WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.200 Why don't you grab a Bible, if you have one there, and come with me to John's Gospel. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:16.699 If you've got a pew Bible, that is page 1068, is where we'll get to John chapter 5, 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:22.179 as we get back into this series today in John's Gospel. 00:00:22.179 --> 00:00:29.660 So, as you're turning there, I'm a historian. 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:38.079 I'm not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that the penniless preacher from Nazareth 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:45.420 is irrevocably the very centre of history. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:48.900 Now, what a striking admission. 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:59.280 Words penned by a man called H.G. Wells in his book, A Short History of the World, that he wrote way back in 1922. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:08.519 So, he wrote it as he looked out over history, and he observed the impact that this man, Jesus Christ, has had on our world. 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:15.819 Jesus, the man whose birth quite literally divides our calendar into B.C. and A.D. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:24.479 Jesus Christ, the man who Time Magazine put at number one in the most 100 significant figures in all of history. 00:01:25.679 --> 00:01:30.319 Jesus, the man who, around the world today, almost 3 billion people follow him. 00:01:30.539 --> 00:01:37.000 Jesus, the man, to quote Mark Twain, rumors of God's death have been greatly exaggerated. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:41.920 And so, as we take this man, Jesus Christ, in today's, we step into John's Gospel. 00:01:42.019 --> 00:01:43.319 Here's my question for you. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:45.500 What did he make of him? 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:49.659 Here we are in John's Gospel. 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:55.140 This first-hand account of Jesus' life written by one of his closest followers. 00:01:55.780 --> 00:02:05.539 And here's the question that this man, John, asks us and invites us to go and wrestle with. 00:02:05.579 --> 00:02:07.379 And we get it right at the end of this Gospel. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:09.280 John writes this, 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:34.039 So here's the invitation that we extend to each other as we come to this Gospel. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:38.900 If you are here today and you're not a believer, you wouldn't call yourself a Christian, 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:43.060 then the invitation is to come and consider Jesus' claims. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:46.379 Hear him out. 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:47.920 Take him in. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.240 Consider him for yourself. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:52.020 Is he who he says he is? 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:52.920 Right? 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:58.460 Let me just put it out there that there's no greater question that you're going to ask yourself in life. 00:02:58.520 --> 00:03:00.000 Who is this man, Jesus Christ? 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:04.199 And if you are here and you're a Christian, then the invitation is to come and savor him more. 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:05.740 Take him in. 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:07.479 Take depths. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:08.500 Take angles. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:10.000 To his character. 00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:10.659 To his heart. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:12.140 That perhaps you've never seen before. 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:13.640 Come at this with an open mind. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:15.000 Come at this expecting. 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:18.580 As we turn to God's living and active words. 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:22.539 That we would encounter the risen Jesus as he walks off the page. 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:28.259 As we buckle up and we get back in to chapter 5. 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:31.039 So here is chapter 5. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:32.919 And here's the question that I have for you then. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:36.419 When was the last time that you met someone new? 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:38.459 Right? 00:03:38.519 --> 00:03:39.560 Just think about it in your life. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:41.379 When was the last time you met someone new? 00:03:42.239 --> 00:03:42.519 Right? 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:45.080 What was your first line when you met them? 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:49.080 Given that it might be in hello or how are you? 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:52.340 What was your first line that you pitched to them when you met them? 00:03:52.540 --> 00:03:53.900 You know, I'll let you into a little trade secret. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.500 I've got two questions that I go to. 00:03:55.700 --> 00:03:57.340 Apologies if I've used them on you this morning. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:03:59.760 Here's number one. 00:03:59.980 --> 00:04:02.379 Love to know where you have come from. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:02.780 Right? 00:04:02.820 --> 00:04:03.480 Where do you live? 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:04.200 Right? 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:06.159 Where have you come from as you come to Brunsfield? 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:07.419 Where have you come from? 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:07.959 Where people live? 00:04:08.019 --> 00:04:10.879 I love finding out that information about people across the city. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:11.699 Where they've come from. 00:04:12.399 --> 00:04:14.939 Wonderful to meet people from around the world who've come to Edinburgh. 00:04:15.459 --> 00:04:17.459 Brilliant to ask that question. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:18.779 Number two. 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:19.659 What do you do? 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:22.719 I love hearing people's answers to that question. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:24.379 What do people spend their time doing? 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:25.719 Right? 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:26.699 How many of us here today? 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:28.500 What does tomorrow hold? 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.480 What are we doing? 00:04:30.539 --> 00:04:31.019 Are we working? 00:04:32.419 --> 00:04:33.719 Are we heading into the office? 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:35.939 Are we hitting the library? 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:36.680 Are we studying? 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.180 Are we filling our days with our hobbies? 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:44.159 Is a day tomorrow a day with looking after our family? 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.240 What is it that you are doing tomorrow? 00:04:49.159 --> 00:04:51.399 See, here's what we're going to do as we get into chapter five. 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:53.779 We're going to ask God that question. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:55.579 Are you interested to hear that? 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:58.180 What is God doing right now? 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.579 How is God working? 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:03.219 What is on his to-do list? 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:05.460 What is top of his agenda? 00:05:05.580 --> 00:05:07.420 In other words, how is God at work? 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:13.440 And the wonderful thing to see is that John 5 gives us the answer. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:16.600 So what we're going to do is we're just going to read this together now. 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:21.160 We're going to go in at verse one of chapter five, and we're going to read right through 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:23.600 to verse 18. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:26.519 And this is God's word today. 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:30.240 This is this guy, John, written this down about Jesus and his life. 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:33.060 Not just simply a biographical detail. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:36.379 He's written it so that you and I would believe and have life in his name. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:39.839 So the question is, why has John written this? 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:40.600 And here's what he writes. 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:46.339 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:55.019 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda, 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:59.560 and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:06.079 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie, the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:13.840 One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:20.060 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, 00:06:20.139 --> 00:06:22.139 he asked him, do you want to get well? 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:28.600 Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:30.200 when the water is stirred. 00:06:30.580 --> 00:06:33.560 While I'm trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:40.400 Then Jesus said to him, get up, pick up your mat and walk. 00:06:42.080 --> 00:06:44.000 At once the man was cured. 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:46.320 He picked up his mat and walked. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:50.620 The day on which this took place was a Sabbath. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:54.040 And so the Jewish leader said to the man who'd been healed, 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:55.760 it is the Sabbath. 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:59.360 The law forbids you to carry your mat. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:06.219 But he replied, the man who made me well said to me, pick up your mat and walk. 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:11.279 So they asked him, who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk? 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:15.039 The man who was healed had no idea who it was. 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:21.000 For Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:26.620 Later, Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, see, you are well again. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:31.620 Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:37.519 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:46.919 So because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:53.139 In his defense, Jesus said to them, my father is at work to this very day. 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:56.419 And I too am working. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:08:00.780 For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:09.220 Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own father, 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:13.980 making himself equal with God. 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:20.400 God will bless the reading of his word to us as we consider it just now. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:23.140 So how is God working? 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:24.200 That's the question. 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:30.420 Well, the answer comes in the context of this encounter that Jesus has 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:36.000 with a man who is looking for life in all the wrong places. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.980 Okay, have a look at verse one. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:40.320 All these details that John gives us. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:42.340 You see verse one, it's the feast. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:45.420 Now, perhaps that's the Passover. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:47.660 We can't exactly be sure. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:51.960 But what we can be sure about is because of any feast, 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:55.040 Jerusalem would have been absolutely rammed packed. 00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:58.019 Now, two things to notice as you take in this man here. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:59.620 Notice the place. 00:09:01.180 --> 00:09:07.320 Do you see how Jesus makes his way to this place outside Jerusalem called Bethesda? 00:09:07.420 --> 00:09:09.860 Now, that name means house of grace. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:12.860 And how fitting because of what happens next. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.240 And in Bethesda, again, notice all these details. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:18.399 There's a pool. 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:20.820 Five colonnades. 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:24.320 Now, what's fascinating is that for years, 00:09:24.560 --> 00:09:28.120 scholars thought this place was the stuff of legend. 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:32.840 But get this, a team of archaeologists discovered it in 1888, 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:36.659 and they discovered it exactly as it's described here. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:39.980 Now, I don't know what that does for you as you hear it this morning. 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:43.519 But for me, it massively encourages me. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.080 Do you know why? 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:48.300 Because historicity is everything. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.060 Right? 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:58.520 Apparently, a 2016 survey found that 22% of people in the UK believe that Jesus was a mythical figure. 00:09:58.900 --> 00:10:02.320 Now, let me just say, if it can be proved that this is the stuff of legend, 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:05.200 that none of this stuff actually happened, 00:10:05.540 --> 00:10:09.180 then for me, and I would suggest for you, the game's over. 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:09.739 Right? 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:13.679 There ain't no point in following a fable. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.819 No, we believe in facts. 00:10:15.939 --> 00:10:16.719 What is faith? 00:10:16.979 --> 00:10:19.479 But trust based on evidence. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:23.859 And so facts like this convince me that the Bible stands up to critique. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:27.859 First thing to notice, things like that. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.879 Second thing to notice, notice the person. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:30.399 Okay? 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:33.599 Because at this pool, do you see how a number of people have gathered? 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.879 Like they do every day. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:36.960 Okay? 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:41.159 Now, take it in because John describes to us who meets here. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:46.259 The local legend is that when this pool springs up, 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:48.659 and I take it as just like a natural spring, 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.620 maybe you get in place of Iceland or something, 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:53.159 that causes the water to bubble. 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:54.740 Take it something like that. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.299 Okay? 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:58.320 The legend is that the first person into this pool, 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:01.179 when that happens, is healed. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:06.500 Now, just in case you think this is a far off land that we've dipped into here, 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:08.860 how could people be so gullible? 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.460 Let me just say hundreds of people in our city, 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.700 every single day, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:16.580 touch the nose of Greyfire's Bobby just down the road, 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.779 and they touch it for good luck. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:21.440 Every single game that football players, 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.539 Liverpool players play at Anfield, 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.419 they step down into the tunnel, 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:29.500 and they touch the This Is Anfield sign for good luck. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.100 Okay? 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:33.740 Some of you might say that that happened last week. 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:39.379 But before we write this off as superstitious nonsense, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:46.139 we've got to take stock of the fact that superstition is alive and well in our world today. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:50.019 People looking for meaning in life, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:51.379 looking for purpose, 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.539 looking for that edge, 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:55.379 and they're looking for it in all the wrong places. 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:59.259 Superstition is alive just as much today as it was then. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.699 So don't just write this off. 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:02.279 Who's at this pool? 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:03.980 Do you see? 00:12:04.699 --> 00:12:05.259 The blind, 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.439 the lame, 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.120 the paralyzed. 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:10.580 And remember that this is well before the days of hospitals. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:13.139 This is well before the days of state services. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.379 For these people, 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:18.019 this is their one shot at getting better. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.340 And really it's heartbreaking, 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:20.980 is it not, 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:25.019 as we see the reality of what life is like for the people by this pool. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:31.319 And there's a man there who's likely the most desperate of the lot. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.259 And again, 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:34.240 taking the details that John gives you. 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:37.600 He's been an invalid for how many years? 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:38.100 Do you see it? 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.539 38. 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.319 Now, 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.860 you do dig in around this life expectancy, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.580 in this day, 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.600 is 40. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:49.919 So you begin to get a sense of what life is like for this man every day. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.300 This is all he knows. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.860 And he's probably thought, 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:56.879 this is all I'm going to know for the rest of my life. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.539 You get the picture. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.480 But Jesus, 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.320 God's come to earth, 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:07.680 goes towards this man. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:10.299 And in so doing, 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:14.279 he dignifies and honors him. 00:13:14.739 --> 00:13:18.679 And marvel at the compassion of Jesus here. 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:20.659 He asks him, 00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:21.779 do you want to be healed? 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.819 Jesus asked that. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.639 What a question. 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:25.919 He says, 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.299 sir, 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:28.739 I've got no one to put me in the pool. 00:13:28.739 --> 00:13:33.599 Do you see if someone always legs it there and beats me to it every time it happens, 00:13:33.599 --> 00:13:35.899 because they've got pals and I haven't. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.879 And I need someone to take me in. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.700 This man, 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:41.039 his eyes are on the pool. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.939 That's his world. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.279 He can't get beyond it. 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:47.519 And you can hear the exasperation in his voice as he answers that question. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.919 You can hear the frustration. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.860 He's clueless and he's hopeless. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:57.679 And let me just say that that is all of us before Jesus got involved in the mess of our lives. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:02.620 Understand that if you're a Christian here today, 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:08.319 you are one not because Jesus turned into some kind of Simon Cowell figure 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:10.219 and looked upon us and thought, 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:10.779 do you know what? 00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:11.679 You've got it. 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.739 You've got talent. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.839 You've got potential. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.759 Get that out of your mind. 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:23.399 The reason that you and I are Christians is simply because of the mercy of God. 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:27.559 Let us never grow cold of celebrating. 00:14:28.239 --> 00:14:33.839 And basing our lives on the mercy of Jesus. 00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:38.399 I heard my friend Andy this week. 00:14:39.479 --> 00:14:42.959 Andy works for a Christian organization called the FIEC, 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:46.399 the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:49.399 And I heard him share this week about how he became a Christian. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:50.559 Right? 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:52.539 Brought up in a non-Christian family. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.779 Youngest of six kids. 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:57.059 Everything that being the youngest brought with it. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:15:04.579 And in his own words, his whole family life, his whole upbringing was dominated by alcohol and addiction. 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:09.059 Until one day he said a group of Christians came to my school. 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:12.399 And they told me about Jesus. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:18.539 And in that moment, the mustard seed faith began to move the mountain. 00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:23.899 And he said, my life changed because I simply believed in the message. 00:15:24.739 --> 00:15:26.639 Friends, none of us were looking for Jesus. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.079 None of us were looking for him. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:36.000 But just like this man, he sought us out and he saved us. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.399 And Jesus says to the man, do you see? 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:43.320 He says, get up, take up your bed and walk. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:49.860 And I love the silence at that point because you can imagine that those roundabout hearing thinking, what on earth? 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:55.059 But John tells us at verse 9, he spells it out again. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.740 He didn't just say it happens. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.500 Do you see how he spells it out again? 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.799 He was healed. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:04.080 He picked up his mat and he walked. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:17.960 And just like God spoke creation into existence, out of nothing, ex nihilo, as theologians would say, 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:22.620 he spoke and things came into being by the power of his word. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:25.759 Here is Jesus, God in the flesh, at it again. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:34.720 He speaks and bones and marrow and muscle and tendons and ligaments do his bidding. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:37.059 They dance to his voice. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:40.679 The creator has come to be with the creature. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:44.279 Now, in the context of John, this is the fourth sign. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:49.419 Okay, these public miracles that John tells us about, 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:56.379 verifiably shows us to back up the credibility of Jesus and the things that he's writing, 00:16:56.639 --> 00:17:01.439 but also so that we would listen to the spiritual truths that follow. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.519 That's what a sign is. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:10.099 It always reminds me of every time I go over the Royal Mile and I see people taking pictures. 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:15.259 The one that makes me laugh is when people are taking pictures of the sign to the castle. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:19.400 But tell him when the castle is right there. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.319 And that's exactly what John is doing with his signs. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.799 Just don't look at the sign. 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.900 Marvel at the sign. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.440 But do you know what? 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:29.059 See what the sign is pointing you to. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:32.539 They're pointing us to something, these signs. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.660 So the question is, right, logically, 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:39.700 what is the spiritual truth that we're meant to understand from this sign? 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:43.340 Well, that moves us from a man who's looking for life in all the wrong places 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:49.160 to verse 10, a group who are understanding a day in all the wrong ways. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:57.519 Do you see how this miracle, it doesn't go down a treat with everyone? 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:01.539 Okay, verse 9, and here's the clue. 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:05.400 What day of the week does Jesus do this miracle on? 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:10.440 Do you see in the text, he does it on the Sabbath. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.320 I mean, and we get it repeated there. 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:15.420 Same thing at verse 16, same thing at verse 18. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:18.920 So the miracle itself ain't the red rag to the bull. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:26.660 It's the day that Jesus is doing this on that gets the religious leaders absolutely livid. 00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:29.960 Now to get why that's such a big deal to them, 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:34.220 and why it's so significant in the context of what John is trying to tell us, 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:36.299 we've got to get God's design for the Sabbath. 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:41.980 And to get it, we've got to travel all the way back to the first book of the Bible 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:45.019 called Genesis, right? 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:47.079 Genesis just meaning beginnings. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.600 And we've got to go to chapters 1 and 2. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:55.000 So this is what you'll find if you turn on this later and go to chapters 1 and 2. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:58.599 You'll find God creates the world in six days. 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:04.759 Okay, day and night, land and sea, animals and humans. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:08.299 There's a wonderful symmetry to how God has made it. 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:15.039 And after all that he's done, God declares it to be very good, right? 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:18.519 Particularly with the design of human beings. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:22.919 Distinct from everything else, made in the image of God. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:27.159 And that's who you are today, regardless of how well you think your life is going. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:30.720 That stamp of God is on you. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.720 Pinnacle. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.940 God creates human beings. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.200 Everything before it's good. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.200 God makes human beings. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.180 It's very good. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:42.220 Creature and creator are at one in the Garden of Eden. 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:47.680 And on the seventh day, God, and here's the word, he rested. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.519 He rested. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:55.900 Not as in he put his feet up with a good book. 00:19:56.540 --> 00:20:00.560 Not like he got tired and fancied a cup of harlicks before bed. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.740 No, that's me. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.820 That's you. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.600 Okay? 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.000 We get weary. 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.080 We get tired. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:09.180 We need to down tools and rest. 00:20:09.280 --> 00:20:10.120 That's not God. 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.519 Right? 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:13.560 He is not just a better version of us. 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.960 He is completely unique. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:18.900 He does not need, he does not slumber or sleep. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:21.019 He does not get tired or weary. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:24.259 No, for God to rest, think of it like this. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:37.180 This is like a master artist finishing their work and then standing back and basking in the glory and joy of what they've made. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.599 It's perfect. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:50.420 And what's interesting is this seventh day, as you read it in Genesis, there's no end to it. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:54.100 It's tantalizing as you read it there. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.039 It doesn't end. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:21:10.620 Even when human sin and rebellion against God intrudes into this perfect scene at Genesis 3 and like a child going mad with a paintbrush and a pot of black paint, takes it all over the scene. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:16.819 Tantalizingly, the seventh day reads almost as unfinished business. 00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:29.579 Almost like God is leaving the invite open for anyone to come in and join him in enjoying his Sabbath rest. 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:34.319 Where the world is very good. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:43.539 And God weaves a reminder of this day into the weekly life cycle of his people. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:52.299 After he saves them from Egypt and he gives them the law that this is how you are to live as my distinct people. 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:56.460 Part of that is this weekly cycle. 00:21:57.740 --> 00:22:00.379 That they'd work for six days. 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.680 And on the seventh day. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:07.059 God commanded them to stop. 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.839 Down tools. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:17.559 And enjoy a day that was refreshingly different from the others. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:20.579 Now four quick things about this day. 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:25.059 And hang with me because this is going to find a beautiful climax when we come to the end. 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:25.359 Okay. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:28.299 What was God's heart for this day? 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.240 Four quick things. 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.859 It was a day. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.039 And here's a big word for you. 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.359 Sanctification. 00:22:33.179 --> 00:22:33.419 Okay. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.139 It was a day. 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:40.819 Big word in the Bible that means God has set apart something for himself. 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:42.740 Okay. 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:45.619 That God's people were to remember that we're not just like everyone else. 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.759 We're his special possession. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.879 And we remember that as we observe this day. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.480 Day of sanctification. 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:52.379 They are set apart. 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:54.039 And it was a day of dedication. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:58.000 For them to focus on who the Lord is. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:01.000 It was a day of celebration. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.480 Okay. 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:04.619 As they take in that he's not just our God. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.720 He is our God. 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.920 And he's wonderful. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.180 And he's rescued us. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.400 And he's saved us. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.799 And it was a day. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.740 And get this one. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.559 Of anticipation. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:18.099 Every time this day rolled around. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:21.480 It acted as a little reminder in their lives. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:27.899 That this is not the final destination for you. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:31.660 God has taken us home. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:35.720 And this day is for God's people. 00:23:36.560 --> 00:23:39.620 To remember that this is not our forever home. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.519 So people in my generation are always saying. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.120 You buying your forever home. 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:43.900 No such thing. 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:46.580 This isn't our forever home. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.880 God has taken us home to the promised land. 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.900 And this is what this day helps them remember. 00:23:51.540 --> 00:23:53.360 That one day we're going to be with him. 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:55.120 And we're going to delight in him. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.919 And know him fully and forever. 00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:00.039 I love that last one. 00:24:01.219 --> 00:24:02.359 For the human heart. 00:24:02.459 --> 00:24:04.199 They get so easily bogged. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.619 Down with the anxieties. 00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:10.219 And the worries of this world. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:13.799 Do you see how the Sabbath was God's good gift. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.279 To them. 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:17.940 One day in the week. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.759 Where God had said. 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:20.279 I want you to stop. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:22.700 And I want you to lift your heads. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.420 And I want you to take in. 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.960 The bigger picture. 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.160 That's the Sabbath. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.579 Now. 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:33.220 Just in case your minds have gone there already. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:38.339 Let me just say that we can't draw a straight line. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.339 Or as my American friends would say. 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.299 A straight shot. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.720 Okay. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.579 You cannot draw a straight line. 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.640 Between the Sabbath. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.519 Which was a Saturday. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.019 And what Christians do today. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.940 As they gather. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.779 On a Sunday. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.539 Okay. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.880 Sunday is just the day. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.860 That the church has historically met on. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.819 Because it was the day. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.559 When Jesus rose from the dead. 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.360 And every day we gather. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.700 Every week we gather on a Sunday. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.680 That's what we're doing. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.339 We're standing in the line. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.279 Of generations. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.480 Who've done this. 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.299 And doing this around the world. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.680 That this is the day. 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.579 This is the day. 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.779 When he rose from the dead. 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.700 The Sabbath. 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.500 Is an old covenant. 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.839 Different thing. 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.399 And yet. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.419 When we see God's heart. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.919 In creating the Sabbath. 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.220 And his heart. 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:29.799 And love for his weary people. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.139 To know who they are. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.319 And know who he is. 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.039 Once a week. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.940 Do you see how these principles. 00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:38.799 Are wonderfully applicable. 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:42.000 You know. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.599 It's one of the most widely swallowed. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:46.639 Yet dreadfully shallow lines. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:48.299 That our world sells us today. 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.579 That you and I need to look. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.460 Inside ourselves. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.559 To find out who we really are. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.299 Now I don't know about you. 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:02.299 But here's why that terrifies me often. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:05.059 Because I look in here. 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:09.079 And I don't like the person I am in here. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.839 The Bible's. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:15.279 Portrait of the human condition. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.919 Is that outside isn't the problem. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.740 Inside is the problem. 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.960 And inside doesn't contain the solution. 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.779 Inside shows us. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.200 The problem. 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.440 And it was Glenn Harrison. 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:33.220 Who's a professor of psychiatry. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.660 Down at Bristol University. 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.019 Read it this week. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.539 He once. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.980 He did a study really recently. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.759 When he got people to say. 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:42.599 Those kind of self-help statements. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.639 That are so prevalent. 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.759 In our culture today. 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:46.379 And say them to themselves. 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.299 For 20 minutes. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.399 At the beginning of each day. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.579 You are loved. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.460 You are important. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.319 You are beautiful. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:53.500 And report how it made them feel. 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:57.480 And apparently people with high self-esteem. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.920 Reported a minimal. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.960 To negligent increase. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.059 In how they felt. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.640 But people who started the day. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.940 With low self-esteem. 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:08.279 Said those things to themselves. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.480 And reported a decrease. 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.579 Interesting isn't it? 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.599 And equally our culture today. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:18.420 Encourages us to find our identity. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.279 In what we do. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.000 Right? 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.079 So when someone asks you. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.539 What life is like right now. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.799 And to sum it up in one word. 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:27.339 What's the word beginning would be. 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:28.279 That we always go to. 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:29.759 Busy. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.619 We're busy. 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:34.639 Because in our culture today. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:36.039 We equate busyness. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.639 With importance. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.039 Right? 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.500 I remember I worked in the first office. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.779 I worked at Charlotte's Gray. 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.799 And our working lunch. 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.879 Was a badge of honor. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.139 Who are you? 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.919 If you're not working over your lunch hour. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:49.500 It's what our hearts get often drawn to. 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:49.960 Isn't it? 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.740 The snare of compare. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:55.759 An entire world that offers us shallow. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:28:00.079 Definitions of what it is to be a human being. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.679 And knowing the human heart. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.220 It's almost as if the Sabbath. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:06.119 Is God saying to his people. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:08.639 Don't look inside of you. 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.220 To find out who you really are. 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.059 Here is a day. 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:15.559 Where I want you to look outside of yourself. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:18.220 To understand who you really are. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:20.900 You know I'm loving a book right now. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.120 Written by a woman in the States. 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.200 Called Jen Wilkin. 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.860 A wonderful author. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.940 Who's right at the heart of women's ministry. 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.740 Over in the States. 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.759 Wonderful book that she's written. 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.980 Called In His Image. 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.600 And if you're looking for something devotional. 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:35.519 Maybe to mix it up in your own lives. 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.420 Can I recommend this really short. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.500 And accessible book. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.960 And she writes this. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.140 And that struck me the other day. 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.700 When we were thinking about this whole idea. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.019 Of why we're living as Christians. 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.140 She writes this. 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.500 The church must be. 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.819 A bastion of patience. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.539 As the rest of the world. 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:55.819 Chases the next new thing. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:58.019 Every eight seconds. 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.500 Or less. 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.619 And in the previous contact chapter. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.699 She's been talking about how. 00:29:03.479 --> 00:29:05.099 The goldfish is a better attention span. 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:05.659 Than we do. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.639 Today. 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.459 Right. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.679 We must be those. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.439 Who turn our eyes. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.839 Towards the long view. 00:29:15.479 --> 00:29:17.319 And she's absolutely right. 00:29:18.239 --> 00:29:19.119 That here is this day. 00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:20.659 That God has created for his people. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:22.279 To not get bogged down. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.559 Because if he hadn't commanded them to do it. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.359 What would they be doing? 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.239 They would just be working. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.079 And keep on going. 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:27.519 And he said. 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.119 Here's a day. 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.239 Where I want you to remember. 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.559 The long view. 00:29:33.719 --> 00:29:34.359 But you see. 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:34.959 What's happened. 00:29:34.959 --> 00:29:36.399 And this comes to the surface. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.779 In John chapter 5. 00:29:38.979 --> 00:29:40.439 Is that over time. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.839 The day of rest. 00:29:43.219 --> 00:29:44.959 Has become the day of test. 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:49.019 The religious leaders. 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.959 Were so focused on people. 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.599 Not doing work. 00:29:53.239 --> 00:29:53.639 That do you know. 00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:55.339 They come up with 39 tests. 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.959 To help establish. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:59.039 If something is work. 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.140 Or not. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.240 Right. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.240 And the lawyer inside me. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.039 Kind of loves that. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.440 But I think in a context. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.420 It's a bad thing. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:06.340 Right. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.620 Do you know. 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.700 If you did one stitch. 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.120 On a bit of clothing. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.100 That was fine. 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.779 But if you did two stitches. 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.819 You were in violation. 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.480 Of the Sabbath. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.640 Likewise. 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:19.220 Wringing out a wet garment. 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.200 Out. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.740 Totally missed. 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.180 You see it. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.940 Totally missed. 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.019 The wood from the trees. 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.119 And when you consider. 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:28.420 That one of those 39 tests. 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.579 Was to do with carrying. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:32.000 You get why. 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.559 When they question. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.099 The healed man. 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.160 At verse 11. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.079 And he says. 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.099 The man who healed me. 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.099 Told me to do this. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.160 You can understand. 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.480 Why the Sabbath police. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.700 Go back to the officer. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:44.299 Put Jesus's face. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.240 Right on the dartboard. 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.759 Can't you? 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.879 Who does he think he is? 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.240 Making a mockery. 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.700 Of everything that we stand for. 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:53.380 And Jesus says. 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.240 Verse 17. 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.080 My father. 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.600 Is working. 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.340 Now it's logical. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.660 Right? 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:00.819 Clearly on the Sabbath. 00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:02.420 God is still working. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:06.140 God is still keeping the world spinning. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.500 He's still giving us breath. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.140 Every minute. 00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:10.480 If he took his foot off of the gas. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.180 Believe me. 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.680 We'd know. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:12.980 Okay. 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.880 The sun would fall from the sky. 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.200 Gravity would cease. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.420 No. 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.080 Jesus is saying. 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.400 My father is working. 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:20.120 And so am I. 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:21.539 So he's raising himself. 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.339 Above. 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.559 What is going on. 00:31:25.439 --> 00:31:26.539 And why are they after him? 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.059 And we're going to see more of this next week. 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.139 Because what is he claiming? 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.519 He's claiming to be equal. 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.259 With God. 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:36.359 So how is Jesus working? 00:31:36.479 --> 00:31:37.539 And here's the brilliant bit. 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.379 Brothers and sisters. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:40.439 Be heartened by this. 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.859 How is he working? 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:47.319 He's working to make a way. 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:50.419 For people like this man. 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.899 People like you. 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.859 People like me. 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.519 With no hope. 00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.419 And no future. 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.480 He's making a way. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:00.379 For us to come into and enjoy. 00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:01.939 God's. 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:02.980 Sabbath. 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.319 Rest. 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:09.059 Everything that that day represented. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:11.279 Everything that that day pointed to. 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.299 Fulfilled. 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:14.919 In Jesus Christ. 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.659 Come. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:18.460 To make it a spiritual reality. 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:20.000 For his people. 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.899 Now how? 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.619 Because of where this gospel ends. 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:28.099 He goes to the cross. 00:32:28.379 --> 00:32:30.159 Dying in our place. 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:32.399 For our sin. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:35.159 If you're struggling with guilt here today. 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:37.819 Know that his death on the cross. 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:40.759 Is totally sufficient for your salvation. 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:45.079 There is nothing that you and I need to do. 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:47.359 To add to what he's done. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.680 It's not like a mobile phone. 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.539 Pay as you go. 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.599 Back in the day. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:52.339 When you used to pay money to top it up. 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.700 Doesn't work like that. 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.039 What he has done. 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.640 Is totally sufficient. 00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:01.059 Our future is absolutely secure. 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.720 Because he lives. 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.000 But friends. 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.319 In him. 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:08.400 Do you see how we have been set apart. 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:10.320 As holy. 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.900 And that's who you are here today. 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.180 If your faith is in him. 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.640 And set apart as holy. 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.740 Right with God. 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:17.640 Forgiven. 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.580 Adopted. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:20.880 In him. 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.300 With his spirit inside of us. 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.360 Transforming us. 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:25.720 Putting Jesus' stamp all over us. 00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:28.700 We dedicate ourselves to his word. 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.660 And to his rule. 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:33.000 In him we celebrate. 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:36.259 Because we don't just know about God. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:38.380 We know God. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.640 And in him we anticipate. 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:44.960 The future of being with God. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:47.380 In his very good creation. 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.220 The new heavens. 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:51.660 And the new earth. 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.080 Where we. 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.440 Where our God. 00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.400 Dwells. 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.320 With us. 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.920 I was there in my quiet times this morning. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:59.220 Revelation 21. 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:01.079 I love this scene. 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:01.799 Brothers and sisters. 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.600 Have you ever considered. 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.559 That there's coming a day. 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.380 Because of Jesus. 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:06.440 That you will have cried your last tear. 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.500 And what does it say? 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.099 It doesn't say. 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.320 In the new heavens. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.820 And the new earth. 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.740 There's just no tears. 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.320 Right. 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.019 It says. 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:15.260 God himself will wipe away every tear. 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.880 Never really thought about that before. 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.780 Speaking of God's intimate knowledge. 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.500 Of his people. 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.360 And his creation. 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.300 God himself will wipe away. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.900 Every tear. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.579 And make it all right. 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:30.340 The former things will have passed away. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:32.799 And the new things because of King Jesus will have come. 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:34.319 And that's your future. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.199 And on that note. 00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:38.579 Do you see how this man here. 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.420 And what happens to him. 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:43.259 Is a wonderful foretaste. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:47.259 Of the reality which will be true for every single one of us one day. 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.179 What is John saying? 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:53.039 Jesus is not just shaking up the Sabbath. 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:57.719 Jesus is the Sabbath. 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:03.079 And he's working so that people the world over would know the rest. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.519 The rest. 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:08.659 And how does that strike you today in our busy world that never stops? 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:12.980 In our world where we feel like we never match up. 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:15.400 In our world where imposter syndrome is a thing. 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:21.220 How does it strike you that he offers us rest? 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:27.340 Because this is what Jesus is doing with his days. 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:32.260 This is how God is at work. 00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:36.300 And so the question just as we close. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.800 Having seen God's heart. 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:45.060 I guess the question for us as people is. 00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:47.520 Do we share his heart? 00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:50.760 Do we share his heart? 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:52.500 And maybe to drill this down as we close. 00:35:54.040 --> 00:35:55.340 And to go slightly off piste. 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:58.660 Here's what I'd love you to do. 00:35:58.700 --> 00:36:00.100 I'd love you to get out of your mobile phone. 00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.420 Go and do it. 00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:03.519 Just entertain me. 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.720 This is why I brought mine up here as well. 00:36:09.120 --> 00:36:10.220 And if you've got it there. 00:36:13.180 --> 00:36:14.620 Go to the alarm feature. 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:19.840 And you're all thinking where on earth is he going with this? 00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:25.220 And here's a challenge for us as we respond to this this morning. 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:28.320 And give you the context for it. 00:36:29.200 --> 00:36:32.740 So I had breakfast with my good friend Gordon a few weeks back. 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:35.039 We dropped the kids at school. 00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:36.120 Our kids are at school together. 00:36:36.220 --> 00:36:37.039 He's a fellow pastor. 00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:41.180 And we head around from Liberty Primary School around to Cameron's Home. 00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:42.140 We go to Greg's. 00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:43.480 Getting breakfast at Greg's. 00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:46.460 £2.65 I think for a break and roll in a coffee. 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:46.700 Right? 00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:47.100 Steal. 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:49.620 So we go there for breakfast. 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:52.600 And after we'd finished the conversation. 00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:54.880 We're just chatting to one another. 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.380 So once we finish breakfast. 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:58.760 We're getting deeper into the conversation. 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:00.300 And all of a sudden this phone goes off. 00:37:01.660 --> 00:37:02.019 Okay? 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.820 And he takes it. 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.800 And it's not a phone call. 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.480 It's his alarm. 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:10.579 And I look at my watch. 00:37:10.620 --> 00:37:11.600 And here's the weird thing. 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:14.140 Now when I set alarms. 00:37:14.200 --> 00:37:14.780 I don't know about you. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:16.539 But I normally set them for round times. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:17.660 Yeah? 00:37:18.260 --> 00:37:18.620 Right? 00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.059 7. 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.500 7. 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:19.859 7.30. 00:37:20.319 --> 00:37:21.279 That kind of thing. 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.599 Do you know what time his alarm went off at? 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:26.119 9.38. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:32.500 So he'd set it to go at 9.38 in the morning and in the evening. 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:35.239 And I said to him, Gordon, what is all that about? 00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.679 And he said this to me. 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:38.559 He said it reminds him to stop in the moment. 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:41.360 And pray. 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:44.940 Because 9.38 helps him remember. 00:37:46.259 --> 00:37:47.340 Matthew 9.38. 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:48.519 Okay? 00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:55.059 Where Jesus says, pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out more laborers to work in his harvest field. 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:59.279 So the prayer that he stops and prays morning and evening every day just for 30 seconds or so. 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:03.840 Is that God would raise up more people to go and work in this world. 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:05.679 And so he said, you want to do it? 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:07.239 And so we stop and we quickly pray. 00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:12.219 But I remember being struck by that gospel intentionality. 00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:18.739 Now I think this passage calls us to do exactly the same thing when we think about how God is at work in the world today. 00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.939 So here's the challenge. 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.199 You've got it there. 00:38:22.219 --> 00:38:24.299 Let's set our alarms for 5.17. 00:38:24.799 --> 00:38:24.980 Okay? 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.359 Now you can, don't do the morning. 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.579 You can just do the evening. 00:38:27.859 --> 00:38:28.019 Okay? 00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:28.739 I'll let you off. 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:33.659 But every time it goes off, here's what I want us to do. 00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:37.739 Firstly, rejoice, brothers and sisters. 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.539 5.17. 00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:41.519 Rejoice that Jesus loves us. 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:44.319 And he came looking for us. 00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:46.179 And he saved us. 00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:49.339 Not because of who we are, but simply because of who he is. 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:55.480 And praise him and take great heart that we are beneficiaries of his heart for his father's work. 00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:58.419 And do it at 5.17 every day this week. 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:01.699 And secondly, first thing, rejoice. 00:39:01.839 --> 00:39:02.859 Secondly, just raise. 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:03.779 Right? 00:39:03.779 --> 00:39:08.000 Let's raise our eyes to whatever's going on in our lives at 5.17. 00:39:08.619 --> 00:39:08.779 Okay? 00:39:08.859 --> 00:39:10.459 Maybe some of us are on the commute home. 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:12.639 Maybe some of us are trying to do the dinner. 00:39:12.740 --> 00:39:14.039 Maybe some of us are still at work. 00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:15.699 Why not just pause for 30 seconds. 00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:18.199 Take in what's going on around you. 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:21.420 And just pray for the people who are around about you in that moment. 00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:25.460 Because we don't believe in a God of chances. 00:39:26.559 --> 00:39:29.139 We worship a God who's sovereign and in control of all things. 00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:32.000 And whose heart we've seen right here. 00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:36.139 That the peoples of the world would come to know the rest that Jesus offers. 00:39:37.960 --> 00:39:38.879 Jesus says this. 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:43.199 My father is always at work to this very day. 00:39:43.199 --> 00:39:46.779 And I too am working. 00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.719 Let's pray, will we? 00:39:52.879 --> 00:39:55.159 And so Lord, we thank you for this morning. 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:58.259 And for John's gospel. 00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:00.359 That we have it in our language. 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:02.199 That we can pick up and read our Bibles. 00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:03.879 And understand who you are. 00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:09.759 And we can marvel at your heart for people like us. 00:40:09.879 --> 00:40:12.960 Hopeless and clueless like this man in John chapter 5. 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:16.839 And your desire that we would have life in your son Jesus. 00:40:17.399 --> 00:40:20.199 So Father, I pray for those of us here today who don't know him. 00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:23.519 Maybe they've never heard about him before. 00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:27.199 Maybe they've never understood why it's such a big deal. 00:40:27.679 --> 00:40:30.439 Father, may today be the day when they put their trust in Jesus. 00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:34.379 And Father, for those of us here today who are following him. 00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:36.899 May this glimpse of his heart today. 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.419 Who he is. 00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:42.759 Oh Father, may it cause our souls to greatly rejoice. 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:45.919 And join you in what you're doing. 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:53.960 So Father, thank you just for your outrageous, unmerited, abundant love for us, your people. 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:58.220 And we pray all of these things in his worthy name. 00:40:58.880 --> 00:40:59.280 Amen.