WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.820 John Sandin. 00:00:01.620 --> 00:00:03.339 And it's our third sermon. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Our final one on John Sandin. 00:00:06.500 --> 00:00:05.400 ! 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:31.579 But there was no reply. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:35.899 He came back 10 or 15 minutes later. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:37.480 Knocked on the door again. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:38.439 But there was still no reply. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:41.759 Presuming that the king was still asleep. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:44.120 He came back later again. 00:00:44.200 --> 00:00:46.140 And still no reply. 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:50.280 By this time he's a little bit concerned. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:53.340 Knowing that king is a fragile state of health. 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:57.400 And even though it was not allowed for him to enter the king's presence. 00:00:58.039 --> 00:00:59.140 Without the king's permission. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:01.820 The valet opened the door. 00:01:02.660 --> 00:01:05.140 And went in to find King George VI. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:07.280 That is Queen Elizabeth's father. 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:09.120 On his knees praying. 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.920 And the sim hurriedly withdrew. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:14.500 And came back a little bit later. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:18.000 The king. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:22.120 Was on his knees praying. 00:01:22.460 --> 00:01:25.140 The valet expected when he returned. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:27.420 A reprimand for the gate crashing. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:29.439 On the king's early morning devotions. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:31.740 But the king said this. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:32.519 He said remember. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.620 If you ever find me like that again. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:38.980 There is always room for you at the throne. 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:41.040 So come and join me. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:43.880 I hope that's a true story. 00:01:44.320 --> 00:01:46.080 My fear is it might be a preacher's story. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:48.080 But I hope it's a true story. 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:50.460 But that really is the message of John 17. 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:54.140 And that's why Jesus prays. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:55.679 So to be overheard. 00:01:56.139 --> 00:01:57.099 By his disciples. 00:01:58.199 --> 00:02:00.079 To stumble across a man on his knees. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:00.739 Is something. 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:01.399 Isn't it? 00:02:01.639 --> 00:02:04.219 To hear what a man is saying to God. 00:02:04.339 --> 00:02:05.159 Is holy ground. 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:07.679 To find a king. 00:02:07.979 --> 00:02:09.099 On his knees. 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:10.859 Talking to the king of kings. 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:12.140 You don't want to intrude on him. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:14.940 But here is the son of God. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:16.280 Talking to his father. 00:02:17.540 --> 00:02:18.680 And he invites you. 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:19.720 To listen in. 00:02:19.940 --> 00:02:20.540 To his prayer. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:22.920 And as I say. 00:02:23.100 --> 00:02:24.580 It's the high priestly prayer. 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:25.780 The high priest. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:26.200 In Israel. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:26.760 Once a year. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:27.320 Would go. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:28.500 Into the temple. 00:02:29.420 --> 00:02:30.320 And before. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:31.560 Offering the sacrifice. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:32.660 He would pray. 00:02:33.660 --> 00:02:35.280 He would pray for himself. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:35.900 When he went. 00:02:36.100 --> 00:02:37.380 Into the temple. 00:02:37.600 --> 00:02:38.300 And then he would pray. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:39.420 For his fellow priests. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:40.180 And then he would pray. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.140 For the whole nation of Israel. 00:02:41.600 --> 00:02:42.060 And so. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:43.500 I think you see that model. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:44.820 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:45.800 Our great high priest. 00:02:46.920 --> 00:02:47.420 First of all. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:47.880 In the first one. 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:48.960 To find he prays for himself. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:49.880 And the prayer there. 00:02:49.920 --> 00:02:50.820 Is glorify me. 00:02:51.600 --> 00:02:52.740 And then he prays. 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:53.980 For the eleven disciples. 00:02:54.140 --> 00:02:54.640 His apostles. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:55.900 Who he is sending out. 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:56.640 Into the world. 00:02:56.820 --> 00:02:57.820 With his message. 00:02:58.640 --> 00:02:59.460 And he prays. 00:02:59.540 --> 00:02:59.820 Doesn't he. 00:03:00.220 --> 00:03:00.860 Protect them. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:01.660 From the world. 00:03:03.100 --> 00:03:04.540 They are in the world. 00:03:04.820 --> 00:03:05.660 But protect them. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:06.439 From the world. 00:03:07.720 --> 00:03:08.280 And now. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.820 He prays for his church. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:10.820 Right down. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:11.780 Through the centuries. 00:03:12.160 --> 00:03:13.100 Right around the globe. 00:03:13.160 --> 00:03:13.900 Look at verse 20. 00:03:15.260 --> 00:03:16.580 I do not ask for these only. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:17.620 These eleven. 00:03:18.260 --> 00:03:18.860 But also. 00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:20.520 For those who will believe in me. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:21.960 Throughout. 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:23.160 Through their word. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:25.620 That's the message. 00:03:27.220 --> 00:03:28.200 And that's you and me. 00:03:29.980 --> 00:03:31.540 That's why we're here. 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:32.180 This morning. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:34.540 The reason. 00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:35.680 This church exists. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:37.140 Is because we have. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:38.580 Believed the message. 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:39.319 Of the apostles. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:41.439 Someone has. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:43.159 Passed it on to us. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:45.300 And we have believed it. 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:46.480 And so Jesus. 00:03:46.700 --> 00:03:48.580 The night before he goes to the cross. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:49.939 Has got you on his mind. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:52.439 You were always on his mind. 00:03:54.020 --> 00:03:55.020 He's got you. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:56.400 In his thoughts. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:57.700 And he carries you. 00:03:57.960 --> 00:03:58.580 In his heart. 00:03:58.700 --> 00:03:59.560 And he is praying. 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:00.360 For you. 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:03.860 And so what is he praying for? 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:06.260 What does Jesus pray. 00:04:06.260 --> 00:04:07.240 For his church? 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:09.700 What does Jesus pray. 00:04:09.700 --> 00:04:10.360 For us. 00:04:10.440 --> 00:04:11.240 As believers? 00:04:12.140 --> 00:04:12.760 Well number one. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:14.460 He wants us to be united on earth. 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:16.560 And number two. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:17.720 He wants us to be with him. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:20.460 And number three. 00:04:20.520 --> 00:04:21.420 He wants the world to know. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:22.220 There's your three points. 00:04:23.580 --> 00:04:24.580 He wants us firstly. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:26.060 To be united on earth. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:26.800 So four times. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:27.520 In four verses. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:28.439 He prays. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:29.500 That they may be one. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:33.360 The first thing to say. 00:04:33.580 --> 00:04:34.080 About that is. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:34.960 It's a prayer. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:37.740 It's not a policy statement. 00:04:39.780 --> 00:04:41.300 It's not a draft proposal. 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:44.580 The Bible says. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:45.180 In James. 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:45.600 Doesn't it? 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:47.160 The fervent. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:48.080 Prayer. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:49.939 The effectual prayer. 00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:51.900 Of a righteous man. 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:53.860 Avails much. 00:04:56.699 --> 00:04:58.080 The fervent prayer. 00:04:58.080 --> 00:04:59.560 Of a righteous man. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:00.000 Does it? 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.000 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:00.139 Does it? 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:00.139 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:00.139 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:01.060 Does it? 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.060 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:01.680 Does it? 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:01.680 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:03.680 Do it? 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:03.680 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:03.680 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:04.480 Do it? 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:11.680 the prophet Elijah. Elijah is on Mount Carmel. And he is saying the fervent, effectual prayer 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:18.379 of a righteous man, it carries a lot of weight with God. A fervent prayer of a godly man 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:26.840 carries a lot of weight with God. But here's not a righteous man like Elijah. Here is the 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:35.759 righteous man. Luther calls him the proper man. The proper man. He's praying for us. 00:05:37.919 --> 00:05:41.959 And what he prays for, I mean, there's not a chance, is that? There's not a chance that 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:48.419 Jesus' prayer is not going to be answered. And so what I'm trying to say to you, and I want you to 00:05:48.419 --> 00:05:55.899 gasp, is this unity, this is not a proposal that you find somewhere in the Bible. We're not told 00:05:55.899 --> 00:06:01.079 to manufacture or create this unity. We're just told that we have to keep it. 00:06:02.979 --> 00:06:08.060 We have to maintain it because the unity that Jesus is praying for here already exists. 00:06:10.659 --> 00:06:17.060 It's one of the perks of being a Christian, isn't it? One of the great perks of being a Christian is 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:24.439 you can go to anywhere in the world. You can go to America or Iran. You can go to Africa or Scotland. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:33.579 You can go to Asia. You can go into Anglicanism. You can go into Pentecostalism or the Baptists or the Presby's. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:40.980 You can go anywhere and there is instantly a oneness with fellow believers, isn't there? 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:50.660 And so when we come to this passage, often people want to talk about denominations. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:56.379 I think it's got very little to do with what Jesus is praying for in John 17. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:07:07.680 What he's talking about is this profound, vital unity, spiritual unity with all believers that we have. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:14.379 Down through the centuries, across the ages and across the world. 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:18.120 And we can't produce that. I can't produce that. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.139 We can only protect it. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:24.759 We can only give expression to it. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.720 And that's what Jesus says here. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.019 This is a unity that needs to be seen by the world. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:29.660 And he gives us the model for that here. 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:30.680 Look at verse 21. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:36.840 I do not ask for these only, verse 20, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 00:07:36.900 --> 00:07:41.680 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:48.259 that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:56.620 And so, he's speaking about the apostles, whom this message will go out into all the world. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:08:00.899 And he prays for those of us who are in Ealing this morning on November the 27th, 2022. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:06.079 And he says, I am praying that they may be one, as we are one, Father. 00:08:07.719 --> 00:08:12.219 Or in verse 22, the glory that you've given me, I've given them, 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:15.339 that they may be one, even as we are one. 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:24.560 So, can you see, it's an organic oneness, not an organizational oneness. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.639 It's not the oneness of a graveyard. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:31.839 And there's a unity in a graveyard, isn't there? 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:38.179 Martin I. Jones said about the ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches, 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:44.019 he said, putting all the ecclesiastical corpses into one graveyard will not bring about a resurrection. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:51.079 So, we're not talking about us all getting together and working at policy statements. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:58.000 And negotiating mergers and agreements and kind of going on walks. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.059 We're not talking about that. 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.419 It's not going to convince anyone of anything. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:09.099 But when the world sees this kind of oneness, this spiritual, vital oneness, 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.639 do you remember what Jesus says in John's Gospel? 00:09:12.479 --> 00:09:19.679 He says, by this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:24.539 That's the kind of oneness that he's talking about in John 17. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:27.839 What does it look like on the ground? 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:29.219 It's a hugely powerful thing. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.959 This is what Jesus is envisaging. 00:09:33.199 --> 00:09:34.500 Jesus doesn't die disappointed. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:41.059 Jesus doesn't die, you know, really disappointed that he's got this huge vision of a united people 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:45.039 in a divided world and it's just been ruined. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:45.519 No. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.339 He doesn't die disappointed. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:51.959 This oneness, the world cannot produce it. 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:57.680 The most that the world can do is come up with a kind of cessation of hostilities. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:01.980 But it can't produce a oneness like this. 00:10:03.420 --> 00:10:07.860 So what does it look like that they may be one as we are one? 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.080 Let me just say a couple of things about that. 00:10:12.160 --> 00:10:15.200 He's talking about the oneness in the Godhead. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:18.639 So children, how many persons are there in the Godhead? 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:21.000 Three. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.779 How many gods are there? 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:23.960 One. 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:25.340 There's one God, isn't there? 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:32.460 And so you have this oneness in the Godhead. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:40.720 First thing I think on this is there's this face-to-faceness in the Godhead. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:48.639 The kind of oneness that Jesus wants the world to see is a face-to-faceness. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.920 So John's gospel begins with, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.560 The word was with God. 00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:01.460 It's literally the word is towards God. 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:06.360 God literally towards God. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:09.780 That is how God has existed from all eternity. 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:13.220 The Father and the Son face-to-face. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:20.460 And Jesus is saying, I want my people, your people, to be like that. 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:22.240 I want there to be a face-to-faceness. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:27.299 Not ships passing in the night. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:30.120 Not people attending a meeting, just hearing a preacher. 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:32.440 But delighting in each other's company. 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:36.540 The Father and the Son. 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:38.980 The Father's heart going out to His Son. 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:40.940 The Son glorifying His Father. 00:11:41.160 --> 00:11:42.720 I want them to be like that. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:47.320 And so it's a face-to-faceness. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:50.700 And that doesn't mean that we're going to all be exactly the same. 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:56.560 Because we know, don't we, that within the Godhead there's not only a face-to-faceness, 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.460 but there's a unity and diversity. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:58.620 Trinity. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:04.000 So the one God that we believe in is Trinity, children. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:04.460 Do you remember? 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.900 The three persons of the Godhead. 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:07.460 The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.980 And that is a mystery. 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:12.700 We don't understand how that can be. 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.920 I don't understand how that can be. 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.600 But it is a mystery. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.220 That is how God exists. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:20.120 He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.360 The Father is not the Son. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.420 The Son is not the Father. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.340 The Holy Spirit is not the Son nor the Father. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:28.940 Three distinct persons and yet one God. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:32.600 I want them to be like that. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:35.340 I don't want them to be clones. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.980 All dressed in the same way. 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:39.240 With the same haircut. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.080 Same cheesy grin. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:44.420 I want them to be one as we are one. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.980 We've got to be careful here, haven't we? 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:46.500 I know that. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:54.820 But when God sends a snowstorm, each snowflake is different. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.460 What do human beings do? 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.879 We make ice cubes, don't we? 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:03.519 We pour the water in and there's a mold. 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:04.780 They come out exactly the same. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:09.940 It's the difference, isn't it, between Christianity and the cults. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.100 You see the Mormons coming a mile off, don't you? 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.740 They all dress exactly the same way. 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.240 They've all got the same haircuts. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:22.379 The JWs, you can recognize them. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:26.360 There are some branches of the Christian church that are like that, aren't they? 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:29.600 Especially kind of legalistic churches. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:31.919 You've got the rules and the regulations that you have to abide by. 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.240 We all look the same. 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:35.200 The world isn't very impressed by that. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.379 The world is spooked out by that. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:46.559 But the kind of oneness that Jesus is talking about and praying for and wanting to see is a unity in diversity. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:51.039 A variety of ministries taking place. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:53.019 A variety of gifts being used. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:56.919 Different personalities in this small congregation. 00:13:56.919 --> 00:14:01.779 And Jesus says, I want them to be one as we are one. 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:02.799 A face-to-faceness. 00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:04.079 A unity in diversity. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.360 And then it's a working oneness, isn't it? 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:11.620 It's a working relationship in the Godhead. 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:13.379 Sometimes we oversimplify it. 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:15.379 We say, well, the Father plans our salvation. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.839 The Son carries it out. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:18.099 And the Holy Spirit applies it. 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.679 It's not as simple as that, is it? 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:27.919 All three persons of the Godhead are involved in our salvation. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:32.039 You see that in the baptism of the Lord Jesus famously. 00:14:32.359 --> 00:14:33.799 Where Jesus is in the Jordan River. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.419 And Jesus lines up. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.759 He joins the queue of sinners. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:41.699 He stands in the way of sinners to be baptized by John. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:44.579 And he identifies with those he has come to save. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:50.639 Do you remember as he comes out of the water at that very moment. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:56.179 Where he sets out on that road that will lead him to the cross. 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:59.919 Where he will die for those sinners he's standing in line with. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.219 It all starts, doesn't it? 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:04.539 Age 30, in that Jordan River. 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:07.659 He identifies himself publicly with sinners. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:11.159 And when John says, no, no, no, this shouldn't happen. 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:14.079 Jesus says, no, all righteousness must be fulfilled. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:17.179 This is the right thing to do, John. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:19.299 This is the reason why I have come. 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:21.799 To identify with sinners. 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:24.079 And do you remember as he does that, what happens? 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.859 The heavens open. 00:15:26.359 --> 00:15:28.579 And the Holy Spirit comes down in the shape of a dove. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.639 And the voice of the Father is heard from heaven saying, 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:33.319 This is my son. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.519 My beloved son with whom I'm well pleased. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.759 That's my boy. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:43.899 And I'm pleased for you. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.039 Go for it, son. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.779 Go on. 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:51.879 Do you see the encouragement of the Father to the Son at his baptism? 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:54.879 Do you see that? 00:15:54.879 --> 00:16:02.320 And Jesus says, I want my followers, my people to be one like that. 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:06.799 I want IPC to be a church like that. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.059 Encouraging one another. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.220 So how many ministers? 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.960 How many elders? 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:14.559 How many Sunday school teachers? 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.559 How many house group leaders? 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.299 How many deacons? 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.939 How many English class teachers? 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.659 How many helpers in Little Stars? 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:25.959 And youth group leaders are on the verge of giving up for lack of encouragement. 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:30.899 A phone call or an email. 00:16:31.719 --> 00:16:32.659 A text message. 00:16:35.319 --> 00:16:37.559 When did you last pat someone on the shoulder and say, 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.699 That's my boy. 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:39.159 Go on. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:44.959 When did you last think of other ministries in London? 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.339 And churches in London? 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:51.160 And you say, I'm so glad people are there doing that. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.780 Did you tell them? 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:57.040 Or are we all in competition with each other? 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:57.879 Rival brands. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:03.399 But they may be one as we are one. 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.279 So that's the first thing. 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.740 It's a work in progress, isn't it? 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.880 We're not there yet. 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:11.740 Notice what he says in verse 23. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.519 That they may be completely one. 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.420 Verse 26. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.380 He says, 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:29.420 Obviously heaven, what will heaven be like? 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:31.260 Heaven will be a world of love. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.000 And it will be complete. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.160 And we're not there yet. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:40.820 And so this is a work in progress. 00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:45.580 We've got to work in it because this is what Jesus wants for his church. 00:17:48.100 --> 00:17:50.880 It's not about denominational politics. 00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:54.000 It is about a real spiritual oneness. 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.880 A face-to-faceness. 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:56.460 Using our different gifts to gather. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:59.980 A unity and diversity and a working relationship. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:02.420 Secondly, he wants us to be with him in heaven. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.360 United on earth, but with him in heaven. 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.220 Look at verse 24. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:12.680 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:17.900 To see my glory that you've given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.660 It's the ultimate family gathering. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.740 Christmas is coming, isn't it? 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.839 And families get together. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:29.139 And that's difficult for some people. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.859 But for many people, that's a great time. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:39.839 When the extended family gets together and there's all sorts of tensions and difficulties with people you haven't seen for ages. 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:45.019 And yet, nevertheless, it's a joyous occasion when the family gets together. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:49.519 And all sorts of preparations are made for that, aren't they? 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:54.379 But that's nothing compared to what Jesus has in mind for us. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:58.480 Nothing compared to what Jesus has in mind. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.679 The ultimate family gathering. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:03.639 When God's people from all over the globe, in every area of history. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.000 Imagine that. 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:09.439 Imagine celebrating Christmas Day with Martin Luther. 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.699 It'd be raucous, wouldn't it? 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:20.199 But when Christians from every period of history, from all around the globe, from every language group, from every cultural background, 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:23.159 will gather together, that's what Jesus envisages here. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:26.800 Remember in John 14, he says this, 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.400 In my Father's house, there's plenty of room. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:34.300 In my Father's house, there's many dwelling places. 00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:38.540 There's many, there's much room. 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:41.940 And if I would not have told you, I would have told you if it wasn't like that. 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:45.300 And I'm going to prepare a place for you. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:52.319 And he's going to go out of that room, out of that city, to the cross to prepare a room for you. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.539 That's what he means when he says, and I go to prepare a place for you. 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:01.419 I'm going to the cross to prepare a place for you. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:08.600 I'm going into outer darkness, that you may be brought into the fellowship of God. 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:15.039 And if I'm going to do that, then he says, when I come, I will receive you to myself. 00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:18.480 That where I am, you may be also. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.480 That's the Christian's hope, isn't it? 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:28.799 David Cook is an Australian Presbyterian. 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.579 He's a great preacher. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:33.500 He was a kind of moderator of the Presbyterian Church. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:37.400 And he wrote a Christmas letter to all the Presbyterian churches a couple of years ago. 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.980 And he said this. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:44.480 On the 3rd of January, as a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground, I will get up at 5 a.m. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:49.660 I will queue up at the members' gate at 6 a.m. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:53.120 And then I will run from the gate in what is called the Paddington Gift. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:58.600 To secure my seat for the day in the members' stand of the Sydney Cricket Ground. 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:01.920 I'll try to reserve the seat next to me for a friend. 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:07.360 He'll get up at about 9.30 a.m., wandering to the ground at 10.30 a.m. 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:11.100 For the start of play, securing the fact that I've reserved a seat for him. 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.720 I pay the member subscription. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.519 I get up at 5 a.m. 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:17.140 I queue up at 6 a.m. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.779 And run for it at 7 a.m. 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.079 I do all the work. 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.220 He wanders in at 10.30 a.m. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:24.539 And enjoys the fruit of my labors. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.940 David Cook says that's what makes Christianity unique. 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:33.379 He says all religions tell you to get up early. 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.519 To line up. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:37.019 To join the queue. 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.859 To run the race. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.639 To do your best. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.299 But you're never sure whether you've done enough. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:45.399 If you get a seat in heaven or paradise, well, it reflects well on you. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.279 But you might not. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:51.519 That is what religions say. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:56.899 But Jesus came into the world to live perfectly, die substitutionally, rise bodily. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:22:00.279 And he says, in my Father's house there are many seats. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.899 And I've reserved one for you. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.200 That's the gospel, isn't it? 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:09.039 Jesus wants you to be there. 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:14.799 Jesus has reserved a seat for you. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:22.700 Christmas Day, you sit around the table and someone says, where should I seat? 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.980 And you say, well, there's a seat with your name on it here. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:31.399 Think of Bob Cratchit in Dickens. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.180 Christmas Carol. 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:37.119 His nose pressed against the window looking in at the Christmas celebrations on the outside. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.819 Remember that scene? 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:43.319 And that's what eternity will look like for you unless you turn to the Lord Jesus. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:49.439 Every single one of us wants to be on the inside. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.500 No one wants to be on the outside. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.339 That's human nature. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:57.559 People want to be in the inner circle, in the in crowd. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:02.379 And I'm telling you this morning, if you do not trust in Jesus, you will be on the outer forever. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:07.039 Out of darkness, on your own, with your face pressed against the window. 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:10.539 Looking in on what might have been. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:15.839 And if only you'd been wise enough to turn to Jesus when you had the chance. 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:18.700 I'm going to the cross, he says, to repair a place for you. 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:22.079 So that when I come again, I will receive you to myself. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.599 And you will be with me. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:28.980 That's what makes heaven, heaven, isn't it? 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.359 That we will be with Jesus. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:35.980 It's not golden pavements or fluffy clouds or even a renovated body. 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:45.839 A friend of mine was saying to an old lady once, he was trying to comfort her. 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:50.059 She was dying and he said to her, you're going to be with Jesus. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.719 She said, I don't want to go and live with strangers. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:58.159 And the truth is, isn't it? 00:23:58.179 --> 00:24:02.959 If Jesus is a stranger to you, you've got nothing to look forward to but out of darkness and loneliness. 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:07.539 Cut off from everything that is good. 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.459 And that's what hell is. 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.579 God is good. 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.699 He's the source of all goodness. 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:15.839 And to be on the outside of that is unthinkable. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.299 And Jesus says, I don't want that for you. 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.299 I don't want that for you. 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:22.559 I want you to believe the message of the apostles. 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.579 I want you to come in. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.480 I want you to be where I am. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:32.039 In 1981, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was dying and healing. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:36.519 He's kind of one of the great preachers of the 20th century. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:39.500 He was dying of cancer and he lived here in healing. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:45.640 And in the last few weeks of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' life, he couldn't speak. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.599 But he wrote a note to his wife. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:50.319 And this is what the note said in shaky handwriting. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.619 Don't pray for healing. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.519 Don't keep me from the glory. 00:24:58.519 --> 00:25:00.000 Don't keep me from the glory. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.000 Don't keep me from the glory. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.000 Don't keep me from the glory. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.000 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.619 That's what Jesus wants for his church. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.319 He wants you united on earth. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.940 He wants you with him in heaven. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.680 And then lastly, he wants the world to know. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:18.660 The world word is used different ways in John's gospel. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.299 This world is God's world. 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:25.019 It is his creation. 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.259 We are a part of it. 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:28.059 It is given to us to enjoy. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.879 It is God's world, so enjoy it. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:33.440 But the world is also Satan's kingdom. 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:36.859 The Bible tells us that the devil is the prince of this world. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:41.220 And so we ought to be careful of the kind of propaganda of the devil. 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:43.000 And we don't get taken in by that. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:49.299 I've left them in the world, but protect them in the world. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:52.659 This world is God's world, so enjoy it. 00:25:52.659 --> 00:25:55.700 This world is Satan's world, so beware of it. 00:25:58.059 --> 00:26:01.539 But God hasn't finished with this world. 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:05.740 And this world has turned its back on him and rebelled against him. 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.799 But God hasn't finished with it. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.960 He doesn't just wash his hands. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:13.240 He wants this world to be one for Christ. 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:16.819 That's why he's left his church. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.160 That's why he's left us here. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:23.019 So he wants us to reach out to this world. 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.680 That they may know. 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:30.319 I pray for all those in the world who will believe in me. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:45.519 And so there are people on there in our family circle, amongst our friendship group, who will believe in Jesus. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.200 They don't know that yet. 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.619 And yet they will. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:53.539 I love the story of William Bramble Booth. 00:26:53.659 --> 00:26:55.500 He was the founder of the Salvation Army. 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:58.039 And he was speaking at a huge evangelistic rally. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:02.479 And somebody said to him afterwards, there was a huge response to his message. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:06.279 People came rushing down to the front to be counseled. 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:11.979 And someone said to him, wasn't it wonderful to see so many coming forward tonight? 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:15.700 And William Booth said, my eyes were on those who didn't come. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.759 Those who are yet to believe. 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:25.420 I think that's the danger of a full church this morning, isn't it? 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:29.160 It's the danger of thinking, well, aren't we doing great? 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:30.500 Isn't this marvelous? 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.599 We've got a full church. 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:38.900 Not there are scores of people out there who are yet to believe. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:45.240 Other sheep, Jesus says, I have, who are not of this fold. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.220 They too I must bring in. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:50.180 And they will be one flock with one shepherd. 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:52.340 So Jesus hasn't finished with this world yet. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.980 What does Jesus want the world to know? 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.420 Two things. 00:27:55.280 --> 00:27:55.900 Look what it says. 00:27:57.400 --> 00:28:01.320 It says, so that the world might know that you have sent me. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.900 That's what the world needs to know. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.540 That's what people don't understand. 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:12.280 When I was growing up, there was a broadcaster called Clive James. 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:16.660 We weren't allowed to watch him, actually, in our house. 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.540 But he's brilliant. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:21.560 He was a brilliant broadcaster and a brilliant writer. 00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:23.200 Some of his things I wouldn't advise. 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.759 He was an atheist. 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:26.660 And he wrote this just before he died. 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:34.240 He says, the Christmas will come when our granddaughter will want to know just whose birthday Christmas is. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:39.559 And an important part of her upbringing will begin. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:44.039 Her parents are both believers in the classic sense. 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:49.200 But it may be that one day their daughter will become an unbeliever in the same way that I am. 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:53.880 She might not believe that Jesus is still alive in heaven. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:57.240 But there's one important thing that even I will be able to tell her. 00:28:57.560 --> 00:29:02.300 Which is that Jesus, the first great man to be a champion of women, believed in her. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:08.240 And that alone would be sufficient cause to bless every night and day of the season wherein his birth is celebrated. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:11.500 It's so frustrating, isn't it? 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:16.640 He was a brilliant intellect. 00:29:17.040 --> 00:29:18.380 So funny. 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:20.260 So witty in his writing. 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.480 So intelligent. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.059 But he's entirely missed the point. 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:31.160 And for all his wit and charm and all his massive intellect, he hadn't grasped the message of Christmas. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.980 And the message of Christmas is not what a wonderful person Jesus is. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:40.460 But that they may know that you have sent me. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:42.660 There's no other human being who can say that. 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.140 That they may know. 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:48.660 And when you grasp that, you're beginning to understand the gospel. 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:55.140 That this peasant Jesus from Nazareth isn't something that's popped up in an evolutionary cycle. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:57.460 He's not some kind of aberration of human existence. 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.860 But this is somebody who has come from outside. 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:05.340 Who has been sent into the world as a rescuer and as a saviour. 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:08.599 And he goes to the cross. 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:15.619 And so remember, there's no church to speak of at this point when Jesus is praying. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:20.399 There are 11 men who are about to run away and hide and they will desert him. 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:27.179 And his prayer, down through the centuries, his prayer is that this world might know 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:32.900 that he was sent into this world by the Father. 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:39.120 And now this morning, in 2022, there are more than 2 billion Christians in the world. 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:44.480 And what brings people to Jesus Christ is that they suddenly begin to understand 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:46.420 that the man they had written off 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:50.380 is the man who's been sent into this world by the Father. 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:55.300 And the other thing we're told he prays for 00:30:55.300 --> 00:31:00.400 and he wants the world to know is that you have loved them as you loved me. 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.580 Think about that in verse 23. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.360 That's what they need to know. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:09.300 That you've sent me, but that you've loved them as you've loved me. 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:13.300 And it takes us to the very heart of the gospel. 00:31:13.520 --> 00:31:14.240 That you've loved them. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.120 What, me? 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:22.479 How can God love me as much as he loves Jesus? 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.299 That's what it says. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:32.299 He wants me to know, he wants you to know that God loves me as much as he loves Jesus. 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:37.359 He says, righteous Father, you love me since the world began. 00:31:37.459 --> 00:31:40.559 I want them to know, I want them to know that you love them as much as you love me. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:46.399 Think how much the Father loves the Son. 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:49.279 In the councils of eternity before the world existed, 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:51.419 the Father's heart goes out to his Son. 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:54.359 He delights in his Son. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:32:00.000 And the gospel tells me that God delights in me. 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:06.579 And accepts me just as much as he accepted Jesus. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.119 It's too good to be true, isn't it? 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:14.019 Let me finish with a story. 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:19.919 Colin Chapman tells a story in his book, A Case for Christianity. 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:26.279 He quotes Festo Kevin Gary, who is a Ugandan archbishop. 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.980 It's an amazing story if you can read the book. 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:35.960 It's a pretty gruesome account of a firing squad, execution of three men in 1973. 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.119 Let me just read it to you. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:42.179 February the 10th began as a sad day for us in Kabbali people. 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:46.660 We were commanded to come to the stadium and witness the execution. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:49.480 This is in the days of EDR, just after. 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:52.920 People were commanded to come to the stadium and witness the execution. 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:54.900 Death permeated the atmosphere. 00:32:55.560 --> 00:32:58.019 A silent crowd of about 3,000 were there to watch. 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:01.860 I had permission from the authorities to speak to the men before they died. 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:03.579 Two of my fellow ministers were with me. 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:06.219 They brought the men in a truck and unloaded them. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.799 They were handcuffed and their feet were chained. 00:33:07.959 --> 00:33:09.459 The firing squad stood to attention. 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:13.139 And as we walked into the center of the stadium, I was wondering what to say. 00:33:13.219 --> 00:33:16.679 How do you give the gospel to doomed men who are probably seething with rage? 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:19.019 We approached them from behind. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.859 And as they turned to look at us, what a sight. 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:26.039 Their faces were all alight with an unmistakable glow and radiance. 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:28.299 Before we could say anything, they said, 00:33:28.379 --> 00:33:29.339 Bishop, thank you for coming. 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:32.099 I wanted to tell you that the day I was arrested in my prison cell, 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:34.500 I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. 00:33:34.959 --> 00:33:36.879 He came in and forgave me all my sin. 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:40.399 Heaven is now open and there's nothing between me and my God. 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:44.199 Please tell my wife and children that I'm going to be with Jesus. 00:33:45.719 --> 00:33:48.019 Ask them to accept him into their lives as I did. 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:50.779 The other two men told similar stories. 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:55.599 Excitingly raising their hands, which rattled their handcuffs. 00:33:55.719 --> 00:33:58.439 I felt what I needed to do was talk to the soldiers, not to the condemned. 00:33:59.159 --> 00:34:02.379 So I translated what the men had said into a language the soldiers understood. 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:07.019 The military men were standing there with guns cocked and bewilderment on their faces. 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:11.819 They were so dumbfounded that they forgot to put hoods over the men's faces. 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:16.179 The three faced the firing squad standing close together. 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:19.099 They looked towards the people and started to wave handcuffs and all. 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.960 The people waved back. 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:24.380 Then shots were fired and the three were with Jesus. 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:30.960 We stood in front of them, our hearts throbbing with joy, mingled with tears. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.400 It was a day never to be forgotten. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:35.000 Though dead, the men spoke so loudly. 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:38.980 To all of Kegesi district and beyond. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:44.500 So that there was an upsurge of life in Christ, which challenges death and defeats it. 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:49.360 The next Sunday I was preaching to a huge crowd in the hometown of one of the executed men. 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.719 Again, the feel of death was over the congregation. 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:57.840 But when I gave them the testimony of their man and how he died, there erupted a great song of praise to Jesus. 00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:59.519 And many turned to the Lord there. 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:04.639 There is Jesus' prayer being answered, isn't it? 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:11.360 And Jesus says, I pray for all who will believe in me through the message of the apostles. 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:15.000 I pray that they may know that you sent me. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:18.920 And that you love them as you have loved me. 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:23.219 And I will continue to pray. 00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.980 It's wonderful, isn't it? 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:28.599 Our great high priest this morning, he prays this prayer. 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:30.659 And there is no way that it will not be answered. 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:37.039 And so I think I'm probably temperamentally an optimist. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:40.300 But I am theologically an optimist. 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:43.679 I am a gospel optimist. 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:53.579 Because there is no way that the fervent, effectual prayer of this righteous man will not be answered. 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:54.440 Listen. 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:56.699 Let's pray. 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:56.740 Let's pray.