes of the blind physically. 00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:47.340 Even more miraculously, he opens the eyes of the blind spiritually. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.199 Doesn't he? 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.240 That's what he does. 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:51.080 He opens our eyes spiritually. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.439 Spiritually. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:54.819 I wonder if that has been your experience. 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:57.759 Things I never saw before I believed. 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:59.460 Things I never saw. 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:03.879 I see my purpose clear. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:05.179 I see who I am clear. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.399 I see God clearer. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.979 I see the world clearer. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.099 And so listen. 00:16:09.239 --> 00:16:11.620 Be aware of the state of your heart. 00:16:13.359 --> 00:16:14.819 Be aware of the state of the heart. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.899 This is crucial. 00:16:16.099 --> 00:16:18.559 Proverbs 4.23 says, 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:21.079 Watch over your heart with all diligence, 00:16:21.239 --> 00:16:25.179 for from it spring the issues of life, 00:16:25.239 --> 00:16:27.399 or from it flows the springs of life. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.240 Be aware of your heart. 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.659 So I don't know where your heart's at this morning. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.639 Where's your heart at this morning? 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.899 Where's your heart? 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.199 I can't see it. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:38.220 Even if I had an x-ray machine, I couldn't see it. 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.559 Your real heart. 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.639 Who you are as a person. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.799 Where you're at with Jesus. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.539 Where you're at? 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.240 Where you're at? 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:47.059 In so many ways, where are you at? 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.240 With Jesus. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.500 Be aware of the state of your heart. 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:49.699 Okay? 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.600 Then number two. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.540 Be astounded by the ways of the Lord. 00:16:54.640 --> 00:16:56.900 Be astounded by the ways of the Lord. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.000 Be aware of the state of your heart. 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.480 Be astounded by the ways of the Lord. 00:16:59.520 --> 00:17:01.780 Here's where it gets a little bit deeper in this section here. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.400 Because John says, watch this. 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:06.100 He goes back to Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. 00:17:07.080 --> 00:17:07.220 Right? 00:17:07.580 --> 00:17:10.279 John is trying to pull together what is happening here 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.580 in the last week of Jesus' life. 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:13.180 The culmination of his ministry. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.160 John is making a comment on this. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:17.140 And he wants us to see what's going on. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.580 Why this polarization of truth? 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:24.019 Why is this nation who are God's people? 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.220 Nation of Israel. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.640 Right? 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:28.200 I won't get all political here this morning. 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.259 But pray for them. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.140 Pray for the Palestinians. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.640 Pray for that whole deal over there. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:34.140 But historically, God's people. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.940 It was Abraham that God chose. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.660 And through Abraham's descendant, 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.640 he was going to bring hope for the world to Christ. 00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:41.240 And now here he comes. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.460 He's their Messiah. 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.920 I meet Jews all the time. 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:45.600 And I tell them, thank you for your Messiah. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.400 Oh, they're all excited. 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.059 Oh, right. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.480 I said, I know your Messiah. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.000 I know him. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:53.340 I'm a Christian, but I know your Messiah. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.259 He's your Messiah. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.480 And John's trying to make, he's trying to help us to see. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.840 So what's going on here with this polarization? 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:03.880 Why, by and large, is the entire nation rejecting him? 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:12.320 Because he's about to go to, they're kind of, they're ushering him in, in John 12, the beginning, right? 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:17.600 On Palm Sunday, and saying, Hosanna in the highest, and everything's wonderful. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:23.000 But he's not going to deliver them like they think he's going to deliver them at this point from Rome. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.539 He's going to deliver them even more significantly from their sin. 00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:27.279 But they're not ready for that. 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:33.159 And so those same people who are shouting Hosanna in a few days' time are going to be shouting crucify him. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.539 What's going on? 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:36.219 John's trying to help us make sense of this. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:39.660 And so he dips back into Isaiah because Isaiah saw this coming. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.620 Verse 38. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:46.000 He saw this coming 700 plus years before Jesus ever arrives. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:52.480 Jesus, Isaiah, sees Israel's rejection of their Messiah. 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:54.140 He knows it's coming. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:57.600 Lord, who's believed our report? 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.920 John quotes that. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:02.700 He quotes that. 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:07.060 Lord, who's believed our report? 00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:08.940 He says. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:12.980 In other words, Lord, we're telling them. 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.380 We're telling them. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:16.300 But they're not believing it, Lord. 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:18.080 They're not believing it, Lord. 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:23.900 And Isaiah's talking about, in the first instance, he's talking about Israel in his own day 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:27.480 because they're about to go into exile because they're not listening to God. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:30.779 And so he's going to take him into exile. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:36.000 And so this is true for Isaiah's day, but he's also true for John's day and for Jesus' day, isn't it? 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:38.099 Because Isaiah was a prophet. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:40.839 So he wasn't only speaking about his own time. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.799 He was projecting. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.440 He was seeing. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:47.539 God was allowing him to see into the future and to see what would happen in Jesus' day. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.480 And they're not believing it. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:53.200 Even though God had given them every chance to believe it. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:57.059 Jesus says in Matthew 23, 37, Jesus says, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.900 Who kills the prophets. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:03.680 And stones those who've been sent to her. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.700 Sent to her for what? 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.620 For good news. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.380 For salvation. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.779 For fullness of life. 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.980 And you're stoning them. 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.759 You're killing them. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:17.799 How often Jesus says, I wanted to gather your children together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.180 But you were unwilling. 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.900 This is deep stuff here. 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.700 A lot of debate goes on about this. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:26.420 But I think it's pretty clear. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.819 God wants us saved. 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.720 We've got the problem. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.720 You were unwilling, he says. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.640 Not evidence. 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.559 Hardness of heart. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.000 Hardness of heart. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.340 And Isaiah says that he sees it and he weeps. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.400 And man, he weeps. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:44.440 And yet even more staggering than that. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.519 Verses 39 to 40. 00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:47.180 Even more staggering than that. 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:50.360 Isaiah not only sees Israel's rejection of her Messiah. 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:56.060 But he sees God's eternal plan of redemption being facilitated by that rejection. 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.180 Oh my goodness. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.100 This is deep. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.820 This is God stuff. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.340 This is God stuff now. 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.860 He not only sees Israel's rejection. 00:21:05.280 --> 00:21:11.160 But he sees God's plan of redemption being facilitated by that rejection. 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:11.960 Do you see it? 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.240 Because even though Jesus pleaded with his people to believe. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:17.180 Just read the gospels. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.580 Even though he's pleaded with his people. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.800 To believe. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.759 Jesus says. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:31.560 He still had to go to the cross and die. 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:33.200 Now figure that one out. 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:37.620 He wants the nation to receive him and to believe in him. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:40.000 But he had to go to the cross and die. 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.460 Wait a minute. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:40.860 Wow. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.380 How does that work? 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.860 How does that work? 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:45.019 It's the very reason he came. 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:45.600 We know that. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.299 He came to die. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.460 He predicted his own death. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.740 But he's offering himself to the nation. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:53.140 And so almost beyond our ability to conceive. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.180 God takes Israel's rejection. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:58.279 God takes Israel's rejection. 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:01.500 God knows it's coming because he told Isaiah. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:02.779 Right? 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:05.180 Who told Isaiah to say what he said? 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.279 What were the prophets? 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:08.100 They were the prophets that spoke whose word? 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.500 God's word. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.059 God's word. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.659 God's word. 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:11.019 God told Isaiah. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.139 So God knows it's coming. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.279 He knows it's coming. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:19.699 And he takes that rejection. 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:25.819 And the genuine offer that was made to Israel that they rejected. 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:28.740 He takes them and he essentially locks them into that. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.100 Okay? 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:33.580 If that's your response, I'm going to use that response, God says. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:35.420 He locks them into it judicially. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:37.940 Or as Isaiah puts it, he blinds their eyes. 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:38.960 He hardens their hearts. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:41.200 Not before they heard the message and rejected it. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.360 After they heard the message and rejected it. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.480 He blinds their eyes. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:49.120 He hardens their hearts so that they can either see with their eyes, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:51.180 nor understand with their hearts, nor turn. 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.380 And I would heal them. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:56.319 In other words, having made their choice polarized by the truth. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:04.940 Having made their choice, Israel's hardness becomes the very vehicle God uses 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:08.039 to accomplish his eternal plan of redemption. 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:12.119 John 1.12 tells us Jesus came to his own, but what? 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:15.279 His own did not receive him. 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.700 Did not receive him. 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:22.700 And so God in his manifold wisdom and grace turns his own people's rejection of their Messiah 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:25.740 into the fulfillment of salvation blessing for the world. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.539 Oh my goodness. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:31.319 Listen, ponder that one over lunch and be astounded by the ways of the Lord. 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.940 Be aware of the state of your heart. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.139 Be astounded by the ways of the Lord. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.779 Number three here. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:38.019 Be consumed with the praise of your maker. 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.940 John makes this, he makes this, look at this verse 42. 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.940 He makes this strategic comment. 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:47.960 This strategic, this tragic comment in verse 42. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:55.159 Where some of the leaders of the people who actually have come to faith in Jesus. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.879 He says that. 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.940 They've actually come. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.920 It wasn't just the people. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:01.339 Some of the leaders actually came to faith. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.480 Nicodemus may very well have been one of them. 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.759 Pharisees. 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:06.180 Some of these guys came to faith. 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.279 They all did. 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:10.860 By and large, the nation as a whole rejected him. 00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:12.600 Called upon Rome. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.740 Rome put him on the cross and he died. 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:20.080 And we know that in God's eternal plan and purpose, that's what was going to happen. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:23.319 But some of the leaders also believed. 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:27.119 That must have been quite a joy to see. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:29.679 Some of the leaders coming to faith in Jesus. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:32.119 And yet what a tragic revelation here. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:37.139 That some of these leaders that came to faith in Jesus kept their faith under a bushel. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:45.940 They hid it because, John says, they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.720 Wow. 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:48.520 Wow. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:51.340 They didn't talk about their faith. 00:24:54.040 --> 00:24:55.940 That it saved them for all eternity. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:59.580 The greatest gift any human being could ever receive. 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:01.859 They hid it under a bushel. 00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:07.019 Because they were afraid of people. 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:12.439 They loved the praise of men rather than the praise of God. 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.639 Ouch. 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.599 Amen? 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.039 Ouch. 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.059 Can you feel it? 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.179 Can you feel it? 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:26.659 They didn't talk about their faith as freely as they should have. 00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.659 Ouch. 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.940 I feel it. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.860 I so often feel that. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:39.259 I mean, the voice sometimes is unbearable for me to try to deal with when I have an opportunity. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.720 I'm with somebody else. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.700 And the door's right there. 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.420 Are you with me? 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:49.980 I'm standing at a bus stop or I'm sitting in there. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:53.300 My wife and I are going to fly to San Francisco in a few months. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:55.440 We're going to be on an airplane for like 14 hours. 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.540 Just pray. 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.740 Pray for the guy next to me. 00:26:00.060 --> 00:26:00.340 Right? 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.420 Pray for me. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:10.300 That that would be a moment that I would take and I wouldn't love the praise of men more than I love the praise of God. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.140 Listen, how sad is this? 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.880 That we would prefer the glory of men to the glory of God. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.300 What? 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.360 What? 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:16.440 What? 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:20.060 And you tell me you've never done that. 00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:24.100 You tell me you've never done that. 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:26.699 Listen, that's why we need grace. 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.279 Amen? 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.939 That's why we need grace. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:39.199 Thank God for his grace, for his forgiveness, for transforming work of his spirit that eventually brings us to a place where all of us will be fools for Jesus. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:42.860 That's what Paul said he was. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.900 Just fools for Christ. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:48.100 Somebody once said, everybody, somebody's fool. 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.680 Who's fool you? 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.480 Right? 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.319 Wow. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.420 How sad that is. 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:57.980 And yet how true it is in our experience every day. 00:26:58.079 --> 00:27:04.519 People, as William Barclay puts it, people who are seeking to carry out the impossible, trying to be secret disciples. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.259 I like that. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:09.380 People who are trying to carry out the impossible, trying to be secret disciples. 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:19.380 He says secret discipleship is a contradiction in terms because either the secrecy kills the discipleship or the discipleship kills the secrecy. 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:20.980 You get it? 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.760 Come on, guys. 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:23.820 Come on. 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.440 You get it? 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.640 Wow. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.640 Wow. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.040 Wow. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:31.880 And he's not talking about persecuted believers here in closed countries. 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:33.220 That's not what he's talking about. 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.480 All right. 00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.620 That's not what he's talking about. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:39.759 He's specifically talking about believers who love the praise of men more than the praise of God. 00:27:41.719 --> 00:27:45.319 And how convicting that is because I know exactly how that feels. 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.779 Guys, we have the truth. 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.359 God's given us the truth. 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.759 And the truth will set men free. 00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:54.959 Nothing else. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:58.979 The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.259 Will you share it? 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.399 Will you share it? 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:07.540 It's a sad comments being made here in John 12 about these leaders. 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:09.080 A sad let's not be like them. 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.540 But we'll need grace. 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.240 We'll need strength. 00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:12.840 We'll need prayer. 00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:14.040 Let's pray for one another in this. 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.320 Barclay goes on to say, 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:19.820 No doubt these men thought themselves wise and prudent, these leaders. 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:26.240 But their wisdom did not extend to remembering that while the opinion of men might matter for a few years in which they lived upon this earth, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:28.420 the judgment of God mattered for all eternity. 00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:29.480 Wow. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:30.740 Wow. 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:32.380 Now, finally, verses 44 to 50. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.180 Last point here. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.380 Verses 44 to 50. 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.440 This last section. 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.900 Be receptive to the invitation of the Savior. 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.720 And maybe this is for you this morning. 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:43.259 Maybe it's just a reminder for you this morning. 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.620 I don't know. 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:52.000 But this last section, John includes this last section here in verses 44 to 50 with Jesus crying out. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.799 It's not often he does this. 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.639 He reasons. 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.919 He talks. 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.419 He illustrates. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.899 Not often he's crying. 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.680 But this is it. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.940 He's on the cusp of the cross. 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.720 He doesn't have much time left. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:06.720 It's the last week of his life before he dies for the sins of the world. 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:08.000 And he's crying out. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:10.859 He's crying out. 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.119 Believe. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.859 Believe. 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.420 Believe. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.299 What is he crying? 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.619 Read this section that Alice read for us here. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.440 Read it again. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.859 What is he saying? 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.539 He's saying believe. 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.359 Please. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.420 He's saying believe. 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.980 He's pleading with them. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:28.839 Man, he's pushing hard, isn't he? 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.400 Man, he's pushing hard. 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:30.860 Believe. 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:32.900 Believe in me and the one who sent me. 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:35.059 He says, because if you've seen me, you've seen him. 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:38.160 One of the clearest references to the deity of Christ anywhere in the Gospels. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.799 If you've seen me, you've seen him. 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.940 I don't know how you get around that one. 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:41.900 Right? 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.720 You've seen me, you've seen him. 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.140 Believe, he says. 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.599 Believe. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.539 I am the Father of one. 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.900 John 10, 30. 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:57.720 And he says, I've come as light into the world so that nobody has to walk in darkness. 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.640 Listen, nobody. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:04.040 Nobody has to walk in darkness. 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.200 None of your neighbors. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.500 Are you guys hearing this? 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.400 Are you hearing this? 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.320 None of your neighbors. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.460 None of your colleagues. 00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:12.620 None of your family has to walk in darkness. 00:30:12.780 --> 00:30:13.480 Nobody does. 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.460 Nobody does. 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.420 Only if they choose to. 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:23.060 And I'm not going to convert them. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:28.180 But by the power of the Holy Spirit and a clear gospel message, 00:30:29.080 --> 00:30:30.380 I hope I can convince them. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.120 The Spirit of God will convert them. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.460 He'll do that work. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.759 He'll convict them. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.539 I don't have to convict them. 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.420 Sometimes we get, you know, we get with somebody in Boyward. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.980 We need to convict them. 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:43.740 I was like that with my brother when I first got saved. 00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:45.779 And I'm bound around the neck almost, you know. 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:53.320 But God's given me the gospel to convince them. 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:53.779 Light. 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:56.340 I've come as light so that nobody has to walk in the dark. 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:57.880 I've not come as judge into the world. 00:30:57.940 --> 00:31:01.440 He says in verse 47, I've come to save it, not to judge the world. 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.860 The judgment will come later. 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.460 Read the end of verse 48. 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.519 The judgment will come later. 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:07.279 But today's the day of salvation. 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:07.920 Amen. 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.660 Guys, out there in this world, your patch. 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.779 Today's the day of salvation. 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:20.379 These are the last words in John's gospel from Jesus to the public. 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.740 After this, he goes private. 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:24.480 These are his last words to the public. 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.480 His last words. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.500 And man, he's pushing hard. 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.779 This is hugely significant. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.000 And so here's the question. 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.779 Just where are you with Jesus? 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.839 Where are you with Jesus? 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.980 Where are you as a human? 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.779 You believe? 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.899 Do you believe? 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:42.080 If you don't, here's the opportunity. 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:45.160 I put death before you and life. 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.759 What do you like? 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:48.440 You know, this isn't hamburgers and hot dogs. 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:49.820 Right? 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:52.060 Death and life. 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.560 There you go. 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.120 Forever. 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.240 Eternal death. 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.180 Eternal life. 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.740 What do you like? 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:56.800 What do you like? 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.780 What would you like on that? 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:59.320 What kind of sauce you want on that? 00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.640 Right? 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.240 There's your choice. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.340 What do you want? 00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:03.700 What do you want? 00:32:04.080 --> 00:32:06.420 This is what Jesus says to every human being. 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.759 We're his ambassadors. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:09.039 We're to go and spread the word. 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:12.859 Part of it's happening right here, right now. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.599 Where are you at with Jesus? 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.980 Where's your heart right now? 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.700 Where's your heart before God? 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:20.900 In verse 50, God's commandment, he says, is eternal life. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.519 Isn't that interesting? 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.960 His commandment is eternal life. 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.960 He's commanding you. 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:26.259 His commandment is eternal life. 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:30.200 So could I just ask you, are you obeying the commandment? 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.619 Are you obeying the commandment? 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.700 Come to Jesus for life. 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.700 He doesn't say, are you perfect? 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.960 He doesn't say, are you good? 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.519 He doesn't say, are you nice? 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.880 He says, have you come? 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:51.140 Have you come to be forgiven and restored and accepted by God's grace through the righteousness of Christ? 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.019 Have you come? 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.019 God, I'm going to be right here. 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:54.019 I'm going to be right here. 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.019 I'm going to be right here. 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.079 I'm going to be right here. 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.160 I'm going to be right here. 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:56.319 Let me pray. 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.019 And we'll finish up here this morning. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:33:00.799 Lord, thank you for your word. 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:05.019 Thank you for, I don't know what Jesus would have been like as he was crying out. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:07.059 What would that have looked like? 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:11.220 What would that have sounded like to hear Jesus crying out these things? 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.519 Crying him out, pleading. 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.359 And so we plead. 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.599 We plead with men and women. 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:20.119 We know we can't make the choice for them, but we can give them the choice. 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.319 We can let them know. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:25.339 We can share the gospel. 00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:29.799 Pray, Lord, for all of us this morning here that we'll receive it. 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:34.420 And we'll share it as we should for your glory. 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.900 Give us grace in Christ's name. 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:37.940 Amen. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.079 Amen. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.139 Amen. 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:38.160 Amen. 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.180 Amen.