WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.620 John 21. 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:02.240 Give me a moment just to find it. 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:05.480 I'm reading the ESV version. 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:10.720 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:14.500 by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 00:00:15.259 --> 00:00:20.179 Simon Peter, Thomas, called the twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:24.260 the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:28.199 Simon Peter said to them, I'm going fishing. 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:30.739 They said to him, we will go with you. 00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:35.579 They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:39.939 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore, 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:42.960 yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:47.200 Jesus said to them, children, do you have any fish? 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:48.700 They answered him, no. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:52.939 He said to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat, 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:54.320 and you will find some. 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:58.500 So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:00.500 because of the quantity of fish. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:06.340 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, it is the Lord. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:11.539 When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:15.099 for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:20.060 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:24.100 for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:28.900 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:31.299 with fish laid out on it and bread. 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:35.620 Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish that you have just caught. 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:39.579 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:43.140 full of large fish, 153 of them. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:46.939 And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:50.980 Jesus said to them, come and have breakfast. 00:01:51.819 --> 00:01:54.900 Now none of the disciples dared ask him, who are you? 00:01:55.480 --> 00:01:56.620 They knew it was the Lord. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:00.099 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:01.640 and so with the fish. 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:06.099 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:07.879 after he was raised from the dead. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:12.900 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:16.740 Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:20.340 He said to him, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:23.259 He said to him, feed my lambs. 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:28.079 He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:32.079 He said to him, yes, Lord, you know that I love you. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:34.900 He said to him, tend my sheep. 00:02:34.900 --> 00:02:40.460 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:45.120 Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time, 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:46.080 do you love me? 00:02:46.540 --> 00:02:49.620 And he said to him, Lord, you know everything. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:51.219 You know that I love you. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:54.240 Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:02:58.180 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, 00:02:58.480 --> 00:03:01.560 you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:05.099 But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:09.159 and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:14.060 This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God. 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:17.860 And after saying this, he said to him, follow me. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:22.780 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:27.159 The one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:29.800 Lord, who is it that is going to betray you? 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:34.920 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man? 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:39.660 Jesus said to him, if it is my will that he remain until I come, 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:40.820 what is that to you? 00:03:41.260 --> 00:03:42.280 You follow me. 00:03:43.260 --> 00:03:48.260 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die. 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:51.920 Yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:56.500 But if it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:02.960 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things and who has written these things. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:05.419 And we know that his testimony is true. 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.879 Now, there are also many other things that Jesus did. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:11.219 Were every one of them to be written, 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:16.459 I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:20.319 So, 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:37.319 sorry everyone. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:41.660 I was working between two computers there and two screens. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:42.019 So, 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:44.180 I just needed to, 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:45.980 I thought I was going to be unmuted from the center. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:46.620 Sorry about that. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:47.860 Okay, 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:52.680 I was just saying to Rachel that I was really glad she played that song because it's also a favorite of mine. 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:54.360 Many of the time I've sat on top of a hill. 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:58.019 We have a big storm rolling in and that's the song that comes to mind. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:02.560 This morning we're going to look at the first part of John chapter 21. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:04.540 We decided to break it into two parts. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:05.620 There's just a fair bit in it. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:05.860 So, 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:08.980 we're just mainly concentrating on the first 14 verses today. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:14.460 They say it's impossible to improve on perfection. 00:05:15.080 --> 00:05:15.259 Well, 00:05:15.460 --> 00:05:21.819 John seems to have achieved perfection in his biography of the life of Jesus. 00:05:23.140 --> 00:05:27.420 He has carefully and thoughtfully led us through the three-year story of Jesus. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:36.700 He's presented detailed evidence of what Jesus claimed about himself and the miraculous things that Jesus did to back up his claims. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:45.879 John shocked us with the terrible injustice and tragedy of Jesus' crucifixion, his death and his burial. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:50.920 Then he confronts us with the outrageous proposition that Jesus come back from the dead. 00:05:52.459 --> 00:06:01.060 He describes incidents where individuals and groups actually meet the resurrected Lord, the resurrected Jesus, 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:02.500 and we're prompted to say, 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:05.240 I or we have seen the Lord. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:07.060 And finally, 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:07.680 Thomas, 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:09.300 the ultimate skeptic, 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:10.180 as we saw last week, 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:16.439 is compelled by the sheer will of hard evidence to respond to Jesus in words of worship, 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:18.980 my Lord and my God. 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:21.420 And with that, 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:32.980 John's superbly worded conclusion seems to bring us to a point of perfection. 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:37.160 The conclusion, 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:37.819 verse 30, 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:38.120 20, 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:42.259 30 and 31 seems to be perfection itself. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.860 Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.280 which are not written in this book. 00:06:49.280 --> 00:06:53.500 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:54.939 the Son of God, 00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:56.660 and that by believing, 00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:59.220 you may have life in his name. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:04.160 What more could be added? 00:07:04.700 --> 00:07:07.940 What more could be gained? 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:11.120 His case has been perfectly presented. 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:12.040 Yet, 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:13.860 we have chapter 21. 00:07:13.860 --> 00:07:13.960 John. 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:16.240 And chapter 21, 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:16.660 therefore, 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:19.699 presents a bit of a textural challenge, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.800 which we need to address first up. 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:23.060 And basically, 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.699 the question is, 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.759 how does chapter 21 fit into John's biography? 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.560 At first glance, 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.600 it seemed so, 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:33.139 it seems so ordinary compared to chapter 20. 00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:39.240 And that's led some to conclude that chapter 21 is a much later addition by someone other than John. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:45.920 But that seems unlikely because no manuscripts of John's gospel have been found without chapter 21. 00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:52.400 And the style and the vocabulary of chapter 21 fit easily with the rest of the gospel. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:56.660 And verse 24 and 25 don't have to be problematic. 00:07:57.400 --> 00:08:03.379 It appears quite simply that John has a bunch of people behind the scenes whom he chooses to leave unnamed, 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:10.759 but who are qualified particularly both to authenticate John as an eyewitness of everything written in his biography, 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:20.759 and also to authenticate him as a competent historian and writer who has carefully and fairly selected from a vast quantity of material 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:24.300 as he presents his case for Christ beyond reasonable doubt. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:29.280 So it's far more accurate to think of chapter 24 as the epilogue, 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:33.299 just as chapter 1 is the prologue. 00:08:34.180 --> 00:08:35.259 And together, 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:39.600 the opening and closing chapters become massive bookends, 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:43.360 highlighting the two great pillars of the gospel, 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:47.779 the incarnation and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:51.779 And many times in this series, 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:55.419 I've suggested that John's biography is presented like a courtroom trial. 00:08:56.319 --> 00:08:58.120 And I've sent through with the email, 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:59.179 the bulletin email this week, 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.039 a summary diagram. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:02.039 So you could check out the detail of that. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:08.339 The prologue is the opening statement for the prosecution in terms of a courtroom trial. 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:12.199 And that's where he makes clear what he intends to argue. 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:17.720 And then chapters 22 through to 20 is the hard evidence to back up his claims. 00:09:18.640 --> 00:09:19.200 And finally, 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:21.740 at chapter 21 is the epilogue, 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.040 his closing statement, 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.460 which pulls the whole case together practically. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:32.460 And the bookends themselves are tied together with a very significant word for John, 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.960 the word revealed, 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:37.379 which means manifested in the Greek, 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:40.120 which means to show something as it really is. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:43.019 If you look back to John chapter one, 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:43.740 verse 31, 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:51.460 John the Baptist was very much aware that his purpose was simply that Jesus would be manifested. 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:52.879 John chapter one, 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:53.419 verse 31, 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:54.820 John says, 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:56.519 I myself did not know him, 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.340 but for this purpose, 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:05.820 I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed or manifested to Israel. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:20.700 So John's biography begins with him, 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:24.260 with Jesus manifested as the pre-incarnate, 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.640 pre-existent word of God, 00:10:27.280 --> 00:10:29.880 the creator and sustainer of everything in this world, 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:33.639 the one who shows and displays God's glory like no other. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:37.039 He's manifested as God's Messiah, 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:38.620 God's King and Savior, 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:42.360 taking on flesh or humanness to bring salvation to our world, 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:46.320 to bring new relationship with God and build a new community of true Israelites, 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:48.799 people who would gladly worship, 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:49.779 honor, 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.840 and obey the Lord. 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:54.480 So the biography begins as a supernatural, 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.160 miraculous, 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.060 incredible story. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:05.820 And John's biography concludes with the post-resurrection Jesus manifesting himself. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.379 Look at chapter 21, 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.019 verse one, 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.280 twice in this verse, 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.040 that word used. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.240 After this, 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:16.259 Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:19.279 And he manifested himself in this way. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.139 And again, 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:22.879 verse 14, 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:30.899 this was now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.120 High emphasis. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:34.659 What's happening here? 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.539 Why the emphasis? 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:38.600 Well, 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:41.019 I think it goes something like this. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:46.000 Having demonstrated his love for and commitment to saving his people in his death, 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:52.759 he now wants his saved people to be totally committed to him as the resurrection man, 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:56.919 properly understanding the significance of his resurrection, 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:01.360 and living with resurrection delight and purpose. 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:02.840 In other words, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:06.559 Jesus wants his people to understand that the resurrection changes everything, 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:07.960 not just for Jesus, 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.159 but for them. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.980 And here in these verses, 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:17.399 Jesus continues to manifest as truly and completely God. 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.799 In the story here, 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.539 he just turns up where he wants. 00:12:21.579 --> 00:12:24.379 He's concerned with the physical needs of those he loves. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:30.299 And it's interesting that this fishing story is not presented like other miracles in John's record. 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:33.240 This is just really Jesus being Jesus, 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:38.839 providing for his people from his limitless power and his endless compassion. 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:41.399 Here, 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:42.320 in these verses, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:43.200 Jesus, 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.960 as God's King and Savior, 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:47.500 initiates fellowship with his own, 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.560 another familiar phrase from John's gospel, 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:53.120 his own who have believed and received life. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.540 Interestingly, 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.759 these guys were off fishing. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.560 They weren't seeking Jesus, 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:59.840 but he pursued them, 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:04.379 determined to bring them to full understanding of his glory, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:06.320 as the resurrection man, 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:10.840 and bring them to full engagement in resurrection life. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.600 And here, 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.379 as I've said before, 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:19.519 Jesus manifests himself as truly and completely human. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:28.279 There's real emphasis in the chapter 20 and 21 on the real bodily resurrection of Jesus. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.419 He's not hallucination. 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:33.580 He's not some disembodied spirit, 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.460 hovering. 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:39.620 He continues to be completely human after his resurrection. 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:41.460 A real body, 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.639 real puncture marks, 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:47.960 real hunger for a real breakfast of bread and grilled fish, 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.540 real conversation, 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.100 in a moment, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.360 a real moment of time. 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:54.460 Now again, 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:55.180 the question is, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.920 why such emphasis on bodily, 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:58.120 physical resurrection? 00:13:59.320 --> 00:13:59.500 Well, 00:13:59.500 --> 00:13:59.940 very simply, 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:02.759 it's because it's essential to salvation. 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.900 So it goes something like this. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:09.900 One obvious consequence of sin was physical death. 00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:15.379 When Jesus fully paid the penalty for sin in his death, 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.160 the consequence no longer applied. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:19.879 Hence, 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:23.319 coming back from death in bodily resurrection. 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.699 And even more amazing, 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:35.579 what we see here in chapter 21 is that the resurrection man will take flesh with him forever into heaven. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:38.540 That is just mind boggling. 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:41.300 And it provides great hope, 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.500 confidence, 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:44.600 and reassurance for us. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.740 Jesus is our trailblazer. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.639 What he gets, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.740 we get. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.420 That is bodily resurrection, 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.740 to be with the Lord in heaven forever. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.539 So, 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:00.820 as John's biography of Jesus begins, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.139 so it ends. 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.879 A supernatural, 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.279 miraculous, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.039 incredible story. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.799 Friends, 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.080 Arthur Pink writes, 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:13.620 and we'll be looking at this in the breakout groups, 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.940 Arthur Pink writes this, 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:19.260 we cannot make too much of the death of Christ, 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:23.760 but we can make too little of his resurrection. 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:30.120 Our hearts and minds cannot meditate too frequently on the cross, 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:33.980 but in pondering the sufferings of the Savior, 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:38.500 let us not forget the glories which followed. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:43.860 Calvary does not exhaust the gospel message. 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.840 End of quotation. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:53.779 Chapter 21 shows that Jesus has more to teach, 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.940 and his disciples have more to learn. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.100 So, 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.340 in the remaining time, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:03.019 let's look at what the teaching focus of these first 14 verses is. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:06.820 The teaching focus is that fellowship is the goal of salvation. 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.159 Now, 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:11.820 the incident begins with seven disciples, 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.740 all fishermen by trade, 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:19.279 but now bonded at another level in their common experience of the resurrection man, 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:19.740 Jesus. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:23.159 All now believed that he was alive. 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:26.779 But apart from this, 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:29.719 it appears that they have no sense, 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:34.360 no new sense of identity and purpose in life as a consequence of Jesus' resurrection. 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.659 So we find them here in this story, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.740 they simply went back to what was familiar, 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.079 fishing. 00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:42.419 Now, 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:48.500 it's really important to note here that evidence was super important for their belief to that particular point. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:51.099 They all believed that Jesus had come back from the dead. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.559 But here's the problem. 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:59.719 They needed a deeper work in their hearts to see the implication of Jesus' resurrection. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:05.200 In a previous encounter that Dave took us through last week in chapter 20, verse 21, 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.100 Jesus, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.860 when he turned up in the middle and said, 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.259 peace be with you. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.240 Now, 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:12.880 that word peace is also the word for rest. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:18.140 And the word for rest was a feature of Genesis 1, 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:20.760 the end point in God's creation. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:29.300 And rest was the enjoyment of relationship between God and his image bearers in the context of whole of life worship, 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:32.540 glad obedience and delight in God. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:39.980 Sin stole rest away, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.300 stole that peace or rest, 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:45.319 leaving God's people at odds with God, 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:53.359 leaving God's people restless as they search for meaning and purpose and satisfaction in places and things other than God. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.759 And here in this story, 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.940 after the resurrection, 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:03.579 we see Jesus demonstrating what it looks like to belong to resurrection, 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:06.180 resurrection man's new community. 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:10.200 Jesus is committed to pursuing them 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:16.660 so that they might have full enjoyment of new life in relationship with him. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.720 That he might, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.059 they might enjoy rest 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:24.480 and know God's rest. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:27.279 Here in these verses, 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:29.640 we see Jesus providing his hungry, 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.079 tired, 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:33.039 defeated disciples with breakfast. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:37.660 And in this action, 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.019 reminding them 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:42.039 that he is both the source of their life 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:44.920 and the provider of their every need. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.460 Now, 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:45.799 you remember, 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:48.220 Jesus had taught them visually months earlier, 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:50.759 as part of his ministry through the feeding of the 5,000. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.420 He had taught them that very lesson, 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:55.019 that he was the source of the life 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:57.779 and the provider of their every need. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.940 Only two weeks earlier, 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.660 he had reinforced that same lesson 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:04.519 as they ate and drank together on the night he was killed. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.539 You remember, 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:08.799 that whole section was about their hearts being deeply troubled. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.160 They were confused. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.259 But fellowship with Jesus 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.980 assured them 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:17.579 that everything was going to plan 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.920 according to King Jesus. 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:21.359 It gave them hope of true life 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.899 beyond his death. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:26.700 Jesus shows 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.120 that believing 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:29.500 in him, 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:30.440 and he shows it here, 00:19:30.560 --> 00:19:31.480 that believing in him 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.700 as the resurrection man 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.940 means living 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.460 under his lordship 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.000 at every point in life, 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:40.000 recognizing that daily needs 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.540 are his ongoing concern. 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.400 And it's quite interesting 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.080 the interchanging 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:47.480 between Jesus and the disciples 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.220 at the end of the fishing trip. 00:19:49.540 --> 00:19:50.519 Tired and dejected 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.420 after a long night 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:53.019 without catching a single fish. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:53.940 Remember, 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.300 this is their competence 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.019 as fishermen 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.860 being exposed now. 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.519 Jesus asked them a question. 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.580 It was a very colloquial, 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.640 friendly question. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.620 Hey guys, 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.880 catch any fish? 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:05.539 And his question 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.180 immediately forces them 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.500 to admit their inability 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.640 to provide for themselves. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.860 Then he commands them 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.120 to let their net down 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:15.100 on the other side of the boat. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.539 His command 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.120 asked them 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.220 to trust his ability 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.279 and competence 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.400 for the basics of life. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.779 And then, 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.039 of course, 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:24.039 we know the consequence 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.220 of obedience and trust 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.960 was huge blessing 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:30.039 in that miraculous catch of fish. 00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:33.420 And that leaves, 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.080 verse 12, 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.140 that leaves the disciples 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.720 once again 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.539 with their heads spinning. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.800 They know dearly well 00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:38.360 it's Jesus. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.500 Just as they're coming 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.340 to terms with Jesus 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.600 as the resurrection man, 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.660 suddenly there's a new challenge, 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.860 a new challenge 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:46.140 to engage personally 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.779 with Jesus, 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:48.900 to live under his lordship 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.840 at every point 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:51.900 to be in fellowship 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.380 with him 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:54.519 as the ultimate purpose 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.920 of his death 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.580 and resurrection. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.580 And finally, 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.340 in these verses, 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.040 I think here we see 00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:02.519 Jesus confirming 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:05.019 his key promise 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.820 of his ministry, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.240 which was that 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.640 his own will come to him, 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:10.280 believe in him, 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:12.040 and receive abundant life. 00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:13.519 The life of unimaginably 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.640 huge blessing, 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.220 which they saw 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.320 before their very eyes 00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:19.340 in a very limited way, 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:21.180 153 large fish. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:22.740 Now, 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.620 how does that come out? 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:23.880 Well, 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:25.180 I actually believe 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.759 that John 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.520 names this group 00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:28.800 in these first verses 00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:29.940 very deliberately 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.240 and it's part of his point. 00:21:32.520 --> 00:21:32.759 Now, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.840 the fact that 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:35.000 Nathaniel's mentioned here 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.280 immediately throws us 00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:37.300 back to chapter one. 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.240 That's the only other time 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.740 that Nathaniel is mentioned 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.900 in the whole biography. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:42.840 Now, 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.660 there's two unnamed 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.220 disciples here 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.980 and if we assume 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.519 for a moment 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.519 that they are 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.500 Andrew and Philip, 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.620 then what we have 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:51.559 is a very significant 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:53.100 group of disciples 00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:54.440 taking us right back 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.000 to the start 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.799 of Jesus' ministry. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:56.920 In fact, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:59.480 all those first invited 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.319 into fellowship 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.019 with Jesus 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.799 at the start 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.339 of his ministry 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.700 are here now 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.799 with the resurrection man, 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.160 Jesus. 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.680 Not only that, 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.559 but it includes Peter 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:11.220 who denied 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.420 and abandoned Jesus 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.600 and Thomas 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.660 who just outright 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.660 refused to believe 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.060 initially. 00:22:17.580 --> 00:22:18.680 And here's the point. 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:21.740 Jesus is demonstrating here, 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.340 manifesting himself 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:25.140 as truly God, 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.019 truly Savior, 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.800 truly King. 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:29.279 None have been lost 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.420 as he promised. 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:32.240 For all their failure, 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.259 for all their lack 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.980 of understanding, 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.519 they had been brought 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.160 to belief 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.440 and now 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.180 we're experiencing 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.720 peace, 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:39.940 rest, 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.720 and fellowship 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.560 with the Lord Jesus. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.759 Friends, 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.519 as I wrap up 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.460 my time here, 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:48.360 the resurrection man 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:50.240 is incredibly 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.680 strong 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.620 in terms of evidence. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.940 The resurrection man 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.660 is proof, 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.420 proof of so many things. 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:57.900 Firstly, 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.360 he's proof 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.920 that the gospel 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.380 is real 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:01.860 and that it works 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.720 to change people. 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.860 Why? 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.040 Because Jesus 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:06.920 perseveres 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.760 and changes 00:23:07.760 --> 00:23:08.760 people's hearts 00:23:08.760 --> 00:23:10.280 and renews 00:23:10.280 --> 00:23:10.920 their desires 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.480 and ability 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.040 to love 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.780 and serve him 00:23:12.780 --> 00:23:13.800 through the Holy Spirit 00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:14.880 within them. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.780 We're seeing this process 00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:17.220 happening 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.520 in these particular 00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:19.020 disciples. 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.800 Jesus has more 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.300 to teach 00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:22.420 and they've got 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.120 more to learn. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.520 And guess what? 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.320 Verse 12 again, 00:23:25.800 --> 00:23:26.800 the more they learn, 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.560 the more their categories 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.359 have to change 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.119 because Jesus 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.139 is just bigger 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:32.700 than they could ever imagine. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.379 His grace 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.980 is bigger 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.079 than they could ever have thought. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.339 The gospel 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.119 is also about 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.039 grace 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.460 creating a new community 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.119 of fellowship 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.819 and worship. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.339 So here's the rub 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.919 for you and me 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.919 very, very practically. 00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:48.940 It's never enough 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.740 simply to believe 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.639 that Jesus 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.819 rose from the dead. 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.559 It's never enough 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.399 simply to believe 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:57.000 those basic facts 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.179 that come out 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:59.360 of the hard evidence. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.779 It's true 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.060 but it's never enough. 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.160 You need to respond 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.660 and pursue fellowship 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:09.200 with the resurrection man, 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:09.880 Jesus, 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.820 living every aspect 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.539 of life 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.340 under his lordship. 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:17.400 See, 00:24:17.580 --> 00:24:19.039 it's not a proper 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.240 gospel response 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.779 to focus 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.820 on your forgiveness, 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.519 true as that might be, 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.160 through the death 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.720 of Jesus. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.660 Without also focusing 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:30.120 on what it looks like 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.060 and what it means 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:32.140 to live 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.259 authentically 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.040 in the resurrection 00:24:34.040 --> 00:24:34.860 community. 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:37.120 Drawn into fellowship 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.759 with Jesus, 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.759 drawn into worship 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.259 of him 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.720 in every part 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.240 of your day, 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.200 every day 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.779 of your life. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.580 And of course, 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.440 here's where we push up 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.460 against our sinful hearts 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.759 again. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.400 Because our sinful hearts 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.980 would push us 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.080 to make Jesus' death 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:56.240 a sort of personal 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.680 get out of jail 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.340 free insurance policy. 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.800 I can relax now. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.220 My sins are all forgiven. 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.019 I'm bound for heaven. 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.600 And we can take 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.220 that line 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.080 on Jesus' death 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:11.600 while quietly 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.740 wanting to maintain 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.820 our own autonomy. 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:17.240 Quietly refusing 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.800 to live 00:25:17.800 --> 00:25:18.960 under his lordship. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:21.880 In other words, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.500 we just want 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.440 enough of Jesus 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.480 to make us 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.120 uncomfortable. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.100 That's right. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.880 We just want 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.640 enough of Jesus 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.980 that leaves us 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.620 being comfortable. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.500 We don't want 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.579 Jesus to make us 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.180 uncomfortable 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.200 as he claims 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.120 every aspect 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:36.740 of our lives 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.160 under his lordship. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.319 So, 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.640 in a very real way, 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.480 chapter 21 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:46.200 is the end 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.000 of the beginning. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:51.220 true gospel response 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.640 means 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:53.220 new resurrection 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.019 community. 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.920 It means 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:57.140 new community 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.900 identification. 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.460 It means 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.960 fellowship 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.880 or living 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:02.220 under the lordship 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.740 of Christ. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.680 Next week, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.140 we'll see 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.880 something more 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.519 of how 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.420 chapter 21 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.880 is also 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.339 the beginning 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.940 of the end 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:11.500 in verses 15 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.200 through to 23. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.160 And that 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.720 we'll see then 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.619 how the resurrection 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.640 man shapes 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.800 his resurrection 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.560 community 00:26:17.560 --> 00:26:18.560 for mission. 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.600 Because 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.380 fellowship 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.180 with the lord 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.500 Jesus 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.600 is never 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:23.940 something 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.240 that can 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.800 be contained. 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.300 Resurrection 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:27.740 man 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.820 is 00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:29.580 incomparable. 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.060 Resurrection 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.520 man 00:26:32.520 --> 00:26:33.720 is unstoppable. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.020 His mission 00:26:36.020 --> 00:26:36.700 continues 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:38.360 to provide 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.420 fellowship 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:41.160 in the four 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.980 corners of our 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.340 world. 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:42.799 God 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.459 so tune 00:26:43.459 --> 00:26:43.819 in next 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.039 week 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.439 for verses 00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:45.480 15 to 23. 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.559 In the meantime, 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:47.419 just join with me 00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:48.079 as I pray now. 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.519 Lord, 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.220 we thank you 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.679 for the complexity 00:26:52.679 --> 00:26:53.959 of the written 00:26:53.959 --> 00:26:54.679 record which we 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:54.959 have, 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.279 which is 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.939 John's gospel. 00:26:56.959 --> 00:26:57.819 We thank you, 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:58.039 Lord, 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.919 for questions 00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.480 arise 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.419 that cause us 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:01.839 to dig 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.319 into it 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.699 and think 00:27:02.699 --> 00:27:03.539 deeply about it. 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.079 We thank you, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.319 Lord, 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.899 for the fact 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.500 that Jesus 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.800 has 00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:10.880 much to teach 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.140 us 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.980 and we have 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.500 much to learn. 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:12.860 We pray, 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.040 Lord, 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:13.440 that we might 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:13.720 be willing 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.040 to learn. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.560 We pray, 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.300 Lord, 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.259 that we might 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.019 not have 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.420 half a gospel 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.540 or a truncated 00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.040 gospel, 00:27:21.300 --> 00:27:21.759 a gospel, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.060 Lord, 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.500 that we 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:24.240 mould to 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.580 our own 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.120 suitability. 00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:25.880 Help us, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.060 Lord, 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:26.880 not to think 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.380 of Jesus 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.340 as the one 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.800 who forgives 00:27:28.800 --> 00:27:29.240 our sins 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.220 without also 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.759 being the Lord 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.700 who claims 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.340 our allegiance 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:33.620 and our loyalty 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.060 to him 00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:34.600 at every point 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.000 in life. 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.080 Help us, 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.299 Lord, 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:36.960 to look this 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.259 week 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.439 and reflect 00:27:38.439 --> 00:27:38.879 again 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:40.220 on which 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.039 parts of our 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.399 lives 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.460 we want to 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.000 keep under 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.579 our own 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.159 Lordship 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:45.659 and which 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.639 parts of life 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.359 therefore we 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.099 need to hand 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.759 over to the 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.259 Lordship of 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.539 Jesus. 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.439 And I pray 00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:51.960 you might help 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.460 us do that 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.139 in Jesus' name. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:53.859 Amen. 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.139 Thank you very much.