WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.320 Yeah, if you don't know me, my name is Niels, part of the staff team here. 00:00:03.379 --> 00:00:04.620 It's really great to be with you. 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:06.759 I haven't been in the afternoon service for a few weeks. 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:08.240 So good to see many. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:10.060 And yeah, let's look at this passage together. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:12.140 Why don't we pray before we do that? 00:00:15.259 --> 00:00:18.600 Father, thank you that you are the living, loving, speaking God. 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:20.179 And you speak to each of our hearts. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:21.760 Pray that this passage would come alive. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:23.359 And you'd help us to respond. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:26.740 That your word wouldn't just go in and out again, 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:29.299 but it would take deep roots in our hearts. 00:00:29.599 --> 00:00:30.899 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:00:31.439 --> 00:00:31.719 Amen. 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:38.739 Now, before Hong Kong, about nine years ago, yeah, I came here. 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:41.879 I used to be in the UK, work for a church there. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:45.859 And at the church we had a missionary reaching out to Muslims. 00:00:46.480 --> 00:00:49.780 And she had a team with some people who kind of would help. 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:51.019 And I was part of that. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:56.340 And I always thought, well, we're going to see such a great response. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:00:56.920 Right? 00:00:56.980 --> 00:00:58.440 I mean, why not? 00:00:58.440 --> 00:01:00.260 I mean, think about Muslims. 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:01.980 They believe in that creator God. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:02.460 Right? 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:03.679 They believe in a holy book. 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:05.460 They believe in right and wrong. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:09.560 They believe that there's judgment for those who haven't been good enough. 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:13.960 So many things that we share, right, as Christians with them. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:17.240 Except, of course, that they don't know the good news. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:17.740 Right? 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:22.439 They, I'm sure they know that, you know, we can never be good enough by ourselves. 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:24.719 We will not stand on the day of judgment. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:29.260 But Jesus came and he died for us so that we could be free and forgiven. 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:29.539 Right? 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:31.420 Grace, wonderful news. 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:33.739 So surely they would all jump at that. 00:01:33.819 --> 00:01:34.420 That's what we thought. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:38.700 Of course, as you probably know, they didn't. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:38.959 Right? 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:43.340 Muslims, it's very hard for them to come to Jesus for some reason. 00:01:43.460 --> 00:01:44.579 It's a very hard ministry. 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:45.939 Very little fruit. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:52.859 And I'm just amazed that this lady for like 20 years has been kept going in her outreach. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:55.459 Not just Muslims. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:01:56.980 Maybe you were here last week. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:58.959 We had this seminar on the resurrection. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:02.000 And one of the things we discussed, how about the Jewish people? 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:03.120 Right? 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:04.200 That's even more. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:06.200 They don't just have a holy book. 00:02:06.259 --> 00:02:07.099 They have the holy book. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:07.959 They have the Old Testament. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:08.219 Right? 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:09.199 They believe in the true God. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:11.819 They are waiting for the Messiah. 00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:14.259 And you want to talk to them about Jesus. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:18.919 And yet, in the world, there's not many Jewish people who believe. 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:20.699 And we talked about it last week. 00:02:20.899 --> 00:02:22.759 That seems so strange. 00:02:22.859 --> 00:02:23.019 Right? 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:27.819 Why do some people not believe who you really expect to? 00:02:28.659 --> 00:02:29.939 Or sometimes the other way around. 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:31.739 You know, there's other people you wouldn't expect. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:32.459 And they do. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:34.500 But it can seem so messy. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:38.000 And people, you know, why do people ask these questions? 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:39.500 Because it sometimes makes you doubt. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:39.759 Right? 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:45.139 You know, if the people who knew the Old Testament so well, if they don't believe in Jesus, is he really the Messiah? 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:47.800 Is he really the Christ that we want to follow? 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:52.080 Is he really so powerful if so many people don't respond? 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:52.719 Right? 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:55.520 We want to follow Jesus, I guess, if you're a Christian. 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:57.819 And we want to do that confidently. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:02:58.740 Maybe you're here. 00:02:58.819 --> 00:02:59.520 You're not a Christian. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:00.920 You're wondering about Jesus. 00:03:00.920 --> 00:03:02.020 And this is one of those things. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:03.800 Well, this is really true. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:06.800 If, you know, there is sometimes so little response. 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:09.880 So that's why it's great to look at today's passage. 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:12.320 As Kevin said, it's the last in this series. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:16.480 And it does feel a little bit like a wrap-up as well. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:18.520 I don't know if you heard the reading. 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:25.800 If you've been with us for a few weeks, maybe you heard all the referrals to earlier in the book. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:28.140 So like in verse 46. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:33.179 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:34.679 Maybe you remember that. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:36.279 Famous miracle, right? 00:03:36.339 --> 00:03:37.099 Water into wine. 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:38.339 It's great for your wedding. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.019 And verse 54. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:44.879 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:47.519 And the water into wine was the first sign. 00:03:47.739 --> 00:03:47.879 Right? 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:48.500 The first sign. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.199 The second sign. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:53.359 Even though we know from the text that he did lots of signs in between. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:57.339 No, it's like this is how John did brackets. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:03:58.299 Right? 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:01.119 Back then when they wrote, they didn't put chapter 1, chapter 2. 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:04.399 They used these kind of brackets. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:04.699 Right? 00:04:04.839 --> 00:04:08.219 Hey, there was this sign in Cana and this another sign in Cana. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:10.139 So it's like a bit of a pause. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:11.979 Where we're stopping this section. 00:04:12.079 --> 00:04:13.919 That's why we're finishing now before Easter. 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:15.879 Chapter 5 to 10 is the same thing. 00:04:15.959 --> 00:04:16.479 It's bracketed. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:17.379 11 to 20. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.139 So it's a time to look back. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:20.800 And a time to look forward. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:28.620 And if you look back at those last few chapters, in a way, I hope you were here and it's been so encouraging. 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:29.000 Right? 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:31.560 Because, well, the Messiah is here. 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:32.699 God's promised King. 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:33.740 God's promised Savior. 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:35.019 He arrived. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:37.360 We saw how he came to save. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:41.000 To bring the new creation that God promised. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.599 The new beginning. 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:44.879 He came to purify. 00:04:45.580 --> 00:04:47.640 And then, you know, there was chapter 2. 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.280 And then chapter 3 and 4, we had these two characters. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:52.180 These very opposite characters. 00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:52.420 Right? 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:53.540 You remember Nicodemus. 00:04:53.780 --> 00:04:55.560 And then last week, the Samaritan woman. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:57.340 And they were total opposites. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:57.600 Right? 00:04:57.640 --> 00:04:59.080 There was a man and a woman. 00:04:59.460 --> 00:05:00.460 And one was educated. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:01.780 And the other was uneducated. 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:03.220 And one was morally upright. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:05.280 And the other had a shameful past. 00:05:05.280 --> 00:05:07.700 And, you know, one was a religious teacher. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:09.300 You know, he knew all the right things. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:13.800 And the other was a Samaritan, which was kind of a religious half-preet. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:15.199 Really messed up spirituality. 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:15.740 Right? 00:05:15.780 --> 00:05:18.520 With some of the truth and some paganism. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:21.120 But the idea is, no, we have these two extreme people. 00:05:21.400 --> 00:05:23.740 And all of us will be somewhere in between. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:24.000 Right? 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.420 All of us will be somewhere on the spectrum. 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:30.120 And John includes them both to say, hey, you are invited. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.900 Whoever you are, Jesus is for you. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:33.920 The king is here. 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:35.540 And he's for everyone. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:36.540 Right? 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:37.600 That's wonderful. 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:37.860 Right? 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:40.540 That Jesus, you know, he offers grace. 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:42.920 We don't have to come in by how good we are. 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:44.420 He invites us. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:45.920 And we can come and be rescued. 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:48.480 We can come and receive abundant life. 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:51.020 We can be fully satisfied in him. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.780 But that's his invitation. 00:05:54.080 --> 00:05:55.180 Inviting is one thing. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:55.939 Right? 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:57.240 People need to respond. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:02.779 But, right, if they're in chapter 4, people really do respond. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.540 And last week, there wasn't time to cover the whole chapter. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:08.040 That's why we read the last bit again today. 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:10.639 Jesus reached out to this Samaritan woman. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:13.199 She was an outcast because of her past. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:15.259 But she really changed. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:19.800 And she started to tell everyone in the town where she was from about Jesus. 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:22.399 And there was a great response. 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:22.680 Right? 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:23.959 Verse 39. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:28.620 Many Samaritans from the town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. 00:06:29.419 --> 00:06:30.599 And it is so encouraging. 00:06:31.299 --> 00:06:33.479 And these people, they had some history with God. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:36.240 But right now, their religion was messed up. 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:37.159 But they believed. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:38.579 Verse 42. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:41.319 We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world. 00:06:41.979 --> 00:06:42.240 Right? 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.279 What a happy story. 00:06:43.419 --> 00:06:44.379 The king is here. 00:06:44.539 --> 00:06:45.879 And everyone's invited. 00:06:46.219 --> 00:06:47.699 And people are responding. 00:06:48.359 --> 00:06:49.699 It's all so good. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:50.839 It's all as it should be. 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:53.879 Well, actually, is it. 00:06:54.679 --> 00:07:00.839 Because as we then read on, as Jesus leaves Samaria, we see, well, surprising belief. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:03.879 And in a way, maybe surprising unbelief. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:05.979 And because verse 43. 00:07:06.179 --> 00:07:08.839 After the two days, he departed for Galilee. 00:07:10.299 --> 00:07:11.339 That's okay, right? 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:12.279 Jesus travels around. 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:13.679 But in verse 44. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:14.679 I don't know what you thought. 00:07:14.739 --> 00:07:16.239 It's such a weird comment. 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:22.519 For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:27.439 Kind of, you know, Jesus is not going to get much response in his hometown. 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:29.039 And why does John mention that? 00:07:29.059 --> 00:07:30.159 And what is he talking about? 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:31.679 I mean, his hometown? 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:33.899 Is that Nazareth where he grew up? 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:35.539 Well, that's in Galilee. 00:07:36.020 --> 00:07:37.740 Is he now going to his hometown? 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:41.280 And in some way, I think he is. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:47.800 I think the kind of contrast between with his hometown, his kind of his, you know, father land, father thing. 00:07:48.820 --> 00:07:50.800 It's between Samaria and Judea. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:52.680 He was just now in Samaria, right? 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:53.800 The other place. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.560 But now he is back home in Judea with the Jews. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.240 He's a Jew. 00:07:58.340 --> 00:08:01.220 Jewish rabbi here is with the Jews. 00:08:01.880 --> 00:08:06.080 Because he seems to not think well of the Galileans, right? 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.740 Because he's there. 00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:12.820 And that this official comes to him in Cana. 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:15.860 And then how does he respond when this official comes? 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:17.500 Verse 48. 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:22.920 So Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. 00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:25.640 And the U there, it has a footnote. 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:27.140 It's always good to read the footnotes. 00:08:27.140 --> 00:08:29.680 And the footnote says the U here is plural. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:32.879 And so Jesus isn't saying to the official. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:38.000 He says to the people there, hey, you guys don't believe without a miracle, right? 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:40.220 Unless you see a miracle, you will not believe. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:42.659 Which is not a very good thing. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:44.419 It kind of colors this passage, right? 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:47.299 Because like verse 45. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:50.379 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:51.340 Oh, that's great. 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:52.100 They welcomed him. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:56.159 Well, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:57.899 Yeah, they saw his miracles. 00:08:57.899 --> 00:09:01.639 And so they welcomed him because they wanted miracles. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.699 Is that a good thing? 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:09.139 I mean, John has been talking about that before, right? 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:11.299 In chapter 2, for example, it's on the screen. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:18.819 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.039 Same thing. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:24.519 But Jesus, on his part, did not entrust himself to them because he knew all people. 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:34.219 John, he and Jesus, they don't think well of signs just, yeah, on the faith, just based on miracles, just focused on miracles. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:37.039 I mean, it's very different from the Samaritans. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:38.759 Right? 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:40.220 How did the Samaritans believe? 00:09:40.419 --> 00:09:41.279 Verse 39. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:46.139 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:46.960 Right? 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:48.659 They listened to what she said. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:50.000 Verse 41. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.220 And many more believed because of his words. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:53.379 Right? 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:55.159 They were focused on the words. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:58.000 And that's in a way, you know, it's not just back then. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:09:59.000 That's what John wants. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:09:59.519 Right? 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.360 What did John say? 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:05.759 And now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:09.860 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is a Christ. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:13.820 So, John wants you to believe based on his book, based on his words. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.440 Jesus did miracles, but back then. 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:20.240 And they are now written down, and we can believe because of the words. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:22.500 After all, Jesus isn't here. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.659 I think that's interesting. 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:28.420 You often meet, maybe that's something that you think, right? 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:31.360 If I want to believe, well, I first need to see a miracle. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:34.419 I mean, miracles is a huge thing, right? 00:10:34.479 --> 00:10:41.000 For God to come and intervene in the world like a real amazing miracle. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:45.879 God, you know, God did amazing things, but his way of working as he did it back then. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:49.339 And people saw it, and they wrote it down, and it's here. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:54.279 It can be quite a claim to say, hey, Jesus, I want a miracle. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:58.959 Especially sometimes those miracles, well, can you do this particular miracle? 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:00.699 Can you give me this job? 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.799 Or can you give me a baby? 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:05.699 Or, right, it's sometimes it is about what we want. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.519 That's maybe what these people want, right? 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.500 They wanted something. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:12.439 They wanted this and that, and that's why they were interested in Jesus. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.120 But Jesus doesn't work like that. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.720 What did Jesus came to do? 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.339 He came to save us. 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:21.740 He didn't come as a genie to just give us whatever we want. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:25.299 I mean, he came to give us what we deep down really want. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:33.139 What we don't even know that we want because we've just forgotten what it's like to be back with God. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:38.440 But, yeah, he came to give us what we need, what we deep down want, not what we think we want. 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:44.100 So he invites us to come and trust him, to trust his word, to trust his plans without our agenda. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:51.000 But I think the real surprise is who has the real faith here, right? 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.720 We have the Jews and the Samaritans. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:56.100 We have the people with the truth and the religious half-breeds. 00:11:57.179 --> 00:12:00.740 Well, God's chosen people don't believe. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:04.240 They just go after the miracles. 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:07.120 While the Samaritans, they believe, right? 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.580 They get it right. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:10.580 And that's kind of surprising, right? 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.700 It's not what we would expect. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:16.080 We would expect that the Samaritans missed him and the Jews, they all understood it. 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.919 And it's a bit like in chapter 1. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.579 It's so surprising, right? 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:23.659 He came to his own and his own people did not receive him. 00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:25.740 How could his own people, right? 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:30.779 The people that he chose and made and led out of Egypt, they didn't believe him. 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:34.679 It makes you realize we never even read about Nicodemus, right? 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:35.579 Do you remember Nicodemus? 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:38.539 When I've been with the Samaritan woman, we see her response. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.379 Nicodemus is actually not even mentioned. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:45.919 It doesn't actually say that he believed or that he fell on his knees or that he went away. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.779 We don't even know. 00:12:47.339 --> 00:12:50.500 It's like it's in the air, right? 00:12:51.719 --> 00:12:53.839 Well, that's the thing we should see, right? 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:57.319 Jesus invites everyone, but not everyone responds. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:13:00.120 And sometimes the people who respond are very surprising. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.599 And the people who don't respond are very surprising. 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:07.139 But, yeah, so that's maybe it. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:14.319 And chapters 5 to 10, it's going to get even worse as we see people respond to Jesus in a not very good way. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.759 But what should we do with that? 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:19.639 Okay, so this is what John wants to highlight. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:27.340 Now, my heading is a bit funny, but actually what Jesus wants is that we are not surprised. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:30.340 Now, why would we be surprised? 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:35.200 It's only if we read John's gospel in isolation and we don't look around us. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:39.060 But actually for the readers, they knew what was going on. 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:42.320 And that means actually this is not surprising. 00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:47.060 Because they were probably, they had a Jewish background because John assumes a lot of Old Testament. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:51.280 But they knew that actually most Jews don't believe. 00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:54.200 And they probably wondered, why? 00:13:54.200 --> 00:14:00.120 How can Jesus really be the Christ if so few people, so few of us believe it? 00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:04.940 Why do the Gentiles and the Samaritans respond well, but we don't? 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:08.259 Well, John is saying that's not new. 00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:09.400 That's not surprising. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.160 That was back then when Jesus was here as well. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:16.400 And as you go through the gospel, it gets worse. 00:14:16.900 --> 00:14:18.320 It is not surprising. 00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:21.720 It is actually, it's confirming what we see. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:24.200 It may be surprising. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.379 It may be weird. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.740 And we may need to think why. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:29.060 And that's why we have a few more chapters. 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.500 But in a way, it shouldn't be surprising. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.700 Even today, right? 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.019 Sometimes we see that in the world. 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:36.360 And it's unsurprising. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.680 I mean, where is the gospel really going out? 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:41.700 In places like South America or Africa. 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:43.399 Loads of people believing. 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:46.160 And then, I mean, I'm from Western Europe, right? 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.879 Western Europe. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.600 Actually, the church is declining. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.320 It's very hard work. 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.179 But that's so weird, right? 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:56.120 Because, you know, people in Western Europe, they're much richer, right? 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.419 The church has much more resources. 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.500 And people are more educated. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:02.820 And Europe has such a big Christian background. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:07.480 Unlike in Africa, where people are, you know, more poor and suffering. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:11.019 And lots of spiritual and animism. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.340 And yet, they believe there. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.000 But not in Europe. 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.659 It's weird, right? 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.039 Actually. 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:17.279 You'd think in Europe, you'd see much more response. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.240 And yet, we don't. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.080 It's really surprising. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:25.360 But John is saying, no, no, that happens. 00:15:25.800 --> 00:15:25.940 You know? 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.759 It's nothing wrong with the gospel. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.779 Nothing wrong with Jesus. 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.379 Nothing wrong with his invitation. 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:32.320 Nothing wrong with his power to save. 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:35.039 But a lot of people just don't respond, right? 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.360 And that doesn't change anything. 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.720 And John knows, you know, this can be a struggle. 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:47.180 Maybe, especially depending on where you're from, you wonder, you know, hey, how can I trust Jesus if things go like that? 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:49.019 And John is saying, hey, I know that. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:55.139 And I want to reassure you, what you're seeing is exactly what God's word says. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.360 It's exactly as expected. 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.960 It was already in Jesus' day. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.220 It's still there. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.720 And you can trust Jesus. 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.420 He really is the Messiah. 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.600 He really is the Savior of the world. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.500 Just, there are people who don't see that. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.519 It's exactly as expected. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:16.200 Although, at the same time, it can sound a bit negative, right? 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.860 He's so negative about the Jews. 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:22.899 And yet, at the same time, this passage, it's not hopeless at all. 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:25.659 I mean, back in chapter 1, right? 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:28.240 He came to his own and his own people did not receive him. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:32.220 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:37.399 He gave the right to become children of God. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:44.220 And we get, in the midst of that unbelief, we get a focus on one guy, one individual, an official. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:49.480 And actually, here, the message is, well, at the same time, anyone can believe. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.519 Anyone can believe. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.300 So will you. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.460 Right? 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.940 Because this official, he turns out to have true faith. 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.560 And despite his background. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:05.319 Now, I say that because many of us, when we hear this passage, we think of another passage in the Gospels. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.679 And we think it's basically the same passage, right? 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:12.940 Maybe you know about the centurion in Matthew 8 and in Luke 7. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.720 And that's, yeah, that's a famous. 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:17.220 So the stories are very similar. 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.539 Because there's this unnamed official. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:21.539 We just know his kind of job. 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:22.599 Right? 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.740 He comes to Jesus. 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.420 And Jesus heals at a distance. 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.619 And it's a story about faith. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:30.119 And so we all think it's the same as this one. 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.659 Actually, it's not. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.279 It's the opposite. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.839 Because look at the differences. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:37.139 So one is a centurion who works for the Romans. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:40.940 This is a royal official who works for Herod. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:42.579 You can see it from the Greek words. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:45.119 And so the centurion is a Gentile. 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.319 But this guy is a Jew. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.359 Right? 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.139 So that's different. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:50.799 Of course, in one case, it's a servant who is dying. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:52.059 This is the son who is dying. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.579 But I think this is the big difference. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.579 With the centurion, Jesus wants to come to his house. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.720 And the centurion says, oh, no need. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.819 You can do it at a distance. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:05.619 Actually, here in this story, the official wants Jesus to come to his house. 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:07.039 But Jesus says no. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.879 And Jesus does it at a distance. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.180 Right? 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.579 You can see the difference. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.039 It's really not the same story. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:17.359 But at the same time, yeah, it is about real faith. 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.119 Because this is the thing. 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:22.279 By this official, you can understand his desperate situation. 00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:24.159 I mean, you can't fault him. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:27.299 That he hears about Jesus, this guy who can heal. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:29.459 And his son is at a point of death. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:32.679 So he travels all the way from Capernaum. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.979 I think it's about 40 kilometers. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.839 Comes to Cana. 00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:37.939 And comes to Jesus. 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:39.819 Sir, please come down. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.939 He wants his son to be saved. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.419 And Jesus, he seems a bit reluctant. 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:47.580 And you guys don't believe without miracles. 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:50.180 But, of course, the man doesn't give up. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:53.279 Sir, come down before my child dies. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:57.759 Now, of course, we know Jesus then heals him. 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:57.960 Right? 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.920 And that's amazing. 00:18:59.580 --> 00:18:59.860 Right? 00:19:00.080 --> 00:19:02.080 He heals from 40 kilometers away. 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:06.279 You know, I don't know if you ever see movies and people have healing powers. 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:08.200 That's not on 40 kilometers away. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.460 Right? 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:10.240 I love that here in Hong Kong. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.400 You don't need to go to A&E. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:14.660 You can just stay at home and you can get healed while you're at home. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:14.880 Right? 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.480 If the doctors could do that. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:20.259 But, of course, they can't because no one can do what Jesus does here. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.299 It's incredible what he can do. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.720 He has to judge authority. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.579 He just says it. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.960 And 40 kilometers away, it happens. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:30.460 But what is the thing about this miracle? 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.840 It requires faith. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.579 Right? 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.279 Believe. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:38.039 He says, okay, you will only believe when you see signs. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.860 Yeah? 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.960 You don't have true faith like the Samaritans. 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:42.680 What kind of miracle does he do? 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:45.039 A miracle that you don't see. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.140 Right? 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.360 The man doesn't see it. 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:47.640 Right? 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:50.299 Because he just says, okay, go, your son will live. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.299 And the man doesn't know. 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.600 Right? 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.579 He has no idea. 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:58.620 He doesn't see his son because his son is 40 kilometers away and he can't just video call him or whatever. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:01.259 He just has to trust in Jesus' words. 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.460 Right? 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.279 Just like a test. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.120 But he passes it. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.979 Verse 49. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.839 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:15.519 He would never see Jesus again. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.519 He has no other chance. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.599 But he trusts Jesus' words. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.159 And he goes. 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.839 And he does some errands. 00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:24.719 And the next day he comes and meets his servants. 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:27.599 And his servants say, yeah, your son is recovering. 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.619 And when exactly? 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:31.859 Well, exactly then when Jesus said it. 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:32.579 Amazing. 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:37.699 And so, yeah, I mean, that helps his faith, of course. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:37.959 Right? 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.439 End of verse 53. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:41.679 And he himself believed in all his household. 00:20:42.239 --> 00:20:43.979 It's like, of course, it will boost your faith. 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:46.439 But it's not that he didn't have faith before. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:48.179 He trusted God's word already. 00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:50.439 And then, of course, he saw this happen. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.880 But that's the encouraging story. 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.100 Right? 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.940 And this guy sticks out. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.840 He is there in Galilee. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.380 Right? 00:20:58.420 --> 00:21:02.840 He is there among the people whose faith is not really what Jesus said. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.340 But he has real faith. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.100 And that's such an encouragement. 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:10.299 And so, the message is, you can believe. 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:12.059 You can respond. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:14.519 Even if there's not many people like you. 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:16.920 Even if no one around you believes. 00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:17.440 Right? 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.259 You can believe. 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.259 It doesn't matter. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.820 Maybe you're here and you kind of want to believe. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:26.180 But, I mean, none of my family believes. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.440 It doesn't matter. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.039 Right? 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.559 Jesus invites you. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.420 None of my friends believe. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.080 It doesn't matter. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.740 Maybe, you know, Jesus is not for my kind of people. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.799 It's for that kind of people. 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:38.500 But not for people like me. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:38.920 No. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.660 Jesus is for everyone. 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:44.039 Whoever you are, you are welcome. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.320 Right? 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:49.580 You know, this morning we had a domestic helper, the Appreciation Day. 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.500 We had all these helpers. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:54.319 For me, for them, it's very easy to think, oh yeah, my employer goes to church. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:56.939 And I come to church and there's all these people like my employer. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.720 I don't belong. 00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:58.720 Nonsense. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:58.980 Right? 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.819 Jesus is for everyone. 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:03.559 And all of them, you know, you can believe. 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:07.139 And again, if you're here and you're not yet a Christian, you can believe. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.240 Jesus invites you. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.159 How can he do that? 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:14.319 Well, as we thought about earlier, Jesus died on the cross. 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.539 Right? 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:19.440 I mean, if we had to come to Jesus with our education and our work and our performance, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:22.019 maybe some people have it easier than others. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:25.980 But the wonderful thing about Jesus is the gospel. 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.859 That he died. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:29.900 That he paid for everything we've done wrong. 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:32.319 That he did everything right and gives that to us. 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:34.579 And so it doesn't matter who we are. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:38.799 The only thing we just need to do is let go of our own things and trust him. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.779 And that's why we're all welcome. 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.519 But yeah, will you believe? 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.619 Is there anything stopping you? 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:48.940 Is there anything holding you back if you want to believe? 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:54.299 You know, any fear, any worry, any objection or question, please talk about it. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.940 We'd love to help you. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:58.120 But don't think Jesus is not for you. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.000 Everyone is welcome. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.180 Anyone can believe. 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:05.120 And it's not just... 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:08.259 And it's also if you're a Christian, right? 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.920 And you have already come to Jesus. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:13.440 You know, I think I find this passage so encouraging. 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:14.299 Right? 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.940 Because we each try to share the gospel. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.900 And sometimes it's discouraging. 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:20.060 And some people can seem so far from Jesus. 00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:23.960 And, you know, will they ever respond? 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:28.519 I hope this passage tells you, you know, this official is proof. 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.840 Anyone can believe, right? 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:33.680 From whatever people group, from whatever background. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.240 People can believe. 00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:39.960 I mean, thinking about Western Europe, I think of myself, right? 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:42.180 Again, Western Europe is not doing great spiritually. 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.320 Very post-Christian, secular. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.140 And that was me. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:48.320 I mean, I became a Christian at age 25. 00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:49.860 I used to be an atheist, right? 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:53.100 And I didn't look for Christians. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:56.000 I didn't know any Christians growing up. 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:59.020 I met a few at university who were just weird. 00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:03.700 And I never heard of anyone becoming a Christian. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:07.400 There's just a few superstitious, crazy people around there. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:10.340 And yet, God saved me. 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:10.620 Right? 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.180 He had such mercy. 00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:15.420 Even though I wasn't looking for anything, and yet he saved me. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:18.780 Despite everything I was, everything I'd done. 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.940 And so if he can save me, he can save anyone. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:24.040 He can save Western Europeans. 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:25.700 Because I'm evidence that he did. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.620 And so that's great. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:29.019 I can reach out. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:32.779 You know, I know hardline Muslims who have come to faith. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.339 You can reach out to Muslims, other minorities here in Hong Kong. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.799 Maybe in your office. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.980 There's no other Christian. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.720 Actually, anyone can believe. 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.619 You see that here. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.680 You can reach out with the gospel. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.160 Now, we don't know who will believe. 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.359 But anyone can believe. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:51.899 And I find it encouraging and hopeful. 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.459 And, yeah. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:55.899 And, again, such a wonderful grace, right? 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.740 That Jesus just invites everyone. 00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:01.439 And anyone who comes to him can have eternal life. 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.639 So, yeah. 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.619 Let's respond. 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:06.959 Let's pray. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.119 I mean, there's discussion. 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.919 I'll pray. 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:10.639 But then let's discuss this together. 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.519 And let's encourage each other. 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:14.139 And let's help each other. 00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:14.679 Right? 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.799 To keep trusting Jesus. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.759 To keep believing. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:19.279 Because anyone is welcome with him. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.920 Why don't we pray? 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:29.460 Our Father, thank you. 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.220 That's, yeah. 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:32.000 The gospel is so wonderful. 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.799 It's for everyone. 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:36.879 No matter who we are. 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.299 Man or woman. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:41.460 No matter what background or ethnicity or job. 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:45.539 No matter how upright or shameful our past. 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:47.319 Everyone is welcome. 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:49.000 Because Jesus did it all on the cross. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.740 Lord, help us respond. 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:52.319 Help us to trust. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:54.059 If we are already with Jesus. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:56.599 But if some of us, we need to take that step. 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.180 Would we take that step today? 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.940 To come to Jesus. 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.819 And then start trusting him. 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.720 Start following him. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.639 Because we know he welcomes us. 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.740 We know he wants us. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.960 Because he wants everyone. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.539 Lord, help us. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.180 Yeah. 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.859 To believe and to keep believing. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.759 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.759 Amen. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.440 Amen. 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.440 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:44.420 Thank you.