WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 We're back in John's gospel this morning where he records for us encounters with Jesus.

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 People who engage with Jesus and we get to see about that, John tells us, so that we

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 might believe, so that we might have life, that we might find that abundant, eternal,

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 life-giving relationship with Jesus.

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 Our passage this morning is another sign, John tells us, of who Jesus is that it might

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 strengthen our faith in him.

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 It follows Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well where Jesus agrees to

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 stay two days with the reject Samaritans who are embracing him as the Messiah.

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 And now he's on the move north again, back towards home base in Galilee.

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 John 4 at verse 43.

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 After two days, he departed for Galilee.

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 For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his hometown.

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 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem

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 at the feast.

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 For they too had gone to the feast.

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 So he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had made the water wine.

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 And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.

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 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him

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 to come down and heal his son for he was at the point of death.

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 So Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.

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 The official said to him, sir, come down before my child dies.

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 Jesus said to him, go, your son will live.

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 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

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 And as he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.

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 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better.

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 And they said to him, yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.

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 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, your son will live.

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 And he himself believed and all his household.

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 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

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 Thus far, God's holy word.

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 And I want to make one general observation about God's word as we get started.

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 Because it has become increasingly popular these days to believe that these biblical accounts we read are accounts of Jesus made up by his followers after his life.

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 You know, Jesus didn't really perform miracles.

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 Many say, come on.

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 In fact, he didn't even claim divine authority himself, people will tell you.

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 His disciples made these things up.

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 I'm sure that some of you here this morning believe that.

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 That that's how you understand these accounts.

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 And I want to address that briefly in light of this passage.

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 Because it's really significant when you talk about such a historically influential person as Jesus.

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 With the significant claims that he makes.

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 That you know if you're actually encountering the real Jesus.

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 Think about the places here that we just read.

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 Jesus has gone from Galilee.

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 Down to Jerusalem.

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 For the Passover.

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 Where he cleanses the temple publicly.

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 And then he goes through Samaria.

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 Back up to Galilee.

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 To Cana.

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 Where not long ago at all.

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 He turned water into wine.

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 And so a couple towns over.

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 They've been talking about Jesus.

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 And what he's been doing.

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 And everyone seems to be talking about him.

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 To the point that a man comes 15 or 20 miles.

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 To ask him to heal his son.

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 All of this traveling.

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 And all these signs and wonders.

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 Within about a 50 mile radius.

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 Like Huntsville.

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 Madison.

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 Decatur.

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 And some from these towns had come with him.

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 Down to Jerusalem.

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 They'd been there for the Passover too.

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 And they'd seen these things.

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 And they were telling stories.

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 They're following this.

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 Everyone knows what's going on.

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 Now we know these accounts that we have.

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 In God's word.

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 Are written and received.

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 In the lifetime of at least some eyewitnesses.

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 To these very events.

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 And certainly many of their children.

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 Who've heard these stories.

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 Maybe their whole lives.

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 These are publicly witnessed.

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 Publicly discussed events.

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 You can't make them up.

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 Without your account of them being dismissed.

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 As fiction.

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 As soon as it's published.

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 The most reasonable explanation.

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 For these.

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 And for how people respond to them.

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 In faith.

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 And follow this Jesus.

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 Is that this account.

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 Is indeed.

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 The real Jesus.

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 That's only one reason.

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 Right.

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 To trust God's word.

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 When we read it.

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 I'm happy to talk with you about more.

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 You may have more questions about that.

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 But it's an important one that our text brings up today.

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 As Jesus performs another divinely miraculous sign.

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 See Jesus comes back home.

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 Specifically where he performed his first public miracle.

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 What John calls the first sign.

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 Where he might expect no honor.

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 Because they know Joseph and Mary's son.

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 Right.

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 Everybody knows him.

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 But here in his hometown.

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 They're at least surface level excited.

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 That the hometown boy.

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 Is a magic man.

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 He's a miracle worker.

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 Word is getting around.

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 Right.

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 Kind of cool that he's coming back.

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 And we see they welcome Jesus.

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 Generally because they like what he can do for them.

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 They want the signs and wonders.

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 Jesus realizes.

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 Jesus.

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 And we'll see Jesus is not against signs altogether.

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 Is he?

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 But he knows it's faulty faith.

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 To stop at the sign.

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 Just as we discussed during the baptism earlier.

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 You don't stop for medical care at the red emergency room sign.

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 Right.

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 That's what Jesus is saying in response to the nobleman's plea.

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 Isn't it?

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 Verse 48.

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 This father is desperate.

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 Right.

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 His son is dying.

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 He's heard of Jesus.

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 He asks for help.

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 I mean this seems like an easy yes for Jesus.

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 Right.

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 But Jesus wants more.

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 He wants to help him and others.

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 Not stop at the sign.

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 He answers this man's prayer.

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 So to speak.

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 With a heart level challenge.

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 About his faith.

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 You won't come and believe.

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 Unless I put on a show for you.

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 And that's a problem.

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 Jesus is pointing out.

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 He wants something more for the man.

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 Why do you come to Jesus?

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 I think if we're honest.

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 We can relate to people stopping at the sign.

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 Can't we?

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 What are some ways we sometimes want the things that Jesus does for us.

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 More than we want Jesus himself.

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 Sometimes I think we too are interested only in the physical healing or provision.

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 We talk to Jesus only when we're sick or hungry or desperate.

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 For some of us.

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 Our relationship with Jesus is primarily about keeping our kids or grandkids in line.

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 That's why I'm associated with Jesus if I'm honest.

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 I mean they need some good morals.

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 Some good community.

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 Sometimes.

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 Some of us just want intellectual superiority.

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 To be able to argue or impress someone.

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 Or seem like we know more theologically.

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 Rather than knowing more Jesus personally.

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 You may have any of those struggles in your own heart.

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 I'll tell you where I see this struggle the most.

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 In our community.

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 Sometimes in my own heart.

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 We so often want a Jesus who fits into our schedule and life plan.

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 I call it comfortable Jesus.

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 We're not interested in going deep with the real Jesus who might disrupt my life.

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 He might mess with where I live.

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 Or how much money I make and what I do with it.

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 Who I spend my time with.

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 My kids activities.

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 Their preparation for college.

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 Maybe for you you feel this sense of Jesus.

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 Here is my weekly calendar.

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 There are exactly 36 uncommitted minutes left.

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 And I promise I'll do with them whatever you want.

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 Jesus.

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 With those last 36 minutes.

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 Have you felt that way?

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 Jesus I want a church that I can enjoy going to.

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 And I can make some friends.

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 I'll even study the Bible a little bit when it's convenient for me.

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 So I can play church reasonably well.

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 That'll give me some social credibility.

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 And I expect you to make my family peaceful.

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 Because honestly we're pretty decent people.

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 But if I'm really honest I'm not longing to know you more.

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 I certainly don't want you changing my life too much.

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 Unless I ask you specifically.

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 And then maybe something extreme.

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 Friends we sometimes come to Jesus.

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 Bring our prayers to him.

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 And we need to hear his reminder.

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 That we are just here for the signs and wonders.

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 For what he can do for us.

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 John Calvin says what's happening here in this passage.

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 Is our heavenly father often does not comply with our prayers in every detail.

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 But goes to work in an unexpected way to help us.

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 So that we may learn not to dictate to him in anything.

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 That we trust him.

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 Consider why Jesus insisted on going deeper with this man and the others around him.

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 Can a faulty faith based merely on signs and wonders.

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 Hold up in a world of suffering?

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 I mean maybe in this case his son gets healed.

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 But someone else he loves is going to get sick next.

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 Right?

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 Can a faulty faith based merely on signs and wonders be enough when Jesus goes to the cross?

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 What good will he be to me then?

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 What's he going to do for me hanging up there?

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 Where?

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 Jesus knows that we need to go beyond the signs to the one they point to.

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 To the person of Jesus himself.

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 He's helping with that.

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 So when the nobleman asks again for Jesus to come heal his son.

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 Jesus says go.

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 Your son lives.

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 The man takes Jesus at his word doesn't he?

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 He believes and goes.

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 There's certainly a lot in this story about faith.

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 But this is full faith.

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 It's confirmed when the son is healed.

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 The man explains to his family and servants what Jesus has done.

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 And they all believe full faith what Jesus is working on here in this encounter.

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 That the reason he pushes back on the man a little bit when he comes.

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 Is that he wants this full faith that sees where the sign is pointing.

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 That comes to see the true Jesus for who he really is.

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 What does this sign point to?

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 What is it that it's a sign of?

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 Signs point to something.

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 What's it telling us about Jesus?

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 Well anyone who heals serious sickness like this has a lot of power.

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 Power over creation.

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 Over the physical realm.

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 But perhaps there are other doctors with great techniques.

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 Other magicians with tricks to work such powerful changes.

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 Jesus wants to be abundantly clear when he heals this boy.

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 He heals how?

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 With a word?

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 Immediately?

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 Just at that time?

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 From a distance?

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 Miles and miles away?

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 There is no one who does this.

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 This is not just power.

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 This is God-like power.

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 This is like the God who created the universe by the word of his power.

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 This sign shows Jesus not as a carnival trickster.

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 Not as a physician with newfangled methods.

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 But as God himself ordering molecules and healing people with a word.

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 Further, I think this sign points to the fact that Jesus cares and is powerful not just when he's physically present.

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 Why is that important?

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 How important is that going to be for Jesus' followers when he returns to his father in just a couple of years?

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 And he's not there with them in that way anymore.

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 He's not physically with this boy they've never met.

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 But Jesus cares.

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 And Jesus can heal.

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 Do you see how Jesus is taking care to push the man toward what matters most?

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 Yes, Jesus heals his son's body.

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 But Jesus is also healing the hearts of the whole household.

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 Jesus demonstrates for the man not what he asks for, but what he most needs.

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 To know who Jesus really is.

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 So much more than a magic miracle worker who can fix something for him every once in a while.

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 No, no, no, a God who cares deeply.

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 Who rules supremely over all creation.

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 Who can be trusted implicitly.

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 Even, even when he doesn't do what you ask him to do.

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 So that we would always come to him no matter what.

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 No matter what our need is.

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 No matter how we feel that we could come to him.

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 John Bunyan who wrote Pilgrim's Progress once said,

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 I was driven to such straits that I must of necessity go to Jesus.

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 And if he had met me with a drawn sword in his hand.

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 I would sooner have thrown myself upon the edge of his sword.

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 Than have gone away from him.

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 For I knew him to be my last hope.

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 I would sooner have thrown myself on Jesus' sword.

00:16:19.359 --> 00:16:22.339
 Because no one else could I trust like him.

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:24.399
 Is that the way you come to Jesus?

00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:28.300
 Not for the things that he can do for you.

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:31.500
 For how good he promises to make it all right away.

00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:34.300
 But in fact regardless of what he does.

00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:36.100
 For himself.

00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:41.519
 For the fact that he's the only one you can even hope to trust completely.

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:46.060
 Because he is the true God that you can take at his word.

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:52.119
 His powerful, life-changing, hope-breathing word.

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:57.339
 That's what this sign shows us about Jesus.

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.579
 Okay, I want to apply this in two ways.

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:05.379
 Two ways as we think about this.

00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:08.259
 Both of them thinking about what it looks like

00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:14.279
 when we come to Jesus and believe him to be who he really says he is.

00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:17.319
 The God that this sign shows him to be.

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:20.000
 The God we can take at his word.

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:23.980
 And first, and this is a bit harder.

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:30.140
 I want to think specifically of times when God doesn't answer your prayer

00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:32.799
 the way you want right away.

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:35.919
 I would ask for a show of hands when that's happened for you

00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:37.399
 but we all know that's all of us.

00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:41.859
 I don't know if you've picked up on this lately.

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.399
 From people you know.

00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.700
 Maybe those of you who pay close attention to the prayer guide.

00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:54.359
 There are a lot of hard physical illnesses

00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:57.279
 in this church family right now.

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.599
 A lot.

00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:03.139
 There are more hard situations that can't be printed.

00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.839
 You believe that.

00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:10.659
 I hate the ravages of cancer.

00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:13.240
 Of mental illness.

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.699
 Of death.

00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:22.599
 And we typically do not have in those situations

00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:26.279
 a direct promise from Jesus

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:29.359
 like the one this noble official got.

00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.459
 Your son will live.

00:18:33.679 --> 00:18:35.240
 Usually we don't have that.

00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:39.039
 Many of us are right now

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.219
 where all of us have been

00:18:40.219 --> 00:18:42.259
 at some time

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:47.459
 when immediate miraculous healing does not come.

00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:51.119
 When God doesn't answer my prayer right away.

00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.559
 when cancer or miscarriage

00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:56.000
 or other tragedy strikes

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.799
 and my world is turned upside down

00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:00.000
 and I'm crying out.

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.699
 I've been there.

00:19:03.739 --> 00:19:06.319
 What does this look like in our lives

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:08.159
 when we come to Jesus

00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:10.000
 not just for the sign.

00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:12.339
 We may not have that yet.

00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.559
 But for who he really is.

00:19:16.199 --> 00:19:18.139
 If he's really working that kind of faith in us

00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.319
 what does that look like?

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:22.339
 A couple things we see in this story.

00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.220
 Twice interestingly

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.579
 Jesus does not grant

00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.700
 the request of the nobleman

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.379
 for him to come with him

00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:33.240
 and heal his son.

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.599
 Friends keep asking.

00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:38.200
 Keep praying.

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.939
 Like the persistent widow

00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:42.139
 you're praying to a powerful

00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:44.519
 and personal God.

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.319
 He cares.

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:48.200
 Unlike the unjust judge

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.619
 he doesn't delight

00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:51.179
 in scorning his children.

00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.500
 Keep praying.

00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:57.139
 But seeing Jesus also enables us

00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:57.639
 to live

00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:59.399
 by faith.

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.700
 Jesus doesn't do

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.799
 what the nobleman asks

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.099
 but

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.519
 the nobleman does

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.779
 what Jesus asks.

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.059
 He goes home

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:08.899
 and believes

00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.720
 the word

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.659
 of Jesus.

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:12.580
 even when we

00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:13.620
 when we don't have

00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:15.240
 the sign in hand yet

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.259
 when we don't

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.400
 see the answers

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.000
 when we don't

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.759
 know what God's up to

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:21.259
 we can keep following

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.620
 this God

00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:22.960
 worthy

00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.300
 of our trust.

00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:25.779
 And finally

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.480
 we can share

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.980
 with others.

00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.200
 Certainly

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.080
 this man rejoiced

00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:31.160
 in his son being healed.

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.779
 No reason

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.080
 to downplay that.

00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.800
 But he and his whole

00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:36.320
 household

00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.060
 believed.

00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.320
 Believed what?

00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:42.059
 who Jesus was.

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.240
 They didn't have to believe

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.059
 about the son

00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.119
 once he was alive.

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.259
 They knew that.

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.379
 They believed

00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.799
 Jesus'

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:49.639
 divine nature

00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.899
 because the nobleman

00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.700
 shared not only

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.720
 about his son's healing

00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.399
 but also about

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.539
 the Savior's power

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.000
 didn't he?

00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.240
 So you can share

00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.079
 of the goodness

00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.039
 and greatness

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.879
 of Jesus

00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.019
 while you are still

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.119
 waiting on the answer.

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.299
 But only if

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:08.839
 you've seen him

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:10.919
 beyond the signs.

00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.419
 If it's only about

00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.319
 the thing he's gonna

00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.939
 do for you

00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:14.720
 then you have to wait

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.419
 till you have it

00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.399
 but if there's a God

00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:16.939
 you can trust

00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.619
 in the meantime

00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:19.599
 you can for your own

00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:19.919
 heart

00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:21.000
 and for the hearts

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.539
 of others

00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:23.039
 share about him

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.359
 already.

00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:24.980
 Do you see

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.720
 you see why we

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.099
 must see Jesus

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:28.899
 not merely signs

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.539
 and wonders?

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:32.480
 this man receives

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.480
 his son back

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.980
 restored to him.

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.619
 Many of us

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.680
 have prayed

00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.279
 for ourselves

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.879
 for those we love

00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:44.879
 and not seen them

00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:46.019
 restored to us.

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.680
 If you're only with

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.980
 Jesus for the signs

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.480
 for what he can do

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.980
 for you

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.799
 at that point

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.440
 you're out

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.980
 right?

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:57.680
 there better be

00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.440
 something more

00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.920
 divine power

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.000
 over death

00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:03.259
 a divine perspective

00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.700
 beyond time

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.759
 and the realities

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.920
 of this life

00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.180
 and this broken world

00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.860
 a divine personal

00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:11.039
 care for you

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.099
 that understands

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.980
 that your heart

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.400
 can only take

00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.680
 so much.

00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.039
 In fact

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.620
 sometimes

00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:19.819
 y'all have taught me this

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:22.119
 sometimes

00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.759
 it's when we

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.419
 don't get

00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.419
 our prayers

00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:24.899
 answered

00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.700
 the way we want

00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.359
 and the timing

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.980
 we want

00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.460
 that we learn

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.139
 to cling

00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:29.819
 to God's

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.759
 eternal healing

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.359
 isn't it?

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.439
 That we learn

00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.119
 to hope

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.679
 in a fresh way

00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.539
 in a world

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.480
 with no more

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.279
 death

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.619
 or tears

00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:41.379
 and put our stake

00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:41.779
 there

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.539
 more than here.

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.299
 We learn

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.159
 to treasure

00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:46.619
 a God

00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.119
 in a way

00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.799
 we never have

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.220
 before

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.939
 a God

00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.080
 who right now

00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:51.480
 shares our griefs

00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.299
 and one day

00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.440
 wipes away

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.500
 our tears.

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.180
 Friends

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.900
 not having

00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.700
 that direct

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.480
 promise

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.900
 is hard.

00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.960
 Living by faith

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.920
 is hard.

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.580
 We are praying

00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.200
 with you

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:10.180
 and for you

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.160
 your God

00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:12.200
 is with you

00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:14.100
 and for you.

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.340
 In fact

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:19.220
 second application

00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:22.319
 consider what it

00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.099
 means to take

00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.599
 God

00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.919
 at his word

00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.619
 with the promises

00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.759
 that he has

00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.720
 given us.

00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.799
 This is a preacher

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.199
 trick.

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.659
 I said two applications

00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.399
 this one has

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.220
 like 34.

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.159
 Okay

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:35.659
 so all in

00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.319
 the second one

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.919
 get excited.

00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.459
 The pro

00:23:38.459 --> 00:23:38.839
 all

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.539
 think of all

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.079
 the promises

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.619
 way more than

00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.000
 34

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:43.399
 that we don't

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:43.899
 have

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:45.040
 specifically

00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:46.180
 for all

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.680
 of those

00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.240
 promises

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.220
 we wish

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.200
 we knew

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:51.220
 there are so

00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.019
 many promises

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.700
 that we do

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.180
 have

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.680
 and that we

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.840
 must embrace

00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.660
 that we can

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.560
 absolutely

00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.280
 take

00:23:58.280 --> 00:23:59.360
 to the bank

00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.360
 because of the

00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.160
 power of

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.980
 God's word.

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.380
 Let me just

00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.100
 mention a few

00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.440
 see if

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.480
 your heart

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.880
 needs

00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.280
 to embrace

00:24:09.280 --> 00:24:09.860
 one of these

00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:10.400
 this morning.

00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:12.680
 some of us

00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.380
 really battle

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.280
 with doubts

00:24:14.280 --> 00:24:15.600
 about our

00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.140
 salvation.

00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:19.360
 Hear the words

00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:20.000
 of Jesus

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.140
 truly truly

00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.120
 I say to you

00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.720
 whoever

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.960
 hears my word

00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.600
 and believes

00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.540
 him who sent

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.519
 me has

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.720
 eternal life

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.519
 has passed

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.080
 from death

00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:29.820
 to life

00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:31.100
 whoever believes

00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:32.040
 in Jesus

00:24:32.040 --> 00:24:33.120
 is not

00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.180
 condemned.

00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.740
 In fact

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.820
 Jesus

00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.820
 promises

00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:39.180
 this is the

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.660
 will of my

00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.200
 father that

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.860
 everyone who

00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.500
 looks on the

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.900
 son and

00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.779
 believes in

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.320
 him should

00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:43.900
 have eternal

00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.680
 life and

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.200
 listen to your

00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.040
 savior I

00:24:46.040 --> 00:24:46.960
 will raise

00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:48.100
 him up on

00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.700
 the last

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.160
 day.

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.060
 Hear the

00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:52.000
 voice of

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.400
 your good

00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.259
 shepherd who

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.960
 laid down his

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.200
 life for the

00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.960
 sheep and

00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.800
 take Jesus

00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.580
 at his word

00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.019
 today.

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.620
 Many of us

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:01.980
 have been

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.080
 praying for

00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:04.160
 years and

00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.800
 years for

00:25:05.800 --> 00:25:06.380
 our kids

00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:08.620
 and our

00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.960
 hearts ache

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.660
 for the

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.160
 wayward

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.040
 adult

00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:13.800
 children that

00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.400
 we still

00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.720
 love so

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.160
 much

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:19.560
 that seems

00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.100
 God doesn't

00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:20.800
 do anything.

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.500
 God would

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.840
 have you

00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:25.480
 remember what

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.100
 you saw this

00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:27.540
 morning in the

00:25:27.540 --> 00:25:28.300
 sacrament of

00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:28.940
 covenant

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.540
 baptism.

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:32.519
 I will

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.440
 establish my

00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.159
 covenant an

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:35.079
 everlasting

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.720
 covenant.

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.879
 I will

00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:42.200
 be God

00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.680
 to you.

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.119
 I will be

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.119
 God to your

00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.159
 children after

00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.399
 you.

00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.680
 I will be

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.639
 their God.

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.299
 He hasn't

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.799
 left them.

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.500
 He hasn't

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.119
 given up on

00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.299
 them.

00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.500
 Keep asking.

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.599
 I will be

00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:55.639
 God.

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.500
 I will be

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:56.599
 God.

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.599
 I will be

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:57.639
 God.

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.500
 I will be

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.980
 God.

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.480
 Perhaps some

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.940
 of us have

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.460
 thought I've

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.839
 got this

00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.539
 struggle that I

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.180
 live with every

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.019
 day and it's

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.180
 really heavy and

00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.460
 I'd like to share

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.160
 it with someone but

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.299
 it's just too big

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:12.200
 or too bad to

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.039
 share with my

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.180
 pastor or my

00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.900
 grace group.

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.619
 In fact,

00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.799
 well honestly it's

00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.700
 too bad for

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:21.059
 Jesus to forgive

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.339
 me.

00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.640
 I just carry it

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.460
 around every day

00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.099
 fearfully.

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.559
 I'm exhausted.

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.940
 Jesus says all

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.759
 that the

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.460
 Father gives me

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.059
 will come to

00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.759
 me and

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.640
 whoever comes

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.380
 to me I

00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.059
 will never

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.180
 cast out.

00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:38.839
 Whoever

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.440
 comes I

00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.420
 will never

00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.319
 cast out.

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.700
 Try him.

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.019
 Take him at

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.480
 his word.

00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.180
 Some of us are

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.779
 sitting here this

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.539
 morning frantic,

00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:51.759
 worried,

00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.839
 wondering how

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.220
 we're going to

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.400
 make ends meet

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:56.140
 even this week.

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:59.580
 Jesus says all

00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:00.540
 these things,

00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.220
 all these things

00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:04.540
 will be added to

00:27:04.540 --> 00:27:04.860
 you.

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.880
 Don't worry,

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.180
 he says.

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.520
 In fact, we

00:27:10.520 --> 00:27:11.360
 read this week in

00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.240
 our Bible reading

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.920
 plan from

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.880
 Philippians 4,

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.680
 my God will

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.840
 supply every

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:17.060
 need of yours,

00:27:17.540 --> 00:27:18.620
 every need of

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.380
 yours according to

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.140
 his glorious

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:22.160
 riches in Christ

00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.520
 Jesus.

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.680
 Jesus.

00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.539
 I know because

00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:25.779
 we've been

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.379
 talking about

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:26.940
 sharing our

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.819
 faith so much

00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.639
 lately that some

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.220
 of us feel

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.500
 totally inadequate,

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.639
 absolutely

00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:34.639
 unconvinced that

00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.579
 we could point

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.039
 someone else to

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.440
 Jesus.

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.000
 Listen to his

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.279
 promise as we

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.539
 come to him,

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.700
 as we follow him,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.079
 he says,

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.420
 I will make you

00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.519
 become fishers

00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.480
 of men.

00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.460
 You come to

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:48.819
 Jesus,

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.740
 you rest in his

00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.960
 divine nature

00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:53.279
 and power

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.839
 and he promises

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.079
 living in him,

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.680
 with him,

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.880
 you will bear

00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.640
 fruit.

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.259
 He does that

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.779
 in you.

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.660
 Most of us know

00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.180
 what it's like to

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.660
 feel alone.

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.859
 It's all up to me

00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:10.359
 and my resources

00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.160
 and strength

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.000
 every day or

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.500
 honestly,

00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.279
 no one cares

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.920
 about me

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.960
 or notices me.

00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.620
 Jesus says,

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:19.980
 behold,

00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.200
 I am with you

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.120
 always

00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.779
 to the end

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.259
 of the age.

00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.120
 In fact,

00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:27.120
 Jesus is so

00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.480
 committed

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:29.120
 to never leaving

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.200
 you or forsaking

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.059
 you that when

00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:32.220
 he does return

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.860
 to his father,

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.620
 he sends to you

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.660
 his spirit

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:37.259
 to dwell in you.

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.180
 If I go,

00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.500
 I will send

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.180
 him to you.

00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.100
 He has not

00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.960
 left you alone.

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.059
 He has not

00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.079
 left you alone.

00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:47.619
 I promise

00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.000
 I won't do

00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.419
 34,

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.079
 but I got more.

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.339
 I've talked

00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.779
 with young

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.359
 and old

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.699
 in this church

00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:56.500
 who struggle

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.199
 to feel

00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:58.259
 that it's really

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.759
 true

00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.819
 that Jesus

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:01.059
 is more valuable

00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:02.039
 than the things

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.779
 of this world

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.559
 that are right

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.220
 there in front

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.579
 of them

00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.559
 every day.

00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.599
 They feel

00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.319
 more real,

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.559
 more impactful

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.679
 so often

00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.579
 in our lives.

00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.199
 how can I

00:29:12.199 --> 00:29:12.779
 give up

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.579
 comfort

00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:15.419
 or friends

00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:16.460
 or success

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.319
 to have

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.179
 Jesus?

00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.659
 Jesus promises

00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.740
 everyone who

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.119
 has left

00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.619
 houses

00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.399
 or brothers

00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.339
 or sisters

00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.259
 or father

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.039
 or mother

00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.019
 or children

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.579
 or lands

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.220
 for my name's

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.539
 sake

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.339
 will receive

00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.220
 a hundredfold

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.859
 and will inherit

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:36.439
 eternal life.

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.019
 Jesus promises

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.159
 that true life,

00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.539
 abundant life,

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.699
 eternal life

00:29:41.699 --> 00:29:43.079
 comes from him

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.859
 and actually

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.019
 consists in

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.000
 knowing him

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.839
 that that's

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.799
 where life is.

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.039
 Will you keep

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.139
 trusting your feelings

00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:50.839
 or will you

00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.379
 take God

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:51.980
 at his word?

00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.359
 It's not just

00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.039
 that we sometimes

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.879
 feel exhausted

00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.599
 and overwhelmed

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.399
 when we're

00:29:59.399 --> 00:30:00.119
 following Jesus

00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.199
 but it's easy

00:30:01.199 --> 00:30:01.819
 to feel that

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.619
 that's the way

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.259
 it should be.

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:06.379
 Jesus promises

00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:06.859
 again

00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.779
 as we come

00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.220
 to him

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.379
 I will

00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:10.700
 give you

00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.440
 rest.

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.099
 In fact

00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.680
 when you are

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.039
 weak

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.660
 when you are

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.579
 at your lowest

00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.379
 he promises

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.460
 his grace

00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.599
 is sufficient

00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:20.039
 which means

00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.720
 you don't have

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.119
 to be.

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.160
 Do you believe

00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.480
 that?

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:27.019
 all right

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.559
 just one more

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:27.980
 for now.

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.420
 Many of us

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.799
 wonder

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:32.039
 about what's

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.079
 after this

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.480
 life.

00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.319
 We fear death

00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.319
 uncertain

00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.980
 unknown.

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.599
 Jesus

00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.319
 understands

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.740
 that these

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.440
 concerns

00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.920
 trouble our

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.360
 hearts

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:47.160
 and he speaks

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.880
 to us

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.060
 let not

00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:49.800
 your hearts

00:30:49.800 --> 00:30:50.440
 be troubled.

00:30:51.540 --> 00:30:51.960
 Believe in

00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.200
 God

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.080
 believe also

00:30:53.080 --> 00:30:54.320
 in me.

00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:54.940
 In my

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.420
 father's

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.660
 house

00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.140
 are many

00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.520
 rooms

00:30:56.520 --> 00:30:57.040
 if it

00:30:57.040 --> 00:30:57.420
 were not

00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.700
 so

00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:57.980
 would I

00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.420
 have told

00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.580
 you

00:30:58.580 --> 00:30:58.860
 that I

00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.180
 go

00:30:59.180 --> 00:30:59.760
 to

00:30:59.760 --> 00:31:00.060
 prepare

00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:00.540
 a place

00:31:00.540 --> 00:31:01.100
 for you

00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:02.460
 and if

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.780
 I go

00:31:02.780 --> 00:31:03.220
 and prepare

00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.740
 a place

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.240
 for you

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.000
 I will

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.400
 come

00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:05.900
 again

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.360
 and will

00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:06.820
 take

00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:07.020
 you

00:31:07.020 --> 00:31:07.280
 to

00:31:07.280 --> 00:31:08.060
 myself

00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:09.240
 that

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.680
 where I

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.000
 am

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.300
 you may

00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:11.440
 be

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.820
 also.

00:31:13.560 --> 00:31:14.080
 The

00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.360
 God

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.540
 who

00:31:14.540 --> 00:31:15.140
 spoke

00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.300
 and

00:31:16.300 --> 00:31:16.980
 fifteen

00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.580
 miles

00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.119
 away

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.439
 molecules

00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.119
 reorder

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:22.220
 viruses

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.839
 obey

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:24.019
 a

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.759
 dying

00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.299
 boy

00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:25.679
 is

00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:26.299
 healed

00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.879
 he

00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:27.599
 promises

00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.199
 you

00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:28.859
 that he's

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.259
 coming

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.679
 back

00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.240
 for you

00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.980
 to take

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.279
 you to

00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.879
 be with

00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.259
 him

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.019
 where he

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.379
 is

00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.279
 forever.

00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.399
 So many

00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.579
 glorious

00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.460
 promises

00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.319
 from this

00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.759
 God that

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.159
 we can

00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:40.619
 take

00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.240
 at his

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.559
 word

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.059
 that we

00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.439
 must

00:31:42.439 --> 00:31:43.000
 take

00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.619
 at his

00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.019
 word.

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.240
 I'm not

00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.879
 suggesting

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:46.599
 please hear

00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:46.799
 me

00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.279
 that

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.599
 these

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.379
 magically

00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.139
 remove

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.819
 all

00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.559
 struggles.

00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:51.180
 That's

00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.639
 not the

00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.119
 point.

00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.619
 But I

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.299
 pray that

00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.819
 one or

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.460
 two for

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.299
 you would

00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.879
 build your

00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.579
 faith

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.919
 in a

00:31:58.919 --> 00:31:59.240
 God you

00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.419
 can

00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.039
 trust.

00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:03.279
 As we

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.700
 close this

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.059
 morning I

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.339
 want to

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:05.139
 talk one

00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:05.779
 more time

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:07.460
 especially to

00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.819
 those who

00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.279
 are hurting

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:11.139
 for yourself

00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:11.759
 for those

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.200
 you love

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.019
 who are

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.860
 longing to

00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:14.500
 receive

00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.019
 healing

00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.880
 from Jesus

00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.779
 like the

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.200
 nobleman

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.500
 and his

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.940
 son in

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.860
 this story

00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.220
 you want

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.680
 that to

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.120
 be your

00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.620
 story.

00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.380
 Living by

00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:23.460
 faith and

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.000
 not right

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.460
 now by

00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.259
 sight is

00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.000
 hard.

00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:33.039
 Trusting God

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.400
 when it

00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.200
 doesn't seem

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.420
 to be

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.360
 working out

00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:38.200
 is difficult.

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.539
 it should

00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:39.940
 not be

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.519
 done alone.

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.900
 But I

00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.100
 want to

00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:44.779
 encourage you

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:46.480
 I want to

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.000
 encourage you

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.620
 by reminding

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:48.120
 you that

00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.559
 Jesus

00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.819
 the God

00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.140
 of the

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.500
 Bible

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.100
 the God

00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:51.519
 you can

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.240
 trust

00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:54.400
 not merely

00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:55.259
 because he's

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.140
 powerful

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.880
 and his

00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.580
 word is not

00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.200
 bound by

00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.840
 time or

00:32:58.840 --> 00:32:59.400
 space and

00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.259
 it transforms

00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.680
 molecules and

00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.220
 hearts.

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.080
 Praise the

00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.580
 Lord that is

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.480
 true.

00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.700
 But especially

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.500
 he's a God

00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.319
 you can trust

00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.359
 because he's

00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.140
 a God who

00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:11.259
 entered our

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.000
 pain.

00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.200
 Knowing our

00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:15.000
 great need

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:17.140
 that we were

00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:18.980
 dying in

00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.180
 our rebellion

00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.019
 in our

00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.880
 brokenness

00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:22.880
 knowing that

00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.400
 we didn't have

00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.220
 the strength

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.119
 to hold on

00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:25.579
 to him

00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.660
 he grabbed

00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.420
 hold of us

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.220
 and would

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.259
 not let go.

00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.799
 He cared

00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.619
 about us so

00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.640
 much that he

00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.500
 entered this

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.579
 world faced

00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.420
 temptation

00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:37.119
 endured rejection

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.959
 had his

00:33:37.959 --> 00:33:38.579
 body

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.699
 racked

00:33:39.699 --> 00:33:40.819
 with agony

00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:42.979
 even tasted

00:33:42.979 --> 00:33:43.739
 death

00:33:43.739 --> 00:33:46.059
 because of

00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:46.799
 his great

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.659
 love

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.979
 for us.

00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:51.679
 He says

00:33:51.679 --> 00:33:52.119
 that he is

00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.779
 with you

00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.899
 and for

00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.239
 you

00:33:54.239 --> 00:33:55.939
 he is.

00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.839
 He promises

00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.119
 a future

00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.159
 without

00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:01.299
 pain

00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.539
 or death

00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.679
 or tears

00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.560
 you can

00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:05.440
 count on

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:05.680
 it.

00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:07.960
 He tells

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.260
 you to

00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:08.900
 trust him

00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.340
 today.

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.840
 You can

00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.320
 take him

00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:12.619
 at his

00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:12.940
 word.

00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.099
 Let's pray.

00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.420
 Jesus for

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.240
 all the

00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:18.760
 things that

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.240
 you have

00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:20.920
 given us

00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.360
 that we

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.180
 can hold

00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:22.980
 on to

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.220
 as we

00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:25.079
 cling to

00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.420
 you

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.039
 we give

00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.700
 you thanks.

00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.659
 We confess

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.680
 the feebleness

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.799
 of our

00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.279
 faith.

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.359
 How quickly

00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:35.539
 the circumstances

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.379
 of our lives

00:34:36.379 --> 00:34:36.659
 and the

00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.259
 temptations

00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:37.919
 around us

00:34:37.919 --> 00:34:39.460
 make us

00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:39.919
 forget

00:34:39.919 --> 00:34:42.199
 and not

00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.980
 trust

00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:44.079
 what you

00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.500
 have told

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.839
 us.

00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:46.879
 Thank you

00:34:46.879 --> 00:34:47.359
 for loving

00:34:47.359 --> 00:34:47.619
 us.

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.079
 Thank you

00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.099
 for coming

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.619
 for us.

00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.079
 Thank you

00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:50.699
 for never

00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.779
 letting us

00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.039
 go.

00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:52.699
 Give us

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.679
 hope in

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.359
 you today.

00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.199
 Build our

00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:55.679
 faith

00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.980
 that it

00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.419
 might stand

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.000
 strong

00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.940
 in the

00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.720
 tests of

00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.280
 this life

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:00.559
 that it

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.800
 might overflow

00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:02.639
 from us

00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.159
 to others

00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.460
 who are

00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:03.720
 hurting.

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.260
 Thank you

00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:08.639
 for giving

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.320
 us faith

00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.519
 and being

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:10.900
 with us

00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.300
 by your

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.680
 spirit.

00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:13.960
 In your

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.320
 name we

00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:14.840
 say it.

00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.380
 Amen.

00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.260
 For more

00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:18.780
 information

00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.599
 visit us

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.320
 online at

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.079
 southwood.org.

00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:43.360
 for kind ber