WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 We turn again to John's Gospel, chapter 10, the Good Shepherd. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:18.480 ! Our Savior, when he taught the people, would use figures of speech, objects, practices 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:25.120 ! with which they were familiar, and the people of Jesus' day were most familiar 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:29.740 with the picture of a shepherd and his sheep. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.000 And I guess that we too, in the islands, have got an advantage in that this is a familiar 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.179 figure for us also, from their importance to the local economy, to the influence they 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:46.280 have on driving on our roads, they are familiar. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:54.100 And we're also very familiar with the ways in which people treat them, the fact of being 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:03.160 either good or bad shepherds in relation to the flock. There are those that are regarded 00:01:03.160 --> 00:01:11.120 simply as sheep owners who are looking after sheep for the sake of the grants that are connected 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:17.620 with them. And there are those who have a passionate connection with sheep, and the sheep in turn 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:25.120 display trust and confidence in the shepherd as they mill around him, as the shepherd fills 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:27.060 the trough with feed in the springtime. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:35.879 So there's that connection, that human connection that Jesus is teaching in regard to him being a shepherd 00:01:35.879 --> 00:01:39.320 made with his culture and with our own. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:45.260 There's also a spiritual context into which Jesus is speaking. 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:54.580 The figure of a shepherd is used in the Old Testament in regard to those who had a responsibility to lead 00:01:54.580 --> 00:01:58.160 and to care for the people of God. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:06.400 And so in Ezekiel 34, the Lord chastises the spiritual shepherds of Ezekiel's day and says, 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:14.480 you have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:21.020 You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:25.400 You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:34.420 And so the shepherds, the priests, the kings, they had failed in their responsibility to shepherd the people. 00:02:34.419 --> 00:02:41.179 And the Lord, in response, says that he himself will come and he will shepherd them. 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:45.819 I will rescue my flock. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:49.919 I myself will tend my sheep. 00:02:50.619 --> 00:02:55.579 I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. 00:02:57.359 --> 00:03:02.699 And in the chapter preceding Jesus' words about being a shepherd, 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:10.819 this has actually come to life in the treatment of the man who was born blind. 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:18.219 The so-called leaders of this man, the Jews, the Pharisees, had paid little attention to him. 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:22.379 They certainly could not have given him sight, 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:27.199 but they did owe to him a duty of care. 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:31.639 They ought to have given him guidance. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:33.659 They ought to have given him encouragement. 00:03:34.579 --> 00:03:40.139 And instead of that, when the man refuses to respond to their words, 00:03:40.239 --> 00:03:43.060 they tie him up in abstruse arguments. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:48.039 And eventually, they expel him from the synagogue. 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:55.099 And it's Jesus, the good shepherd, who comes to him and who gives to him physical sight, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.180 but also comes and encourages him. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:01.519 He seeks him out in his isolation and in his loneliness. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:06.299 He comes with compassion after his excommunication 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:16.259 and shows not only physical care, but brings to him spiritual sight. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:24.160 In a world that is lost, in a world which is oppressed by false leaders, 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:29.199 the Lord Jesus Christ comes and offers himself as the true leader, 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:31.319 the one who can be relied upon. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:36.099 I am the good shepherd, Jesus says. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:40.620 And as we consider these verses in John 10 this evening, 00:04:40.719 --> 00:04:44.839 I want us to think in terms of the call of the shepherd 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:48.319 and then secondly, the credibility of the shepherd 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:51.459 and then thirdly and briefly, the cross of the shepherd. 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:54.959 The call of the shepherd, the credibility of the shepherd 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:58.180 and the cross of the shepherd. 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:03.420 There are some memories which stick with you. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:09.759 And I can remember quite clearly still one day in the summertime, 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:14.819 being down in Glasgow and being in Central Station, Glasgow 00:05:14.819 --> 00:05:19.280 and just being impressed, almost overwhelmed, 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.180 by the teeming mass of humanity. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:26.899 People going hither and thither in different directions. 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:34.060 Some treading purposefully to the train that they knew they had to get. 00:05:34.479 --> 00:05:37.659 Others looking up anxiously at the board. 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:41.000 Others seeming just to wander about aimlessly, 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:43.739 passing the time, filling in the minutes. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:47.299 But all around, in different media, 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:53.060 messages bombarding this great mass of humanity. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:06:00.160 Messages that were coming in neon or messages coming from the billboards. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:04.360 Messages which were being handed out in leaflets. 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:09.319 And in different ways, the messages were offering prizes of different kinds. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:16.360 They were offering information, beauty, success of different kinds. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:20.400 One voice after another, calling out, 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:21.220 Listen to me. 00:06:22.020 --> 00:06:23.420 I have what you need. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:25.100 I can give you direction. 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:27.740 Heed my voice. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:32.040 And I wondered, especially in regard to young people, 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:36.860 how does one discern the voice that has your interest at heart? 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:43.100 The voice that is not there simply to manipulate and destroy and tread you down, 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:46.540 but the voice that will do you good. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:51.040 How hard it is for young people, especially in our day, 00:06:51.140 --> 00:06:56.040 with all of the confusing messages about identity and purpose, 00:06:56.640 --> 00:07:00.160 to discern what is good and true. 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:05.820 And Jesus comes and declares that he is the one 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:09.139 who will give the guidance that we need. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:13.019 And his voice is the one that we need to hear. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.719 Jesus speaks also of a sheepfold 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:20.839 and of a gate to this sheepfold. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:22.579 And we're familiar again, are we not, 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:26.259 with these kind of stone enclosures. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.319 The back of our house in Linerco in Skye, 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:35.019 there is a very substantial stone flank. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:38.639 I think it probably encloses about 20 acres of pasture. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:42.420 And there is, as in the Jesus figure, 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:44.579 one entrance to it, 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:48.339 one entrance in which the sheep make their way. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:51.319 And Jesus speaks of a watchman 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:56.959 who will watch over the entrance to the fold 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:00.219 because there would be different flocks would be coming in 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:02.680 and he is making sure 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:07.479 that only those who are the rightful owners enter. 00:08:08.799 --> 00:08:10.039 But there's always the possibility 00:08:10.039 --> 00:08:11.959 that a robber will come in 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:14.219 and will avoid the gate 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:18.359 and will come in over the wall itself 00:08:18.359 --> 00:08:20.199 and will seek to go off with sheep 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.339 with which he has no right. 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:25.719 So Jesus is speaking of two voices here 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:27.180 in the parable. 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:29.060 There is the voice of the robber 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:34.420 whose intention is negative, 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.320 is evil, 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.120 who is there to exploit 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.300 and to draw away. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:42.940 And then there is his own voice. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.100 There's the voice of Jesus 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:50.220 and there is the voice of the robber. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:54.860 We have robber personalities 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:58.139 in all different kinds of walks of life, don't we? 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:02.160 They occur in politics. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:05.860 There are those who simply are wooing you, 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:07.879 not necessarily for your own interest, 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.420 but because they want your vote. 00:09:10.160 --> 00:09:12.340 Salesmen who want your money. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.580 But most seriously of all, 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:17.840 it can occur in the realm of religion. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:20.639 All kinds of movements, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:24.040 different sects, 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:27.100 different religious personalities, 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.560 promising healing, 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:31.639 promising wealth, 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.540 or prestige. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:37.300 And like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:40.800 many of the individuals 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:44.740 who set themselves up in the visible church 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:48.220 are ultimately in it 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:49.860 for their own good. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.799 Sadly, many people in ministry positions 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:55.960 are not there 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:58.200 because they have had a genuine call 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:00.299 to shepherd a flock, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:03.299 but are there because of an inner hunger. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:06.399 There are issues in their lives 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.720 that have never been resolved 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:09.539 and as a consequence, 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:12.340 they have an inner compulsion 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:16.100 to lord it over other people. 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:20.600 They want a name. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.280 They want to influence 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:26.100 the direction of people's lives 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.980 and so be thought to be significant 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.920 in their eyes, 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.920 to be looked up to. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.120 And in their hunger, 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.259 they devour the flock, 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:40.720 which is a terrible thing 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.480 when you think of it. 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:43.200 The shepherd's work there 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.580 is to defend 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:47.120 and to prosper his flock. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:49.279 And the false shepherd, 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:50.460 or the robber, 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:51.860 does the very opposite, 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:53.799 devours the flock. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.659 Jesus warned against those 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:59.460 who are inwardly hungry wolves, 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.259 driven by an appetite 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:07.139 for their own prestige, 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:09.939 which results in the flock 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:11.279 being hurt. 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:14.319 So there is this voice. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.700 There's the voice of the robber 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.759 and then there is the voice 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:18.279 of the good shepherd, 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.000 the voice of Jesus. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.480 His sheep follow him 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:27.980 because they know his voice. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:31.580 What is the voice of Jesus 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:33.060 saying to us? 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:35.300 What is it calling us to? 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:37.279 Well, it's a voice, first of all, 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.940 that calls us to come under 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:40.399 his leadership. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:44.680 It doesn't take much 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:46.379 of an acquaintance with sheep 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.259 to realize that they have 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:51.120 no organizational acumen. 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:52.399 If you leave them to themselves, 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:55.560 they'll scatter to the winds. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.820 They'll generally make a mess of things. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.220 A shepherd is needed 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.379 to come along 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:04.080 with a note of authority 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:06.519 to bring them under his rule, 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.420 his direction, 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:09.800 to send them to where 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:11.480 they are supposed to be going 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:13.300 by the proper route. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:15.639 And first of all, 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:17.500 we stress that the voice of Jesus 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:20.980 sounds out to call us 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:23.100 under his leadership 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:25.820 or under his lordship, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.460 we would say. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:31.740 The gospel never is a declaration 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.200 of some facts 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:37.480 that we can be disinterested listeners to. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.639 It always calls for 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.379 a response of obedience, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.540 of submission 00:12:43.540 --> 00:12:47.200 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.639 It's a summons to enlist. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:54.699 It's a call to leave off 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:56.419 going our own way, 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.559 to abandon 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.939 what is 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:02.600 a determined impulse 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.259 within us 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:05.120 to be independent 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:07.860 and to rule our own lives 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.419 and to set our own direction 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:11.019 and to submit instead 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:13.199 to the direction 00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:15.279 of the good shepherd. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:18.019 So the voice of Jesus 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.019 is first of all 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:19.740 a call 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.600 to follow. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.079 He comes as the Lord 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:24.959 who has a right 00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:26.439 over our lives. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.379 The new Christian 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.399 is someone 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.699 who has come under 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:31.220 a new regime. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.740 He has given his allegiance 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.879 to a new leader. 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.319 And so the Lord himself, 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.000 when he comes, 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:38.279 Mark gives us 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.480 the summary of his gospel. 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.799 Jesus came 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.679 preaching 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.159 the good news. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.439 The kingdom of God 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.059 is near. 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:46.279 Repent. 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.000 Turn around 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.419 and believe 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.539 the good news. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:50.679 A summons 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:51.899 to obedience. 00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:53.779 Second, 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:54.799 the voice of Jesus 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.919 not only calls us 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.419 to come under 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:57.519 his leadership, 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.399 but it calls us 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.659 to new purpose. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.799 New purpose. 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:03.980 Sheep need direction. 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.339 The shepherd 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:06.799 gives them direction 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.199 as he leads them 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:10.019 out of the fold. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:13.100 Going back 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.539 to this picture 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:16.179 of the crowd 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:16.939 milling around 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:19.100 in the great train station 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.500 or maybe 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.620 the concourse 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.899 of an airport. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.819 And you look at 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:26.319 and you wonder 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:27.419 what is going on 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.139 in the lives 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.019 of all of these 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.740 different people. 00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:31.519 And you wonder 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.600 how many of them 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.120 are actually 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.240 inwardly aching 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.659 for some purpose 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.500 in their lives. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.079 They're following 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.600 maybe a career path. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.079 Because that's 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.600 what everybody 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.439 else has done. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.220 Or they're chasing 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.439 their own pleasures, 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.379 their own desires, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.799 but it's ultimately 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.980 satisfaction 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.220 is eluding them 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.720 and they're looking 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.659 for purpose 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:52.799 in their lives. 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:55.139 And Jesus calls us 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.360 to a new direction. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.059 Jesus calls us 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.480 and he claims 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.399 that he will give us 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.600 a new purpose 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.600 to our lives. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.199 And so he comes 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:06.179 to men 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:06.879 who are fishing. 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.199 Peter, James, 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:08.779 and John. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.039 and he says 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.839 I will make you 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.959 fishers in the 00:15:11.959 --> 00:15:12.939 truest sense. 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:13.579 I will make you 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.779 fishers of men. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.519 Jesus calls us 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.699 to new purpose. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.459 Jesus calls us 00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:23.819 thirdly 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:24.480 to life 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.639 in its fullness 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.639 to the life 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.480 that is ultimately 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.939 the life 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.839 that fulfills. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.740 the life 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.340 of the evil 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:34.740 one, 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.620 Satan, 00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:36.560 is a siren 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.460 voice that will 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:37.980 lure us 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.019 onto the rocks 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.840 which will be 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.580 destructive. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.840 The thief 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.280 has only 00:15:43.280 --> 00:15:44.420 self-interest 00:15:44.420 --> 00:15:45.200 at heart, 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:45.960 never has the 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.180 good of 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:47.960 the sheep 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.440 at heart, 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:48.960 but Jesus 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.040 comes and 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.160 his desire 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.040 is to enrich 00:15:52.040 --> 00:15:52.980 our lives, 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.420 to bless us. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:57.139 maybe someone 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.959 is here 00:15:57.959 --> 00:15:58.659 in church 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:59.139 this evening 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.219 and you're 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:00.759 not yet a 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.120 Christian 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:03.279 and you're 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.000 doing a wise 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.199 thing, 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:04.879 you're counting 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.339 the cost. 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:06.059 Jesus always 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.620 said that we 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.159 should count 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:07.860 the cost 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:10.000 before following 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.379 him. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:11.860 Jesus never 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.740 made it 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.959 possible to 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:15.419 opt in 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.159 via easy 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:16.779 believism. 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:17.740 He challenged 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.319 people to 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.199 consider what 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.139 it would cost. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:22.659 but we 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.159 must never 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:25.240 buy into 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.939 the lie 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:28.019 that 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.480 the 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.659 Christian 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.639 life is 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.379 a life 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.360 in which 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:33.759 we are 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.500 robbed 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.600 of the 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.179 good that 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.559 we may 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.059 have. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.759 That is 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.639 Satan's 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.000 lie. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.399 Satan 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.259 from the 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.919 very beginning 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.299 accused God 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.360 of being a 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.019 killjoy, 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:44.779 of being 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.919 one who 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.740 would withhold 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.059 from Adam 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.779 and Eve 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.379 that which 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.980 was for 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.519 their own 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:50.879 good. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.759 And Satan 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.740 consistently 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.620 tries to 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:56.100 deceive in 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.700 that way. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.039 So don't 00:16:59.039 --> 00:16:59.620 let anybody 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.320 tell you that 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.840 if you become 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.420 a Christian 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.100 you will be 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.879 the poorer 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.160 for it. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.599 Jesus 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.240 candidly 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.019 tells us 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.360 that we 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:09.500 will have 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.900 to take 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.240 up our 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.660 cross, 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.299 that we 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.019 will experience 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.740 criticism, 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.519 that there 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.759 will be 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.660 the abandonment 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.220 of some 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:15.759 fair-weather 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.480 friends who 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:16.920 no longer 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.680 are interested 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.140 in going 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:18.500 with us 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.120 when we 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.759 follow Jesus. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.559 but the 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:20.980 ultimate 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.880 reality is 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.339 that Jesus 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.000 is calling 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.700 us to 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.360 life in 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.579 its 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:24.900 fullness. 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.339 I have 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.059 come that 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.319 we may 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.519 have 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.720 life and 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.180 have it 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.000 in all 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.920 of its 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.700 fullness, 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.660 an abundant 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.160 life, 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:35.180 not simply 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.940 scraping along 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.079 until at the 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.900 very end 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:40.380 we slide 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:40.980 into heaven, 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.759 but a life 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.240 of love 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.259 of love 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.599 and joy 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.000 and peace. 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.240 These are 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.859 the three 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:51.099 essential 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.859 ingredients 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.900 of the 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.640 Christian walk. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.279 Jesus has 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:54.740 promised 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.619 that we 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.000 will have 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.440 life 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.500 with his 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.180 great 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:59.299 daily 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.079 provisions. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.259 Moreover, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:03.740 it's a 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.220 life that 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.339 we prove 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.980 as Christians 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.559 to be, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.579 a life 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:09.099 which brings 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.700 joy at 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.299 every turn, 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:10.720 in which 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.360 there is 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:13.000 an adventure 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.799 in following 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.299 the Lord 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:14.680 Jesus. 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:15.740 Many of 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.059 you here 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.700 will testify 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.279 to that 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.700 fact, 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.480 that following 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.460 Jesus brings 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.700 us into 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.019 opportunities 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.500 that we 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.000 would never 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.799 have dreamed 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.900 would be 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.440 possible, 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.900 of meeting 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:29.079 people from 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.460 different 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.360 cultures who 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:30.880 have shared 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.420 the same 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.140 love for 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:32.920 the Savior 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.339 that we 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:33.860 have, 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.160 and we're 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.839 knit together 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.279 with a 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.700 kindred 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.279 spirit. 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.600 How different 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.279 it is from 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:43.079 the fantasies 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.399 that are 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.759 chased by 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.839 those who 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.519 are listening 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.879 to the 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.319 robber's 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.779 voice. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.059 Here many 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.539 people say 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:50.859 today, 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:51.899 you can 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.299 have it 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.659 all. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.059 You know, 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.399 you can 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.599 have the 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.659 high-flying 00:18:56.659 --> 00:18:57.179 career, 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.459 you can 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.039 work 14 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.480 days and 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.039 still have 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.839 that flourishing 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.740 marriage and 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.339 family life. 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:02.699 And usually 00:19:02.699 --> 00:19:03.119 the people 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:03.619 who claim 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:03.819 that you 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.119 can have 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:04.439 it all 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:04.740 in that 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.119 sense 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:05.980 are 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.519 miserable 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.559 advertisements 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.819 for the 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.319 have-it-all 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.779 lifestyle 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.399 because they 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.399 looked dried 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:11.619 up, 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.379 burned out. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.220 But Jesus 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.079 offers not 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.899 a life made 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.160 up of 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.099 material things, 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.579 but this 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:19.480 life of 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.220 love and 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.079 joy and 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.519 peace, 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.980 of self-control, 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:23.899 wisdom, 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.500 gentleness, 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.559 a consciousness 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:29.720 in our hearts 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.500 that God 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:32.019 is real. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.759 And moreover, 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.960 he has a 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.279 purpose for 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.119 our lives. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.680 Our lives are 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.340 not meaningless. 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:40.060 They count 00:19:40.060 --> 00:19:41.259 for something. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.440 He promises 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.940 that we 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.340 may have 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.920 mastery over 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.320 the things 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:48.940 that can 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.620 potentially 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.299 enslave 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.840 us. 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:52.460 Greed, 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.360 envy, 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.480 sexual 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.200 immorality, 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.539 alcoholism, 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.380 lying. 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:04.100 Jesus is 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:04.540 offering 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:05.920 to his 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.280 sheep 00:20:06.280 --> 00:20:07.640 life in 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.280 all its 00:20:08.280 --> 00:20:08.540 foods. 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:08.860 I have 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.340 come that 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:09.680 they might 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.400 have life 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.740 abundantly. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.800 So the 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:15.340 shepherd is 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.860 calling 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:18.520 in all of 00:20:18.520 --> 00:20:19.760 the myriad 00:20:19.760 --> 00:20:20.500 voices that 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.600 call to us 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:22.600 in different 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.120 directions. 00:20:23.260 --> 00:20:23.460 There's the 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:23.880 voice of 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.420 Jesus 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:26.000 calling 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.840 distinctively. 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:29.439 how can 00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:30.099 we trust 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:30.879 this voice? 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.359 How do 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.759 we know 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.019 that Jesus 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.579 is telling 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.199 the truth? 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:39.980 This is a 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.740 vital question 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.059 again, 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.959 especially at 00:20:41.959 --> 00:20:43.740 the threshold 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:45.319 of believing 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.899 as we 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.859 consider the 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.199 cost, 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.500 as we 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.919 think of 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.839 whether we 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.240 will go 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.179 forward and 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:51.220 be a 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.819 follower of 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.519 Jesus Christ. 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.159 Can he be 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:53.639 trusted? 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:54.939 Are his 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.980 claims trustworthy? 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.120 And Jesus 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.079 himself tells 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.880 us here why 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.339 we can 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.259 trust his 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.700 claims. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.000 And first 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.339 of all he 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.019 tells us that 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.799 he is the 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.599 one who 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.140 has come 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.380 through the 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:07.620 gate. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.259 I tell you 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.700 the truth, 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.200 the man who 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.579 does not 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.019 enter the 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.500 sheep pen 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:10.860 by the 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:11.759 gate but 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.460 climbs in 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.900 some other 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.279 way is a 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.099 thief and a 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.460 robber. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.240 The man who 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.720 enters by 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.140 the gate is 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.819 the shepherd 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:20.099 of his 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:20.759 sheep. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.539 What Jesus 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.140 is saying 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.819 here is that 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.700 there is an 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.799 appointed way 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.139 to enter 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.940 the sheep 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.339 fold and 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.059 he has 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.299 entered via 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.200 the proper 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.480 way. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.839 That's the 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.319 case, isn't 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.619 it, in 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.039 life? 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.419 There's a 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:35.879 proper way 00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.200 to come 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.819 into church 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.319 this evening. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.879 I don't 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.240 think anybody 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.720 came through 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.619 a window or 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.339 climbed under 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.039 pews to 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.639 get to their 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:42.980 seat. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.460 There was a 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.079 proper way 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.079 and we 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.740 entered via 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.279 the proper 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:46.599 way. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.119 And the 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.659 Old Testament 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.339 scriptures 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.339 had said 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.659 that there 00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.159 would be a 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.519 way by 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.659 which the 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.839 Messiah would 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.220 come. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:59.000 they predicted 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.359 where he 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:00.659 would be 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.000 born, 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.759 to whom 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.019 he would 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.460 be born 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.819 to, 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.500 the unusual 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.220 character of 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.779 his birth, 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.859 how he would 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.359 appear to 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.919 the nation, 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.240 how he'd be 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.859 introduced, 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.339 where he 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.779 would live, 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.119 what he 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.619 would say, 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:13.440 what he 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.839 would do 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.200 when he 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.559 came, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:15.980 the manner 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.319 of his 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.759 death, 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.379 his 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.940 resurrection. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.339 This is 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.799 what Jesus 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.079 means. 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.559 He came 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.279 the predicted, 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.019 the prophesied 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.440 way. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.240 He's 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.259 credentialed. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.039 No other 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.700 person in 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.660 all of the 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.299 history of 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.299 Israel ever 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.119 came to the 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.720 people of 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.339 Israel this 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:34.579 way. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.379 This is how 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.059 we can know 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.619 that Jesus 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.639 is the true 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.359 shepherd and 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.039 his words are 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.859 to be trusted. 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.720 He entered 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.500 by the 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.839 door. 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.500 He was 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:45.960 born in 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.519 Bethlehem, 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.160 prophesied 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.819 by the 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.400 prophet 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.000 Micah. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:54.079 He was 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.440 born of 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.900 a virgin. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.400 Isaiah 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.759 7, 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.339 4, 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:57.960 a virgin 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.500 shall be 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.720 with 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.099 child. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.759 It was 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.079 said his 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.440 name would 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.839 be called 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.359 Wonderful 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.059 Counselor, 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.599 the Mighty 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.099 God, 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.799 the Everlasting 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.279 Father, 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:05.839 the Prince 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.599 of Peace. 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.700 He's the 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.059 one who 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.759 was presented 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.500 in the 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.500 temple as 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.079 an infant, 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.099 circumcised 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.519 on the 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.119 eighth day 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.859 according to 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.420 the law. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.279 He was 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.980 owned by 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.680 God at 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:17.920 his 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.460 baptism. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.960 He came 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.680 the accepted 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.079 way. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.360 And on 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:22.640 the other 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.019 hand, 00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:24.660 false 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.120 shepherds, 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.460 those who 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.840 come to 00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:26.819 manipulate and 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:28.120 to prey upon 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.680 the flock, 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.460 they are 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.240 recognized by 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.200 their craftiness 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.799 and their 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.240 cunning. 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.900 There's a 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:34.299 lack of 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.620 openness in 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.380 their dealings. 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:36.900 They're not 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.860 credentialed. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.360 One of the 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.019 hallmarks of 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.799 all Christian 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.360 converse and 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.960 dealings should 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.299 be the 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.019 openness with 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.440 which we 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:46.840 deal with 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.460 one another. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.759 everything 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.660 conducted in 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.120 daylight. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.840 But the 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.200 thief and 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.600 the robber 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.259 dwells in 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.539 the shade 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.620 and the 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.240 darkness. 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.940 Jesus came 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.319 through the 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:01.660 gate. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.120 His way 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:04.120 was prophesied. 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:06.840 And 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.360 interestingly, 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.720 Jesus says 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.759 that he 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.160 can be 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.200 trusted because 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.960 the watchman 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.940 opens the 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.539 gate for 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:14.900 the good 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.220 shepherd. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.539 What does 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.960 this mean? 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.220 Probably this 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.100 is referring to 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.579 John the 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.699 Baptist who 00:24:19.699 --> 00:24:20.259 was looking 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.819 out for 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.339 the coming 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.139 of the 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.439 Savior. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.559 John pointed 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.119 to Jesus. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.759 Behold the 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.199 Lamb of 00:24:27.199 --> 00:24:28.399 God who 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.959 takes away 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:29.399 the sin 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.659 of the 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.000 world. 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.240 He's 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.179 credentialed by 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.859 John's 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.339 testimony. 00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:35.879 And 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.240 thirdly, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.659 he's known 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.240 by the 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.879 care he 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.559 has for 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.119 the sheep. 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:39.159 sheep. 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.079 What a 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.919 wonderful way 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.419 of knowing 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:44.079 that Jesus 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.139 is all 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.719 he says 00:24:45.719 --> 00:24:46.359 he is 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.239 because he 00:24:47.239 --> 00:24:47.979 loves his 00:24:47.979 --> 00:24:48.379 sheep. 00:24:49.459 --> 00:24:49.859 And in 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.159 Jesus' 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.239 earthly ministry 00:24:51.239 --> 00:24:51.779 there is 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.939 this tenderness 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:54.519 towards all 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:54.919 with whom 00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:55.439 he comes 00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:56.139 in contact. 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.379 He knows 00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.979 your name. 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:03.539 he knows 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.220 your personal 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.200 circumstances 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.900 all about 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.200 you. 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.240 In all of 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.880 his dealings 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:11.019 with people 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.480 in his 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.140 earthly ministry 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.519 there is 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.720 this personal 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.519 loving 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:16.000 nature. 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.420 In his 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.960 dealings with 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.819 Zacchaeus, 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:22.160 the woman 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:22.480 at the 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:22.839 well, 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.259 the Roman 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.059 centurion, 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:25.759 the woman 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.099 with the 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.579 issue of 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:26.940 blood, 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.019 blood, 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.740 Jesus knew 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.039 their 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.880 circumstances, 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:30.900 dealt 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.380 with them 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.120 with 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.000 tenderness, 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.120 with 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.960 gentleness, 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.539 and he 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.400 comes close 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.080 to us. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.059 The shepherd 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.200 is the 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.700 good shepherd 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.700 and because 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.039 the sheep 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.559 trust him 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.980 he comes 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.559 close to 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:44.700 them. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:44.980 There is 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.860 an intimacy 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.740 in his 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.080 dealings 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:47.660 with us. 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:49.840 And that 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.299 is such 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.960 a contrast 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.539 with the 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.480 way that 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.140 people who 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.120 try to 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.660 big up 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:54.900 their 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.460 position 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.920 deal with 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.600 those. 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.480 In fact, 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.440 by creating 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.380 a distance 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.240 from others 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.220 they seek 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.660 to make 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.160 themselves 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.019 seem more 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.960 important in 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.500 all kinds 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.940 of different 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.240 ways, 00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:07.600 in ways 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:07.960 that we 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.759 recognize 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.519 sometimes as 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.000 simply being 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.440 normal. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.960 The business 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.600 desk that 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.400 separates the 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.300 interviewer from 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:15.440 the person 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.259 being interviewed. 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:17.259 The way that 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:17.840 the secretary 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:19.100 shields her 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:20.420 boss from 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.519 others. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.680 The military 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.640 uniform that 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.480 sets somebody 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.060 off from 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:27.099 the common 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.839 rank. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.339 But Jesus 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.940 is with 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.519 his sheep. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.679 He goes 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.139 ahead of 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.279 them. 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:32.679 He never 00:26:32.679 --> 00:26:33.419 abandons 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:33.599 them. 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:33.940 He never 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.119 allows them 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.440 to go 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.039 through some 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.659 circumstance 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:38.200 which is 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.279 darker or 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.079 harder than 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.079 any he has 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.940 experienced 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:43.039 himself. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.639 And 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.159 fourthly, 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.919 we know 00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:51.980 Jesus can 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.599 be trusted 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:55.679 because of 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:55.879 our 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:57.559 experience 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.159 of him, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.059 of his 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.539 voice. 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:01.480 It rings 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.139 true 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:03.759 deep within 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.299 us. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.139 Doctrinally, 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.480 we would 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.119 say that 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.639 that is the 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.480 Holy Spirit 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.740 testifying in 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.459 our hearts 00:27:12.459 --> 00:27:13.319 the truth 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.919 of Jesus' 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:15.959 words. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.100 voice. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.880 And so 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.220 we read 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.680 the Bible 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:22.259 and we're 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.860 gripped by 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.340 the Bible 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:25.779 because Jesus 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.120 speaks to 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.340 us. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:27.819 His voice 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.380 comes to 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.880 us through 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.240 the word 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.620 written. 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.680 God's 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.019 people, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.840 those he is 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.460 calling by 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:36.720 name, 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.660 recognize in 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.240 the words 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.460 of the 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.920 Old and 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.220 the New 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.740 Testament 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.600 the authentic 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.600 voice of 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.000 Jesus. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.259 us. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.059 We know 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.180 his voice. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:47.819 J.B. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.240 Phillips, 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:50.000 who was 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.599 the great 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.619 New Testament 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.339 translator, 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.099 when he 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.559 wrote his 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.700 autobiography, 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.779 he entitled 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.460 it Rings 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.160 of Truth 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:59.519 after the 00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.799 way in 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.180 which he 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.559 had been 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.460 repeatedly 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.119 convinced 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.599 by the 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.779 truth of 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.140 the New 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.579 Testament 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:04.960 as he 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.299 worked 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.819 closely 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.299 with it. 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:06.859 It 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.200 simply 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.700 rang 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.240 true 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.039 deep 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.279 within 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:09.740 us. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:10.799 And 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.019 friends, 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.640 when we 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.740 read our 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.160 Bibles, 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:13.559 when we 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.200 come to 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.919 be drawn 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.759 by Jesus 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.399 and we 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:18.179 encounter 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:18.740 him in 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.220 his word, 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:19.500 there's 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.859 something 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:21.259 that simply 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.359 rings 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:22.919 true 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.720 deep 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.259 within. 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.859 Holy 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.299 Spirit 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.940 applying 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.179 the 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:28.299 truthfulness 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.299 of the 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.619 word 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.700 to us. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.399 And by 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:32.759 the same 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.240 token, 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.399 Jesus' 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:34.759 sheep 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.639 learn to 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.419 recognize 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:37.079 the 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.720 imposter. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.859 They 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.379 become 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.079 discerning. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:42.139 man. 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:43.879 So the 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.220 experience 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.980 in ministry 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.519 often has 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.619 been people 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.059 will come 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.299 and they 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.759 will say, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.619 what do 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:50.980 you think 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.500 of this 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.179 booklet, 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:52.559 this 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.000 leaflet? 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.319 There's 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.799 something in 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.059 it that 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.460 seems a 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.359 bit dodgy, 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.779 doesn't 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.279 seem quite 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.720 right. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.079 That's a 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.339 huge 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.939 encouragement 00:28:58.939 --> 00:29:00.500 because it's 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.859 saying that 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.460 somebody has 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.599 begun to 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.399 discern the 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:03.799 difference 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.359 between the 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.779 voice of 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.319 the shepherd 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:07.359 and the 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.740 voice of 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.419 the imposter, 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:09.819 the one who 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.480 was there to 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.500 manipulate and 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.279 to exploit. 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.860 So Jesus 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.360 is saying 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:17.759 that he 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.160 wants us 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.480 to lead 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.200 us into 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.599 a new 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.880 world in 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.360 which there 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:22.860 is a 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.559 new life, 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.319 a life that 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.779 is marked 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.680 by truth, 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:28.160 by satisfaction, 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:30.279 and he 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.720 is the 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.079 door, 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.079 and he 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.440 is the 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.279 only door, 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.420 the only 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.500 way to 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.079 this life 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.519 in all 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.059 its fullness 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.500 is by 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:39.940 Jesus. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.379 Thirdly, 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:46.799 and then 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.220 very briefly, 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:48.879 the cross 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.240 of the 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.619 shepherd. 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:54.399 The shepherd 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.700 shows that 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.220 he is the 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.899 good shepherd 00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:59.980 by his 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.759 love to 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.179 the very 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:01.720 end. 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.559 Jesus is 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.519 willing to 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.159 lay down 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.000 his life 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.019 for his 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.339 sheep, 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.680 and he 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.519 contrasts 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.039 his own 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.640 commitment 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.160 to the 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.500 sheep 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.759 by the 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.779 passing 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.420 interest 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.019 that the 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.420 hired 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.299 hand has. 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.200 The hired 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.680 hand is 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.319 paid for 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:20.400 the hours 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:20.839 he's with 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.220 the sheep, 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.700 but at the 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.259 first whiff 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.819 of trouble 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.680 he's off, 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.559 but Jesus 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.380 lays down 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.160 his life 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.160 for his 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.500 sheep. 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.000 And 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.559 verses 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.240 17 and 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.579 18 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.420 stress the 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.220 purposeful 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.819 nature of 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.160 Jesus' 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.900 death. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.019 death. 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:36.180 Jesus 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.700 didn't 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.740 die on 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.140 the cross 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.740 of Calvary 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.920 because his 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.440 mission had 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.080 gone badly 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.500 wrong. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.280 Jesus 00:30:43.280 --> 00:30:44.259 could never 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.860 have secured 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:46.400 salvation by 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.220 an accidental 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.640 death. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.060 His death 00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:48.580 wasn't an 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:48.940 accident, 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:49.700 it wasn't a 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.120 tragedy, 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.560 it was a 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.400 purposeful 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.600 laying down 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.180 of his 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.420 life for 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.620 his sheep. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.120 One 00:30:58.120 --> 00:30:58.700 commentator, 00:30:58.780 --> 00:30:59.360 Don Carson, 00:30:59.480 --> 00:30:59.700 writes, 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.160 the shepherd 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.940 does not die 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.280 for his 00:31:01.280 --> 00:31:02.140 sheep to 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.740 serve as an 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.319 example, 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.620 throwing himself 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.220 off a 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.299 cliff in 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.319 a grotesque 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.259 and futile 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.640 display while 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.220 bellowing, 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.200 see how much 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.940 I love you. 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.599 No, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.160 the assumption 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.900 is that the 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.480 sheep are in 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.900 mortal danger, 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.359 that in 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.180 their defense 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.640 the shepherd 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.460 loses his 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.880 life, 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.420 that by his 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.779 death they 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.799 are saved, 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.920 and that 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.039 that alone 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.759 is what 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.420 makes him 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.660 the good 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.039 shepherd. 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.299 I am the 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.079 good shepherd, 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:32.639 good shepherd 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.539 lays down 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.259 his life 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.740 for the 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.119 sheep. 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.779 What a 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.539 wonderful, 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:40.319 wonderful truth 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.119 that is. 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.720 And it's a 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.399 truth that the 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:44.639 writers of the 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.279 New Testament 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.319 could never 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.319 get over, 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.859 that Jesus 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.659 had loved 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.939 them to 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:51.859 the extent 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.319 of laying 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.720 down his 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.039 life. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.519 And so we 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.019 have these 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.079 awestruck 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:57.059 references in 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.759 the pages of 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.099 our New 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.879 Testament to 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.260 this. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.880 John writes 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.600 in Revelation, 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.520 unto him 00:32:04.520 --> 00:32:05.760 who loved 00:32:05.760 --> 00:32:06.140 us and 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.080 washed us 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.200 from our 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.760 sins in 00:32:08.760 --> 00:32:09.160 his own 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.560 blood. 00:32:10.780 --> 00:32:11.500 Paul in 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.780 Romans, 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.280 why we 00:32:12.280 --> 00:32:12.780 were yet 00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.340 sinners, 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:14.880 Christ 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.920 died for 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.480 us. 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:18.780 Peter, 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.480 he bore 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.420 our sins 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.440 in his 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.460 own body 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.500 on the 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:23.880 tree. 00:32:25.280 --> 00:32:26.060 The writer 00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:26.400 to the 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.760 Hebrews, 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.320 who through 00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:27.920 the eternal 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.600 spirit, 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.840 offered 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.400 himself 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:30.720 without 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.380 spot 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:32.380 unto 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:32.880 God. 00:32:34.300 --> 00:32:34.840 He is 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.260 the good 00:32:35.260 --> 00:32:35.620 shepherd. 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:36.360 He laid 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.100 down his 00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:37.680 life for 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.240 his sheep. 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.260 Then we 00:32:39.260 --> 00:32:39.640 come to 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.000 the end 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.540 of Jesus' 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.100 discourse, 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.420 and we 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:41.740 have a 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.520 very familiar 00:32:42.520 --> 00:32:43.760 outcome. 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.480 There is 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.060 a division 00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:45.980 of opinion. 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.400 There are 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.820 those who 00:32:48.820 --> 00:32:50.180 dismiss Jesus 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.360 as being 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.960 demon 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.560 possessed, 00:32:54.520 --> 00:32:55.400 but others 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.760 said, 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.240 these are 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.620 not the 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.120 words of 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:57.460 a man 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.860 possessed 00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.300 by a 00:32:58.300 --> 00:32:58.540 demon. 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:02.180 And the 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.700 question we 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.300 finish with 00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:03.580 is, 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.720 what about 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.020 you? 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.840 What is 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:07.860 your response 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.200 to the 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.620 voice of 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.000 Jesus? 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.600 He is the 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.180 good shepherd, 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.220 and he calls 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:16.580 us to 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:17.080 himself, 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.660 and he 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.260 offers to 00:33:18.260 --> 00:33:18.800 us life 00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.080 in all 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.260 its 00:33:19.260 --> 00:33:19.660 fullness, 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:21.800 true life 00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:22.460 with meaning, 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.760 filled with 00:33:23.760 --> 00:33:24.480 love and 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.360 joy and 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.000 purpose, 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.940 love and 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.160 the 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:27.599 fellowship 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:28.940 with the 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.140 other 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:29.859 members of 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.660 his flock. 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.539 He will 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.140 never leave 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.240 us nor 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.200 forsake us, 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.059 but he 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.099 calls us to 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.140 enter by 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.480 the gate. 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:41.240 I am the 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.579 gate, 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.160 says Jesus. 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.460 Will you 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.420 enter that 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:46.819 gate 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.599 this evening, 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:50.099 if you have 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:50.519 not done 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.980 already, 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.900 hearing the 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.339 voice of 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.659 Jesus, 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:55.039 responding in 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.539 faith, 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:56.879 Lord, 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.679 I believe, 00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.379 help me to 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:01.099 overcome my 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.859 unbelief. 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.179 Let's pray 00:34:04.179 --> 00:34:04.579 together. 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.579 Father, we 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.339 thank you for 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.679 this beautiful 00:34:07.679 --> 00:34:08.500 picture of 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.099 our blessed 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.619 Savior, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.239 this picture 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:11.579 of the 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:11.980 shepherd, 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:14.079 at the 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.739 same time 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:16.279 strong and 00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:17.900 yet gentle, 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.319 approachable, 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.360 and yet 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:20.960 majestic. 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.699 Thank you 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.059 that his 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.960 voice speaks 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.339 to us in 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:25.980 the innermost 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.619 parts of 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:27.199 our soul. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.819 Lord, grant 00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.439 that by your 00:34:29.439 --> 00:34:30.139 Holy Spirit 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.919 we may know 00:34:30.919 --> 00:34:31.919 with certainty 00:34:31.919 --> 00:34:33.819 that he is 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.419 ours and we 00:34:34.419 --> 00:34:34.960 are his, 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.179 for now and 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:37.579 forever. 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.439 In Jesus' 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:39.899 name we 00:34:39.899 --> 00:34:40.159 pray. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.119 Amen. 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.259 Amen. 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:52.720 Psalm 67, 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.220 Psalm 67, 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.740 and we are 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.700 singing from 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.880 the Scottish 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.500 Psalter, 00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.200 the second 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.940 part of 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:01.140 our 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:01.500 psalm 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:01.780 book. 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:01.880 Psalm 67, 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:11.240 Psalm 67, 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:14.619 Page 300, verses 1 to 7. 00:35:15.459 --> 00:35:20.000 Lord, bless and pity us, shine on us with thy face, 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:25.599 that the earth, thy way, and nations all may know thy saving grace. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:27.899 The tune is Zurich, and we may stand and sing. 00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:55.559 Let the earth, thy way, and nations all may know thy saving grace. 00:35:55.559 --> 00:36:03.279 Let people praise thee, Lord. 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:09.359 Let people all thee praise. 00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:22.700 O let the nations be glad, and songs their voices raise. 00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:35.360 Thou justly people judge, on our true nations all. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:40.920 Let people praise thee, Lord. 00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:47.700 Let them praise thee, both great and small. 00:36:47.699 --> 00:37:01.339 The earth, our fruit shall yield, our God shall blessings send. 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:14.680 God shall as blessed men shall in fear, and to earth at most end. 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:14.819 Amen. 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:21.759 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:37:22.399 --> 00:37:24.619 rest upon you now and forevermore. 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:25.619 Amen. 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:26.419 Amen. 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.420 Amen. 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:27.420 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.420 Amen. 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:29.420 Amen. 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.420 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.579 Amen. 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:30.579 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:32.639 Amen. 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:32.639 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:35.239 We had an incident during the service where our lady took unwell. 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.519 She's come round. 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.579 She's talking. 00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:41.460 But we're just waiting on the ambulance to arrive to take her to the hospital. 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:47.779 So if I could ask everyone downstairs to use the two side exits here 00:37:47.779 --> 00:37:51.079 and those upstairs to use the main door. 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:54.039 There may be an ambulance outside as you're going out. 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.460 So just be aware of that. 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:58.639 We will still go ahead with the fellowship. 00:37:58.639 --> 00:38:02.259 So if you are staying for the fellowship, just make your way through to the halls. 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:05.980 If you're downstairs, you can just go out this door through to the hall. 00:38:06.060 --> 00:38:09.760 So just take your time and just be aware that there's things going on outside. 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:10.920 Thank you. 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:20.480 I should say myself and Ivor will just leave you to disperse. 00:38:20.540 --> 00:38:21.840 We won't go to a door either. 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:23.040 So just make your way out.