WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 Good morning, everyone. Open up your copy of God's Word to John chapter 3. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:13.400 Last week we started John chapter 3 and worked our way through a little bit more of it today. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.339 And then next week we will finish it. 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:22.960 Thank you for the music and leading us in that beautiful, directing our hearts toward God. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:29.219 Today we will be in John 3, 11 through 21. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.899 Just by way of reminder, the Gospel of John is one of the clearest portraits of Jesus Christ, 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:47.140 one of the best clear visions we can have of Him as the Son of God incarnate who came to dwell among us. 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:51.939 And John focuses not just on the identity of who Jesus is, 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.299 but he also does it in such a way where he demands a response to it, 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:59.579 to either receive or reject the Son of God. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:07.659 And last week we picked it up with this conversation that he has with Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:09.180 He's in Jerusalem. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:14.060 He has just commenced with the cleaning out of the temple and his righteous anger. 00:01:14.960 --> 00:01:18.700 And Nicodemus, it says a little earlier, came to Jesus by night, 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:26.359 hoping probably to avoid the dangerous implications of other people, particularly of his own order, the Pharisees, 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:28.980 seeing him interact with Jesus. 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:33.340 But Nicodemus seems to be actually intrigued. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:39.260 He wants to hear Jesus out, take a closer look at who he is and his claims. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:46.460 And we learn a lot of very serious things that you cannot miss if you want to be saved, 00:01:46.520 --> 00:01:49.560 if you want to have a relationship with God through Christ. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:51.500 A lot in this interaction. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:59.900 But the one we looked at last week is how can a fallen, dead sinner enter into God's kingdom? 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:06.760 How can the rebels of the king actually be at peace with him and then enter into God's presence? 00:02:07.540 --> 00:02:16.240 And we looked at this last week, but the answer simply is you must be born again from above to see the kingdom of God. 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:19.259 And Jesus goes at length to explain that to him. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:24.939 But clearly Nicodemus picks up on some things he's saying, but he still is confused. 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:28.719 He doesn't quite know exactly what Jesus is saying. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:38.039 He gives him analogies from this world, talking about birth and how that connects to a spiritual birth that we must have. 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:41.439 Then we go on in verse 11 today. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:44.139 Let's pick it up in verse 11. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:45.280 Let's read our text together. 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:48.500 This is Jesus going on, but verse 11. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:54.699 And truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:57.599 But you do not receive our testimony. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:06.699 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe me, how can you believe me if I tell you heavenly things? 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:13.740 No one has ascended into heaven except he who has descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:19.479 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:23.479 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:33.199 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 00:03:33.959 --> 00:03:40.959 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:47.319 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:52.120 because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 00:03:53.079 --> 00:03:56.439 And this is the judgment, that light has come into the world. 00:03:57.079 --> 00:04:02.579 And people love darkness rather than the light, because their works were evil. 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:10.960 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 00:04:11.880 --> 00:04:20.879 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. 00:04:22.220 --> 00:04:23.879 Join me in another quick word of prayer. 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:29.719 Father, we just put this text before you and ask that you would work in our hearts and our hearing, 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:35.259 that your Holy Spirit would apply the word in the right way to each individual this year. 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:37.219 In Christ's name, amen. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:45.959 So, we see now in this text, sort of a turning away from just the conversation with Nicodemus 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:51.719 to our Lord's discourse on the true meaning of what salvation actually is. 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:58.279 And this is the news of the gospel, the glad tithings of salvation. 00:04:59.419 --> 00:05:03.659 And a lot of you have grown up hearing a lot of this stuff for most of your life, 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:06.579 especially from John chapter 3. 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:12.359 And so, lest you be tempted to be too familiar, you know, John 3.16, blah, blah, blah. 00:05:12.479 --> 00:05:15.560 Don't do that. Refuse to do that. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:20.839 And why do we need to hear the gospel daily? 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:23.579 Why do we need to be reminded of the gospel daily? 00:05:24.359 --> 00:05:28.359 As it has been said, because we forget it almost daily. 00:05:29.099 --> 00:05:31.839 And our lives reflect that very often. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:40.240 Like, how many of us could actually sit down with someone who doesn't know and explain the true Christian gospel? 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:50.319 How many of you are convinced that you believe the gospel, but your life and what you love and what you chase after doesn't really reflect that belief? 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:52.060 It contradicts it. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:57.759 And how many of you could be thinking that this is sort of just going back over something that you already know? 00:05:58.699 --> 00:05:59.620 Don't be tempted. 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:09.860 The important thing is if you actually have believed the gospel and you attend church Bible studies and meetings and learn from God's word, 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:17.819 you might try to be a better person and have an adequate understanding of what the gospel message is. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:21.420 But for some reason, you begin to think, is this all there is to it? 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:24.100 Is there more to being a follower of Jesus? 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:33.100 But your life simultaneously is characterized by a lack of joy and a lack of peace that's promised to those who do believe the gospel. 00:06:34.020 --> 00:06:36.939 A lack of consistent spiritual growth. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:42.080 It seems like the Christian life is reduced to a bunch of do's and don'ts. 00:06:42.520 --> 00:06:44.860 Trying to be good and trying not to be bad. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:47.820 And this is a failure to actually understand what the gospel is. 00:06:48.960 --> 00:06:52.580 This one man said the gospel is not just the ABC of Christianity. 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:55.599 It is the A to Z of Christianity. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:00.339 Paul refers to the gospel in a lot of rich language. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.319 Romans 1.9, he calls it the good news of his son. 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:08.300 Romans 15.16, the good news of God. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:12.259 1 Corinthians 9.12, the good news of Christ. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:16.819 2 Corinthians 4.4, the glorious good news. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:21.019 Ephesians 6.15, the good news of peace. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:28.620 And then, of course, Revelation 14.6, the everlasting gospel or the everlasting good news. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:34.099 But just a reminder before we start to unpack this, David Pryor wrote this. 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:37.319 He says, we never move on from the cross. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:41.920 Only into a more profound understanding of the cross. 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:50.740 And if you're growing spiritually, your sin that is making you feel small, a greater understanding of your need for salvation, 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:54.920 you get smaller and God's salvation and God gets bigger. 00:07:54.920 --> 00:08:02.640 And so, we're going to look at this through three points today, walking through our text. 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:07.360 Point number one, it's all just right out of the text. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:10.819 The Son of Man has come from the Father. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:14.360 The Son of Man has come from the Father. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:21.980 This may be one of the most important ones for us to understand, all that's important, but we have to understand who Jesus is. 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:28.319 And we see this very clearly in verses 11 through 13. 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:30.520 We just read it. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:39.659 In verse 11, you see that Jesus hones in on the idea of one's belief is tied to their spiritual ignorance. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:42.839 Nicodemus is missing the heart of the matter. 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:45.659 He fails to understand Jesus' teaching. 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:50.120 He's failed to believe in Jesus' witness, what Jesus is saying. 00:08:50.959 --> 00:08:54.519 And if you look at the verses, verses 11 through 13, 00:08:55.339 --> 00:09:01.740 the word you, the pronoun you, used four times is actually in the plural. 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:09.459 So, he's not just saying you, Nicodemus, but he's speaking about a characteristic of the nation of Israel in general. 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:14.360 Y'all, you do not believe in what I am saying. 00:09:15.199 --> 00:09:18.459 And he is supposed to be this great teacher of the nation of Israel. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:20.500 He is the top of the line. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.240 He is a Pharisee. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:25.259 And Jesus is saying, look, if you don't understand this, 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.339 what your own scriptures teach, 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:30.639 and I'm using earthly analogies here, 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.139 if you can't understand this, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:35.539 how will you understand a greater teaching 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:39.620 about heavenly things that are pertaining to God's glorious kingdom 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:44.620 and that no one can enter into it except through new birth, new spiritual birth? 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:47.439 So, he's laying this out very clearly. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.539 But one verse he really looked closely at, 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.199 he tells Nicodemus something astonishing. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:54.220 All right? 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:55.940 He says this in verse 13. 00:09:56.040 --> 00:09:56.840 Look at verse 13. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.180 No one has ascended into heaven 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:03.520 except he who has descended from heaven, 00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:05.160 the Son of Man. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.280 So, no one, 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:10.620 absolutely no one has ascended to heaven 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.820 or descended from heaven 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:14.800 in such a way as to come back 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:17.620 and talk about what heaven is like 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.400 other than Jesus. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.820 He has come from the Father. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:23.480 Heaven is his true home. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.740 There he dwelt eternally 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.440 with the Father and the Spirit, 00:10:28.160 --> 00:10:29.620 which is in John 17. 00:10:30.540 --> 00:10:32.520 Totally content in the Godhead. 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:35.000 Jesus absolutely insisted 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.720 that no one, 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:40.200 no one has ascended to heaven 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:41.100 in such a matter 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.879 as to come back and talk about these things. 00:10:42.940 --> 00:10:43.240 He's saying, 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.540 there isn't anybody, 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:45.580 like I'm it. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.440 He alone was in heaven 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:51.060 prior to his incarnation. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.200 And the wisdom writer, 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.200 something really, 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:56.060 a great connection to this, 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:56.940 the wisdom writer 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:58.720 in Proverbs 30, 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.820 verses 3 and 4, 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:02.260 he says, 00:11:02.420 --> 00:11:03.700 I have not learned wisdom, 00:11:03.880 --> 00:11:05.240 nor have I knowledge 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.260 of the Holy One. 00:11:07.140 --> 00:11:07.560 He's saying, 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:09.040 I don't really understand God. 00:11:09.160 --> 00:11:09.320 Like, 00:11:09.380 --> 00:11:10.740 he is so lofty. 00:11:11.260 --> 00:11:12.100 Then he makes this point, 00:11:12.140 --> 00:11:13.420 who has ascended to heaven 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:14.240 and come down? 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.820 And in his mind, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.000 like, 00:11:16.060 --> 00:11:16.159 yeah, 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.000 no one has. 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:17.299 Like, 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.879 no one has actually dwelt with God. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:19.820 But, 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.580 Jesus is saying, 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:21.000 yes, 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:21.600 actually, 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.159 I have, 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:24.279 the Son of God. 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:25.440 Therefore, 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:26.680 Jesus alone 00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:28.500 possesses true knowledge 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:30.440 and wisdom of God. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:33.200 He makes these exclusive claims 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.940 all throughout the Gospel of John. 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:38.279 Many exclusive claims. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:40.700 Let's just look at a few of them together. 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.940 He says, 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:44.379 no one has ever even seen God. 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.200 No one has, 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:48.060 except the Son. 00:11:49.140 --> 00:11:49.800 John 1, 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:50.140 18, 00:11:50.280 --> 00:11:51.259 which we read about earlier. 00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:53.000 No one has ever seen God. 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.879 The only God 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:55.280 who is at the Father's side, 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.180 He has made Him known. 00:11:58.640 --> 00:11:59.200 There's one. 00:11:59.320 --> 00:11:59.680 Also, 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.240 everyone, 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:01.800 it says in John 6, 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.420 45, 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.440 46, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.000 everyone who has heard 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:06.460 and learned from the Father, 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:07.240 Jesus says, 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.759 comes to me. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:10.840 Not that anyone 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:12.259 has ever seen the Father, 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:15.159 except He who is from God. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.720 Talking about Himself. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.299 He has seen the Father. 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.279 If you want to honor the Father, 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:23.480 Jesus says, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.720 whoever does not honor the Son 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.620 does not honor the Father 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.639 who sent Him. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.860 That's John 5, 23. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.779 If we claim to love the Father, 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.600 you must love Christ 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:38.000 whom the Father sent. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.700 John 8, 42, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:42.059 if God were your Father. 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.580 He's talking to a group of Jews 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:45.100 and leaders 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:46.320 that don't believe in Him. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.379 He's saying, 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:49.600 if you love the Father, 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:51.000 you would love me. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.799 For I came from God 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:54.759 and I am here. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:57.320 I cannot do this 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.179 on my own accord, 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.379 but He sent me. 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:01.519 And if we want to come 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.820 into the Father's presence 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:03.379 one day, 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.220 if we want to enter 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:05.899 into the realms 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:06.980 of eternal glory 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.820 to be with Him, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.360 Jesus says, 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:11.240 I am the way, 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.879 the truth, 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:12.659 and the life. 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.300 And no one comes 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.860 to the Father 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.700 except through me. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.720 John 14, 6. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.539 He also says 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.800 in John 14, 9, 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:23.279 do you want to see God? 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.159 Do you want to see God? 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:25.800 He says, 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.600 whoever has seen me 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:29.039 has seen the Father. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:32.360 So if Jesus is the only one 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:34.240 who has come from God, 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.919 then His authority 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.279 on all things and matters 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.379 pertaining to God, 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.459 He holds absolute authority. 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:43.219 And so we have to listen to Him. 00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:45.179 We have to trust Him 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:46.679 if we are to be saved 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.980 and if we are to know God. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.199 It's a very exclusive claim 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.740 He makes before going on 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.299 in this passage. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.359 So what are we going to do 00:13:55.359 --> 00:13:56.819 with that reality 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:59.319 that He is the true Son of God? 00:13:59.839 --> 00:14:01.000 There's two options. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.359 This is the next two points. 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:04.000 But number two 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:06.719 is receive the Son, 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.559 be saved, 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:10.039 and have eternal life. 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:11.740 Receive the Son, 00:14:11.859 --> 00:14:12.439 be saved, 00:14:12.479 --> 00:14:13.899 and have eternal life. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:15.659 And this goes on 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.459 from verses 14 to 18. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.019 And He gives, 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:22.120 Jesus gives this veiled prediction 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.899 in verse 14. 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:26.500 He refers back to Moses 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.959 and the children of Israel 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.779 when they were wandering 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.419 in the desert. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.840 So He's going back 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.399 to the Scriptures. 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.000 He's saying, 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.399 I love this just like Jesus 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.100 to teach us something 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.879 from the Scriptures 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.059 to help make a point 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.779 in the Scriptures. 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:41.740 And when they are wandering 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.419 in the wilderness 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.879 in such a barren land, 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.459 God graciously feeds them 00:14:46.459 --> 00:14:47.419 manna from heaven. 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:49.620 And instead of being grateful 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.620 for His provision from them, 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:51.959 instead, 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.979 they are ungrateful 00:14:52.979 --> 00:14:54.860 and they begin grumbling 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.659 and complaining against God. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.779 And as an act of judgment 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.019 and ingratitude, 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.459 God sends fiery serpents, 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.500 poisonous snakes, 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:04.939 among them, 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:06.379 in which many perish. 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:08.759 Realizing the error of their way, 00:15:08.839 --> 00:15:09.819 they cry to Moses and say, 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.379 hey, like we repent, 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.100 we repent, 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.779 like, you know, 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:15.019 we beg you to intercede 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.860 for us to God, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.519 for Him to lift His judgment 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.720 in which Moses does 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.980 and God does. 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.820 But a brief verse or two 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.980 out of Numbers 21, 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.259 this is Jesus referring back 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.939 to what happened. 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.179 Numbers 21, verse 8, 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.259 the Lord said to Moses, 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.759 make a fiery serpent, 00:15:32.479 --> 00:15:33.279 set it on a pole, 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.719 and everyone who is bitten, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.279 when he sees it, 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.159 shall live. 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:39.779 So Moses made a bronze serpent 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.279 and set it up on a pole. 00:15:41.859 --> 00:15:43.979 And if a serpent bit anyone, 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.219 he could look at the bronze serpent 00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:47.159 and live. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:49.099 So they had to, 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:49.959 by faith, 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:52.000 trust in what God had said, 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:54.299 gaze upon this fiery serpent, 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.500 this bronze serpent, 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:56.779 by faith, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.259 believing that God would heal them 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.860 if they looked upon 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.600 the serpent on the pole 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.699 and then they would live physically. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.779 So Jesus is saying, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.600 those who look upon Christ, 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:10.000 the connection word here 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.899 is lifted up, 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.379 as Moses lifted this 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:14.039 bronze serpent up. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.600 Those who look upon Christ, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.799 who would be lifted up 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.720 on the cross, 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.819 for the sins of many 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:23.000 would have eternal life. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:25.539 So Jesus builds out from this 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:27.080 to explain the true meaning 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.519 of salvation. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.840 And that gives us to verse 16, 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.019 one of the most well-known 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.580 in the world, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.279 probably. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.220 So much so that WWE wrestlers 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.179 and baseball players 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:39.879 have it on their, 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.220 you know, 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.279 tattoos and stuff, 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.639 but very, 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:45.500 not implied what that meaning is. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.059 But verse 16, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:47.620 let's read it, 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:49.500 for God so loved the world 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.000 that he gave his only son 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.440 that whoever believes in him 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.840 should not perish 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.720 but have eternal life. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.080 All right? 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:59.560 So God was moved by his love 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:02.000 for a sinful world of humanity. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.319 And really quickly, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.839 I didn't come up with this. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.700 It was more, 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.099 I heard it from 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.039 Sinclair Ferguson. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:12.980 But just three really good points 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.940 on what love actually is. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.920 He implies, 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.180 the greater the lover, 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:20.460 the greater the love. 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.000 And so, 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.659 there is no being 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:24.700 in all existence 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.839 that has the capacity 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.299 for love 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.639 with such immensity 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:30.759 and vastness as God. 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.659 God, indeed, 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:35.940 is the definition of love. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.700 As it says in 1 John, 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.460 God is love. 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.240 And he demonstrates 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.960 his great love for us. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.160 So there's no greater lover 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.500 than God himself. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.720 The second principle was, 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:49.360 the lesser the object, 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.500 the greater the love. 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.559 It's relatively easy 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.660 for us to love people 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.340 who love us. 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.200 That's what Jesus said. 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.600 Like, yeah, 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.680 of course you're going to love people 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.299 who love you back. 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.519 But, 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.660 not that so with God. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.120 We have wrongly turned 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:06.160 God's love, 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.680 often, 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.079 as an echo 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.299 of our own excellence. 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:11.740 God loved me so much 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:13.079 because I was so important. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.039 I was so valuable 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.319 and he couldn't spare me. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.340 That's not the case. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.220 The truth is 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.079 that his sin 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.579 had made us unlovable. 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.120 If everything in the Scripture 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.620 is true, 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.400 then we were rebels 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.259 against God. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.200 We were depraved 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.900 in our minds 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.680 and our hearts. 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.860 And we sought 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.539 to overthrow 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.720 his rightful rule 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.720 in our lives. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.700 So, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.259 he chose 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.240 to set his love 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.160 on the most 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.600 less of objects 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.220 possible, 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:42.019 following humanity. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.120 And then lastly, 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.720 the greater 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.539 the expression 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.600 of that love, 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.420 the more marvelous 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.839 the love. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.640 And what was the expression 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.440 of God's love? 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.500 It wasn't just sentiment, 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.380 it was action. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.839 He sent 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.140 his only son 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.400 to die 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.100 on a blood-stained cross 00:18:59.100 --> 00:18:59.860 for us. 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.059 So, 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:01.899 those three things 00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:02.619 what we see here, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.839 God's love 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.439 has expressed 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.539 his desire 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.719 to welcome sinners, 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.299 embracing them, 00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:10.059 cherishing them, 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.079 and giving eternally 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.740 of himself 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.159 to them. 00:19:13.979 --> 00:19:14.779 And he did so, 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:15.039 again, 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.599 not because we were lovable. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.719 We were not lovable. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.059 1 John 4, 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:24.519 for this is from God 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.699 because God is love. 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.159 Not that we 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:29.240 have loved God, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.700 but that God 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.480 loved us, 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:31.960 right? 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.019 And he sent his son 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.799 to die for us. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.200 So, 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.440 it magnifies 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.799 God's great love 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.220 to lavish it 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.880 on lesser 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.859 deserving 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.359 rebels 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.099 and sinners 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.759 that have been 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.960 against his good rule. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.000 It shows us 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.099 how great his love is 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.759 because he loved 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.319 his enemies. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.319 That's the point. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.620 Not because we were 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.079 valuable, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.059 but because we were 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.460 enemies. 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.599 It magnifies 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.359 God's love. 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.299 God's love 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.059 for the world. 00:20:01.199 --> 00:20:01.919 We see this 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:03.299 in the next part 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.899 of the verse. 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.659 In the context, 00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:08.039 for Nicodemus, 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.000 a Pharisee, 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.000 and for other Jews 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.579 to hear, 00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.179 the phrase 00:20:12.179 --> 00:20:12.719 that God 00:20:12.719 --> 00:20:13.679 loved the world 00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:14.139 would have been 00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:14.759 a shocking 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.740 and astonishing 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.339 statement 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.599 for any Jew 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.079 to hear 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.859 because many 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.339 of them, 00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:22.139 most of them 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:22.480 maybe, 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.339 wrongly interpreted 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.220 the Old Testament 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.539 and other Jewish 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:26.960 writings. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.519 They thought 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.419 that God's love 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.139 was exclusively 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:30.059 just for the 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.859 nation of Israel. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.220 And one time 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.839 when you read 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.980 in the scriptures 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.579 the term 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.279 the world 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.939 or all men, 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.439 it was often 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:40.599 used by the New Testament 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.819 writers to correct 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.259 the false notion 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.720 that God's love 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.779 was only for 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.379 the people 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.079 of Israel. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.919 So they use 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.919 such phrases 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:51.279 to show 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.839 that Christ 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.139 died for all men 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:54.859 without distinction, 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:57.159 Jews and Gentiles, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.339 people from 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.399 every nation 00:20:59.399 --> 00:21:00.079 and tongue, 00:21:00.699 --> 00:21:02.119 not just for all men 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.000 without exception, 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.079 meaning each and every 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:04.980 single individual 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.939 walking the planet. 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.279 But, 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.279 again, 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:08.859 this can't be 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.779 overemphasized. 00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:10.919 Nicodemus would have 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:11.139 been like, 00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:11.839 whoa, stop, 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.480 wait a minute, 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.859 what are you talking about? 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.339 It would have been 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:17.000 a mind-boggling thing 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.819 for him to hear. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.059 But as we know, 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.819 the scripture teaches 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:21.519 from the Abrahamic covenant 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.740 all the way 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.759 to the end of Revelation 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.599 that God desires 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.839 to collect a people 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.700 for himself 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.420 from every language, 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.180 every nation, 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:31.079 every tribe, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.579 every ethnic group, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.220 every tongue, 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.299 and he will do it. 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.099 That's his promise. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.019 He's going to do it. 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.339 And so, 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:40.740 that is his love 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.099 for the world, 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.700 this terrible world 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.460 that we live in. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.460 What was the expression 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.180 of that love? 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.980 We see in the next part 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.220 of this, 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.059 that he gave 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:51.779 his only son. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.700 Not mere sentiment, 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.160 again, 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.500 but he actually did something. 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:58.360 He sent his only son. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.400 This implies, 00:21:59.480 --> 00:21:59.600 like, 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:01.799 his only unique son. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.759 God gave us 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:05.079 his most treasured 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.519 possession, 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.840 his son. 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:09.319 It says in John 5, 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.659 20, 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.379 that the father 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:12.519 loves his son 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:14.240 and shows him 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.619 all that he is doing. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:18.259 And before all creation 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:20.039 and eternity past, 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.919 when the son dwelt 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:22.579 perfectly alone 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.679 with the spirit 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.379 and the father, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.059 John 17, 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.619 5, 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.000 Father, 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:28.079 glorify me 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:29.279 in your own presence 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.740 with the glory 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.639 that I had with you 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.919 before the world existed. 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.460 And then, 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.579 at Jesus' baptism, 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:36.939 we read, 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.159 that a voice came 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.620 from heaven. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.560 This is my beloved son 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:42.940 with whom I'm well pleased. 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.779 Listen to him. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.259 So, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.820 the father loves 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.600 and cherishes 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.800 the son. 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:52.000 His most valued possession. 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.300 This is what he gave 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:55.620 for a fallen humanity. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:56.980 When it says 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.259 that God so loved the world, 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.660 it's saying, 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.580 in what way 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.000 did God 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.800 love the world? 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.720 How so? 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.240 That he gave 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.779 his one 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:07.380 only unique son 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.140 for us. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.320 And then, 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.100 the next part of this, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.500 that whoever believes 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.880 in him. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.440 It just simply says 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.220 whoever believes in him, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.220 not how does 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.240 one believe, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.600 how does this 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.300 take place, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.360 but just saying 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.120 whoever does 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:22.140 will be saved. 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.220 So, 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:24.300 the word believed 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:26.240 here is a key word 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.800 that we can't miss. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.860 It's used seven times 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.019 in this context 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.800 to emphasize 00:23:31.800 --> 00:23:33.759 our reaction 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.880 or our response 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.640 to what God 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.200 has done. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.520 All right? 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.040 It's our response 00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:41.140 to God's great love 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.200 and sending Christ. 00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:42.480 But, 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.220 the Greek word here 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.120 means a deep confidence 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:48.400 to be fully persuaded, 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.620 fully entrust. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.640 It means to be 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.620 fully persuaded 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.540 in such a way 00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:55.259 that it affects 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.060 how you live. 00:23:56.520 --> 00:23:56.840 So, 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.340 it's not just 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.680 a mental ascent 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.500 to knowledge. 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.820 It changes 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:01.940 how you live. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.320 Right? 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:03.720 So, 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.940 here's an analogy. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.620 I hate to use 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.140 this analogy. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.700 There's so many 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.580 analogies out there 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.460 that relate to 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:10.500 airplanes and parachutes 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.059 and jumping, 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.420 but, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.779 I don't know. 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.340 Here we go. 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.160 I think it's probably 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.840 one of the best ones, 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.080 but, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:15.980 let's say that you 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.380 were going to go 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.059 skydiving 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:19.279 and you had 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.140 the best instructor 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.680 on the planet 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.080 with you, 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.299 the skydiving instructor. 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.920 And he says to you, 00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:25.320 do you believe 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.320 the parachute will work? 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:27.620 You say, 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.580 I guess it will. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:28.840 Yeah, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.240 I've done what 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.000 I'm supposed to do. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.359 And, 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.480 do you entrust 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.900 yourself to me? 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.920 Do you believe in me 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.660 as your instructor? 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:37.779 Absolutely. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.720 You're the best. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:39.700 All right, 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.200 let's jump. 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.500 And then you go, 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:41.779 whoa, 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:44.579 not quite ready, 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.359 not so fast. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.720 This is, 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.099 I'm not ready. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.740 And then he goes, 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:47.960 well, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.519 it's okay. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:48.740 Look, 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.359 I'll be jumping 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.000 with you. 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.779 But, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.460 but then you say, 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:54.000 what if I mess up 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.579 and I descend down 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.359 into a death spiral? 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.740 And he goes, 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.160 don't worry. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.359 Like, 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.740 I promise I'll be with you 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.479 and I'll make it right. 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:01.740 Like, 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.319 you'll be fine. 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:02.919 I promise. 00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:04.299 Don't worry. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.059 I will make it right 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.919 and I'll save your life. 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:07.319 And then you say, 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:08.819 I'm sure you'll try your best, 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.399 but just to be safe, 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.199 I'm going to sit down. 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.959 Do you really trust me? 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.319 He says, 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:14.639 and well, 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.399 apparently not. 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:16.740 Right? 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.899 And the difference is 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:19.859 between this mentally agreeing 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:21.319 that the parachute 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.179 and the instructor 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:23.399 will save your life 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.799 no matter what, 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.639 and then actually doing it. 00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:27.659 And so, 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.399 what we're saying 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.119 is that 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.559 true believing 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.039 in the skydiving 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.559 and structure 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.899 will save your life. 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:36.039 You have to actually believe that 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.279 and you have to actually do it. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.339 Not just have 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.399 a mental agreement 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.599 like, 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:39.779 yeah, 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.440 I think so. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.379 It's actually trusting 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.220 in him to do it. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.379 Fully being persuaded. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.720 Not blind faith. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:46.940 And so, 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.180 the results of us 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.160 truly believing 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.759 in Christ, 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.500 the results of that 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.900 are that we will not perish 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:56.360 but have eternal life. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.960 Not perishing 00:25:57.960 --> 00:26:00.180 as opposed to having 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.240 eternal judgment. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.559 Right? 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.460 That's what we're talking about. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.140 This is first of ten references 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:05.680 in John's Gospel 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.680 where he used the phrase 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:08.019 eternal life. 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.779 That is not just 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.400 the quantity of life 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.180 but the quality 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:14.019 of our spiritual life 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.700 with God. 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:16.059 life that we can 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.360 experience now 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.580 and one day 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.539 fully embrace 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.180 when we go 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.380 into his presence. 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.799 A lot of people, 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.039 you know, 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.900 when you ask the question 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:25.059 what is eternal life? 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.620 What is it? 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.580 They'll say things like 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:28.140 it means 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:30.660 not going to hell. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.240 It means not perishing. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.380 It means to live forever. 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.700 And all those things 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.240 are true 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:39.279 but they're the overflow 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.240 of something else 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.620 which is knowing God. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.200 Jesus himself 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.000 defines it 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.500 in John 17 verse 3. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.099 Jesus says, 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.880 this is eternal life. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.160 I'm about to define it for you. 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.599 That they know you 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.859 the only true God 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.880 and Jesus Christ 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.619 whom you have sent. 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.299 So this sweet, 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.539 glorious sharing 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.839 of everlasting life 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.079 and intimacy 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.859 with the Godhead. 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.200 If you have that, 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.160 yes, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.119 you will be spared. 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:04.779 And then 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.279 we go on 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.539 to verse 17. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.900 Alright? 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:10.280 Verse 17 here. 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.300 We're pulling it together 00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.200 and we understand 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.800 that 00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:17.300 if we reject the son 00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:17.920 we will not 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:19.040 be saved. 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.180 But, 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.060 sorry, 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.880 I got my notes mixed up. 00:27:22.780 --> 00:27:23.040 So, 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.300 whoever believes in him 00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:25.280 will not perish. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.160 But then we see him 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.800 move to courtroom language 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:29.240 in the rest of the text. 00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:30.080 Verse 17. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.740 God did not send 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.860 his son into the world 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.519 to condemn 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.640 or to judge the world 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.920 but in order 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.420 that the world 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.400 might be saved 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.259 through him. 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:39.740 So here's this 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.759 courtroom language 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.759 of being condemned 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.660 and not being condemned. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.640 So the point here 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.420 is not that 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.320 God won't ever 00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:48.160 judge the world. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.700 He will. 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:49.920 But, 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.340 that the time 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.480 has not yet come 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.660 for final judgment. 00:27:54.520 --> 00:27:54.980 So listen, 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:55.540 all of us 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:56.420 are under threat 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.400 of judgment already 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:59.240 before Jesus came. 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.380 Our sin 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.000 had put us 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.280 in a perilous position 00:28:02.280 --> 00:28:03.100 before God. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.440 So in one way 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.460 we already all 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.980 stand condemned. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.720 Do you see that 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.220 in the text? 00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.620 We already all 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.380 stand condemned 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.059 and the way 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.840 to not be 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:12.960 is to put 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.039 our full trust 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.420 in the Savior. 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.799 Then it says 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.940 if you believe in him 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.320 in such a way 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:20.080 where it changes 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:20.759 your life, 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.000 right, 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.120 then you will 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:22.840 be spared. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.799 So the moment 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.880 that we are born again, 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.960 the result of that 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.799 is faith 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.299 in the person 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.720 and work 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.519 of Jesus Christ 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.160 that we truly 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.259 have believed. 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:33.880 Jesus says, 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:36.200 in John 5, 00:28:36.260 --> 00:28:36.700 24, 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:37.940 like something 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.900 actually happened 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:40.380 when you were saved. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.260 This is one of those things 00:28:41.260 --> 00:28:42.220 like if you have been 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.580 truly born again, 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:45.000 God will finish 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.840 this work in you. 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.320 Jesus said, 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.920 truly, truly, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.880 I say to you, 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.940 whoever hears 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.540 my word 00:28:50.540 --> 00:28:51.460 and believes 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.480 in him 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.320 who sent me 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:55.280 has eternal life. 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.700 They have it 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.460 like right now. 00:28:58.760 --> 00:28:59.720 Then he says, 00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:01.020 he does not 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.900 come into judgment 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.819 but has passed 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.400 from death 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.000 to life. 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.579 An actual thing 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.079 that happens 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.900 as a result 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:08.079 of being born again. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.180 So Jesus is talking 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.759 about yet 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.160 his first coming here, 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.879 like in this, 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:14.319 his first incarnation 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.539 where he came 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.579 to walk among us 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.639 and die on the cross 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.180 for us. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.359 He didn't come 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:19.940 to judge 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.400 then, 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.519 but he will 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.400 one day. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.559 In his second coming 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.539 that will consummate. 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.000 So when you see 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.879 in verse 18, 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:29.500 whoever believes 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.840 in him 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.740 is not condemned. 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.520 So if we've truly 00:29:31.520 --> 00:29:32.400 been born again 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.740 and placed our 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.960 saving faith in Christ, 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.520 we won't be condemned. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.940 So the conclusion 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.860 of the suffering 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.980 and death of Jesus 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.880 is Romans 8.1. 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:42.840 Therefore, 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:44.820 there is no condemnation 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:46.160 for those 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.600 who are in Christ Jesus 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:49.440 and to be in Christ 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.640 and to have a relationship 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.260 with him 00:29:51.260 --> 00:29:52.580 by faith. 00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:54.840 Faith in Christ 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.300 unites us 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.920 to Christ 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.940 so that his death 00:29:58.940 --> 00:30:00.060 became our death 00:30:00.060 --> 00:30:01.920 and his life 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.039 is now our life. 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.900 That's what our faith does. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.160 It unites us 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.380 to Christ. 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.900 He took the punishment 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:10.660 that we could not bear 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:13.000 and he became the perfection 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.279 that we could not perform. 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:16.000 All those things 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.560 are what happened 00:30:16.560 --> 00:30:18.120 when we received the Son. 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.700 We are saved 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.800 and not condemned. 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.660 But then he gives you 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.539 the contrast 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:26.180 in verses 18 to 21. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.240 This is the last point. 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.120 Reject the Son. 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.799 Point number three. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.840 Reject the Son. 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.440 Be condemned 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.519 and perish. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.720 Do you see 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.980 the either or language here? 00:30:37.060 --> 00:30:37.620 Like the Bible, 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:39.200 particularly Gospel of John, 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.640 doesn't leave that room for us. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.279 We see this in 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:44.500 verses 18 through 21. 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.259 Verse 18 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.680 is just a restating 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.560 of what he already 00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:49.820 has said in verse 16. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.440 He sets up 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.980 for what Jesus 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.960 is going to say next. 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.120 So on the other hand, 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.900 if you refuse 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.660 the Son of God, 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.460 if you reject 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.620 his peace offer, 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.340 then you will not 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.420 have eternal life 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.860 and you will utterly 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.460 perish. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.759 Chilling. 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.980 If we do not believe 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:09.000 or fully trust 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.180 in Christ to save us, 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.500 we are condemned 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.120 already. 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.799 Meaning people, 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:14.880 all of us, 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.740 already stood 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.140 guilty before God 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.220 because of our sin 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.920 and our rebellion. 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.759 But that final sentencing 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.100 will come later 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:24.120 when Christ returns 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:26.000 and he will consummate 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.779 that judgment. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.660 Unbelievers, 00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:30.220 those who reject Christ, 00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:32.140 that I once was 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.640 and many of you 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.220 once were, 00:31:33.800 --> 00:31:34.539 we were condemned 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.420 in that moment. 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.660 We are condemned 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.860 already before God 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.900 because of the sin 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.740 of not trusting. 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.320 You see that? 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.560 Because they have not 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.660 believed in the name 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:45.240 of the only Son of God. 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.259 So our unbelief 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.259 pretty much just 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.279 is the high point 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.619 of that rebellion. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.759 We already were guilty 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.759 but then we rejected 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.299 God's only solution 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:57.099 for our absolution 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.740 of our sin 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.359 before God. 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.099 So unbelief 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.700 in the Savior 00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.680 is that high point. 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.539 So John, 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.079 then under 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.400 the inspiration 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:05.539 of the Holy Spirit, 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.460 explains why 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.460 some people do 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.500 and some people don't. 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:10.680 He gives us 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.519 some insight here 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:13.440 why some people receive 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.779 and why both reject. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.940 But refusal 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.039 to trust in Jesus 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.960 as we read about 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:21.019 is this cosmic battle 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.700 between light 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.279 and darkness. 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.500 John does this a lot. 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.100 He does it a lot 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.840 in his letters 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:26.220 as well. 00:32:26.820 --> 00:32:28.019 The battle of truth 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.960 versus error. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.980 Light versus darkness. 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.039 Eternal life 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:33.680 versus eternal judgment. 00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:35.559 And Jesus said 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.440 later on in John 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.340 that he is the light 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.039 of the world 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:40.240 and he has come 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.360 into the world. 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:44.000 And his light 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.759 exposes 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.700 whether a person 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.240 is righteous 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.859 or not. 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.960 And it drives them 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.900 into darkness. 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.379 So they don't only 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.160 hate the light 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:52.759 but they hate 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.119 the one 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.599 who is bringing 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.099 the light. 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:56.160 It's a very simple thing. 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.279 Most of us 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:59.319 when we have committed sin 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:01.019 we don't want 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:02.279 we want to hide. 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.779 It goes back 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.960 to Genesis 3. 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.680 We want to hide. 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.420 We want to run 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:08.019 from the light. 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:08.599 We don't want 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.539 to be exposed. 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.619 We run 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.619 not just from the light 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.959 but from Jesus himself 00:33:13.959 --> 00:33:14.899 who is the light. 00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.819 And in verse 19 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:18.599 look at verse 19 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.379 whoever does 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.319 what is true 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.319 comes to the light. 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.039 On the other hand 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.879 those who trust in him 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.599 love him 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:26.219 and obey him 00:33:26.219 --> 00:33:27.339 come to the light. 00:33:27.699 --> 00:33:28.779 Describing the kind 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.279 of judgment 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.419 that really does happen 00:33:30.419 --> 00:33:31.199 when light comes 00:33:31.199 --> 00:33:31.899 into the world. 00:33:32.899 --> 00:33:34.019 And it turns 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:35.019 some 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.059 of us 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.839 into lovers 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.379 of the king. 00:33:37.459 --> 00:33:38.579 We run into his presence 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.139 and others 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:40.259 we run away 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.240 from that light. 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.660 Proving that 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.980 we are condemned. 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.660 So it comes 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.779 by way of what we love 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.460 and what we hate. 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.480 Do we love the light? 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.220 Or do we hate the light? 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.859 Flip over briefly 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.279 to 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.879 1 John. 00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:56.339 This is John's letter. 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.019 The same one 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.759 who wrote this gospel. 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.799 Look at 1 John 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:00.400 chapter 1 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:03.660 verses 5 through 10. 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.279 You can see 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.500 the language here. 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.019 So some of us 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.539 are wondering 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:10.599 like most of us 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.519 probably here 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:13.239 in this church gathering 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.400 have come into the light 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:16.239 and we hate our sin 00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:17.079 even though we sin 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.119 but we love the Savior 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:20.099 and we treasure his blood 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:21.179 and others of us 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.460 still walk in darkness. 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:25.179 So 1 John 1 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.699 5 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:27.400 he says 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.219 this is the message 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:28.840 we have heard 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.320 from him 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.239 and proclaim to you 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.940 that God is light 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.059 and in him 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:34.159 there is no darkness 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.840 at all. 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.599 If we say 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.739 or if we claim 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:39.239 we have fellowship 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:39.959 with him 00:34:39.959 --> 00:34:40.819 while we walk 00:34:40.819 --> 00:34:41.459 in darkness 00:34:41.459 --> 00:34:43.079 we lie 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.819 and do not 00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:44.899 practice the truth 00:34:44.899 --> 00:34:46.279 but 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.339 if we walk 00:34:47.339 --> 00:34:48.000 in the light 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.419 as he is in the light 00:34:49.419 --> 00:34:51.079 we have fellowship 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.159 with one another 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.959 and the blood of Jesus 00:34:53.959 --> 00:34:54.839 his son 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:55.679 cleanses us 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.539 from all sin. 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.079 If we say 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.119 we have no sin 00:34:59.119 --> 00:35:00.519 we have deceived 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.059 ourselves 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.579 and the truth 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.459 is not in us. 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:04.539 but on the other hand 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.920 if we confess 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.720 our sins 00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:07.960 he is faithful 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.500 and just 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.220 to forgive us 00:35:09.220 --> 00:35:09.880 our sins 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:11.340 and to cleanse us 00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:12.619 from all unrighteousness. 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:14.000 If we say 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.820 we have not sin 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.740 we make him a liar 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.340 and his word 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.079 is not in us. 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.340 So go on 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.220 and continue reading 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:19.960 in 1 John 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.699 and he just keeps 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.699 flushing this out 00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:23.800 but very clearly 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:26.320 Christ has come 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.440 he is the son of God 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.679 he has said 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.699 that I am the only way 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:30.839 to have your sin forgiven. 00:35:31.839 --> 00:35:33.000 I am the only way 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.759 to the father 00:35:33.759 --> 00:35:35.619 listen to me. 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.519 And then we have 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.879 one or two responses 00:35:38.879 --> 00:35:40.219 we receive him 00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:41.439 and have eternal life 00:35:41.439 --> 00:35:43.460 or we reject him 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.480 and we are condemned 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.339 and we perish. 00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:47.460 This is the gospel. 00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:48.960 This is it. 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.779 This is the message 00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:51.000 that we carry forth 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:52.460 from this building 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.259 and carry forth 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:54.000 to the nations 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.899 that Jesus has come 00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:56.699 to give us life 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.799 everlasting life 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:59.659 and the motive of that 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.819 was the love of God. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:02.119 The love of God 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:02.980 that was lavished 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.739 on sinful humanity 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:06.099 that rebelled against him. 00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:07.559 I pray that 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:09.480 you have trusted 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.859 and looked at the son of God 00:36:10.859 --> 00:36:11.799 and believed in him 00:36:11.799 --> 00:36:13.460 that he saved your life. 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:13.879 So let's 00:36:13.879 --> 00:36:16.119 join me in a word of prayer 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.719 for application 00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.679 of this word. 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:18.779 Amen.