WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:04.620 A small detail that we want to draw your attention to. 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:07.440 Children are to be dismissed at this time. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:07.440 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.500 Turn in your Bibles to John chapter 8. 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:50.100 Let me begin reading for you in verse 28 because I want to set the frame in which we're going 00:00:50.100 --> 00:00:53.700 to spend our time studying the Word of God this morning. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:01:23.680 So Jesus said to them, 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:32.760 If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:33.680 will set you free. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:35.920 They answered him, 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:40.719 We are the offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. 00:01:41.600 --> 00:01:44.879 How is it that you say you will become free? 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:44.939 Verse 30. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:02:01.819 As you take the text up this morning, it's pretty hard not to at least find some enthusiasm with 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:02.359 verse 30. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:05.739 Let me read it to you again because it's interesting. 00:02:05.739 --> 00:02:13.819 You can imagine that the disciples, when they saw the buzz going on in the crowd, they had 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:16.780 some interest in what was playing out. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:17.919 Read the verse. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:21.400 And as He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:26.139 And you can see Peter nudging John and saying, Hey, do you have the decision cards? 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:28.719 Let's get out there in the crowd and pass them around. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.699 You know, I trusted Jesus, the date, and that kind of stuff. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:32.979 And I'm not listening carefully. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:34.819 I'm not opposed to all of that. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:38.740 But I want to tell you something, that signing a card doesn't make you saved. 00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:47.879 And it's pretty interesting that in every case, when you have this kind of rolling interest 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:58.300 and even belief, that in the Scriptures you find the Lord Jesus taking careful aim at helping 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:02.860 people understand what genuine conversion looks like. 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:07.780 I flew out to California this week and came back again. 00:03:08.760 --> 00:03:14.780 And being the person that I am and having an obsessive concern that I would forget the 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:19.800 details that are essential for flying, I have to tell you that I checked like about a dozen 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:24.560 times before I got on the airplane to see that I had one particular item with me. 00:03:24.740 --> 00:03:25.760 Does anybody know what it is? 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:27.960 A driver's license. 00:03:28.100 --> 00:03:29.540 Do you know you cannot fly? 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:31.620 Who said ticket? 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:39.740 I, you know, I've carried my driver's license for a long, long time in my wallet, but it's 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:41.700 not enough to patch your wallet. 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:43.260 And yeah, my wallet's back there. 00:03:43.600 --> 00:03:47.900 You know, there's probably some little troll that would crawl into my wallet and steal it 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.160 so that I get up to the gate and, what? 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.660 So anyway, I got to tell you, I'm not just padding my wallet. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:59.760 I'm checking over and over again just to be sure that I have my driver's license. 00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:02.579 Now, I got to tell you something. 00:04:03.679 --> 00:04:10.519 It's interesting to find out in Scripture just how often the Spirit of God goes to great 00:04:10.519 --> 00:04:16.519 lengths to challenge us to consider the authenticity of our faith. 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:23.000 2 Corinthians, the last chapter. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:27.099 The apostle, in writing to that church in Corinth, says, 00:04:27.479 --> 00:04:31.459 examine yourselves to see whether or not you are of the faith. 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:39.500 1 John, the entire book, in essence, revolves around this recurring question of, are you 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:40.519 really saved? 00:04:42.719 --> 00:04:46.620 Jesus had individuals come to Him and say, hey, we believe in you. 00:04:46.659 --> 00:04:47.819 And He says, hey, let me tell you something. 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:57.099 Those who really believe in Me are the ones who abide with Me and follow My Word. 00:04:57.100 --> 00:05:04.020 And so, one of the things that has been at the center of my prayer this morning 00:05:04.020 --> 00:05:08.480 and has been at the center of my prayer throughout this week 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:13.660 is that all of you who listened this morning to the teaching of the Word of God 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:19.040 would allow what Jesus has to say to be applied to your heart personally 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:25.160 and you would go out of here having a sense of insight and understanding 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:30.240 what does real faith look like and do I have it? 00:05:34.760 --> 00:05:38.600 I want you to recognize that as we look at this passage, we could put it another way, 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:44.939 genuine faith brings profound change that is recognizable and blessed. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:52.480 Genuine faith brings profound change that is recognizable and blessed. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.879 I can't tell you how many times I've heard people tell me when I talk to them 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.160 about the question of the certainty of their confidence in eternity 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:04.459 and what they tell me is, well, I've been a Christian ever since I can remember. 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:06.319 I mean, I grew up in a Christian home. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:07.339 I learned the Bible verses. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.439 I went to Awana. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:11.000 I was baptized by a Baptist pastor, you know, blah, blah, blah. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:12.000 And, you know, whatever. 00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:12.779 It's like, what? 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:12.839 What? 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:18.639 There are some of you sitting here this morning. 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:24.680 The truth of the matter is, is that on the basis of what the Word of God has to say here this morning, 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:29.959 you would be well served to double check your birth certificate. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:32.480 Because can I tell you something? 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:39.560 Getting it right is a matter of life and death and heaven and hell. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:48.600 Well, let's look here and pick up, first of all, on the many professions of faith that Jesus faced. 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:52.019 There in verse 31 or 30, it says, 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.220 Many believed in Him. 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:59.819 And on the face of it, you would think that the belief of the throng would have been viewed favorably by the Lord Jesus. 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:09.339 I mean, their belief was more informed by this point than their belief had been back in John chapter 6, 00:07:09.980 --> 00:07:11.000 John chapter 5. 00:07:11.159 --> 00:07:16.279 There had been a progressive declaration of the certainty of who Christ was. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:21.060 There was undeniable evidence of His messianic mission and His power. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:25.740 And so, when He made the statements that He did there in the temple, 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:28.560 I'm the light. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:31.439 I'm the bread, He said earlier. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:32.800 I'm the water. 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:39.920 There was good reason for people at least to have an informed decision of who they were listening to. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:50.480 And I think it's interesting to see that instead of just becoming overjoyed at the fact that there were people who were saying they believed in Jesus, 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:54.000 I mean, Jesus actually, right on the basis of what they were saying, 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.319 Oh, yeah, we believe, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:08:04.520 He challenged them and cautioned them to consider the authenticity, the reality of their faith. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:11.479 The fact that their belief was challenged is significant for several reasons. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:19.439 For one, it forces us who are here this morning under the hearing of the Word of God to very practically consider our own lives 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:22.539 and to come to grips with the question of, 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:23.919 Do I really know Christ? 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:29.279 And I want you to think about that regardless of who and where you are. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:38.019 There's nothing wrong with pausing for a moment and asking yourself that question objectively, 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:40.240 Do I really know Christ? 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.579 Do I really know Christ? 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:51.100 And is my confidence in the reality and the certainty of my salvation 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:59.139 a mere dependence upon some historical moment or some emotional high or some background issue? 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.540 I grew up in a family. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:01.540 You know, that's good. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.080 That's good. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.740 The second thing is that as I preached this morning, 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:13.340 I have no doubt that there are some of you that are sitting here this morning. 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:17.960 The reality of it is that you've never really had any confidence at all in your salvation. 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:23.379 And my prayer for you is that today would be the day of your salvation, 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:25.900 that you would come to know Christ as your personal Savior. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:33.820 I do want you to understand that the enemy of our souls, Satan, loves deceiving us. 00:09:34.800 --> 00:09:36.560 He loves deceiving us. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.500 And he finds no greater... 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:41.340 Well, who knows what Satan really finds? 00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:42.920 Yeah, he doesn't like Jesus. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:43.379 How's that? 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:48.899 But he does find pleasure in deceiving people into thinking that they've got it when they don't 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:53.500 because they will be utterly stunned at the last moment in death 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:56.700 and they find out they're not going where they thought they were going. 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:05.840 And so what we recognize in our text as we look at it 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:11.460 is that some kinds of faith in Christ don't bring salvation. 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:18.200 Well, let me give you some substance or some backup for that. 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:22.780 Let me remind you, for one, Judas was a disciple. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.100 He saw Jesus' miracles. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:32.420 I have no doubt that when he was sent out with the 12 and with the 70 and all that to preach, 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:35.139 he was part of the crowd that came back. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.360 And you know what? 00:10:36.540 --> 00:10:40.300 We saw this and it's like, man, this is exciting. 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:42.379 And he saw the miracle. 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.699 He saw a lot of the good things. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.219 But there's no question that Judas wasn't saved. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:55.159 It's interesting also you stop and realize that over in James 2, verse 19, 00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:59.159 and I'll not have you turn there, but you may want to mark that down and look at it later on. 00:10:59.219 --> 00:11:03.579 But in James 2, we find James pinning these words. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:07.759 He says, hey, listen, the demons believe and tremble. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:18.240 The demons believe in Christ and they tremble, but their belief is not a saving faith. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:28.879 Their belief is a resentful grasp of the reality of the sovereign glory of Christ and their own eternal judgment. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:38.500 Our text this morning is yet another illustration of the fact that people can believe and not be saved. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:43.080 There in verse 30, it says, many believed in him, but look over at verse 44. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:47.460 Here's what Jesus has to say to the same group. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:12:02.220 By the way, how many of you have ever thought that Jesus kind of went around just throwing flowers in people's pathways 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:08.860 and just saying nice, sweet things and never putting people on the spot with the reality of the darkness of their soul? 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:16.519 Now, I want to tell you that Jesus was not a drive-by shooter and he was not a brutalizer of broken mankind. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:18.500 Let's get that clear in our minds. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:27.860 But on the other hand, Jesus was undeniably clear in making the condition of a man's heart desperately plain. 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:32.440 And so here he is saying to those people who said, we believe. 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:37.399 He says, yeah, you are of your father, the devil. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:45.139 And so I want you to understand that Bible preaching longs to see people come to Christ. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:55.919 And it follows Christ's model in that it strives to make the reality of a man's soul undeniably clear 00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:01.700 and to help individuals distinguish between the false and the true with the enabling of the Spirit of God. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:05.840 And so my heart's desire this morning is as you sit where you are, 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:12.820 that one of the thoughts you would settle in your mind with the power of the Spirit of God is, am I saved? 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.220 Am I saved? 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:19.900 And don't tell me, yes, I was baptized at such and such an age. 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:24.400 There are some people I've baptized twice and they're not walking with Jesus now. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.240 I'm not sure it's my fault either. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.439 Okay? 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:30.199 Bad baptism technique? 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:30.600 No! 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.139 Bad heart! 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:39.699 I want you to recognize back in John chapter 8, 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:44.240 what Jesus has to say as he moves through this passage. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.079 He says there, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:49.600 If you abide in my word, 00:13:50.400 --> 00:13:53.580 you are truly my disciples. 00:13:54.020 --> 00:13:58.300 And so let's recognize as we kind of step beyond the fact that there are many people who profess 00:13:58.300 --> 00:14:01.000 to recognize that obedience is the fruit of faith. 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:03.340 Obedience is the fruit of faith. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:09.180 Jesus, in this passage, draws attention to the fact that genuine faith 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:16.799 is a faith that couples its reality with obedience. 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:20.959 Let me have you look at verse 31 again and mark it in your own Bible. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.500 If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciple. 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:28.500 So it's practical for us to think, well, what is abiding? 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:31.539 Well, for one thing, abiding is more than deciding. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:33.319 Can I put that to you real clearly? 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:35.179 Abiding is more than deciding. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:41.379 And so I want you to recognize that events such as summer camps and revivals and Christian concerts 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:43.439 and all of that, it's all good, 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:48.939 but the decision you made then is not necessarily a guarantee of your salvation. 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.659 Do you understand that? 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:56.099 We all have had emotional highs and lows. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:59.039 And even in our perverse culture, 00:14:59.099 --> 00:15:01.799 how many of you know that after you sign a contract, 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:04.759 in most cases, you have three days to change your mind. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:07.219 You know that. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:12.319 I used to be a vacuum sweeper salesman knocking on people's doors. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:15.559 Would you like to buy Electrolux? 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.319 It'll suck the dirt out of your floor. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:19.099 He'll sprinkle a little bit behind you while you're talking. 00:15:19.219 --> 00:15:21.279 And he goes, whoa, look at your carpet. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:26.639 And people, I could talk people into buying ice water in Alaska, 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:30.379 but they had three days to change their mind below life, 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.500 and it really wasn't fair. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.219 Here's the deal. 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:37.940 Decisions are not the same as genuine conversion. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:42.860 And there may be some of you here this morning that when you think about the reality of your salvation, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.660 you recognize, well, I made that decision back then, but nothing's happened. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:53.040 And I want to be careful that I make it clear there's nothing wrong with many of the activities 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:55.200 where the gospel is presented by an evangelist. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.779 Now, I'm not throwing stones at that. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:16:02.299 But recognize that just the decision in and of itself doesn't guarantee that you're saved. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.179 Well, let me add another thing. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:06.419 Abiding is more than grudging submission. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:11.039 Now, understand, Jesus was talking about the fact that if you abide in my word, 00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:12.439 he was talking about obeying his word. 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:18.820 And so there may be some of you here this morning that when you really think about your Christian life, 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:22.520 well, yeah, I'm saved because I do the right things. 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:28.520 You know, I mean, I go to church on Sunday, and, you know, I did show up for the move. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.760 How many points do I get for that, God? 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:32.320 You know, and you're kind of working your way through that. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:34.400 Let's get this. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:42.440 Obedience is not the means of abiding. 00:16:43.760 --> 00:16:46.720 Obedience is the mark of abiding. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.920 Your obedience should flow out of your affection for Christ, 00:16:53.260 --> 00:16:59.680 not from your sense of dull and demanding obligation that clouds your life 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:04.639 and kind of frustrate you because, well, I've got to do this, and I've got to do that, and, you know. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:10.519 There may be some of you here this morning that really when you stop and think about it, 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:15.879 you can't really put your finger on a time where obeying Christ has been a pleasure and a delight to you. 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:21.579 And that should give you pause and cause you to kind of revisit the subject and say, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.500 what's wrong with me? 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:25.200 What's the deal with my relationship? 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:29.920 Statements like, well, I have to help a brother move. 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:33.460 I can't believe I was asked to take a meal to another sick person. 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:37.819 You know, they're always calling on me to do, you know. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:40.519 You probably should say, what's the deal with your heart? 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.680 Now, my wife is in the nursery. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.180 I'm confident of that this morning. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.880 I saw her down there. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.000 So I can talk about her. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.100 We're getting ready. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.340 I'm getting ready to go to church. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:55.980 And did you know, in case you didn't know, Sunday is a big day for me. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.459 You know, it's like I'm really pumped. 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:59.299 I go to bed generally early. 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:01.179 Things are really clued in on Sunday. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.439 And here I am. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.379 I'm getting ready to go. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.639 And Judith has prayed for me. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.599 That's part of the logic. 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.659 And I'm getting ready to book out. 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:08.639 And she says, oh, would you get me a cup of coffee? 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.359 Yes! 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.019 I mean that. 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.699 Of course! 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:19.000 Why did I have that kind of attitude? 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.399 It's because I love her. 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:29.419 And I find pleasure in satisfying her needs. 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:30.980 In fact, even her whims. 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:33.379 Whatever she wants. 00:18:34.199 --> 00:18:34.359 Right? 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:40.799 You know, when I find a husband that is grumbling about his wife. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.179 You know what I mean by grumbling? 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:45.659 None of you guys here have ever done that in my presence. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.319 I know that. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:51.939 But when I find a husband that is grumbling about his wife. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.159 I think the problem is with him. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:58.500 Listen to me. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:06.800 Abiding makes obedience a joy and not an irritation. 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:09.560 And I want you to understand something about that. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:16.599 The only way we go from being self-serving to being Christ-serving. 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.899 Everybody listen so you don't miss this. 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:22.899 Is through the power of the Spirit of God transforming a broken, ruined, ugly life. 00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:24.259 Everybody agrees with that, right? 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.899 Remember what the new covenant says? 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.820 I will give you a new heart. 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:38.259 And the new heart is one that finds pleasure in doing the things that please Christ. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:42.560 By the way, I do happen to like Philippians chapter 2, verse 13. 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.820 It says, 12 says this, 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.680 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:47.840 But the next verse says what? 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.560 For it's God that is at work in you. 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:50.820 What? 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.019 What? 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.160 What? 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:53.100 How many of you know the rest of it? 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.759 Both to will. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.660 That means I want to. 00:19:58.800 --> 00:20:01.740 Both to will and to do is good pleasure. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.860 So there's some of you sitting out here when you're thinking about, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.200 Well, you know, I'm a Christian. 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:10.019 Yeah, I'm a member of the Baptist Church. 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.660 You know, blah, blah, blah. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.140 Yeah. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.580 But you have no pleasure in doing what pleases Christ. 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:16.980 I would challenge you. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.000 Don't fool yourself. 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:24.220 Jesus was not impressed by all those who said, 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.120 Well, yeah, we believe. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.600 He said, Let me tell you something. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.920 If you abide, 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.500 if you abide, 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:36.060 then you're truly my disciples. 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.940 Well, there's something else I want you to understand. 00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:41.980 Abiding is staying in the relationship with Christ and obeying His word. 00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:46.220 Abiding is staying in the relationship with Christ and obeying His word. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.180 And why do you stay in that relationship? 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:52.000 You stay in that relationship because He is your Lord and your Savior, 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:54.340 and He is the one who delivered you from the pit. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:21:04.579 You never get over the unbelievable awe and miracle of His power to train and change a broken life like the one you have. 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.119 Isn't that right? 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:07.500 I got to tell you, 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:16.779 I had a fire from heaven opportunity to proclaim the sweetness of the gospel Wednesday and Thursday in a very dark corner of the world. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:23.700 And I was sitting at a table eating with three very unhappy people. 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:26.119 And I'm just sitting there being Tim. 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:36.779 And I'm listening to them going on about how much they don't enjoy what they're doing and how much they don't enjoy what they have and how much they don't enjoy the life that they have. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.859 They didn't put it that way. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:41.339 But, you know, I'm just listening and, oh, man, I feel sorry. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.439 You know, it's so sad. 00:21:44.219 --> 00:21:45.179 And I meant that. 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:52.139 And I said, I really feel bad because I love what I do. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:58.500 There's someone in the restaurant that actually likes what they do. 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:01.920 Now, what is it that you do? 00:22:03.280 --> 00:22:10.820 Well, I get to talk about the only person I know who can fix broken people. 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.840 I put it this way. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:19.720 I'm a broken person who gets to talk to broken people about the only person who can change a life. 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:22.180 What do you do? 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.140 Well, I happen to be a pastor. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:34.539 In one case, flying on an airplane, the guy next to me said, well, I only have one problem. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.920 It's this chewing tobacco. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.259 He was spitting into a cup. 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.120 I knew what was going on. 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:42.160 And he said, well, the only problem I have is this chewing tobacco. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.880 I said, you know what? 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:43.519 Nah. 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:46.000 That chewing tobacco is not a problem at all. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.160 It is not your problem. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:50.940 I said, I don't know you very well. 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:56.279 I mean, we've been talking here for about 15 minutes, you know, and he's a pretty significant guy on the West Coast. 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.140 Strange that I would be sitting by him. 00:22:58.300 --> 00:23:01.420 And, you know, he says, what do you mean? 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:05.320 I says, well, I don't know you well, but I'm guessing that your problem is like mine. 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.759 He says, what do you mean? 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:10.100 I said, well, the biggest problem I have is me. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:17.459 And he said, I got to tell you, I couldn't fix myself, and Jesus came along and helped me. 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:30.500 You see, I want you to understand that abiding is staying in the relationship with Christ and obeying his word because of who he is and what he's done for you. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.219 I want to stop and think about this. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:44.140 There are some of you here, truthfully, that cannot think back to a time of pleasure and delight in obeying the word of Christ. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:53.820 Your life is pretty well consumed with your own ambitions and your own affections and your own interests. 00:23:58.120 --> 00:24:06.960 And I would just challenge you to ask yourself the question, am I a believer or have I been playing a game? 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:12.940 Well, let's talk about the blessing of true faith because I think it's important to kind of work our way through the passage 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:17.620 and understand that as Jesus kind of takes that opening statement there in verse 31. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.500 Everybody listen to me. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:22.019 I want you to kind of get a picture of how to study the Bible on your own. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:25.640 I mean, after all, my job is to preach, preach, preach, bring the word clearly. 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:30.799 But one of my ambitions is to coach you in how to find it yourself. 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:36.200 I want you to be having devotions in the morning and get cold chills because it's so good. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:39.320 I mean, not three verses and out the door kind of thing. 00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.799 You know, it's like, get into it. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:48.879 So, verse 31 is kind of the opening statement. 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.000 Jesus says, hey, let's get this clear. 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.980 If you're my disciple, you're going to abide. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.919 What's the outflow from abiding? 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:59.460 Verse 32, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:03.379 So, here is Jesus explaining what comes out of abiding. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:10.440 Abiding is the state, truth, and freedom are the fruit. 00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:11.920 You got that? 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:21.020 Now, you would think that Jesus would follow the outline, but he allows the attitudes of 00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:23.580 his listeners to determine the change of order. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:28.720 You see there in verse 32, he says, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:33.920 And if you're following in the typical order of logic, after you've said point one and then 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:37.579 point two, you go back and you start with point one and you work your way and then come to 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.000 point two. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.319 That's not how it happened here. 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:47.680 Because when Jesus hit the word free, he had a solar flare in the hearts of his Jewish listeners. 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.200 Freedom. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:51.259 I mean, they were really into that word. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:56.940 And you have to understand that they really had the idea that they were free. 00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:01.059 And you stop and scratch your head when you think about it. 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:09.240 The Jews at that time had Roman soldiers stomping all over the place and they were not free. 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:15.799 And if you're a student of Old Testament history, you know that the Jews had many, many instances 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.399 where they were not free. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:21.799 But see, they had the kind of attitude of, well, we really are free. 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.960 We're free in our hearts. 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.539 We're free. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:27.399 I mean, slaves that they were, we're free. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.299 We're free. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.799 And so here is Jesus. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.680 He makes a statement. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.500 And then look at verse 33. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:40.700 They answered him, we are the offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.099 How is it? 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:48.099 You are just, be over the top, you know, telling us that we're not free. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.439 How can you say you'll become free? 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.959 And Jesus answered them and said, truly, truly. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:56.319 By the way, did you know that truly, truly is a double tap? 00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:58.079 You know what I mean by double tap? 00:26:58.719 --> 00:27:00.839 It's like, get this. 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:08.439 Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:14.200 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:23.440 So I want you to understand that here they were, actually in physical slavery of a sense. 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:25.440 They had an occupying force in their country. 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:29.799 But what Jesus was really talking about was their spiritual slavery. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:34.279 He was talking about the slavery of their hearts to sin. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:42.399 And I want you to understand that that slin, sin, slin, S-L-I-N. 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:42.599 Okay. 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:47.160 Sin enslaves people to do what is dishonorable and harmful. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:51.399 Look at what it says there in verse 34 and mark it again. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:54.099 It says, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.019 I'll get to do what I want. 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:59.200 Hit myself in the head with a hammer. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.660 You know, really. 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.440 Now listen to me carefully. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:08.000 Your sin will take you deeper and hurt you far more than you ever imagined. 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:10.360 It hurts you in the present, but it hurts you in the future. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:15.920 An angry person becomes a slave to their anger and destroys relationships. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:23.580 A self-absorbed person is a slave to their inner sense of self-importance, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:27.299 and they're incredibly frustrated that nobody else joins them in worship. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.299 They want relationships. 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:32.299 They want relationships. 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:37.139 They want the blessing that comes with closeness, 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:42.059 but they understand that they are consumed with themselves, 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:44.299 and they don't know what to do about it. 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:52.539 The person who is addicted to pornography or addicted to things, 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:58.000 whose house is so full of stuff that they don't know where to go and what to move. 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:02.980 The person who is consumed by their job is a slave. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:09.660 And I want you to listen very carefully to what Jesus says in verse 36. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.360 He says this, 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.500 If the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed. 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:18.680 If the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed. 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:22.140 I love the sweetness of the gospel. 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.140 I do. 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:26.000 You know me. 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.259 I'm kind of a cold chills guy. 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:27.960 I get cold chills. 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.700 Things that fire me up give me cold chills. 00:29:29.780 --> 00:29:30.800 I get them a lot of times. 00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:34.480 Yesterday, I'm watching all these kids moving, and I'm getting cold chills. 00:29:35.020 --> 00:29:36.100 It's just the way I am. 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.000 It's cold chills. 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:39.680 And when I stop and think about the freedom, 00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:41.580 and I know some of you don't have cold chills. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.200 I feel sorry for you, but you probably feel sorry for me. 00:29:44.280 --> 00:29:45.140 I understand that. 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.520 Just listen to me. 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:49.140 I love the gospel. 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:51.320 What is the gospel? 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:54.339 Well, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:55.319 and what He says is this, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.700 If the Son sets you free, you're free, man. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:03.819 So I want you to look a little further as Jesus kind of rolls us out 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.759 and helps us understand it. 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:10.519 You see, the freedom that the believer has 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:13.939 is he is no longer an absolute slave to his sin. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.799 You don't have to keep doing what you've been doing. 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:20.299 I can't tell you how many times I've talked to individuals 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:23.779 who say to me, and by the way, everybody listen so you hear this. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:27.940 Our vocabulary today is so colored by the world's system of thinking. 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.839 None of us really have sin problems. 00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.859 We have addiction problems. 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.539 Do you understand that? 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:37.059 We're addicted to all kinds of nasty misbehaviors and ugly issues. 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.539 But you know, you've got the porn addiction. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.639 You have this. 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:42.259 You're just addicted to sin. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:45.259 And we've got all fancy names for it. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.920 Now, the truth of the matter is, is that, hey, 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:50.599 Jesus came to deliver us from our sin, 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:52.660 and I love to say to people, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.940 you don't have to stay the way you are. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:02.559 If the Son sets you free, you're free indeed. 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.720 Well, let's look at another point, though, 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:07.079 because the passage plays out for us a little further. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:11.279 And you look down there in verse 32, the first indication of it says, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.379 you will know the truth. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.919 For one, genuine salvation brings freedom. 00:31:16.699 --> 00:31:18.919 For another, salvation brings understanding. 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:24.960 Jesus announced that salvation back in 32 brings this blessing, 00:31:25.179 --> 00:31:26.899 and then he plays this forward, 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:29.279 and his logic gets expanded in verse 43. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.480 So look at it. 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:32.799 Why do you not understand what I say? 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.939 Here he is talking. 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:39.759 Now, there were times that Jesus used parables 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:42.559 that made his disciples scratch their heads. 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.900 Do you understand that? 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:46.480 But this is not one of those moments. 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:51.299 Jesus was very clear who he was, 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:54.080 what their problem was, why he'd come, 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:57.340 and so here he is talking to these people, 00:31:57.580 --> 00:32:00.420 and he makes the point that you've got a problem, 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:04.559 and your problem is that you don't believe in me, 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:06.379 and as a result of that, you're not free, 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.299 you're a slave to sin, 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:10.179 and as a result of that, you don't understand. 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.299 Now, listen to me. 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:17.379 Telling a Jewish spiritual leader that they didn't get it 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:20.619 was the supreme insult. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.000 Do you follow that? 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:28.940 It was like, it was a slap across the face with the open hand. 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:29.799 Pow! 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:32.859 By the way, Jesus did that on more than one occasion. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:35.980 Remember his statement of, have you never read? 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:39.200 I mean, they knew the scriptures with their eyes closed. 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.339 It was in their head. 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.380 Okay, so here he is. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.900 He says, you don't get it. 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:46.460 It's because you cannot bear to hear my words. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.940 Now, listen. 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.579 Everybody listen, because you need to pick this one up. 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:51.240 When you decide you're going to play, 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.099 I don't want to listen to Jesus kind of thing, 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:56.559 you begin to shut down logic in your head. 00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:00.859 There's some of you here that are just profoundly confused 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.960 by your disobedience, 00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:04.159 and you're not getting it. 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:06.579 Now, you are suffering the consequences of sin. 00:33:06.699 --> 00:33:07.359 Do you follow that? 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:10.319 But you haven't been able to connect the dots 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:12.240 and figure out why it's all turning sour. 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:18.900 It's because you cannot bear to hear my word. 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.559 And when Jesus said that, 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:22.819 he then kind of amped it up beyond that, 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:24.480 and he says, you are of your father the devil, 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:26.960 and your will is to do your father's desire. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:28.480 Now, just kind of imagine that. 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:30.279 I mean, just think. 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:34.460 The whole crowd there thought they were saved. 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.140 Do you get that? 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:39.660 They believed that they were the children of Abraham, 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:41.860 and they were on their way to heaven, 00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:46.100 and here is Jesus pressing their nose into the truth, 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:48.800 and he says, you're of your father the devil. 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:55.780 You look at the passage, and you recognize, 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:59.440 oh, man, what are they going to do? 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:02.680 I love their response. 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:07.840 You know, he plays on, 00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:11.260 and their answer in verse 48 is just a little bit of sarcasm. 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:13.639 Have you ever tried to use sarcasm to avoid truth? 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:15.700 Huh? 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.539 Try this one. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.800 Oh, yeah? 00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:20.300 Who are you to talk to me? 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:23.000 You know, your life's a mess, too, that kind of thing. 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:24.800 Or who sent you to talk? 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:26.200 You know, there's ways we do it. 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:27.000 And so here they are. 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.659 Their answer was this. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:32.720 He said, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:38.260 are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon? 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:46.720 I mean, to insult a Jewish adult that they were a Samaritan and had a demon 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:49.340 was they reached for the big guns. 00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:53.480 You know, it was like they expected Jesus to go off the rails at that point. 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:55.360 It's like he couldn't handle that logic. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:35:01.380 And he said, I do not have a demon, but I honor my father, and you dishonor me. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:03.840 Yet I do not seek my own glory. 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:06.200 There is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:13.239 Verse 52, the Jews said to him, now we know that you have a demon. 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.639 Abraham died. 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:21.139 And Jesus talks about the fact that, you know, the one who believes in him will never see death in verse 51. 00:35:21.139 --> 00:35:23.239 And he says, Abraham died. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.900 And the prophets died. 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:32.259 And here you are telling us that if anybody believes your word, they're not going to taste death. 00:35:34.339 --> 00:35:35.699 Are you greater than Abraham? 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:35.779 Abraham? 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:42.359 They thought that when that question was rolled out, Jesus was going to say, guess what? 00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:43.839 Well, no. 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.579 No, no, I'm not greater than Abraham. 00:35:46.339 --> 00:35:47.739 Abraham is better than me. 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.559 And what did Jesus do? 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:57.099 You know, it kind of, I have to say this. 00:35:57.099 --> 00:36:08.599 Gary Larson had one of his famous Farside cartoons where there is Sir Isaac Newton and Einstein in a quiz game with Bubba. 00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:10.980 And the score is racked up. 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:15.980 You know, Isaac Newton has 841, and, you know, Einstein has 840. 00:36:16.319 --> 00:36:18.500 And Bubba, he has a big zero on the scoreboard. 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:22.420 And he says, I know it's a little late in the contest, but I'm wondering if my button's working. 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.880 Okay, listen, listen. 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:30.539 You know, these Jews were convinced that they had Jesus in the corner, right? 00:36:31.700 --> 00:36:33.440 Are you greater than our father Abraham? 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:37.099 And Jesus stepped up to that one. 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:39.440 It was like a soft pitch. 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.500 A whop! 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.840 He knocked that one out of the park. 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.440 And what did he say? 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:44.119 Before Abraham was, what? 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.280 I am. 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:45.360 I am. 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:54.760 So I want to ask you a practical question this morning. 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:57.599 Where are you in this picture? 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.400 Who are you? 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.260 Do you know Christ? 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:05.099 Go back to 43 just for a minute. 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.320 Here's what Jesus said. 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:08.960 Why do you not understand what I say? 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:12.240 It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 00:37:13.700 --> 00:37:16.200 Let me roll some questions out for you to think about. 00:37:16.200 --> 00:37:19.160 Number one, the believer really doesn't like hearing the word. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:22.960 The believer really doesn't like hearing the word. 00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:28.659 And there are some of you sitting here that, you know, the truth of the matter is, is the 00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:32.420 plain gospel teaching secretly inside of your heart. 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:35.420 One of the reasons you don't come very often is because, hey, you don't want to listen. 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:39.519 Now, the question is, is do I make the word plain and clear? 00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:47.480 Furthermore, I want you to understand the unbeliever acts according to the nature of his father. 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:51.900 Over there in verse 44, it says, you are of your father the devil and your will is to do your father's desires. 00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:59.340 It's hard to escape the world that we live in today. 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.019 It is ugly. 00:38:00.180 --> 00:38:01.200 It's cruel, deceitful. 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.440 It is brutally sinful. 00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:07.079 And sinners live in that dark swamp, and they're pretty much part of it. 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:13.420 You look at your own life and say, you know, am I doing the works of my father in heaven? 00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:17.599 Or is my life just as messy and as perverse as the unbelieving world? 00:38:18.740 --> 00:38:19.760 Now, listen carefully. 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:24.720 The unbeliever chooses to reject the truth. 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.619 Look at verse 45. 00:38:27.680 --> 00:38:32.519 Because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:34.519 Hmm? 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:41.000 Now, you've heard me say it so many times, it's not original with me. 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:49.039 A pastor's job is to make the truth plain and put people on the spot of saying yes or no to God. 00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:50.579 Not to me. 00:38:51.219 --> 00:38:51.960 To God. 00:38:55.500 --> 00:39:00.779 The characteristic of the unbeliever is that he resists the truth. 00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:05.119 It's a willing choice. 00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:08.380 It's a career path. 00:39:09.779 --> 00:39:11.320 It's a statement of the heart. 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:13.239 I don't want to hear it. 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:18.500 So, break it out this way. 00:39:20.419 --> 00:39:26.799 Those God saves, hear his word and learn to appreciate it. 00:39:29.619 --> 00:39:34.839 Those God saves, hear his word and learn to appreciate it. 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:40.360 The person who is really saved follows Jesus. 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:42.600 I love that. 00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:53.819 I cannot get over the joy of watching people who have come to faith in Christ begin to grow and become someone different than they used to be. 00:39:55.199 --> 00:39:56.380 I live for that. 00:39:56.380 --> 00:40:00.559 It's exciting to watch their ambitions change. 00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:04.140 To watch their affections change. 00:40:05.140 --> 00:40:10.019 To watch the things that they used to find pleasure in become less significant. 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:14.599 To watch their conversation change. 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:25.639 So, my question to you this morning is this. 00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:32.319 Is your faith genuine? 00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:51.500 Or are you playing a desperate and dangerous game with the darkness of your soul against the backdrop of the certainty of hell? 00:40:54.100 --> 00:40:55.180 Let's close in prayer. 00:40:55.179 --> 00:41:03.759 Father, the purpose of opening your word this morning is to bring glory to Christ. 00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:13.859 And as we study the word this morning, we see how clearly he who is the lover of our souls and the one who came to save us from our sin 00:41:13.859 --> 00:41:25.159 made the reality of the deceitfulness with which we can come to this subject of belief in a very shallow way. 00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:28.000 An irrelevant way. 00:41:29.859 --> 00:41:32.779 I have no doubt that there are some here today that don't know Christ. 00:41:34.899 --> 00:41:41.139 And my prayer is that this morning your spirit would bring them to conviction that they, under the power of the Spirit of God, 00:41:41.419 --> 00:41:49.899 would come to realize the darkness and the bankruptcy of their heart and realize that there is no remedy except in repentance and faith. 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:54.139 I pray for some who are here today that are believers. 00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:57.559 But they've allowed their love to grow cold. 00:41:57.559 --> 00:42:06.860 That this morning the glory of the Lord Jesus and the sweetness of the gospel would be that which is winsome to their soul 00:42:06.860 --> 00:42:11.360 and would draw them back and rekindle their first love. 00:42:11.360 --> 00:42:17.019 I ask this in Jesus' name. 00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:18.140 Amen. 00:42:19.640 --> 00:42:21.700 John's going to lead us as we sing together. 00:42:22.460 --> 00:42:23.940 And let's stand together as we close. 00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:33.579 Let me encourage you to know this morning that if you're here and the Spirit of God is a challenging issue in your heart and life that you need to care for publicly, 00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:37.059 I want you to know that it is a time to make a decision. 00:42:37.200 --> 00:42:37.880 You're on the spot. 00:42:37.880 --> 00:42:40.880 There are some of you here that...