WEBVTT 00:00:00.340 --> 00:00:03.500 Well, good morning, everyone. How lovely to see you. 00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:10.900 Here's what I'd love you to do. I'd love you to grab your Bible, if you have one, and turn to the Gospel of John. 00:00:10.939 --> 00:00:13.280 If you don't have your own Bible with you, you've got two options. 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:18.620 Number one, poke your neighbour or something like that to get the one that's on the pews. You can do that. 00:00:19.379 --> 00:00:24.379 Also, if you want to put up your hand, another option is you can get one of these, John's Gospels. 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:30.660 We've got tons of these to give away, but this is going to be really helpful for you to have God's Word open in front of you. 00:00:31.579 --> 00:00:36.159 As we start this morning, a new series in the Gospel of John, which I'm really thrilled about. 00:00:36.739 --> 00:00:41.420 I promise you as well, just before we start, that my PowerPoint has no cannulars in it. 00:00:41.599 --> 00:00:46.960 So hopefully it won't make you too squeamish because I was there saying, get that off the screen. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:52.159 Here is John's Gospel in at John chapter one. 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:54.259 So here's what happened to me the other day. 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:57.179 I was on the phone to my insurance company. 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:04.100 And after a few pleasantries and a few security checks, the person on the other end of the line said, 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:10.859 Sir, just before we start, I just want to take a moment to read you your rights. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:16.800 Now, folks, I had no idea that I had so many rights. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:25.439 And so it got me thinking from there of all the rights that I enjoy in my life. 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:27.060 I'm living in the West. 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:34.179 Are we not the beneficiaries of so many as we live our lives here that people have died for over the years? 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:35.060 Our rights. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:37.100 I've got so many rights in my life. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:38.860 And then the question came to my mind. 00:01:39.880 --> 00:01:43.840 One that I extend to you to think about as we begin this series. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:47.240 Whoever you are here today, whatever you think about this God, 00:01:47.239 --> 00:01:51.519 what is the greatest right that you have? 00:01:53.919 --> 00:01:55.799 You know, go on, give it to you, folks. 00:01:55.919 --> 00:01:58.500 What's the right that gets you out of bed in the morning? 00:01:59.759 --> 00:02:06.340 What's the right that offers you any kind of hope about what tomorrow might hold? 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:11.759 What's the right that gives you any kind of comfort or purpose in the day? 00:02:12.420 --> 00:02:16.420 What's the right that makes your soul sing? 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.819 I've been a Christian for 20 years. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:25.840 And here's why I love coming back to John's gospel. 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:28.480 I read it hundreds of times in my life. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:31.740 But every time I come back to it, my heart sings. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:32.319 Do you know why? 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:40.340 Because it wonderfully reminds me of my weariness and my unspectacular life. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.739 I'm a life that feels so mundane all the time. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:46.139 Doing the same things every day. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:48.680 Same school runs, same meal, same everything. 00:02:48.799 --> 00:02:51.659 It reminds me of my unspectacular looking life. 00:02:51.959 --> 00:02:54.879 It reminds me of the greatest right that I have. 00:02:55.819 --> 00:03:01.199 And it reminds me of the right, the only right that's going to matter eternally in life. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:08.979 And it reminds me of the greatest right that any of us here today could ever hope to know. 00:03:09.339 --> 00:03:13.639 And we get it here in the opening verses that we're going to read in just a minute of John's gospel. 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:18.299 You know, in our Bibles, we've got four historical accounts of Jesus' life. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:21.219 We have Matthew, Mark and Luke. 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:25.259 They're often called the synoptic gospels, right? 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:31.280 Synoptic derived from the Greek word syn meaning with, optic meaning sight, right? 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:31.740 Opticians. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:38.939 So it's commonly believed that Matthew, Mark and Luke come at Jesus with the same sight, right? 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:42.939 You kind of read them and you'll discover a lot of the same material. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:52.099 But John, here is a man who also wants us to know about Jesus, but who writes from a profoundly different angle. 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:56.859 It's almost as if, and this kind of helped me think about it, right? 00:03:56.939 --> 00:04:00.759 Matthew, Mark and Luke, their aim is to show us the face of Jesus. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:07.159 But John invites us deeper and he wants us to see his heart. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:17.480 And who better to write this gospel, this man who Jesus invited to come and be not just one of his 12 disciples, but to come and be one of the inner three. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:25.019 So that means that this man, he saw and he heard things that deeply moved him. 00:04:26.159 --> 00:04:31.879 And he writes towards the end of his life, having reflected long and hard on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:04:32.540 --> 00:04:34.600 And the guy cannot get enough of him. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:36.560 And so what's his aim? 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.660 He writes it, and this is always important in John's gospel. 00:04:38.820 --> 00:04:42.260 He says right at the end of his gospel, chapter 20, verse 31. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:54.180 These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:56.560 So that's why he's written his gospel. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:59.520 So that we may have life in his aim. 00:05:00.280 --> 00:05:01.580 Life in his name. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:02.280 That's his aim. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:07.539 So let's read together from verse 1 of chapter 1. 00:05:08.119 --> 00:05:10.359 Again, into this glorious gospel. 00:05:12.299 --> 00:05:18.619 John writes this, and hear him reflecting on just how mind-blowing Jesus is. 00:05:18.679 --> 00:05:19.139 He writes this, 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:25.879 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:05:26.679 --> 00:05:29.000 He was with God in the beginning. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.339 Through him all things were made. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:36.399 Without him nothing was made that has been made. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:39.000 In him was life. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:42.560 And that life was the light of all mankind. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:46.100 The light shines in the darkness. 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:50.000 And the darkness has not overcome it. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:53.900 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:05:54.340 --> 00:05:54.980 Different John. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.360 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light. 00:06:00.200 --> 00:06:02.360 So that through him all might believe. 00:06:03.580 --> 00:06:05.140 He himself was not the light. 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:07.520 He came only as a witness to the light. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:10.839 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:13.279 He was in the world. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:17.599 And though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:20.899 He came to that which was his own. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.759 But his own did not receive him. 00:06:24.479 --> 00:06:27.279 Yet, to all who did receive him, 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:30.079 to those who believed in his name, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:36.500 he gave the right to become children of God. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.639 Children born not of natural descent, 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:43.120 nor of human decision or a husband's will, 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:45.419 but born of God. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:50.979 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 00:06:51.799 --> 00:06:52.979 We have seen his glory. 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:55.199 The glory of the one and only Son, 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:56.199 who came from the Father, 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:59.360 full of grace and truth. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:02.519 John testified concerning him. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:03.399 He cried out saying, 00:07:03.659 --> 00:07:05.279 This is the one I spoke about when I said, 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:08.819 He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:11.159 Out of his fullness, 00:07:11.339 --> 00:07:16.699 we have all received grace in the place of grace already given. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.259 For the law was given through Moses. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:23.139 Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.240 No one has ever seen God, 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:30.000 but the one and only Son, 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.519 who is himself God 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:33.920 and is in the closest relationship with the Father, 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:38.740 he has made him known. 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:44.240 So as we step through the front door of John's prologue, 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:44.879 the introduction, 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:47.120 again, 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:47.879 this is what helped me. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:51.860 The prologue functions almost like a hotel foyer. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:53.540 Right? 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:53.960 You know, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.139 you would go into a hotel 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:55.639 and you would, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.780 in the foyer, 00:07:57.900 --> 00:07:58.340 the lounge, 00:07:58.400 --> 00:08:00.000 you would get a sense of what's on the walls, 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:01.439 you would get a sense of the color scheme, 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:03.500 you would get a sense of the smells and the sights 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:06.500 that set you up for what the rest of the hotel is going to be like. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:08.319 Well, 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:09.500 in the foyer of John's gospel, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:10.920 in the time that we have, 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:11.240 friends, 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:13.120 there's so much we could say here. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.000 Encyclopedias won't even cover this. 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:16.379 Right? 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.339 Four pictures are on the wall 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:21.319 by way of a simple structure. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:21.879 Right? 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.060 Here's the first one. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:23.980 It reads identity. 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.019 Who is Jesus? 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:28.819 Love it. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.279 Was it 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:31.379 a sound of music? 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.860 What did Julie Andrews, 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:33.320 her character, 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:33.679 say? 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:35.259 Where is it good to begin? 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:36.879 In the beginning. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:37.279 Right? 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:38.899 Who is Jesus? 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:39.379 The gospel, 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.200 other gospel writers, 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:42.539 you see how they go to Bethlehem. 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:45.179 But John takes us way back 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:46.679 into the corridors of eternity 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:47.480 and says, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:48.720 in the beginning. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:50.000 Do you see those opening words? 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.379 In the beginning. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:53.399 That's a deliberate echo 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.100 of the first words of the Bible. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:58.460 Genesis 1 reads, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.440 In the beginning, 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.220 God created, 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:03.539 the heavens and the earth. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.939 Who is this God? 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.039 The God who was there 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.899 before anything was. 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:11.460 The God who has always 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:13.639 and will always be. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.659 The God who exists 00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:17.179 as a loving community 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:19.879 of Father, Son, and Spirit, 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:21.759 and who has for all eternity 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:23.460 been one God 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:24.919 in three persons. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.220 This God created the world 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.299 out of an overflow 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:29.659 of his loving existence 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.679 by the power of his word. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:32.240 Friends, 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:33.579 this should stretch us. 00:09:34.819 --> 00:09:35.019 Right? 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.339 Should stretch us. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:39.839 And John says, 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:40.519 in the beginning 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:42.539 was the word. 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:44.179 Greek word there, 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:44.879 logos. 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:47.639 One which the philosophers, 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:48.480 the Greek philosophers 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:49.199 of the day, 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:49.899 but these guys 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:50.639 who are reading this 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.319 as the first readers 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:52.259 are steeped in. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:54.019 Greek philosophers 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.179 used that word, 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:55.519 logos, 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.639 to talk about the wisdom 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.639 and the perfection 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:58.679 by which the world 00:09:58.679 --> 00:09:59.559 was made. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:01.659 And John draws 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:03.059 a massive equal sign 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:03.819 and he says, 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:06.799 the word equals Jesus. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.639 He was with God. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.720 He was God. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:13.699 This is Jesus. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.220 Now put it in everyday terms, 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:15.500 right? 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.220 Have a breath. 00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:20.539 Inhale, exhale. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.980 Inhale, exhale. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:24.319 Do you understand 00:10:24.319 --> 00:10:25.360 that Jesus is the one 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.519 who sustains that breath? 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:30.240 He's the very reason, 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:30.519 friends, 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:31.720 that there is existence, 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.019 any kind of existence. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.820 He is the one 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:35.320 who designed 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:35.940 and sustains 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:36.800 the law of gravity. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.180 He is the one 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:39.919 who created 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:41.019 and maintains 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.879 the process 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.259 of photosynthesis. 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:44.980 He is the one 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.180 that makes the birds sing. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.100 He is the one 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:47.840 that wakes the sun 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.320 in the morning. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.039 He is the one 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.279 that makes the seas calm. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:53.019 The Jesus 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:53.980 who is the life 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:55.039 and light 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.000 of men 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.960 and take in the imagery 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:57.220 there, 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:57.759 the life 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:58.700 and the light 00:10:58.700 --> 00:10:59.659 of men. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:00.340 Do you know 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:00.960 when we walk 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.940 to school each morning 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:02.480 with the kids, 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:03.139 do you know 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:03.879 when we get a cracking 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:06.039 view of Arthur C? 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.039 It was so early 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:08.480 in the morning 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.259 and yet every morning 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.980 the kids look up 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.720 and see the ants 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.240 at the top 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.720 and they say, 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:13.659 how early does somebody 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.259 need to get up 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.100 to climb that thing? 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.000 Who would get up 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.539 that early? 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.340 Why would you get up 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:17.940 early to climb 00:11:17.940 --> 00:11:18.340 that thing? 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:18.700 Answer, 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:19.899 why would you climb it 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.879 that time in the morning? 00:11:21.920 --> 00:11:22.600 See the sunshine. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.460 See the sunrise. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:25.680 Isn't it amazing 00:11:25.680 --> 00:11:26.480 that wherever you are 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.040 in the world 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:28.300 a sunrise 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:29.120 is one of the most 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.540 spectacular things, 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:31.740 breathtaking things 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:31.980 friends, 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:32.759 that you and I 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.040 can ever hope to see. 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.100 And it's as if 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:36.720 John is saying 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.740 just as in Genesis 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.040 God spoke 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:40.560 and the light 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:42.139 penetrated the darkness 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.120 in a physical sense 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:44.879 it's almost as if 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.320 he is saying 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:46.159 with the coming of Jesus 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:46.879 into the world 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.620 that we'll think about 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.120 in a moment 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.180 God was penetrating 00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:49.860 our world 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.960 and the light 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.580 was shining 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:53.000 on the spiritual 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.539 darkness. 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:55.980 In the words of 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:56.740 J.C. Ryle 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.680 former Bishop 00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:58.519 of Liverpool 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:00.620 Christ is to the 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.519 souls of men 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.600 what the sun 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.460 is to the world. 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.740 And just like 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.960 an inextinguishable 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:08.500 candle 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.159 and those things 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.419 annoy me like anything 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:12.360 that light 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.039 is never going 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.180 to be overcome. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:15.800 Right? 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.500 Never going to be 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.100 snuffed out. 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:18.840 Never going to put it out. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.720 Identity. 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:22.560 This is who he is. 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.019 Second picture 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.340 rattling through this 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.300 reads tragedy. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.740 On the wall 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.200 the foyer 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.680 tragedy. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.220 Verse 9 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.139 the true light 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:30.720 was coming into 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.279 the world. 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.539 John masterfully 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:35.279 building the tension 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.000 here as we move 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.000 towards the theological 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.980 climax of this 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.000 at verse 14. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.180 Jesus was coming in. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.480 Do you see 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.139 notice the downward 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:43.620 movement? 00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:44.180 There he is. 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.100 That's who he is. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:45.840 Jesus was coming 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.340 into the world. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.519 Now what is it? 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.360 Jesus was in the world. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.419 The creator 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.159 of all things 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:52.919 wrote himself 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:53.980 into the creature's 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.360 world. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.379 And here's the tragedy 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.279 end of verse 10 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.120 the world did not 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.639 know him. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.060 Two senses I think 00:13:02.060 --> 00:13:02.480 to that. 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:03.800 First one 00:13:03.800 --> 00:13:04.600 the world did not 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.460 see his greatness 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.580 didn't perceive it. 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:08.539 What is it we spent 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.360 the last number of days 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.180 doing as a country 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:11.360 paying our respects 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.039 to greatness? 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:13.060 We all get it. 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:14.340 We all get it. 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:15.480 Loved it. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.039 David Beckham 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.240 Kuhn 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.940 for how many hours 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:17.380 of the day? 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:18.100 12 hours, 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:18.880 13 hours along 00:13:18.880 --> 00:13:20.280 with hundreds 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:20.800 of people 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:22.920 to honour 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:23.560 greatness. 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:24.660 Some of our 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:25.800 most historic 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:26.680 buildings in this 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:27.080 country, 00:13:27.800 --> 00:13:28.580 police escorts 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.220 everywhere, 00:13:29.380 --> 00:13:30.240 non-stop TV 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:30.780 coverage. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.440 Friends, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.080 we're responding 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.660 to greatness. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.160 But contrast 00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:36.100 that to how 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.960 the world 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.800 looked upon 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:40.420 a humble 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:40.920 carpenter 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:41.400 with splinters 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.100 in his hands. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.159 A lowly 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:44.740 teacher who 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.399 called former 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.059 fishermen to 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.819 be his students. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.220 A defeated 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.659 man who 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.120 didn't even 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.639 put up a 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.379 fight and 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:50.980 was crucified 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.600 on a Roman 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.159 cross and 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.559 he was laid 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.039 to rest 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:53.639 in another's 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:53.980 tomb. 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:55.939 The world 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:56.220 did not 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:56.899 recognise him. 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:58.799 Didn't see 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.259 his glory. 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:01.199 And not just 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.539 the world, 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:01.879 did he have 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.259 his fellow 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.799 Jews 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:05.039 furnished with 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.439 the promises 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:05.939 of God, 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:06.720 called to live 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.199 by the law 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:07.519 of God. 00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:08.079 They did not 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:08.740 receive him. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:09.759 The world 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.439 did not see 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:10.980 his glory. 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:12.900 It was totally 00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.480 upside down 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.080 to the world's 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:14.380 glory. 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.400 There's one 00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:16.000 angle on it 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.480 but I think 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.060 another one 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:19.300 is simply 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:19.780 that the world 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:20.300 just did not 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:20.780 want to know. 00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:22.920 Refusing to 00:14:22.920 --> 00:14:23.560 see him for 00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:24.760 who he truly 00:14:24.760 --> 00:14:25.160 is. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:25.720 You know, 00:14:25.760 --> 00:14:26.260 John Piper 00:14:26.260 --> 00:14:28.100 writes that 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.700 our greatest 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:30.020 problem as 00:14:30.020 --> 00:14:30.660 human beings 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.120 is not that 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.540 we lack 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:31.980 light, 00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:33.100 it's that 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.460 we love 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:33.980 the dark. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.180 It's our 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.740 heart's 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.280 disposition. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:37.960 It's the 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.000 light of the 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.800 world came in 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.799 who did 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.099 not want 00:14:41.099 --> 00:14:41.419 to know. 00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:43.439 And yet, 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:43.779 do you see 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:44.279 that word 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.159 yet but 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:46.939 verse 12? 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.579 John introduces 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:50.979 us to the 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:51.299 other side 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:51.539 of the 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:51.819 coin, 00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:53.139 to what 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.459 is on 00:14:54.459 --> 00:14:55.179 offer 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.859 in 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:57.159 Christ. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.439 And here's 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:58.819 our third 00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.179 picture, 00:14:59.319 --> 00:14:59.559 friends. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.179 It's the 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:01.740 opportunity, 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:02.559 the word 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:03.159 opportunity, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.459 one freely 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.059 available to 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.479 all those 00:15:05.479 --> 00:15:05.939 who believe 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.259 in his 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:06.559 name. 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:06.839 Now, 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.240 before we 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.599 get to 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:07.859 what it 00:15:07.859 --> 00:15:08.219 means to 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.200 believe in 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:09.600 his name, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.000 see what 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.340 John's 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:10.700 doing, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.440 primarily 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.160 for his 00:15:13.160 --> 00:15:13.560 fellow 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.180 Jews. 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.080 He's 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.639 showing them 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:15.980 that there's 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.660 no such 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.960 thing as 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.779 a spiritual 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.540 shoe-in. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:21.680 Okay? 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.759 No one is 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.379 adopted into 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:23.820 the family 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.279 of God 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.300 merely by 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:26.019 being born 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.600 into the 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.639 right tribe. 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:30.860 Born of 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.200 blood. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.440 Or no one 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.240 is adopted 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.680 into the 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.440 family of 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:34.820 God by 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.259 being from 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.960 good religious 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.340 stock or 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:37.820 because they 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.180 live a 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:39.400 moral life. 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.240 Born of 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.740 man. 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.759 Adoption is 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.519 a privilege 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.680 granted to 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.480 follow the 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.080 language to 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.759 all those 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.120 who are 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.080 born of 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.560 God. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.160 In other 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:50.280 words, 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.940 only God 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.320 can do 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:51.860 this light 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.660 shining work 00:15:52.660 --> 00:15:53.320 into our 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.420 dark hearts. 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.220 If you're a 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:56.700 Christian here 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.300 today, that's 00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:57.680 what's gone 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.259 on in your 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:58.780 life. 00:15:59.560 --> 00:15:59.940 Yes, you 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.200 made a 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.759 decision to 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.500 follow Christ, 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.240 but before 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.019 that, God 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.480 wrote your 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.000 name into 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.540 his book 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.000 before the 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.639 foundation of 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.139 the world. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.639 And the 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.839 son came 00:16:08.839 --> 00:16:09.240 into the 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.459 world. 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:09.799 The Holy 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.860 Spirit worked 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.980 and light 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.459 dawned in 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.219 your heart. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.259 How do we 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.059 know who 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.439 are those 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:17.819 people? 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:19.659 We've got to 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.079 see that all 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:20.659 those born of 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.500 God and all 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:21.779 those who 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.219 believe in 00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:23.980 his name are 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.240 the same 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.579 thing. 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:26.819 Those that 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:28.519 recognize him 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:28.819 as the 00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:29.439 creator and 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:29.839 us the 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:30.219 creature. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.179 A cracking 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.659 conversation 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:32.860 with my 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.199 girls in the 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:33.579 car today. 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:33.879 They were 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.379 telling me 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:34.679 that we're 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.399 all mammals. 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:35.939 Daddy, I 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.220 didn't know 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.439 we were 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:36.720 mammals. 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.480 I said, yes, 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:38.779 we're all 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.159 creatures. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.659 Of course, we're 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.100 all creatures, 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.539 but do you 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.779 know what? 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.500 Animals aren't 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.659 dignified, said 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.019 they were made 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.379 in the image 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.840 of God. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.659 Human beings 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.019 are. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.419 We are 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.519 creatures, but 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:49.860 friends, we 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.299 are made in 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.700 the image of 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:50.879 God. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.860 We recognize 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.500 that we are 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.840 the creature 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.379 and he is 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.899 the creator. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.179 We understand 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.939 that our 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.779 unworthiness 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.580 before him, a 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.279 holy, worthy 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:00.759 God. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.100 People who've 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.740 come to see 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.919 their unrighteousness 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.440 before a 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.019 holy God 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.680 and in light 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.240 of all those 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.000 things, stake 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.420 it all on 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:10.019 Jesus, right? 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.779 His perfect 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.480 life, giving 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.359 us his 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:13.940 righteousness 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.119 that we 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:15.700 could not 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.379 earn, his 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.099 death where he 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.119 became sin for 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.759 us, his 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.899 resurrection showing 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.819 that the price of 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.819 paying the penalty 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.779 of the offense of 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.579 my sin in the 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.299 eyes of a holy 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.139 God really has 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.819 been paid. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:28.940 And because of 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.200 that, what does 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.019 God see? 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.460 when he looks 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.240 at me, when he 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.039 looks at you, if 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.240 our faith, small 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.259 as a mustard 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.579 seed, is in what 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.319 Christ has done 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.539 for us, what does 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.139 God see? 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.619 Who are we? 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.759 Children of God, 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:49.480 precious sons and 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.259 daughters of God, 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:50.900 get your head around 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.460 that, guys. 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:54.019 Call to share in 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.900 the love that the 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:56.599 Father has for all 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.660 eternity had for 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.879 his Son, to share 00:17:58.879 --> 00:17:59.299 in that. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.559 And do you know 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:00.940 what I love? 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.319 I was thinking 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.259 about this week, I 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.440 love that God, my 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.460 Father, wants me to 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.319 know that that is a 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.659 right. 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:07.779 It's not some kind 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:09.299 of coupon, it's not 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.279 an opportunity, a 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.099 chance to become a 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.919 child of God, knowing 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.359 that there's an 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.559 expiry date at the 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:13.839 end. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.460 Do you know I hate 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.240 expiry dates? 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.079 You know when you 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.980 go into the fridge 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:21.879 for a deep clean, and 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.559 you go through the 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.779 fridge, and you'll 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.299 inevitably find 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.740 something that 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.799 smells and looks a 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.279 bit, what do we 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.819 call it, a bit 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.319 funky. 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:29.819 Normally brought 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.419 to you by the 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.000 color green. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.679 What's happened 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:32.039 there? 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:34.000 It's expired. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.960 It's gone off, 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.519 hasn't it? 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:39.339 I love that God 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:39.960 wants us to know 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.539 that this is a 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:40.819 right. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.099 It's something that's 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.679 yours, and a right 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.619 that's been given to 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.500 us as opposed to 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.319 being earned. 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.720 Something that cannot 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.439 be taken away, that's 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:51.259 yours for life. 00:18:51.679 --> 00:18:52.259 Friends, that is 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.000 something that I can 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.919 build my life upon. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.639 And get this, 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.620 whatever's going on 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.440 in your life today, 00:18:57.860 --> 00:19:00.380 a right is true just 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.220 as much on your 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.960 worst day. 00:19:03.040 --> 00:19:03.860 When you've kicked 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.700 the dog, when the 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.520 washing didn't get 00:19:05.520 --> 00:19:06.340 done, when you fell 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:07.000 out with your spouse 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.720 on the way to church, 00:19:07.780 --> 00:19:08.520 whatever it is you've 00:19:08.520 --> 00:19:09.740 done this morning, a 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.940 right is true for you 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:13.200 on your worst day, just 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.100 as much as it is on 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.060 your best day. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.940 A right is true in 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.780 the times when the 00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:21.340 future looks rosy, and 00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:23.220 life is cushy, and it's 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.520 true when the future is 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.599 unclear, and life feels 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.639 messy. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.440 Brothers and sisters, 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:30.519 here is what I 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.460 believe the Lord would 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.639 want us to know today. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.200 It's a right that he's 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.819 given us. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.319 It's a right that he's 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.799 given us. 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.000 The Father has not 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.779 saved us and placed us 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:42.599 on a probation period 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.740 before him to see if 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.599 we're worthy enough of 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:44.980 his love. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.579 You know, I hate those 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.200 things you've got three 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.019 months in your contract 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.819 to show if you're good 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.579 enough for this job. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.440 It's not how it works 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.920 with God. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.160 He's not placed us on 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.180 probation period. 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:57.299 Our experience of his 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.279 love for us does not 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.220 work like performance 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.100 related pay. 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.000 How often we live our 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.880 Christian lives thinking 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.900 that that's how it works 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.560 with our Father. 00:20:07.080 --> 00:20:08.140 Just reflecting on this 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.100 in sabbatical, friends, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.279 how often is that the 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:14.120 thing that causes me not 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:15.060 to progress in the 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:15.799 Christian life? 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.940 And how often is that 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:20.019 the thing which stifles 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.180 my joy in the Christian 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.320 life that I forget that 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:23.360 that's who he is? 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.560 He's my Father. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.460 Because of my faith in 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.960 Christ, he loves me as 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.840 he loves his Son. 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.019 Oh, how often I allow 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:35.080 the logic, my logic, my 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.120 thinking of how it should 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:38.480 work to determine how I 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.680 live my life rather than 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.860 allowing the voice of my 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.980 Father through his words 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.279 to tell me how it works 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.980 in my life. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.420 You know, the status of 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.519 being declared a child of 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.340 God with everything that 00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:49.659 that entails. 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.059 Because of your faith in 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.339 Christ, however unimpressive 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.539 you think your life is 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.099 just now, however wrong 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.480 you think you've got it, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.119 friends, know that that 00:20:58.119 --> 00:21:00.259 is your right. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.659 And I would have killed 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.179 in America. 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.099 Amens everywhere. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.220 Oh, friends, I was 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.259 thinking about it this week 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.399 as we buried our dear 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:11.339 sister and friend, 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:12.419 Doreen, into the ground. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.500 And as I thought, how 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.059 unimpressive does this look? 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.480 And yet, what did I 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:16.720 picture? 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.559 I pictured her going 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.960 into the ground and 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.019 she's clutching her 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.460 right. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.460 It's Lenn, she goes 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.220 through her chemo 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.380 treatment starting soon. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.700 What is it that can get 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.480 her through that? 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.319 It's her right that she's 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.400 loved by her Father. 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:35.220 They're holding the 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.680 right given to them by 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.900 their Father that says, 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:40.420 you're my child. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.900 And no power of hell, 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.880 no scheme of man, 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:46.000 can ever pluck us from 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.980 his hand. 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.180 Oh, and here's 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:51.480 best book I read on 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.460 sabbatical. 00:21:52.540 --> 00:21:53.300 In the words of J.I. 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.020 Parker, if you're not 00:21:54.020 --> 00:21:54.740 familiar with J.I. 00:21:54.780 --> 00:21:55.820 Parker, he's a guy really 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.960 to get in touch with. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.620 And his wonderful book, 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.460 Knowing God, and I've 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.420 got one copy I can give 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.100 away at the end of the 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.980 service if you come in. 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:02.820 I was going to say fight 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.580 me for it, but you don't 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.360 fight me for it because I'll 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:04.620 beat you. 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.500 Just come and take it, 00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:05.780 okay? 00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:07.020 J.I. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.340 Parker, and get this in 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.900 your heads. 00:22:09.540 --> 00:22:10.760 Adoption is the highest 00:22:10.760 --> 00:22:12.280 privilege of the gospel. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:14.259 The traitor is forgiven, 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.879 brought in for supper, 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.619 and given the family name. 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:19.899 Do you get that? 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.879 To be right with God the 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.160 judge is a great thing. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.240 And make no mistake that 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.440 it is to be right with 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:28.639 our God, but to be loved 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:30.220 and cared for by God the 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:33.019 Father is greater. 00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:36.700 And that's only possible 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:38.720 because of our fourth and 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.460 final picture. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.880 And it reads mystery. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.740 Verse 14, and here we've 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.680 reached not only the 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:48.340 theological center of John's 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:50.420 introduction, but we've 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.700 reached the staggering truth 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.759 that's right at the heart of 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.700 the Christian faith. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.440 And if you aren't with me, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.380 come and with me to verse 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:57.840 14. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:02.140 The words became flesh. 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:05.660 So Jesus, without for a 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.500 moment ceasing to be 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.840 everything that John has 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:10.000 just described in verses 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.180 one to five, and we've got 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.300 to be theologically clear 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:12.700 on that. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:16.800 He took on a human body. 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:19.540 The eternal became an 00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:20.140 embryo. 00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:23.160 Rebecca McLaughlin, I was 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.920 leading that last night, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.960 as she pointed that out, 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:26.640 and he dwelt with us. 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.980 The word dwelt there, 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.200 literally he tabernacled 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.640 among us. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.380 That's the word there. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:34.140 He tabernacled among us. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.500 John, very deliberate in the 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.140 use of that word. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.940 The tabernacle, the tent, 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:40.340 the place where God had 00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:42.700 said that he would be, 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.720 as it stood right in the 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.960 middle of his Old Testament 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.519 people. 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.819 John is saying that God's 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.340 come to dwell with us 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:54.019 in a fuller way in the 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.940 person of Jesus. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.120 Jesus. 00:23:57.400 --> 00:24:00.340 Fully God, fully man. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:04.840 Not 50-50, not 70-30, 100-100. 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:06.380 That really matters. 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:09.660 Fully God, fully man. 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:11.240 Why does that matter? 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.880 It matters, friends, because 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:16.620 if he's not fully God, if he's 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.259 from the same gene pool as us, 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.620 if he is tainted by the same 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:22.139 sin that we are, then he's 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:25.019 unable to live a perfect life 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.359 of obedience and worship and 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:28.099 righteousness in the eyes of 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.579 the Father. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.599 He'd have no righteousness to 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:32.219 share with us that we might be 00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:33.159 right with God. 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.899 It matters that he's fully God. 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.639 And it matters that he's fully 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.000 man. 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.000 It matters that he's one of us. 00:24:41.219 --> 00:24:41.679 Why? 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:45.080 So that he could represent us 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:48.660 and sympathize with us in all 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:51.460 our weakness and be, and be 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:54.120 stretched by this, be the second 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:57.640 and better Adam who God created 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.240 right at the beginning of the 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.440 Bible to live in a perfect 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.860 relationship with him before 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:03.740 Genesis 3 and sin entered the 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.019 equation. 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:06.340 Jesus stands in the place of Adam 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.720 as our perfect representative 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.640 before the Father. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:13.060 And because he's that, because 00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:15.580 he's fully God, fully man, do you 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:17.280 see the end of verse 18 what that 00:25:17.280 --> 00:25:17.640 means? 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:23.220 He makes the Father known. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.340 You know, the first person launched 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:28.160 into space was a Russian man, I 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.840 learned this on holiday, called 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.800 Yuri Gerdgaren. 00:25:31.020 --> 00:25:32.240 I think I've said that right, Yuri 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.759 Gerdgaren. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.580 And he joked when he got up to 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:36.180 space, he said, I went up to space 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.420 and I didn't see any God. 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:40.840 But see when the Bible talks 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:44.240 about finding God, it's never in 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:46.560 language that suggests that we 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.860 somehow need to make our way up 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.240 to him. 00:25:51.020 --> 00:25:52.360 And I once heard someone say that 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:53.420 we should stop calling it the 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.940 enlightenment and start calling it 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.740 the endarkenment. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:58.500 Because what the human heart does 00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:01.100 is we try and figure out what God 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.900 would be like. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.220 All it does is it just comes up 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.700 with idols. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:06.200 We fashion God into our own 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.560 likeness and according to our 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.279 fancies. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.379 In other words, this is what we 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.480 think God would be like. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.079 But in the Bible, do you see, 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.419 friends, it's always the other way 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:14.779 around. 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:18.059 The only way that we can know who 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:20.779 God truly is, is if he reveals 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.220 himself first to us. 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.519 We derive our understanding of 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:29.220 Christianity because our God is 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.319 exactly like Jesus. 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.859 We derive our understanding of 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.319 Christianity and what God is like 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:37.139 solely by looking at him. 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.659 And I say that because I know that 00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:41.279 so many of us may well be getting 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.759 our info about God and what he's 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.000 like from somewhere else. 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:47.279 Okay, perhaps rumors that you've 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:50.200 picked up on the news or impressions 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:52.700 that are given to you by friends or 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:55.439 family or parents or experiences that 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:57.439 you've had of church from years ago. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.439 And listen, I've spoken to enough 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:01.079 people in my time doing this that I 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.659 understand that lots of those things 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.259 might have deeply hurt you. 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.660 You've got to get real about that. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.940 And so here's my invitation to you 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.480 this morning. 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:14.040 Is one who would love to walk with 00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:15.240 you in your pain and questions. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.759 Friends, if that is right, if Jesus 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.300 has come to reveal to us the Father, 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.440 here's the question then. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.460 When was the last time that you 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.320 looked into Jesus? 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.580 Why not allow him to do the talking? 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:33.519 Is you seek to understand who God 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:35.359 truly is and what he's like. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.779 It's a loving invitation. 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:39.079 If you want to take me up on that, 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.859 take anyone who's seen up the front 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:42.240 on that, we'd love to explore that 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.539 with you. 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:44.480 It's why we do this, so we can get 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.319 to know God better. 00:27:47.199 --> 00:27:48.819 Because verse 14, what you'll find, 00:27:48.919 --> 00:27:50.220 says John, when you look at Jesus, 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:53.460 is a Jesus full of, and take these 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:57.559 two words in, not harshness and 00:27:57.559 --> 00:28:01.819 falsity, but grace and truth. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.599 And we need both those things. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:08.960 Imagine if it was harsh and truth, 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.879 we would be so scared. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.980 Imagine if it was grace and falsity, 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.159 we wouldn't know where we stand with 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:14.419 him. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.940 Grace and truth. 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:18.220 You will find a Jesus surprisingly 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.720 and wonderfully brilliant. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:22.240 A Jesus in this gospel as we journey 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.419 through it, and this is why you've got 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:24.539 to come back in the weeks to come. 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:26.460 A Jesus who will go towards the 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.000 outcast. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.940 A Jesus who lifts up the broken. 00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:32.899 A Jesus who calls out the hypocrite. 00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:35.659 A Jesus who is moved by exploitation. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.500 A Jesus who speaks openly about 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.240 heaven and hell. 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:41.680 A Jesus who speaks plainly about the 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.480 wickedness that lurks inside of every 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.399 human heart. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:47.240 And a Jesus who will show us that he 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:49.839 loves us more than we ever thought 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.700 possible. 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:54.720 because he's come to reveal to us 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.360 God the Father. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.819 And so John can say through the eyes 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.460 of faith right at the end there, 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:02.740 and this is his invitation to you, 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:05.059 as you look at Jesus as he's recorded 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.420 here, 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:08.799 to come and see his glory. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.000 You know, just as we close, friends, 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.880 do you want to hear about why they 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.759 laughed at me in America? 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:19.839 Of course you want to hear that, right? 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.579 As we close, and that's always 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:25.920 cue for, come back in for three, 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.839 four minutes, okay? 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:29.119 Here's why they laughed at me in 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.480 America. 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:32.299 They laughed at me because I'd never 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.460 seen a firefly before. 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.940 Ever seen one of these things? 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.279 No? 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.359 There we go, friends. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.140 There we go. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.900 They laughed because I'd never seen a 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.700 firefly before. 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.240 So there I was one evening sitting on 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:45.940 the back porch of our host house, 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:49.500 85 degree heat, chatting to friends, 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:51.500 James Taylor playing on in Alexa in 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.779 the background, living what I would 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.420 call the real American dream, okay? 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.519 And all of a sudden, this bug flies 00:29:57.519 --> 00:30:01.359 past my line of sight, and it flashes. 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.460 And I turned to my host, and I said, 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.559 please tell me I'm not the only one 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:09.480 that just saw that bug, because that 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.660 thing is on fire. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.579 Please tell me someone else saw that. 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:16.259 And all of a sudden, my eyes are taken 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.799 from this one bug that's flashing. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:20.620 I look at the garden, and the whole 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:22.299 garden is lit up by these bugs. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.799 As they do the resmeric dance, as they 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.440 blow my mind, as I thought I'd seen it 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.839 all almost in creation. 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.980 And I say, guys, listen, how awesome is 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.360 that? 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.360 And they say, yeah, buddy. 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:40.399 Dude, we see them all the time. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.500 And listen, that thrill for us wore off 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.359 a long time ago. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.039 And here's the point. 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:51.799 How easy is it for us to get so familiar 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:54.519 with things that should blow our minds? 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.939 Things that should blow our minds. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.559 How awesome is that, friends? 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:02.919 This God, through Christ, has given us 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:06.980 the right to become children of God. 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:10.700 Let me ask you, are you weak in your 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.800 affection for Jesus? 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:15.060 Are you growing in your understanding 00:31:15.060 --> 00:31:16.160 of who he is? 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.440 Or has he become to you just somebody 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:20.259 that you turn up on a Sunday and sing 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:22.019 about and has no relevance for your 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.880 everyday life? 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:25.600 This is what this series is about, 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:27.720 friends, because here's what I love 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.560 about John. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.220 John is a man. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:34.259 As you read him, he strikes me as a man 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:38.400 who has never got bored, never ceased 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.839 to be thrilled by Jesus of Nazareth. 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:46.279 Let me just say, if you're here and your 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:48.440 affections for your Savior have gone cold, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.620 you need this gospel. 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:51.720 Maybe you're a student here today, and I 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.140 just say because it's this Sunday and you 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.900 guys are back. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.880 Friends, this is why you need to pick a 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:57.039 church and go to a church. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.839 Don't drift. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.700 Please don't do it. 00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:00.160 I've done this for 10 years to see it 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.980 happen often enough. 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:03.480 Go to a church and settle, because that 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.700 is a place where you're going to grow in 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:06.200 your affections and love for Jesus and 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.220 knowledge of who he is. 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:10.279 And if you stop coming to church on a 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:12.180 regular basis since COVID, it's difficult 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:12.700 to come. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.019 Friends, this is why we need to get here, 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:17.860 because this man is glorious. 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:21.660 Here's what John writes at the very last 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.840 verse of his gospel. 00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:25.960 And hear him say it himself that Jesus 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.880 is blowing his mind. 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.620 Here's what he's saying. 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:30.399 Jesus did many other things as well. 00:32:30.979 --> 00:32:32.899 If every one of them were written down, 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:37.279 I suppose that even the whole world would 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:40.199 not have room for the books that would be 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:40.619 written. 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:45.419 Friends, here is the God who in Christ 00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:49.079 offers us the opportunity, the right, 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.459 to become children of God. 00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:54.139 Let's pray, will we? 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:59.500 Father, I thank you so much for your word. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.060 Thank you for what we were thinking about 00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:01.400 there. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:04.360 That the only way we know what you are like 00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:07.360 and who you are is because you are a God 00:33:07.360 --> 00:33:10.120 who has revealed yourself to us in creation, 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:13.160 in your words, and most perfectly in your 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:13.480 son. 00:33:14.520 --> 00:33:18.759 Father, I pray this morning that by your spirit 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:20.780 dwelling amongst us, Father, that you would 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:22.339 comfort the disturbed. 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.899 Lord, those who come at this and say, 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.259 this couldn't be true for me. 00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:28.879 Father, would you reassure us wonderfully 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:30.339 because of our faith in Jesus 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:32.639 that this is true for us. 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:36.460 And Father, conversely, as comforting the disturbed, 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:38.480 I pray that you would disturb the comfortable. 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:41.779 Lord, those of us here who have grown tired 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:44.720 in the Christian life, Lord, would you encourage us? 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.660 Those of us here who maybe don't know this Jesus, 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:49.560 Father, would you convict us of our sin and the 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:52.420 eternal reality ahead of us. 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:55.840 Father, would you help shine the light of the 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:57.740 truth of the gospel into our hearts that we might 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:59.440 behold the glory of this man. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:02.880 Father, thank you for your love for us. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:06.620 Lord, help us this week in all the different things 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:07.920 that are going on in our lives. 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:12.240 Father, help us to live in light of the right 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:15.059 that we have because of your wonderful grace to us. 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:18.980 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.340 Amen. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.360 Amen.