WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:06.299 So I thought to get the brain cells working this morning, we'd begin by a bit of general knowledge, true or false. 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.339 Okay, I've been getting into pointless the last few weeks, getting up with Chloe at ridiculous o'clock in the morning. 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:13.960 So I thought we would give this a shot. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:18.059 So, by show of hands, true or false, here's your first question. 00:00:19.100 --> 00:00:22.740 The Italian word for milk is latte. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:24.679 Hands up for true. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:29.199 I'm very aware we've got some Italians here, so no looking. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.480 Hands up for true, hands up for false. 00:00:33.179 --> 00:00:34.579 Okay, the answer, it is true. 00:00:35.259 --> 00:00:36.439 We've learned something this morning. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:39.120 I hope you've learned more than that, but you've learned something this morning. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:41.280 Latte, Italian for milk. 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:45.640 Question number two, Guernsey is the biggest of the Channel Islands. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:47.679 Hands up for true. 00:00:50.379 --> 00:00:52.100 Okay, hands up for false. 00:00:53.100 --> 00:00:54.100 Okay, it is false. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:55.260 Someone want to tell me what it is? 00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:56.760 It's Jersey. 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:57.500 Excellent. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:00:59.400 Fantastic zoo in Jersey. 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:00.799 Question number three. 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:08.620 Lewis Hamilton is the first Formula One driver to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:09.780 Hands up for true. 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:13.219 Okay, hands up for false. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:14.439 Excellent. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.120 It is false. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:17.959 Does somebody want to give me some more names to educate the youngsters among us? 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:20.579 Nigel Mansell. 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:22.659 Jackie Stewart. 00:01:22.819 --> 00:01:23.120 One more. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:24.460 Damon Hill. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:25.219 Fantastic. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:25.840 Great. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.380 So here's the fourth and final question. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:29.820 Really simple this morning. 00:01:30.740 --> 00:01:34.280 The true capital city of France is Nice. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:36.680 Hands up for true. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:37.040 Wow. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:39.360 Wow. 00:01:39.600 --> 00:01:40.000 Look at that. 00:01:40.080 --> 00:01:40.540 Look around. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:42.240 Just put hands up for true. 00:01:42.600 --> 00:01:43.820 Can we just pause there for a minute? 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:46.340 Just to celebrate this truth. 00:01:46.460 --> 00:01:48.400 If you knew that that was true, please stand up. 00:01:50.440 --> 00:01:51.220 Look at this. 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:52.719 It's fantastic. 00:01:52.960 --> 00:01:53.760 We have doctors. 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:55.160 We have lawyers. 00:01:55.300 --> 00:01:56.080 We have teachers. 00:01:58.420 --> 00:01:59.180 Derek, brother. 00:01:59.300 --> 00:02:00.380 Great to see you this morning. 00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:01.379 Did you know that was true? 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:04.399 They moved it, didn't they? 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:04.959 Fantastic. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:06.959 Andrew, you knew that was true, didn't you? 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:10.439 Neil, can you believe the rest of these guys? 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:11.879 We don't know that's true. 00:02:12.799 --> 00:02:17.680 I thought we were meant to be an educated group of people meeting here this morning. 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:22.139 Seriously, did none of you, seriously, did none of you read that article in the news this week? 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:23.960 How they've moved it from Paris? 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:24.740 Nobody read that? 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:26.699 Paris is old news, folks. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:27.519 You need to move on. 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:30.000 Let's have a seat. 00:02:31.260 --> 00:02:40.280 How do you feel when somebody in the church, a group of people, stand up and deny something that you know to be true? 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:42.400 How do you feel? 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:50.540 For you see, the question facing this church that John is writing to isn't about language, it isn't about Formula One drivers. 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:52.620 It's far more important than that. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:58.120 Jesus Christ, true or false? 00:02:59.480 --> 00:03:10.780 Or put it another way, it's what the apostles, what they've told this group of Christians about Jesus, who he is, what he taught, what he did, true or false? 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:20.840 That Jesus, God in the beginning, God eternal, fully God, came to earth to save us. 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:25.520 Born of a virgin, fully man, fully God, fully man. 00:03:25.580 --> 00:03:27.080 He lived a perfect life. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:35.960 He died a brutal death on a cross, the death that you and I deserve to die for our sin, for our rebellion against God. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:37.860 And he was dead. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:45.620 And on the third day, he rose again and he appeared to the disciples, one of which was the guy that's writing this letter, John. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:51.379 They saw him, they talked with him, they touched him, and he ascended into heaven. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:56.080 And he sent his spirit to live in his followers. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:05.380 And all that remains to be done is for him to come back, to return and to raise the dead and to judge the world. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:09.600 This Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:13.480 He is the only one, the only one who can make us right with God. 00:04:13.700 --> 00:04:15.300 The only way to the Father. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:19.780 And this is the message that the apostles, they witnessed. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:22.800 And they delivered to this church, these Christians. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:30.319 So the apostles' gospel message, Jesus Christ, true or false? 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:38.120 So imagine how the people in this church feel, where they've witnessed this group deny the truth and leave. 00:04:38.460 --> 00:04:44.259 They claim that Jesus, yeah, he's a good guy, but he's not the guy that the apostles are making him out to be. 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:45.139 He's not a big deal. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:48.000 We've moved on to greater things. 00:04:48.540 --> 00:04:50.460 We lead sinless lives. 00:04:50.459 --> 00:04:53.639 We know God better than the rest of you do. 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:58.560 And we have a greater victory over sin and over evil than the rest of you. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.620 We're Champions League Christians. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.819 You guys are meddling in the conference. 00:05:06.099 --> 00:05:07.139 How would you feel? 00:05:07.179 --> 00:05:08.060 How did you feel? 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:12.519 When somebody denies the truth, when a group of people deny the truth. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:13.419 Do you feel confused? 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:15.759 Was there not a minute that I almost had you there? 00:05:16.919 --> 00:05:17.359 Confused? 00:05:17.979 --> 00:05:19.159 Felt a little bit inferior? 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:19.320 Fear? 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:21.360 Unsure? 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:25.880 You see, that's what John addresses this morning in our verses. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.320 Now, we've had BEC News. 00:05:28.340 --> 00:05:29.680 Here's God's Word News. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:32.000 Here's some of the headline ideas from this passage. 00:05:32.140 --> 00:05:32.820 Verse 22. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:35.340 Who is the liar? 00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:40.020 It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:42.060 Verse 26. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:47.439 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:49.079 Verse 21. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:54.699 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it. 00:05:56.540 --> 00:06:01.600 You see, when it comes to what to believe about Jesus, John is telling them that they can be certain. 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:08.980 They can be certain of the truth and that they must remain in the truth of the gospel. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:11.460 And he's really doing two things in this passage this morning. 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:17.580 On the one hand, he's warning against and he's exposing the group, the liars that have left. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:24.300 And on the other hand, he's confirming and he's assuring the truth to those who have stayed in the church. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:26.560 You can trust the truth. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:31.360 So he confronts the lie and he confirms the truth. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.180 Let's see how that works out. 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:34.759 Verses 18 and 19. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:35.780 Let's read this together. 00:06:37.020 --> 00:06:38.420 The truth about the times. 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:40.420 John writes this. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:43.840 Dear children, this is the last hour. 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:50.519 And as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:53.519 This is how we know it is the last hour. 00:06:54.359 --> 00:06:57.639 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. 00:06:57.979 --> 00:07:01.379 For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:05.199 But their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.919 Let's leave it there for just now. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:15.379 I wonder when the last time was that you heard the words, perhaps from a friend or dare I say your other half. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.959 What did you expect then? 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:19.199 Yeah? 00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:21.060 Did you think it was going to be easy? 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:22.319 You ever heard those words? 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:28.439 Maybe after complaining about an aching body after your first visit to the gym in a long time. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.339 Did you really think it was going to be easy? 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:37.199 You know, Mike and I were in the office on Friday and Thursday talking about the difficulties of what it is to be a new parent. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.060 You think it was going to be easy? 00:07:39.859 --> 00:07:40.919 I think we might have. 00:07:42.359 --> 00:07:43.879 What did you expect? 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:46.199 Why are you surprised? 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:53.199 Because before we dive into the detail of these verses and tackle some of the scary words that emerge, 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:58.120 I want to suggest that this is the lens that we need to view this passage with, this section. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.379 This is his big idea in writing this. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:07.659 And I'm really grateful, I must say, to my old tutor, Andy Gemmel, from Cornell, who's helped me understand this section. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:11.220 So, surprised, what are they surprised about? 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.660 Well, the appearance of what he calls Antichrist. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.740 Now, that's a scary term, isn't it? 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:18.880 Antichrist, Antichrist, let's be honest. 00:08:19.140 --> 00:08:20.820 Would you be comfortable calling anybody that? 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:21.900 No? 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:23.899 What does he mean? 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:30.939 Well, the reason that we feel uneasy about that term is that you and I are living in an age where we love to watch horror films. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.840 Dare I say you maybe watched some when you were young. 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:37.000 I remember going to friends' houses to have sleepovers watching horror films. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:43.840 And so when we hear that term Antichrist, that is the lens through which we are interpreting what he's saying there. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:51.600 So we imagine, don't we, a hooded stranger, a pitchfork, horns, and he's got 666 tattooed on his rotating forehead. 00:08:51.780 --> 00:08:53.920 That's what I think an Antichrist is. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.580 But what does John mean? 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:02.519 Well, you see, in Greek, the word ante, it simply means instead of. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.420 Or it means in place of. 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:11.379 Now, Jewish literature of the day has it that an evil figure is going to appear before the end of time. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:17.620 Interestingly, in the context of the book, you'll find John talking about the devil at chapter 3 and verse 8. 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:20.220 I don't think that's their unrelated ideas. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:24.240 And John says to this group of Christians about the Antichrist, 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.179 Guys, you know this. 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:27.080 You've heard this. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:28.000 Looks to be right. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:28.659 It's verse 18. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:29.320 You've heard. 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:34.519 And so the spirit of that evil one is already at work in the world. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.440 That's what he's saying. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:39.059 And John, he points to this group who have left. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:41.059 This group who have left the church. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.959 And he says they are the instead of Jesus people. 00:09:44.959 --> 00:09:51.919 They are the people who are trying to draw you away from Jesus teaching because they themselves have left Jesus' teaching. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:57.119 Now, in the text, notice the word us there at verse 19. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:59.259 They've left us is what he says. 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:02.039 And by us, he doesn't mean the church. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:06.179 What he means is they have left the apostles' gospel. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.199 They have left us. 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:08.059 That's what he's saying. 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:12.599 So they have theologically moved on from the truth of the gospel. 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:18.759 What they are promoting, this spirituality that they're trying to impress on you, entice you into, 00:10:19.219 --> 00:10:23.459 is simply the world's way of thinking dressed up in Christian language. 00:10:24.599 --> 00:10:26.199 Don't follow them. 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:31.640 And when are they likely to encounter these instead of Jesus' people? 00:10:32.640 --> 00:10:34.300 Well, what does he write in verse 18? 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.740 In the last hour. 00:10:37.800 --> 00:10:42.520 The time between Jesus' ascension that we were talking about earlier, his ascension and his return. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:44.540 The gospel age. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:51.040 The age when the good news of Jesus, what he has done for us, has been clearly revealed to the world. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:53.659 And is in full show for all of us to see. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:11:01.659 The age when the Spirit of God, he's given us his spirit to accomplish the worldwide proclamation of that gospel news. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:06.799 And John asks them, well, what would you expect to happen in that last hour? 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.459 What would you expect? 00:11:09.719 --> 00:11:12.620 Friends, what would we expect to happen in that last hour? 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.559 Do we think this is going to be easy? 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:20.259 Do we think that the evil one, do we think he's going to be taking a back seat while all this is going on? 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:25.720 Do we expect the truth of the gospel to be advancing without significant opposition? 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:32.759 I mean, wouldn't we be expecting the enemy troops to be rallying? 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.299 Do you expect the last hour to be easy? 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.159 Well, of course you don't. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:41.000 This is the age of conflict and battle. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:44.419 Where attractive alternatives to the gospel are always being flaunted. 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:48.899 And the truth of the gospel is always being taunted and rejected. 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:51.840 That's just the age we're living in. 00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:55.240 And it's the same age that you and I find ourselves in. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:12:01.459 And so the message that John gives to this group of Christians is the same one that we can interpret this morning. 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:05.159 That this shouldn't surprise us because we're in the last hour. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:09.340 And it's a tough one, isn't it, to chew on. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:15.000 I found it really difficult this week to try and make sense of what this is saying. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.259 Because it's an emotional truth, isn't it? 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:20.840 I'm sure many of us know close friends. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:25.120 We know family members who were once walking strong with the Lord. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:28.019 And now actually they want nothing to do with Jesus. 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:31.779 And I think back to the time when I was growing up in the church. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:33.419 I used to go to SU camps. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.399 I loved them as a kid. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:36.679 I met many a good friend there. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.440 We shared great times together. 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:41.200 Remember, Jesus was a big deal. 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:44.920 But now, when I speak to them, is Jesus a big deal? 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.560 Not so much. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:52.780 And I think there is massive reassurance here from what John tells us. 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:55.660 That this shouldn't surprise us. 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:58.860 It's not because when people walk away from the gospel. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.500 It's not because it ceases to be true. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:04.420 It's just part of the age in which we live. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:07.220 It shouldn't unsettle us. 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:09.300 It should cause us to pray. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:14.420 And it should cause us to know that none of this takes God by surprise. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.300 That God is sovereign. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:19.379 That God is in control of all things. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:22.340 And so therefore, we can be confident in that. 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:29.420 You can be certain of, and you must remain in, the truth of the gospel. 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:32.740 Now what exactly were the departed ones saying? 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.960 Well, let's read verses 22 and 23. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:39.320 Where John tackles the truth about the lie. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:42.360 So John writes this at verse 22. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.320 Who is the liar? 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:47.240 It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:50.320 Such a person is the Antichrist. 00:13:50.900 --> 00:13:52.639 Denying the Father and the Son. 00:13:53.400 --> 00:13:55.740 No one who denies the Son has the Father. 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:59.560 Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:04.739 Now we don't know exactly what those who had left were denying about Jesus. 00:14:04.859 --> 00:14:05.659 We don't know exactly. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.319 There's some commentators. 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:11.899 When I was studying for this, they speculate that they were denying the incarnation. 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:16.659 So they were denying that Jesus was fully God and fully man when he was here. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:19.879 And he is still. 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.179 I don't think we fully know. 00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:31.059 But it's interesting that at nearly every point in this letter, when John is talking about Jesus, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:36.919 when John is talking about Jesus' work and confronting the lies about him, 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:41.199 he's nearly always talking about Jesus' death for sin. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.279 Let me show you how that works. 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:44.519 Chapter 1, verse 7. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:49.879 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:54.059 and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.220 Chapter 1, verse 9. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:05.779 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.480 Chapter 2, verse 2. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:10.639 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:16.100 And not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world. 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:20.960 Now in light of that, what are the departed ones, the ones who have left the church claiming? 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:26.059 If we claim to be without sin, here's what they're claiming. 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:31.899 To be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.779 Now do you see the point there? 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:40.759 He repeatedly, John repeatedly goes back to the truth that sin is an inescapable reality, 00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:43.439 not only in this world, but in our lives. 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:45.279 It's a big problem. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:49.240 That is the problem and Jesus is the answer to that problem. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:56.440 So, what were they most likely saying about Jesus? 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.259 Well, we saw it a few weeks ago. 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:03.419 Downplaying the reality of sin. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:10.279 And therefore, downplaying the significance of Jesus and his death and its significance. 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.879 So what are they doing? 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:15.779 They're probably pushing the cross to the edges of what it means to be a Christian, 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:19.000 so that it's no longer at the heart of what Jesus came to do. 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:25.459 And certainly nowhere near as fundamental to the faith as the apostles are claiming that it is. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:28.860 And so what they're doing is they claim access to God, 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:32.839 a greater access to God that bypasses Jesus. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:38.399 And John helps these people who have remained see that the maths of that, 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:40.019 it just doesn't add up. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:44.199 You see, the apostles' equation, their maths, 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:48.960 is that we have fellowship with God in and through Jesus Christ. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.759 Now, that's not something John has made up. 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:55.520 It's something Jesus had said about himself, didn't he, John 14? 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:59.800 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:04.000 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:08.360 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.880 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:15.640 So Jesus says that he is the only way to the Father. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:20.520 So to enjoy fellowship with God, this is how it works. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:22.740 This holy God, we need to be holy. 00:17:23.560 --> 00:17:29.340 And you and I cannot be holy other than the purifying blood of Jesus that wipes us clean 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:34.519 and Jesus gives us his perfect life and his spirit. 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:37.539 That's the only way that fellowship with God works. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.859 And that's why John has been spelling it out. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:43.359 Because you cannot have God the Father without God the Son. 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:49.599 You cannot circumnavigate Jesus and end up at God. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:53.519 You see, this is how I tried to figure it out in my head this week. 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:57.879 The departed say, me minus Jesus equals fellowship with God. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:02.839 And the apostles say, me minus Jesus equals death. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:09.240 And me in Jesus equals fellowship with God. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:14.160 There is no way to the Father except through the Son. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:19.319 There is no way to be made right with God other than by trusting in what Jesus has done 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:22.500 for you and I for the forgiveness of our sins. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:25.920 You cannot have the Father and not have the Son. 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:28.319 You cannot claim to know God and not know Jesus. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:33.019 Because to move away from that truth isn't just about changing your category. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.160 Notice that word he uses there. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.460 Actually, it's about changing your eternity. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:43.920 You know, we live in a society, don't we? 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:47.859 That exactly what I've just said would love to challenge me on that. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.880 They would love to differ with that. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:55.319 It says that there are other ways to God apart from through Jesus. 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:57.859 That you can experience something of God's. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:00.299 To know God without Jesus. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.460 Now, if you want a proof of that, 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.920 just go and look at your community notice board. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.839 I always do it every time I go to the St. Spreys Local. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.659 Just look at the stuff that's on that board. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:14.019 Or another thing, if you're walking around Edinburgh for the festival, 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:17.740 if you're walking around, look at some of the spirituality that's going on there. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:21.720 Our world believes that you can go to God without going through Jesus. 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:28.559 Our world tells us that we don't need Jesus. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:34.980 Or that we can pick and choose what bits of Jesus, his teaching, that we like and we dislike. 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.960 But here's the thing. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:40.860 Jesus isn't like some kind of divine Mr. Potato Head. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:43.059 That you can dress him up however you want. 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:44.700 It doesn't work like Barbie in Action Man. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:49.120 God's not playing charades with us about the truth. 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.700 We don't have to guess it. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:53.299 We don't have to figure it out for ourselves. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:59.840 He has told us in his words and in the person of Jesus what is the truth. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.700 Friends, let me ask you this morning. 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.580 I know that's been heavy. 00:20:05.080 --> 00:20:07.039 What do you believe about Jesus? 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.799 Who is this guy? 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:14.539 It matters and it matters eternally. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.279 Is he a martyr? 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.659 Is he just a good example? 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:22.599 Is he just an inspirational moral teacher? 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.399 Is he a prophet? 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:29.399 Is he, well I had a friend told me last week, he's just a positive energy? 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:34.599 You know Rico Tice in his book Honest Evangelism, I encourage you to check it out. 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.259 He says this, 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:40.819 The only identity Jesus can't have, he can't have, is ordinary guy. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:49.779 Or could it be that Jesus is exactly who he says he is? 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:52.420 That he is the only way to God. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.339 That he is the truth. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.779 That he is the life. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:21:03.200 And if you don't know him as your Lord and Saviour this morning, then see that you are living in the darkness. 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.119 And you are living in a lie. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:10.480 And Jesus invites you this morning to come to the truth. 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:14.240 You know because that is very exclusive, isn't it? 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:17.720 What Jesus claims, what he said, it couldn't be more exclusive. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.920 That he is the only way. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:28.740 But we must see this morning, and this is great news, that at the same time, in the same breath, is that it couldn't be any more exclusive. 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:31.360 It couldn't be any more inclusive. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:36.580 This offer is available to everyone who would come and believe in him. 00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:42.640 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever, 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:45.000 that's what we were singing in the kids song earlier, wasn't it? 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:49.539 Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:53.440 The invitation to know the truth is available to anyone who would believe. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:58.160 Who would place their faith, their trust in what Jesus has done for them. 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:01.859 See this invitation to come and know the truth. 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:06.339 To come and know God through and in Jesus Christ. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:12.880 And so having confronted the lie, John now turns to confirm the truth. 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.940 Look what he writes at verse 20 and 21. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:18.200 He says, 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:21.880 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:29.319 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:32.920 So it's a really simple statement, isn't it? 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.500 You know the truth. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:42.839 Now picture what comforting and assuring words they must have been to that bruised and confused church congregation. 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:48.879 People tempted to feel inferior and question the relationship with God. 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:50.039 Have we really got it? 00:22:50.039 --> 00:23:01.539 Friends, I wonder if you, and I certainly know I do, that sometimes we are tempted to live our Christian lives and to think that somehow we are inferior. 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:04.779 That somehow we are missing out. 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:11.759 Inferior in light of what looks like much more impressive spirituality and trendy alternatives. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:24.240 But you see, the same gospel message that the apostles delivered to these Christians, these men who interacted with Jesus, these men who wrote down what he said, what he did, and they passed that message on. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:29.559 That truth is the same truth that you and I stand on this morning. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:37.620 And so John's message to first century believers, it resounds down to us here in Brunsfield this morning. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:45.519 That you can be certain of, and you must remain in the truth of the gospel. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:52.259 And so with those words, he issues them with a plea to remain in Jesus. 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:54.500 Look at verses 24 to 27. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:57.000 The truth about the truth. 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.079 And John writes this. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:04.859 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:10.059 If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:14.359 And this is what he promised us, eternal life. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:18.740 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:25.619 As for you, the anointing you receive from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:36.679 But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit, just as it has taught you, remain in him. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:41.399 Now four times you'll have noticed that in those verses. 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:43.199 He gives them the command to remain. 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.639 And I don't think that's an accident. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:49.559 I think he wants them to understand what he's trying to tell them. 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:56.339 And it's an idea, this word remain, I haven't counted, but I'm told that it appears 24 times in this letter. 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.719 It's a very short letter, isn't it? 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.359 24 times is a lot. 00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:03.779 And I think it's deliberate, because this is what he wants them to do. 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.619 To stay with Jesus. 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.919 To stay connected to him. 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.679 To stay in relationship with him. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.600 Now, how are they going to do that? 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:14.360 Have you ever asked yourself that question? 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.700 How am I going to remain in Jesus? 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:21.860 Well, John gives them two great and wonderful encouragements. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:24.620 And you'll notice it in these verses if you look at it there. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:28.840 John says that two things must, and he uses the phrase, remain in them. 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:32.240 Firstly, verse 24. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:37.459 It's the word that they have had from the beginning. 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:41.559 So they have the truth. 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:46.019 The apostles have delivered to them this trustworthy account of Jesus. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:50.439 The apostles have proclaimed to them his teaching. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.039 And it's reliable. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.759 And it's trustworthy. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:57.140 And so why would you move on from it? 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.620 Don't move on from it, says John. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:03.140 He wants them to be people who are so in tune with the truth, 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:07.860 that they instinctively spot any covert deviation from it. 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:10.620 The apostles teaching us the truth. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.420 It's the only sure ground. 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.740 Don't move on from it. 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:14.720 Don't stray away. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:20.180 Don't be led astray by fancy-looking, yet despairingly hollow-looking alternatives. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:26.200 This word, the truth, is what they are not to leave. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:28.000 Abide in Jesus. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:30.220 Abide in the apostles' words. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:35.279 To do that is to remain in relationship with the Father and the Son. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.580 And it's the same for us this morning. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:42.080 We need to keep ourselves rooted in this word. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:46.700 You see, the Bible in your hand, I don't know if you've ever thought about this. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:49.840 I need to remind myself daily, and we should remind ourselves daily. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:53.859 The Bible in our hands is God's word in our hands. 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.939 You know, William Tyndale? 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:02.039 He was a great English reformer in the 15th century. 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:04.079 He might be familiar to you, I don't know. 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:11.099 But he was determined in his conviction that he was going to translate the Bible from Latin into English. 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:14.699 So the common people could understand it. 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:18.599 So the Bible didn't remain in control of those who were educated and could speak Latin. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:21.699 And he famously said this. 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:24.980 This is what he hoped to accomplish by translating this. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.099 He said, 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:31.740 A plowboy with the Bible would know more of God than the most learned scholar who ignored it. 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:34.120 You see his conviction? 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:39.259 It's a wonderful conviction that everybody should have access to the Bible. 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.319 And why? 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:43.120 Because God's words to us can be understood. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:48.140 And isn't it a real joy this morning that we have it in our language? 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.180 How do we know God? 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.339 How do we know what God is like? 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.440 We have his words. 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.440 We have it in English. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.480 We can understand it. 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:58.460 And we can know what God is like because he isn't hidden. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.940 He's revealed himself to us. 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:08.340 And so to its teachings we must strive to continue to devote ourselves to. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:13.799 Now I don't know if you read this week the Ofcom Scotland report. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.480 Yeah, I did. 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:19.360 So the Ofcom Scotland report this week, 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:21.220 it came out with this statistic. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:23.779 And I wonder if this rings true for people here. 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.860 It kind of did for me. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:31.100 The average person in Scotland now spends 19.9 hours online each week. 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:34.299 That's the average person in Scotland. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.940 19.9 hours. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:39.120 That is not including watching TV. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:41.000 It's not including watching DVDs. 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.240 Now I know I'm guilty of that. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:47.360 Now the thing is that that is a lot of information. 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.120 If you think about it, 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:50.720 that is a lot of information that's coming into your brain, isn't it? 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.660 A lot of images, 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.539 a lot of opinions, 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.480 a lot of ideas. 00:28:56.740 --> 00:29:00.279 And so the question is for us to assess ourselves, 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:03.759 how much exposure are we giving ourselves? 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:08.140 How much exposure does the Word of God have to our lives? 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:12.319 You know, Jerry Bridges, who's a famous Christian author, 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.039 he said this, 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:17.359 we should bathe our hearts and our minds daily in the gospel 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:19.779 as part of our daily communion with God. 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.899 I just love that word, bathe. 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.099 Isn't it? 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.559 We should be having our Bibles open, 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:26.319 we should be soaking it up, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:29.319 and we must be allowing God's Word to be shaping 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:32.519 how we understand and interpret not only our lives, 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:34.359 but the world in which we live. 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:38.759 Second encouragement for them to remain 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:43.439 is that despite what the departed are saying, 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:46.179 remember they're claiming they have the true anointing, 00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:47.500 they've got a monopoly on the truth, 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.399 and these guys don't. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.500 Regardless of what they are saying, 00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:52.619 these people who have stayed, 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.559 they have the true anointing, 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.339 verse 27. 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:58.939 And it's a word that he uses several times in these verses, 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.259 isn't it? 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.559 Anointing, if you count it through. 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:04.259 Remember these people who have left the church 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.940 may be feeling inferior. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:08.839 John says to the guys who've remained, 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.200 your anointing is real, 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.079 verse 27. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.720 Now what is the anointing? 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:16.460 I think he's simply talking about the Holy Spirit. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:21.339 The Spirit that lives inside each and every follower 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.940 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:26.160 The Spirit that God sent to unite us, 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.680 to himself, to his Son, 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.940 and to his work. 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:33.200 Again, Jesus, he told us about this. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.240 John 14. 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.099 He said, 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.740 If you love me, keep my commands. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.799 And I will ask the Father, 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:40.940 and he will give you another advocate, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.859 or helper, some of your translations will say, 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:44.160 to help you, 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.720 and be with you forever, 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.900 the Spirit of truth. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:49.059 The world cannot accept him, 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:50.379 because it neither sees him, 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.480 nor knows him. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.339 But you know him, 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.799 for he lives with you, 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:56.879 and will be in you. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.460 And what will the Spirit do? 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.840 Well, reading on. 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:02.680 But the advocate, the helper, the Holy Spirit, 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:05.160 whom the Father will send in my name, 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:07.360 will teach you all things, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:10.920 and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:14.120 So you have the helper, says John. 00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:15.680 You have the true anointing. 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.620 The Holy Spirit, 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:21.560 who God sent to lead his apostles into all truth, 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:25.860 is the same Spirit that God sent to live in each and every single one of our lives, 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.220 if we're, 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.680 our faith is in him. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:30.980 So you don't need any more teaching, says John. 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:33.680 You don't need these departed ones, 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.940 who claim to have a greater understanding, 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:39.100 to teach you their stuff. 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:41.440 Because you have the teacher, 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:43.700 you have the Holy Spirit. 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:47.200 So you have the gospel, 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.380 you have God's words, 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.519 you have the Holy Spirit. 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:51.660 So remain in him. 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:55.960 Now just as we close our time this morning, 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:57.819 I was reminded this week, 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:59.039 as I was preparing for this, 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:01.500 of the famous words of Benjamin Franklin. 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.220 You might have heard them. 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.340 He said, 00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:06.899 the only things that are certain in life and death, 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.919 so the only things that are certain in life, 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.959 are death and taxes. 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.019 Have you heard that before? 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.339 Yeah? 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.179 I don't know whether it was, 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.659 well, it was tongue-in-cheek a bit, wasn't it? 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:17.899 But, 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:20.639 it's an interesting observation in life. 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.319 But I wanted, 00:32:22.419 --> 00:32:24.279 as we closed our time off this morning, 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:25.399 to assure you, 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.980 from this passage, 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.220 that there's 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:31.240 something more certain that you can have in your life. 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:34.400 And it's the trustworthy account of the gospel. 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:38.120 It's the truth of what Jesus is saying about himself. 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:41.759 That we can be certain about what God is saying to us here. 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:45.200 As we live our lives in this world, 00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:49.380 the world that promotes the idea that there's no such thing as absolute truth, 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:53.140 we can be confident in what Jesus is claiming here. 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:56.900 That Jesus doesn't just have a timeshare on the truth, 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.500 but he is the truth. 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:01.980 And don't we know a, 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:04.599 a dear sister who knows this now, 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:08.859 not as a truth seen in the mirror dimly, 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:11.140 but now face to face, 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.720 with the truth, 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.700 and in glorious technicolor. 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.240 Isn't that a wonderful thought, 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.400 this morning, 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.940 that's where she is? 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:23.039 Let's be certain of the truth of the gospel, 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.039 let's be those who remain, 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.759 in the truth of the gospel, 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:28.019 the apostles' gospel, 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:29.900 Jesus Christ, 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.879 true or false, 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.460 friends, 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.279 absolutely true. 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.319 Let's pray as we close. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:44.759 So, 00:33:44.879 --> 00:33:45.019 Father, 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.819 we thank you 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:48.980 that you haven't left us in the dark 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.879 to figure you out. 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:51.599 Lord, 00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:52.059 the truth is, 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.259 we would not be looking for you 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:54.720 if you hadn't come looking for us. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:57.500 And we thank you that we have the truth. 00:33:58.639 --> 00:34:00.439 Thank you that you made a way for us 00:34:00.439 --> 00:34:01.879 to have fellowship with you 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.439 through and in your son, 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.440 Jesus Christ. 00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:05.779 And Lord, 00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:07.400 I pray for us here this morning, 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:09.059 I pray for those who don't know you, 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.500 who don't know you as the truth, 00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:11.960 Father, 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.960 that you would come and 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:15.539 bring your truth to their hearts. 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.280 Lord, 00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:22.220 I pray for those who are going through hard times just now, 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:22.820 who are grieving, 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.099 Lord, 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:24.400 that you would bring great peace 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.980 and assurance. 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.840 And Lord, 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.280 would you help us all this week 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:32.660 to be those who strive to remain in you, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.900 that love your words, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:36.200 that trust your words, 00:34:36.600 --> 00:34:38.060 and are led by your spirit. 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:40.680 And we pray all these things in Jesus' name. 00:34:41.140 --> 00:34:41.480 Amen.