WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.720 Our text for today, as we continue our study of John's gospel, is John chapter 4, verses 43 through 54, there to the end of the chapter. 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:21.900 In today's text, we will observe the second sign or miracle performed by Jesus in Cana and recorded by John. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:27.960 This is the second of eight major miracles that John records for us. 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:39.799 Certainly not the only miracles. There's mention of others, and we'll reference that later in chapter 2, but the second of the eight major ones that he puts down. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:47.519 This passage bookends the chiastic literary structure of chapters 2 through 4. 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:56.359 If you have no idea what I'm talking about when I say chiastic literary structure, I'm not going to explain it today, but I would love for you to come ask me about it. 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:01.320 I will nerd with you if you'd like to know what I mean by this. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:06.159 An incredible thing happening here and in many other texts. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:10.700 These two miracles, though, right, were always meant. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:17.500 The intention of them is to point people to the miracle worker. 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:21.879 Jesus is going about and doing signs. He is teaching. 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:26.760 And all of this is meant to draw people to him. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:35.120 They were meant to lead people to the one who works in the greatest of all miracles in the hearts of men. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:37.719 The birth of belief. 00:01:38.460 --> 00:01:43.320 The bringing of spiritually dead people to spiritual life. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:48.960 We live in an age where people are constantly looking for miracles. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:53.900 And I'm not one that would suggest to you that they have entirely ceased. 00:01:53.900 --> 00:02:05.380 But the biggest miracle, the most important thing that we ought to be setting our sights on is people placing believing faith in Christ. 00:02:07.140 --> 00:02:11.840 John's gospel deals with this very thought thematically all throughout. 00:02:11.980 --> 00:02:16.500 You'll see rejection and accepting of Jesus. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:20.500 In John chapter 20, verse 30 and following, he says, 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:28.960 Now Jesus did many other signs, or think miracles, in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:36.340 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 00:02:36.939 --> 00:02:42.000 And that by believing, you may have life in his name. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:51.639 We hold to a doctrine called justification by faith alone. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:55.819 And for most of you, this is probably a fairly obvious thing. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.500 And perhaps maybe even in some measure assumed. 00:03:00.860 --> 00:03:04.439 But you need to know that we are unique in the world. 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:11.500 To believe that we, to be restored to God, to be justified, declared righteous. 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:18.080 Having the penalty of our sin put away, and the perfect keeping of the law given to us. 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:19.500 This is what it means to be righteous. 00:03:20.259 --> 00:03:25.460 That this is achieved by faith alone. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:31.539 The object of that faith is the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:35.000 To believe that he is who he said that he is. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:41.539 And to recognize that it's his perfect keeping of the law, and his sacrificial death on our behalf. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:43.819 His third day raising. 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:46.460 His now seating at the right hand of the Father of God. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:52.439 All of this grants to us restored relationship with God. 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:53.439 We ought not to believe. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:57.400 We ought not to grow tired of thinking about this doctrine. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.719 Justification by faith alone. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:10.840 And we should think about what does it mean to believe so that we can have life in Jesus' name. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:16.139 This text deals with that very issue. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:20.060 Before I read it for us, let me lead us in a prayer. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:27.579 Father, we would ask that you would help us as we take up your word together this morning. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:32.860 Put our noses in this text for these few moments that we have. 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:36.000 That we would be transformed by it. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:38.840 From one degree of glory to another. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:43.980 We want to rightly understand your word this morning. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:47.620 We want it carefully applied to our hearts. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:53.480 We humbly recognize that every one of us needs to hear what it has to say today. 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:56.259 We know that it was written for your glory. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.139 Firstly, for your glory that you would be known. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:03.180 And as it follows, our good. 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:09.360 So help us, I pray, that we would believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:13.060 And that we would have affection for you, its author. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:15.100 And we pray this in Christ's name. 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:16.240 Amen. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:16.360 Amen. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:21.439 John chapter 4, beginning in verse 43 and to the end of the chapter. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:25.439 After the two days, he departed from Galilee. 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:30.939 For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:37.699 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:40.360 For they too had gone to the feast. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:45.199 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:49.520 And at Capernaum, there was an official whose son was ill. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:59.240 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:29.220 So Jesus said to him, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.560 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:36.819 And they said to him, yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:43.019 The father knew that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, your son will live. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:47.339 And he himself believed and all his household. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:54.619 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. 00:06:55.539 --> 00:06:58.519 I have a very simple outline for this morning. 00:06:59.039 --> 00:07:04.079 And I think, although I'm often wrong when I think this, but I think brief comments. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:06.659 So the outline will be as following. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:10.700 Number one, unbelief observed. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:15.560 Number two, unbelief confronted. 00:07:16.960 --> 00:07:21.520 And number three, unbelief overcome. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.379 First, unbelief observed. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:29.079 Notice in verse 43, John says, 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:32.519 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:38.180 He had been in Samaria previously to this and had an encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:43.879 If you're unfamiliar with the story, it's such a picture of Christ's mercy for great sinners. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:51.920 All of us need to be reminded of his surpassing great mercy over our great sin. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:56.319 And this woman goes and shares the Christ. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:57.600 I think I found him. 00:07:57.660 --> 00:07:58.540 He's at the well. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:01.319 And many Samaritans profess faith in Jesus. 00:08:01.460 --> 00:08:03.420 And they ask him to stay with them. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:06.100 And he remains there for two days. 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:11.980 So it's after those two days that he departs for Galilee. 00:08:12.080 --> 00:08:18.500 This is the region that we're going to see him doing most of his ministry in, in John's gospel. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:21.120 And then John adds, 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:36.259 Now there's a lot of debate I've discovered over the Greek word hometown and exactly what they meant by this. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:43.259 It's most likely referring to just generically the place that he's from. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:47.980 And so I think that John's referring to Galilee itself. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.480 Right? 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:57.200 So he's going back to a place where we're going to see again and again and again rejection of Jesus. 00:08:58.300 --> 00:09:02.080 Now to show you an example of this, I'd like for you to join me in Luke chapter 4. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:06.240 Don't lose your spot here, but go with me to Luke chapter 4. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:10.620 Another time Jesus uses this same phrase. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:16.240 A prophet having no honor in his hometown. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:22.799 Here we see him actually go to Nazareth in the way that we would think of hometown. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:27.879 Luke chapter 4 beginning in verse 14. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:30.839 Here Luke records, 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:35.019 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:38.259 And a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:43.120 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.940 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:50.420 And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:52.379 And he stood up to read. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:55.360 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:59.580 And he unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:04.659 And this is Isaiah chapter 61, which was read earlier this morning. 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:06.940 Jesus reads, verse 18, 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.840 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:13.519 because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:16.440 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:18.700 and recovering of sight to the blind, 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:21.600 to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:25.740 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:29.639 And he rolled up a scroll and gave it back to the attendant, 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.340 and sat down. 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:35.720 And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:38.259 And he began to say to them, 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:43.300 Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:44.960 It's an astounding thing. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:48.100 He's the fulfillment of Isaiah 61. 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.700 The Spirit of the Lord on him, 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:53.139 coming to breed the good news of the kingdom. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.800 Verse 22 says, 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.580 And all spoke well of him, 00:10:57.659 --> 00:11:01.200 and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:02.399 And they said, 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:05.019 Is not this Joseph's son? 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.300 And he said to them, 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:10.100 Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.259 Position, heal yourself, 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.820 what we have heard you did at Capernaum, 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:17.879 do here in your hometown as well. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:21.879 So they ask of him to do signs. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:25.120 They're looking for miracles. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.940 It seems to make a bit of sense that they would, 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:30.200 because if you go back up to that, 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:32.040 Isaiah 61, verse 18, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:35.700 He's been anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:38.759 to set at liberty captives, 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:41.920 to give sight to the blind, 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:46.139 to set free those who are oppressed. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:51.879 They're looking for some visible sign that this is actually true. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:54.799 It seems to be what they're asking for, 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:57.159 but Jesus knows their heart. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.379 As he says in verse 24, 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.860 Truly I say to you, 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.360 no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.240 That should sound familiar. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.419 He goes on. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:12.100 Remember, they're finding great favor with him. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:14.500 They're speaking well of him. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.680 They know it's Joseph's son. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.180 They speak well of him. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:20.200 Surely you'll say to me, 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:22.620 show us signs, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:25.039 is what they're asking for. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:27.019 And Jesus says this, 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.060 verse 25, 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:29.559 But in truth I tell you, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:32.979 there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:35.599 when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:38.299 and a great famine came over all the land. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.599 And Elijah was sent to none of them, 00:12:42.099 --> 00:12:45.719 but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:48.339 to a woman who was a widow. 00:12:49.079 --> 00:12:51.779 So who Elijah was sent to, 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:53.099 to help, 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.819 is significant here. 00:12:55.859 --> 00:12:56.519 He goes on. 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.539 And there were many lepers in Israel 00:12:58.539 --> 00:13:00.279 in the time of the prophet Elisha. 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:02.159 And none of them was cleansed, 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:05.259 but only Naaman the Syrian. 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:07.600 That's significant. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:08.939 Who is it? 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.439 The leper that was cleansed 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:12.779 was Naaman the Syrian, 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.620 and the widow that Elijah was sent to 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:18.600 was Zarephath the Sidon, 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:22.559 both of whom were not Jewish. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:24.679 That's the significant thing that's happening here. 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:27.500 Both of them are not Jewish. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:30.979 And watch the response of those in Nazareth. 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:32.339 When they heard these things, 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:37.699 all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:44.240 And they rose up and drove him out of the town 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:46.360 and brought him to the brow of the hill 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.879 on which their town was built 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:52.040 so that they could throw him down the cliff. 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.560 But passing through their midst, 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.540 he went away. 00:13:58.540 --> 00:14:01.340 They turn on a dime on Jesus. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:03.920 They're marveling at him. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:07.340 They want something from him. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.740 They want Jesus. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:13.720 But they don't want Jesus on his terms. 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:16.740 He was a prophet from God. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.740 He spoke from God. 00:14:18.800 --> 00:14:20.560 And he uses the example of two prophets 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:23.320 sent by God to a people 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.660 who were not the Jews. 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:29.279 And it made them furious. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:33.019 I didn't want Jesus on his terms. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:38.659 And beloved, we must have Jesus on his terms. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:42.480 Not merely for what we can get from him, 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.639 but for who he is. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:50.039 All over this nation this morning, 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.580 there's a gospel being peddled 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:55.460 that I call the soft prosperity gospel. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:58.620 You want your life to look a little better. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.580 You want things to be sorted out. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:03.220 Relationships and jobs. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.620 Children. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.960 If you want those things, 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.100 you've got this guy named Jesus 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.740 and you can sprinkle a little of him 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.360 on anything going on in your life 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.600 and it's going to sort out. 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.819 Has God given us wisdom? 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.379 We can take up and read and understand. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.279 If we follow that wisdom, 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:25.500 do things tend to go well? 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.439 They do. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:28.139 They can. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:32.039 But this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.340 He's going to say astounding things 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.220 about taking up your cross and following him. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.100 Dying. 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:43.200 Giving of yourself every ounce of who you are. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.279 Eating of his flesh 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.639 and drinking of his blood. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:49.220 In a few chapters, 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.639 he's going to be abandoned 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:54.000 by people who are professing disciples 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.159 because they don't understand what he's saying 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.039 and the things he's saying 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.679 are way too hard for them. 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:03.059 They want what they think he can offer, 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:06.399 but they don't want him. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:10.159 And that's what we see going on here. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:10.799 Right? 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.819 So verse 44, 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.840 back in our text, 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.220 John chapter 4, 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:17.079 Jesus himself had testified 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:19.279 that a prophet has no honor 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.039 in his hometown, 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:23.399 the place that he's from. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:25.919 And then verse 45 says, 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.240 So. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:30.939 So ties the following information 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:33.919 to the previous information. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.159 If you don't read this rightly, 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.899 you'll be very confused. 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.319 It says, 00:16:37.479 --> 00:16:39.399 So when he came to Galilee, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:41.939 the Galileans welcomed him, 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.519 having seen all that he had done 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.360 in Jerusalem at the feast, 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:48.099 for they too had gone to the feast. 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:50.019 You could read that and go, 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:50.799 well, wait a minute. 00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:51.919 He's being welcomed. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:55.459 It seems that he's not being rejected 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:57.139 in his hometown, 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:59.259 but rather being welcomed. 00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:01.339 He was welcomed, to be sure, 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:03.079 but why? 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:07.139 They did not welcome the whole Christ. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.500 They didn't want all of him 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.519 and everything that he was going to say, 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:14.399 but they rather welcomed him 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:18.240 for what he could accomplish for them. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.899 So I mentioned that we would reference 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:23.400 this other miracles we've seen. 00:17:23.540 --> 00:17:25.540 John chapter 2, verse 23, 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.900 when Jesus was in Jerusalem 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:29.280 at the Passover feast, 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.740 many believed in his name 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:33.040 when they saw the signs 00:17:33.040 --> 00:17:35.080 that he was doing. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.880 So here we have another group. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.380 They've seen all that he had done 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.500 in Jerusalem at the feast 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:43.600 because they had also gone to the feast. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:45.440 That's referencing what's happening here 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.300 in John chapter 2. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.240 Many believed in his name 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:51.059 when they saw the signs 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:53.140 that he was doing. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.559 It seems to be an expression, 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.960 some measure of faith. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:01.240 But Jesus, on his part, 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.819 verse 24 says, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.859 did not entrust himself to them 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.500 because he knew all people 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.660 and needed no one to bear witness about man, 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.180 for he himself knew 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:14.019 what was in man. 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:16.839 The Greek word for believed 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:19.279 in verse 23 of John 2 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:22.440 and the Greek word for entrust 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:24.660 in verse 24 of John 2 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:28.139 is the exact same word. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:31.940 Jesus didn't have faith in their faith. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:35.559 He didn't believe in their believing. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.799 Not, John tells us, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.900 because he just doubted it, 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.039 but because he knew 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.299 what was in man. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:44.539 They were amazed 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.799 by the miracles 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:48.779 and they wanted more of that, 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.319 but they didn't want Jesus himself. 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.639 So, in this text, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.339 which, just as a side note, 00:18:58.440 --> 00:19:00.079 is also itself chiastic 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.919 within chapters 2 and 4, 00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:06.299 verse 46 says, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:10.159 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.019 a city in Galilee, 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:15.240 where he had made the water wine, 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:19.200 where a miracle had been performed, 00:19:19.419 --> 00:19:21.279 a sign. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.980 And that's setting the stage 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:26.480 for this next scene that happens. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.539 So there's unbelief that's observed. 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:33.220 Then we see unbelief confronted. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:35.980 So, at Capernaum, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.339 there was an official 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.940 whose son is ill. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.059 When this man heard 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.759 that Jesus had come 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.200 from Judea to Galilee, 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.299 he went to him, 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.440 so he's in Cana, 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.140 about 16 miles. 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:49.059 This was a journey 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.420 that was southward, 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.460 but uphill. 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.240 So you're going to see him 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:55.279 go back down to Capernaum. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:57.059 But he went up to 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.839 where Jesus was in Cana, 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.699 and asked him 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:02.220 to come down 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.819 and heal his son, 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.039 for he was at the point 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.819 of death. 00:20:09.699 --> 00:20:10.599 His official 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.699 is coming to Jesus. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.159 He's perhaps witnessed 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:15.619 the miracle at Cana 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:17.399 some maybe months, 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.159 weeks earlier. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.799 Or he's heard about it. 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.980 This man seems to have 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.579 the ability 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:25.980 to heal my son. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:29.000 But we can note 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.839 from this text 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.019 that this official 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.740 asks, 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.500 and he asks it 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.700 with a weak faith, 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:37.819 for two reasons. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.440 First, 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.380 he believed that Jesus 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.240 had to be present 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.799 to perform this miracle. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.120 You see that in verses 47 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.860 and verse 49. 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.620 He asked him to 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.940 come down. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.099 And then he says 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.019 in verse 49, 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.579 Sir, 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.079 come down. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.500 His power had to be 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.000 present with his son 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.880 in order to heal him. 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.799 He hasn't fully 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:59.500 comprehended the power 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.440 of Jesus to heal. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.640 Second reason 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.660 his faith is weak 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.660 is that he didn't believe 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.960 that Jesus could 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.819 raise him from the dead. 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.799 Verse 49 again, 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.119 Sir, 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.039 come down 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:13.759 before my child 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.279 dies. 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:18.019 So it's a weak faith 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.880 that he asks with, 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:20.740 but it is 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:23.660 a sufficient faith. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:27.619 If your faith, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.380 your belief 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.500 ever falters, 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.019 I know that mine 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.039 does. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.700 And I'm so thankful 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.880 for these stories 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.839 that show us 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:37.519 sufficient faith. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.039 A little clue 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.720 to that end 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.319 also found 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.180 in verse 47. 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.839 The phrase 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.400 asked him, 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.640 some translations 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.259 say 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.000 implored him, 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.519 which I think 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.779 is a better 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.099 word there, 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.200 because it's in 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.440 the imperfect tense, 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.440 which suggests 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:57.160 that he asked 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.440 him over 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.460 and over 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.580 and over again. 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:02.920 It's probable 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.860 that he didn't 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.480 just come this 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.240 one time 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.819 and asked him, 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.420 but that he had 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.960 asked him 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.580 and asked him 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.259 and asked him. 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.660 And then what 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.660 we're observing 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:11.160 is Jesus' 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.840 response 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:13.920 to him. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.039 So he's got 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.819 a weak faith. 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:18.360 It's a sufficient 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:19.000 faith, 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.180 because Jesus 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.320 says to him, 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.620 go, 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.140 your son 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.880 will 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.440 live. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.140 But between 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.420 him asking 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:31.580 and Jesus 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:33.080 offering to him 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.720 the healing 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.279 of his son, 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:34.779 he says in 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.500 verse 48, 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.680 unless you 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.940 see signs 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.360 and wonders, 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.759 you will 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.259 not 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.539 believe. 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.660 You're looking 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.720 for the wrong 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.400 thing. 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.820 It's not a bad 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.519 thing to request 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.900 the healing 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.540 of your son. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.200 It's good 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.640 that we would 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.120 advocate 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:52.460 for our 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:52.840 children. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.480 Jesus is 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.180 saying to him, 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.060 you're missing 00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:56.660 the point. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.420 Unless you 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:57.980 see signs 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.440 and wonders, 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.540 you will 00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:00.320 not 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.740 believe. 00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:03.340 So, 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.840 we see 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:06.100 this official 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:07.180 as an example. 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:07.860 He's coming 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.160 and looking 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.620 for signs 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:09.180 and wonders, 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.400 but then he 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.220 also gets 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.300 juxtaposed 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.280 against all 00:23:13.280 --> 00:23:13.880 of these 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.540 others, 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.360 all of the 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:16.019 others that 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.040 were trying 00:23:17.040 --> 00:23:17.519 to accept 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.120 Jesus on 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.779 the wrong 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.779 terms because 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:21.000 we see 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.799 his unbelief 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.419 overcome. 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.679 This is the 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.859 third point. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.959 So, 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.619 he leaves. 00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:30.439 It says, 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.459 as he was 00:23:31.459 --> 00:23:32.500 going down, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:32.779 again, 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:33.519 he's descending 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.839 from the 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.559 hill town 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.599 of Cana, 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.059 his servants 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.859 met him. 00:23:39.459 --> 00:23:40.339 They came 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.939 to where he 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:41.899 was to report 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.619 news to him 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:42.859 and they 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.199 encountered 00:23:43.199 --> 00:23:43.619 each other 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.519 on the road 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:44.759 and they 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.379 told him 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.020 that his 00:23:46.020 --> 00:23:47.220 son was 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.760 recovering. 00:23:48.760 --> 00:23:49.220 And he 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.460 wonders, 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:49.980 why? 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.800 Why is my 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:51.500 son recovering? 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:51.880 That's why 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.320 he asked 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:53.100 this question. 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:53.980 What was 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.540 the hour 00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:54.900 when he 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.520 began to 00:23:55.520 --> 00:23:56.820 get better? 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.000 And they 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.540 said to him, 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.500 yesterday, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.680 at the 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.640 seventh hour, 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.120 the fever 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:03.680 left him. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.480 This would 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.660 have been 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.880 about one 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.340 o'clock 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:07.300 in the 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:07.880 afternoon. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.600 And so, 00:24:09.540 --> 00:24:10.280 this man, 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:10.560 this is about 00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:11.460 a 16-mile 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.980 journey, 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.300 seems to have 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:13.760 left the 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.200 following 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.539 days. 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:14.980 They very 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.640 rarely traveled 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.079 on the roads 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.480 at night. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:16.720 It was 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.099 dangerous 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.519 to do 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:17.859 so. 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.319 Perhaps, 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.180 this man, 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.440 we can 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.819 observe, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.420 maybe, 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.539 some measure 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.000 of faith. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.759 He's believing 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.319 when Jesus 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:24.619 says, 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.039 go, 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.539 your son 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.180 will live. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.279 Maybe he 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.940 tarries for 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.180 a little 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.720 while and 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.879 he learns 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.740 some more 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.420 from Jesus. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:31.980 We don't 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.720 know to 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.259 be sure. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.140 But it's 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.700 the following 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:36.039 day that 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.940 he meets 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.440 with his 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.420 servants on 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:38.779 the road 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.379 and finds 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.680 out this, 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.299 verse 53 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.700 says, 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.400 he knew 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.839 that was 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.220 the hour 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.700 when Jesus 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.140 had said 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.539 to him, 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.539 your son 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.039 will live. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.319 And he 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.960 himself 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.680 believed. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.680 I don't 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:53.940 think we 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.299 should read 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.799 this any 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.460 other way 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.620 than to 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.160 know that 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.620 he placed 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.380 his faith 00:24:58.380 --> 00:25:00.039 in Christ. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.080 The way 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.519 this story 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.920 is being 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.279 told, 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.880 this is 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.880 the clear, 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.759 obvious 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.360 assumption 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.120 to be 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.360 made. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.759 He 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.840 himself 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:09.019 believed 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.599 and 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.339 all 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.400 his 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:13.039 household. 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.299 A faith 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.680 that is 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.099 weak, 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.539 that is 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.779 overcome 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.619 as he 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.480 recognizes 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.099 who 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.200 Jesus 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.639 is. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.859 Then we 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.119 have a 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.480 footnote 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.339 in verse 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.779 54. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.619 This was 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.819 now the 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.420 second sign 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:29.779 that Jesus 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.319 did when 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.480 he had 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.180 come from 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.660 Judea 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:33.160 to Galilee. 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.300 back to 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:34.700 the same 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.220 spot. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:35.980 It's a 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.700 clue to 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.320 archaism 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:37.880 there in 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.460 that last 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.820 verse. 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.500 Now, 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.500 let's think 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.440 a bit 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.940 about the 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.440 application 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.800 of this 00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:46.840 short 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.279 story. 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:48.500 Number 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:48.900 one, 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:50.960 belief 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.540 must 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:52.279 move 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.360 from 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.279 signs 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.040 to the 00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:56.279 Savior. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.340 It must 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.680 move 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.000 from signs 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.580 to the 00:25:59.580 --> 00:25:59.840 Savior. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.700 We must 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.580 place our 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.420 faith in 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.980 Christ 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.480 himself 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.519 person 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.599 and work 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.220 on our 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.240 behalf. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.220 It's 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.740 opportunity 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.180 here to 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.740 examine our 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.299 own hearts. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.880 Whether you've 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.500 ever believed 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.019 in Christ 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.480 or you 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.120 have 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.240 to think 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.420 do we 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:18.839 follow 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.539 Jesus 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.860 for what 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.660 he gives 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.599 or for 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:22.920 who 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.140 he is? 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.259 He's 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.380 going to 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:25.579 tell us 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:25.980 later in 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.240 John. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:26.839 He's 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:26.980 going to 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.539 define 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.940 eternal 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.680 life for 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.059 us. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.980 John has 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.240 said the 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.599 purpose of 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.940 this book 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.120 is that 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.559 we believe 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:31.779 so that 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:31.940 we can 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.099 have 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.319 eternal 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:32.640 life. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.420 And Jesus 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.000 defines 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.319 eternal 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.920 life for 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.519 us and 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.079 it is 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.000 knowing 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.779 God. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.160 Do we 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.880 place our 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.660 faith in 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.400 Jesus because 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.099 we want 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:46.599 him or 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:46.980 just what he 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.319 can really 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.420 offer to 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.779 us? 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.860 Saving 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:52.519 faith 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:55.440 rests in 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.900 God's 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.620 word, 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.360 not in 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.900 our 00:26:58.900 --> 00:27:00.360 sight. 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:00.859 faith in 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.699 faith in 00:27:01.699 --> 00:27:02.799 faith in 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.859 faith in 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:06.899 faith in 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:06.899 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.579 what he 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:09.119 has said 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.859 is true. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.279 Belief 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.240 must move 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.179 from signs 00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:14.399 to the 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:14.659 Savior. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.039 Secondly, 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:19.619 trials are 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:21.000 God's means 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.699 of maturing 00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:22.339 our belief. 00:27:22.479 --> 00:27:23.000 This runs a 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.259 little bit 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.859 adjacent to 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.240 the text, 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.479 but I 00:27:24.479 --> 00:27:24.919 think it's 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:26.479 worth noting. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.920 worth mentioning. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:30.319 We should, 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:30.819 beloved, 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.940 see our 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.819 trials as 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.039 opportunities 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:36.000 to lean on 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.339 Christ's 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:37.860 sufficiency. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.539 Again and 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:39.920 again and 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.279 again, 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.740 God allows, 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.680 our sovereign 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.039 God, 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.200 our providential 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.620 God, 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.680 allows things in 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.980 our life that 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.920 press at us 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.860 because he loves 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:50.160 us enough 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.460 to say to 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:51.680 us, 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.960 I am 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.940 enough. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.740 Opportunities, 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.440 take them 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:57.860 up. 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.080 I don't want 00:27:59.080 --> 00:27:59.560 to suffer. 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:00.840 I don't want 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.300 to go through 00:28:01.300 --> 00:28:03.100 difficult things 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.440 on at least 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.920 five different 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.580 issues. 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.240 This past 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.620 week has 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.000 been a 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.440 difficult 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.460 week. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:09.980 It has 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.060 been harder 00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:11.820 than I 00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:12.660 feel like I 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.220 deserve. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.720 It's been 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.560 hard. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.300 I should 00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:16.540 take them 00:28:16.540 --> 00:28:17.580 up as 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.100 opportunities. 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.279 God, 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:19.700 what are 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.120 you, 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.980 working 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.080 into me 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:22.740 through 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.580 difficult 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.759 circumstances? 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.779 Christ's 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.180 efficiency. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.240 Jesus is 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.980 enough, 00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:31.160 more than 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.519 enough, 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.720 abundantly 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.180 enough, 00:28:34.540 --> 00:28:35.019 and God 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.519 cares about 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:35.900 us enough 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.340 to teach 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.340 us this 00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:38.000 good truth. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.640 Trials are 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.300 not signs 00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:41.279 of God's 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.940 absence, 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.140 but they're 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.759 an invitation 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.440 from him 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.340 to trust 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:45.940 him 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.920 deeper. 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.800 Thirdly, 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.619 belief 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:53.339 rests on 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.740 the word 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.440 of Christ 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.379 alone. 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.159 I said a 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.419 little bit 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:56.839 to that 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.319 a moment 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.879 ago. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.339 Jesus 00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.240 said simply, 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:00.879 go, 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:02.139 your son 00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:03.759 will live. 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.559 And the 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.319 man believed 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.099 the word 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.519 that Jesus 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.919 spoke to 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.099 him. 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.039 He's at a 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.799 distance from 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.019 him. 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.319 This is 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.899 something to 00:29:12.899 --> 00:29:13.940 marvel at, 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.339 even though 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.839 it's 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.439 imperfect 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.439 faith. 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:17.859 This 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.379 official 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.220 believed 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.699 when Jesus 00:29:19.699 --> 00:29:20.019 said, 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.500 go, 00:29:20.699 --> 00:29:21.500 your son 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:23.339 will live. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.079 The essence 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.099 of following 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.619 Jesus, 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.220 to just 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.599 take him 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:27.879 at his 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.439 word, 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.619 be true, 00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:30.699 to take 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:31.039 it up 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.419 and to 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:31.839 read it 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.199 and say, 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.759 it must 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.159 be true, 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.699 it's God's 00:29:33.699 --> 00:29:34.019 word. 00:29:34.199 --> 00:29:35.419 I should 00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:36.419 merely 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:38.480 obey and 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.019 trust that 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.240 it's going 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.599 to work 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:40.079 the way 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.599 God has 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:40.819 said it 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:40.919 would 00:29:40.919 --> 00:29:41.279 work. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:44.180 Fourth, 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.700 belief 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.420 grows 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.339 and 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:49.000 multiplies. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.299 The man 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.859 believed 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.799 and then 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.059 all of 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.180 his 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.579 household 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.859 believed. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.220 A 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.819 seed of 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.420 trust 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.940 became a 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.920 tree of 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.460 salvation 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.819 for his 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.220 family. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.899 This man 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.500 must have 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:05.819 said, 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.759 listen to 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.500 this man 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.980 that I 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.379 met. 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.680 look at 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.640 what he's 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.200 accomplished. 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.960 Let me 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.660 tell you 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.520 more. 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:15.840 This is 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:17.300 why I 00:30:17.300 --> 00:30:17.760 hope my 00:30:17.760 --> 00:30:18.220 sanctified 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.860 imagination 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.420 thinks that 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.200 he lingered 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.800 on and 00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:21.400 learned a 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:21.940 bit more 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.300 from Jesus 00:30:23.300 --> 00:30:23.860 or from 00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.260 his 00:30:24.260 --> 00:30:25.220 disciples 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.740 to see 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.320 his family 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:27.520 also place 00:30:27.520 --> 00:30:28.160 their faith 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.480 in Christ. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.220 Husbands, 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.900 fathers, 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.480 mothers, 00:30:34.760 --> 00:30:35.300 we ought 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.220 to let 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.020 our belief 00:30:37.020 --> 00:30:38.560 be visible 00:30:38.560 --> 00:30:40.200 and contagious. 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.080 in our 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.420 homes. 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.620 We ought 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.220 to talk 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.720 often 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.900 and we 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.140 ought to 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.600 talk with 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:46.980 great 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.520 affection 00:30:47.520 --> 00:30:48.800 for our 00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.100 Savior. 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:50.580 It's 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.240 lunacy 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.300 to believe 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.320 that we 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:54.480 were utterly 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.080 cut off 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.740 from God, 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.460 separated 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.460 forever, 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.400 that our 00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:00.180 final place 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.520 would be a 00:31:00.520 --> 00:31:01.340 place of 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.240 torment, 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:02.980 and that 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.340 we've been 00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:04.520 saved by 00:31:04.520 --> 00:31:05.120 Christ. 00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:05.600 It's 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:07.160 crazy for 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.600 us not to 00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:07.880 want to 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.280 talk about 00:31:08.280 --> 00:31:08.600 that. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:10.099 to share 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:11.119 it regularly 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:12.279 and with 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:12.879 great zeal. 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:14.819 Church 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.199 members, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.079 let your 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.639 trust in 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.119 Christ 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.439 encourage the 00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.099 body of 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.419 Christ. 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.500 We all 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.699 need our 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:23.359 belief 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.539 bolstered. 00:31:25.439 --> 00:31:26.159 I need it 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.059 every time I'm 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.579 with you and 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.459 all the times 00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:29.059 in between. 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.659 Let your 00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.179 trust in 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:32.480 Christ press 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.039 one another 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.519 on. 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.039 Real belief 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.619 is fruitful. 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:36.719 people. 00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.219 Fifth and 00:31:39.219 --> 00:31:39.979 lastly, 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.379 Christ's 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:42.699 word 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:44.459 transcends 00:31:44.459 --> 00:31:45.079 space, 00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.519 time, 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:47.619 and 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.079 circumstance. 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.779 The healing 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.399 happened at 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.979 the very 00:31:51.979 --> 00:31:52.619 hour that 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.359 Jesus spoke, 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:53.979 though he 00:31:53.979 --> 00:31:55.099 was miles 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.519 away. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:56.939 His 00:31:56.939 --> 00:31:57.539 authority 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.699 is sovereign 00:31:58.699 --> 00:31:59.299 and it 00:31:59.299 --> 00:31:59.659 is 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:01.179 unlimited. 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.299 committed. 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.039 Therefore, 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.600 we can 00:32:03.600 --> 00:32:04.220 trust that 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.840 Christ's 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:06.120 promises hold 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:08.360 true across 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:10.080 centuries, 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.259 across cultures, 00:32:12.560 --> 00:32:13.840 across any 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:15.299 and every 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.519 circumstance. 00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:18.279 His word 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:20.019 will not 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.259 fail. 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:24.099 a single 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:25.200 example of 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:25.519 this. 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.160 This has 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.319 been in my 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.900 mind much 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.460 this week. 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.660 Jesus says, 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.039 I will 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:32.200 never leave 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.539 you nor 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.700 forsake 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:34.940 you. 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:35.779 Hebrews 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.379 13, 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.640 5. 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.359 I will 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.019 never leave 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:41.240 you nor 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.599 forsake 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:42.839 you. 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.019 That is 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.799 true 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:46.200 regardless 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.500 of when 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:47.980 he said 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.599 it to 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.500 today 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.319 or whether 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.740 or not 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.000 we're 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.339 Jewish 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:52.599 or 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.200 otherwise 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.960 or what 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.619 circumstance 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.160 we find 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.660 ourselves 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.420 in the 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:56.779 middle of. 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.200 If we 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.740 belong to 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.099 him, 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.259 that is 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.599 a sure 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.619 promise 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:03.440 for us. 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.500 We need 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.859 things by 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.359 the word 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.759 of his 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.119 power. 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.299 And so 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:10.559 we have 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.140 opportunity 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.980 as we 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.779 look at 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.240 a short 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.900 little story 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.740 like this 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.660 to see 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.380 the rejection 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.079 of some 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.480 welcoming 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:18.920 Jesus 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.720 only for 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.100 what he 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:20.680 offers. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.060 The 00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.539 alternative, 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.700 the belief, 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.820 placing belief 00:33:25.820 --> 00:33:27.080 in Christ 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:28.640 himself. 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:29.960 Let's pray 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.440 to the end 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.700 that would 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.000 be true 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.279 of all 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.539 of us 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:31.720 this 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:31.980 morning.