WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.160
 Thank you for reading the scriptures for us.

00:00:02.740 --> 00:00:07.759
 Do keep your Bibles open, or keep your phone open at the Bible app

00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:10.040
! as we look at John's Gospel together,

00:00:10.040 --> 00:00:13.220
 and particularly we're going to be focusing on chapter 14

00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:15.060
!

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.280
 Why are Christians so devoted to Jesus?

00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:40.240
 Why do Christians long for opportunities to tell other people about Jesus,

00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:42.560
 friends, even complete strangers?

00:00:43.740 --> 00:00:46.539
 Why do they want to take part in a nationwide Gospel mission

00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:48.659
 to tell more people about Jesus?

00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:51.560
 Maybe you've been dragged along by a Christian friend,

00:00:52.379 --> 00:00:55.460
 and they're keen for you to come and to hear about Jesus.

00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:55.900
 Why?

00:00:55.899 --> 00:01:01.219
 Well, a great way to answer those questions

00:01:01.219 --> 00:01:05.400
 is to look at the seven wonderful sayings of Jesus

00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.900
 that we find in John's Gospel that are called the I Am sayings,

00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:10.420
 where Jesus says things like,

00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:11.680
 I am the light of the world,

00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:14.739
 I am the good shepherd,

00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:16.560
 I am the bread of life.

00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:18.780
 We can't look at all seven this morning,

00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:21.680
 but we're going to focus in on one of those great sayings,

00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:24.439
 arguably the greatest of these sayings,

00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:28.200
 and arguably the most controversial of these sayings,

00:01:28.899 --> 00:01:30.560
 where Jesus says,

00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:32.840
 I am the way,

00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:35.519
 and the truth,

00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:38.019
 and the life.

00:01:40.179 --> 00:01:42.920
 The declaration itself comes in in verse 6,

00:01:42.979 --> 00:01:44.239
 but I want us to get the context,

00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:46.979
 so let's work our way towards it from verse 1.

00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:50.719
 And our passage begins with comforting words

00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:52.859
 for troubled disciples.

00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:57.920
 Jesus is eating a final meal with his closest followers

00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:01.539
 before his arrest, trial, and execution.

00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:05.319
 So in just a few hours, he's going to be arrested.

00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:08.740
 There's going to be a trial with the Jewish court overnight.

00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:11.240
 The next day, he'll be on trial before the Roman governor,

00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:12.599
 Pilate, he'll be condemned to death.

00:02:12.659 --> 00:02:13.659
 He'll be nailed to a cross.

00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:17.139
 The next day, he'll be dead.

00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:21.800
 And his disciples are deeply troubled.

00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:27.639
 I hope you've enjoyed many relaxed evenings out in your life,

00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:30.519
 going out for a meal with family, with friends.

00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:34.560
 Well, this is no relaxed evening out.

00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:37.159
 The atmosphere is heavy,

00:02:37.740 --> 00:02:42.099
 with the distressing and confusing impact of Jesus' words.

00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:45.219
 He's talked about one of them betraying him,

00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:49.300
 and then of leaving them,

00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:51.920
 and saying they cannot go where he is going.

00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:54.319
 So where is he going?

00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:55.319
 Why is he going?

00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.680
 Why can't they go with him?

00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:00.000
 He says they will follow later,

00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:02.460
 and his most loyal follower, Peter,

00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:05.680
 the passionate, devoted Peter has protested,

00:03:05.760 --> 00:03:07.780
 Lord, why can't I follow you now?

00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.960
 I will lay down my life for you.

00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:14.159
 Will you really?

00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:17.480
 Will you really?

00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:18.420
 Says Jesus.

00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:20.379
 No, you won't, Peter.

00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.600
 Three times you are going to disown me.

00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.560
 What words to create a sense of foreboding.

00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:32.819
 What terrible events could cause Peter to disown Jesus?

00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:36.759
 So no wonder they're deeply troubled.

00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:41.479
 And Jesus speaks words of comfort to his troubled disciples.

00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:44.860
 And he begins by saying,

00:03:44.980 --> 00:03:46.340
 do not let your hearts be troubled.

00:03:48.920 --> 00:03:52.020
 Christian, maybe you've come this morning with a troubled heart.

00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:57.820
 And actually the words that your Lord wants you to hear this morning,

00:03:57.880 --> 00:03:58.719
 are simply those words,

00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:00.140
 do not let your hearts be troubled.

00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:03.820
 But Jesus says that,

00:04:03.920 --> 00:04:09.260
 but he then follows on with a remarkable call to faith.

00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:14.580
 He says, believe, or we could simply translate it trust,

00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:15.640
 trust in God,

00:04:16.960 --> 00:04:18.319
 trust also in me.

00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:22.000
 That's how we can let our hearts not be troubled.

00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:23.860
 It's by trusting in God,

00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:24.740
 trusting in Jesus.

00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:29.279
 But what makes this so remarkable,

00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.480
 it's not so much that he tells them to calm their fears

00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.800
 by trusting in God.

00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:37.000
 That's sort of common enough in the Bible.

00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:40.360
 What is remarkable is that he calls them

00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:42.860
 in the very same breath to put their trust in him.

00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.980
 Trust in God, trust also in me.

00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:50.160
 The implication is inescapable

00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:53.740
 that he is somehow making himself equal with God.

00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:57.259
 But he doesn't call them to an ignorant faith,

00:04:57.340 --> 00:04:58.040
 a blind trust.

00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:59.800
 He gives them reasons to trust

00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:01.939
 with three wonderful revelations

00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:03.400
 about the ultimate future.

00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:08.939
 So no, he doesn't try to calm their fears

00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:09.800
 simply by saying,

00:05:10.140 --> 00:05:11.900
 don't worry, it's going to be okay.

00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:15.740
 By sort of playing down the pains and sorrows that lie ahead.

00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:19.680
 Sometimes life is very troublesome,

00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:21.780
 it's very painful, it's very sorrowful.

00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.160
 Instead, he directs their minds

00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:28.040
 way beyond the troubles that lie ahead

00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:29.040
 for them in this world.

00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:32.500
 And he speaks in verses 2 and 3

00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:34.560
 about the heaven to come

00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:39.860
 and the eternal age beyond this world.

00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:43.060
 And he reveals three great realities about heaven.

00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:44.879
 The first, according to verse 2,

00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:50.680
 and please don't miss the beauty of this,

00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.340
 he says that heaven is his father's house.

00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.879
 Heaven is not a sort of a vague,

00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:04.600
 unimaginable place it is for us,

00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:05.800
 for Jesus.

00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:08.900
 It's not vague and unimaginable.

00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:10.400
 Now, for some of us,

00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:11.879
 we've just sort of seen far too many

00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:14.040
 pre-ulaphalite paintings with chubby cherubs

00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:15.620
 playing harps and floating on clouds,

00:06:15.780 --> 00:06:18.140
 and that's just a ridiculous image of heaven.

00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:21.840
 But for Jesus, it's his home.

00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:24.960
 It's the home from which he's come

00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:26.120
 and to which he is returning.

00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:27.879
 Home is the place,

00:06:28.320 --> 00:06:30.379
 heaven is the place where he has enjoyed

00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:33.899
 intimate, eternal relationship with his father.

00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:35.620
 Heaven is his father's house.

00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:38.040
 And then he says, second,

00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:39.079
 that heaven has room

00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:40.600
 for all who will believe in Jesus.

00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:42.719
 So the point of verse 2

00:06:42.719 --> 00:06:44.439
 lies really in the word many,

00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:47.800
 that in his father's house are many rooms.

00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:50.659
 Room for all the disciples,

00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:52.959
 not just for this small group he's eating with,

00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:55.879
 but room for all who will believe in Jesus

00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.939
 from every people, tribe, and nation.

00:06:58.899 --> 00:06:59.459
 And then third,

00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:01.799
 and here is the very heart of the Christian message,

00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.279
 that our place in heaven

00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:08.099
 is prepared by his going.

00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:10.819
 So in verse 2 he says,

00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:12.039
 he must go to prepare

00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:14.500
 a place in his father's house

00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:15.339
 for his disciples.

00:07:18.179 --> 00:07:19.500
 That doesn't mean

00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:20.939
 he's going to get the place ready.

00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:26.659
 My wife's parents used to live

00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:28.240
 quite near us in Haberysheath,

00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:30.460
 but they then moved down to Cornwall

00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:33.879
 to be near my wife's sister.

00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:36.780
 And they were buying a bungalow

00:07:36.780 --> 00:07:38.500
 and it needed a lot of work doing.

00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:39.960
 They couldn't live there for six months

00:07:39.960 --> 00:07:41.680
 because there was building work to be done

00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:44.240
 and the place had to be prepared.

00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:46.360
 And then when the building work was finished,

00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:48.579
 then there was the electrics to do

00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:50.560
 and the plumbing and the plastering

00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.439
 and then the decorating

00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.240
 and then the carpets had to go down

00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:56.360
 and then it had to be furnished

00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:59.540
 and all those things had to be done

00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:01.680
 to prepare the place for them to live there.

00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:08.319
 Is that what Jesus has to go and do?

00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:12.819
 Well, that is a bit ridiculous really, isn't it?

00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.839
 All eternity to prepare the place

00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:17.379
 and it's not ready?

00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:19.599
 No, no, no.

00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:22.860
 It's his act of going

00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:25.100
 which is essential

00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.180
 if there is to be a place for us

00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:29.399
 in his father's house.

00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:32.759
 Our Bible translation here says

00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:35.399
 I'm going there to prepare a place for you.

00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.500
 Other translations, perhaps more accurately,

00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:40.740
 simply say I go to prepare a place for you.

00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.059
 I go.

00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:43.519
 And in John's Gospel,

00:08:43.699 --> 00:08:44.919
 it's his act of going

00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.679
 which is a big deal

00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:49.259
 because his going is via the cross.

00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:53.319
 His going entails his sin-bearing death

00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:55.740
 followed by his triumphant resurrection

00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:57.379
 and ascension to the father.

00:08:57.379 --> 00:09:00.580
 It is going to the cross

00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:02.939
 to pay for our sins

00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:05.539
 that prepares a place for us.

00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:10.939
 Because we can't enter

00:09:10.939 --> 00:09:13.240
 the father's house

00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:16.139
 carrying the guilt

00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:20.960
 and the defilement of our sins,

00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:26.740
 of our many offenses against God,

00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:28.919
 the things that provoke his anger,

00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:30.560
 his holy, just anger.

00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:32.060
 We can't...

00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:33.899
 Now, I think this will make sense to you.

00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:36.980
 We can't barge our way

00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.279
 into the father's house

00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.379
 as enemies of God.

00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:43.919
 We can only enter his house as friends,

00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.100
 reconciled, forgiven,

00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:49.180
 through the work of Jesus on the cross.

00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:52.659
 So that's the third and greatest revelation

00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.559
 in these verses

00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:54.739
 that our place in heaven

00:09:54.739 --> 00:09:55.500
 is prepared

00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:57.519
 by his going to the cross.

00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:00.439
 Two great reassurances naturally follow.

00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:02.959
 First, he promises to take us there

00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:04.019
 to be with him.

00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:07.079
 You see that in verse 3.

00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:07.919
 Let's look at that.

00:10:08.739 --> 00:10:09.099
 He says,

00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:09.899
 I will come back

00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:11.000
 and take you to be with me

00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.599
 that you also may be where I am.

00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:16.219
 If he's willing to go to the cross for us,

00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.320
 we can certainly trust him

00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.840
 to come back and take us home,

00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:19.860
 to be with him.

00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:23.279
 He would hardly endure the cross for us

00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.040
 and then fail to take us home.

00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:27.259
 And then secondly,

00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:28.759
 he says,

00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:31.620
 you know the way to the place

00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.500
 where I'm going,

00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.740
 in verse 4.

00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.379
 And we'll see in a moment

00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:38.320
 that Jesus is saying

00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.200
 we know the way,

00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.940
 or his disciples know the way,

00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.879
 because they know him.

00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:46.240
 And what a reassurance that is.

00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.120
 That to know him

00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.360
 is to know the way.

00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.679
 So these are comforting words

00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:52.559
 for troubled disciples.

00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.980
 Do not let your hearts be troubled.

00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.799
 Heaven is his father's house.

00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.059
 Heaven has room

00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:59.399
 for all who will believe in him.

00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.580
 Our place in heaven

00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.939
 is prepared by his going.

00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:03.639
 He promises to take us there

00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.419
 to be with him.

00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:05.639
 And if we know Jesus,

00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.399
 we know the way.

00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:10.360
 That then is the context

00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:11.899
 for controversial words

00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:14.379
 in answer to a troubling question.

00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:16.200
 Verses 5 and 6.

00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.180
 You see, straightforward,

00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.840
 down to earth,

00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:25.899
 Thomas doesn't get it.

00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.560
 I don't know whether you attend

00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:29.379
 a Bible study group

00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.419
 in the church here,

00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.360
 but Thomas would be great

00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.960
 to have in your Bible study group

00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:35.060
 because he would be quite happy

00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:35.820
 to say to the leader,

00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:37.480
 we don't know what you're talking about.

00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:40.379
 I haven't got a clue.

00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:44.539
 All this talk of the father's house

00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.980
 has left him confused.

00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.879
 See what he says in verse 5?

00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:50.639
 Lord, we don't know where you're going,

00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.960
 so how can we know the way?

00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:57.379
 Now, beyond Thomas' immediate concern,

00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:01.680
 it is a troubling question, isn't it?

00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.879
 How can we know the way?

00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:07.340
 If we don't even know the destination,

00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:10.240
 how can we know the way?

00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.360
 I actually left home on Monday evening

00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.279
 and I've been sort of slowly

00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:15.559
 making my way up the country

00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:18.399
 and I am so thankful for Google Maps.

00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:21.980
 And I have had my phone out numerous times.

00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:24.679
 But I found the way to get here.

00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:25.720
 How?

00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.000
 Because every time I put in the destination.

00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:32.120
 And then Google tells me the way

00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.320
 because I can put in the destination.

00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:35.379
 But what if you don't even know the destination?

00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:38.539
 How can you possibly find the way

00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.399
 if you don't know the destination?

00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:45.379
 And maybe this is the question

00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.759
 that actually haunts you.

00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.899
 It's the troubling question

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:52.000
 that keeps you awake at night

00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:54.340
 or gnaws away at you

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:56.580
 when you're not distracted by other things.

00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.519
 What is the destination?

00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.879
 Well, what is life all about?

00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.940
 In connection with the mission

00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.659
 coming up next year,

00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.039
 we've done some national polling

00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.240
 as a passion for life.

00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.919
 And do you know what we found?

00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.840
 We found that one in three people said

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.919
 that what is missing from their lives

00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:14.659
 is purpose.

00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.279
 But one in three people said

00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:19.820
 they don't really know

00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:20.779
 what their lives are for.

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.580
 What's the purpose?

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.379
 What's the destination?

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.899
 Where should I be trying to get to?

00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:29.720
 And if I can't even answer those questions

00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.659
 about the destination,

00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:32.620
 then how can I possibly know the way?

00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:34.759
 So it's a great question, isn't it?

00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:36.000
 It's a vital question,

00:13:36.079 --> 00:13:37.559
 but it's also a troubling question.

00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.539
 How can we know the way?

00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.840
 And how thankful we should be

00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.279
 here today for Thomas

00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:48.559
 for asking the question

00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:50.139
 because it draws forth from Jesus

00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.759
 this great I am saying,

00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:56.259
 which consists of a sensational affirmation

00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.480
 followed by a clarifying,

00:13:57.539 --> 00:14:00.120
 an important clarifying negation.

00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:03.360
 So this most sensational affirmation,

00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.360
 I am the way

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.559
 and the truth and the life.

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.740
 So let's focus on the first part of that

00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.700
 and then I'll say a little bit

00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.700
 about the second and third part.

00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.000
 I am the way.

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:16.360
 Not simply,

00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:19.019
 let me explain the way.

00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.700
 Not even let me point the way.

00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:27.360
 Not even let me show you the way.

00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.000
 You know,

00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:29.179
 I talked about my parents-in-law

00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.340
 moving down to Cornwall

00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:32.679
 and when they were moving in,

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.240
 my wife traveled down there

00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.379
 as a sort of surprise visit

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.659
 and to help them move in

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:39.620
 and she had to change trains in Plymouth

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:43.679
 and she got talking to somebody

00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:45.899
 and she missed her train.

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.519
 Can't possibly imagine that happening

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.939
 but somehow it happened.

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.860
 Talking to somebody,

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.679
 misses her train,

00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.740
 she's in a panic.

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.279
 How is she going to get to her destination?

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.000
 And she goes to the ticket office

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.439
 and the lady in the ticket office

00:14:59.439 --> 00:15:00.659
 is so kind to her

00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:02.240
 because she doesn't just tell her

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.600
 where the next train is

00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.159
 and which platform.

00:15:04.319 --> 00:15:05.419
 She leaves her ticket office

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.099
 and she shows my wife the way.

00:15:07.579 --> 00:15:07.959
 Takes her,

00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.000
 leads her to the platform.

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.479
 But Jesus is saying more than,

00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.299
 he's not just saying

00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:14.579
 I'll show you the way.

00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:17.379
 No, he says I am the way.

00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.779
 I am the way.

00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.059
 The way to where?

00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:22.860
 Well, the way to the Father.

00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.379
 Not simply to the Father's house

00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.559
 in the far off the future

00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:28.459
 but the way to the Father

00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.240
 in the present

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.360
 as the end of verse 6

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.439
 will make clear for us.

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.879
 Jesus speaks of coming,

00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.740
 present tense,

00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.579
 to the Father.

00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:37.459
 In fact, of course,

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:41.979
 again, I think this will make sense to you.

00:15:43.479 --> 00:15:44.779
 We cannot expect

00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:47.159
 to go to the Father's house then

00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.240
 if we do not come to the Father now.

00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.819
 We can't expect to live

00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.799
 our whole lives

00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:54.860
 estranged from the Father,

00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.559
 distant from the Father,

00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:58.399
 hostile even to the Father,

00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.360
 pushing him away

00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.860
 and then suddenly,

00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.599
 somehow,

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.459
 be welcomed into his house

00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.100
 at the end.

00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.900
 Then we need to come

00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.820
 to the Father now.

00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.400
 The destination

00:16:10.400 --> 00:16:11.519
 that matters now

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.759
 and matters most

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:16.220
 is not a place

00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.100
 but a relationship.

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.240
 We need a way

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.480
 to the Father,

00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.980
 to knowing the God

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.060
 who created us

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.560
 and to knowing him

00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.360
 as our Father.

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:29.060
 and we are lost

00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:30.360
 until we find that way.

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.560
 And Jesus says,

00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.539
 I am the way.

00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:38.200
 And what good news

00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.480
 that is.

00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.600
 Let me just explain

00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.639
 why I think it's good news.

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.560
 First,

00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.340
 because it means

00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.720
 the way is knowable

00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:49.919
 and not impossible to find.

00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:52.059
 because Jesus

00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.019
 has come to us

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:55.179
 and you can meet Jesus

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.240
 this very morning

00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.779
 in the pages of Scripture.

00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.120
 Secondly,

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.839
 it's good news

00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.919
 because the way

00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.459
 is a person

00:17:03.459 --> 00:17:04.319
 for us

00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.099
 to trust.

00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.500
 Not a philosophy

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.099
 for us to get

00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.879
 our heads around.

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:10.879
 Now,

00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.139
 some of us are great

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.799
 at getting our heads

00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.539
 around big ideas.

00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.399
 Some of us just don't

00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.079
 get our heads around

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.819
 big ideas.

00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:18.480
 But the way

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.519
 is not a philosophy

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.720
 you've got to get hold of.

00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:20.919
 No,

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.279
 it's a person to trust

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.500
 and we can all

00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.519
 trust a person.

00:17:25.159 --> 00:17:26.000
 Even the children

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.559
 who've gone out

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.079
 to their groups

00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.279
 can trust a person.

00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.399
 They can trust Jesus

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:31.200
 and so they can know

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.599
 the way.

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.960
 And then thirdly,

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.419
 the way is a provision

00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:38.099
 that is made for us

00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:40.339
 and it's not a performance

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.379
 that is demanded

00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.240
 of us.

00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.819
 So I guess

00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.460
 that some of you

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.000
 in this room

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.079
 have just started uni.

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:50.019
 How did you get to uni?

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.319
 How did you secure

00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:52.880
 your place?

00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.920
 You had to perform.

00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.920
 You can't get into university

00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.860
 without performing,

00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.299
 getting the grades.

00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:03.220
 It's pretty fair

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.180
 to say that Europe

00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.700
 is going to win

00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.340
 the Ryder Cup.

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.140
 How?

00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.640
 By their performance.

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.960
 And that's what religion is.

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.740
 religion is a performance

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:19.240
 that is demanded of us.

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.340
 But the way to the Father

00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:23.180
 is not any form of religion.

00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.579
 It's not a way

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.640
 for us to walk.

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.019
 It's not a list of rules

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.920
 for us to follow.

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:31.600
 It's not a set of meditation

00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:33.340
 techniques for us to master.

00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:36.679
 we are relieved of all such

00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:38.119
 crushing burdens.

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.740
 Because the way

00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.659
 is a person.

00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:45.079
 The way is a person

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.980
 that we can know

00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.699
 and love

00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:47.599
 and trust.

00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.839
 And when we simply

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.919
 know and trust

00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:51.339
 Jesus,

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.659
 he becomes our way

00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.259
 to the Father.

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:56.960
 remember

00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:59.400
 what he said earlier?

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.599
 Don't let your hearts

00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.059
 be troubled.

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.740
 Trust in God.

00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.000
 Trust also in me.

00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.559
 That's all he's calling us

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:07.799
 to do,

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.599
 to trust in him.

00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.680
 And as we trust in him,

00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.839
 he becomes the way

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.440
 for us.

00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:13.879
 But

00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.920
 how can he

00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.460
 possibly

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.519
 be qualified

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.480
 to make

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.400
 such a claim?

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.220
 What qualifies

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.440
 Jesus to be the way?

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.200
 Well,

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.839
 it's a matter

00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.680
 both of who he is

00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:27.980
 and what he has done.

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.420
 So we've already

00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:29.960
 thought about

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.920
 what he has done

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.720
 to be the way.

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.039
 Going to the cross,

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.140
 taking away our sin

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.980
 so that nothing

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:36.339
 should stand between us

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.100
 and the Father.

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.480
 Becoming the way

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.180
 to the Father

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.140
 through his death.

00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.640
 But it's not only

00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.299
 what he's done,

00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.720
 it's also who he is.

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.059
 He is the way

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:47.960
 because in his very being

00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.680
 he is one

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.400
 with the Father.

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.059
 Did you pick

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.460
 that up

00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.019
 from the reading?

00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.960
 That he is

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.679
 in the closest

00:19:55.679 --> 00:19:57.059
 possible relationship

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.240
 with the Father.

00:19:59.679 --> 00:20:00.359
 So in answer

00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.579
 to Philip's request,

00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.339
 Lord,

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.779
 show us the Father,

00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.399
 Jesus says,

00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.519
 don't you get it,

00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:05.759
 Philip?

00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:07.119
 I am in the Father

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.059
 and the Father

00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:09.019
 is in me

00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.740
 and whoever

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.659
 has seen me

00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:11.879
 has seen the Father.

00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:13.779
 In other words,

00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.099
 Jesus is the fullest

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.539
 possible revelation

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.179
 of God.

00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.940
 But you might ask,

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.120
 how can we see

00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:21.559
 the Father

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.220
 since Jesus

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.140
 is not visibly

00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.059
 present to us

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.900
 as he was

00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.640
 for his disciples?

00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.340
 Well,

00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.019
 the answer lies

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.779
 in the second half

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.559
 of verse 10.

00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.059
 That's why we read

00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.360
 that far in our reading.

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.000
 He says,

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:37.059
 the words I say to you

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.839
 I do not speak

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.240
 on my own authority.

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:39.759
 Rather,

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.779
 it is the Father

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.880
 living in me

00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:43.119
 who is doing

00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.000
 his work.

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.400
 Do you see the

00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.799
 emphasis on his words?

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.079
 And that when Jesus

00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.099
 speaks,

00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.720
 it is the Father

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.460
 working.

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:54.740
 It is the Father

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.019
 working to make

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.880
 himself known

00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.859
 through the Son.

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.880
 It is the Father

00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.180
 speaking to us

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.839
 through the Son,

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.160
 revealing himself

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.759
 to us

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.620
 through the Son.

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.779
 And so Jesus'

00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:08.540
 words

00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:10.779
 are what matters.

00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:13.040
 You see,

00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:14.940
 I can't know you

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.000
 simply by looking

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.400
 at you,

00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:16.759
 can I?

00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.600
 I could just

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.500
 sort of stand here

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.120
 for half an hour

00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.220
 just looking at you

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.800
 and really at the end

00:21:22.800 --> 00:21:23.420
 of that not feel

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:23.920
 I know you

00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.460
 any better.

00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:27.060
 But if after service

00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:28.180
 we have a conversation

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.480
 and you use words

00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.400
 and you speak to me

00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.440
 and tell me about yourself,

00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:32.700
 then I will begin

00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.560
 to feel I'm beginning

00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.340
 to know you.

00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:36.300
 And if I want to know you,

00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.000
 I need to listen

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.019
 to what you say.

00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.840
 And Jesus' words

00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:41.019
 paint the clearest,

00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.460
 fullest,

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.800
 most understandable

00:21:43.800 --> 00:21:45.040
 revelation and portrait

00:21:45.040 --> 00:21:45.740
 of the Father

00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.740
 that we could have.

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:49.100
 And so we see the Father

00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.840
 by listening to the Son.

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.140
 And so he's fully qualified

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.160
 to be the way.

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.920
 And there are two

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.000
 essential aspects

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.640
 that first he makes

00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:02.140
 God known to us

00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:03.660
 by his work of revelation

00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:05.480
 and second he clears

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.599
 the way for us

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.319
 to know God

00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.039
 by his work of redemption.

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.859
 That's paying the price

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.740
 to set us free

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.460
 from our sins

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.460
 by dying for us

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.039
 on the cross.

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.380
 In other words,

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:18.079
 he both makes God known

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.640
 and makes God knowable.

00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.079
 And then he simply

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.140
 expands further

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:24.400
 on those two aspects

00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.660
 of his being the way

00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.180
 in the rest

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.019
 of this stupendous

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:28.180
 declaration as he goes

00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.700
 on to say,

00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.500
 I am the truth.

00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.240
 Again, he does not merely

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.000
 speak the truth,

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.539
 he embodies the truth.

00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.660
 Though all the truth

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:38.059
 of God resides in Jesus

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.099
 and is communicated

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:41.059
 to us through him.

00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.480
 And so as the way

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.220
 to the Father,

00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.339
 he shares with us

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.480
 the knowledge of God.

00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.559
 And we're not left

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.259
 in ignorance,

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.460
 left blindly trusting

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.879
 a God we do not know.

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.820
 No, we come to know

00:22:56.820 --> 00:22:58.060
 the truth concerning God

00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:59.520
 by knowing Jesus

00:22:59.520 --> 00:23:01.100
 and listening to his word.

00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.480
 If you want to know

00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.060
 the truth,

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:05.360
 you have to know Jesus.

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.300
 That's the bottom line.

00:23:10.760 --> 00:23:11.700
 And then he says,

00:23:11.800 --> 00:23:12.640
 I am the life.

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.740
 So as the way

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.440
 to the Father,

00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.500
 he shares with us

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.600
 not only the knowledge

00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.040
 of God,

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.520
 but amazingly,

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.500
 he shares with us

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.619
 the life of God.

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.940
 So John's gospel,

00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.859
 this testimony to Jesus,

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.339
 John,

00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.480
 who walked the roads

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.539
 of Israel with Jesus,

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.299
 listened to Jesus,

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:31.920
 saw Jesus,

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.680
 touched Jesus,

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.079
 wrote his testimony

00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.519
 to the life of Jesus

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.539
 and all that he said

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.700
 and did for us.

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.200
 John's gospel

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.559
 is full of the promise

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.940
 of eternal life.

00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.319
 But how does Jesus

00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:46.319
 give us eternal life?

00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.400
 Not merely by pointing

00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.339
 the way to life,

00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:51.179
 not simply by telling us

00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:52.559
 where to find life,

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:55.459
 but by giving himself.

00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.059
 And he both gives himself

00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.980
 for us

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.099
 and he gives himself

00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.839
 to us.

00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:03.459
 First,

00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.079
 he gives himself

00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:05.439
 for us on the cross,

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.679
 taking our place

00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.939
 under the wrath of God,

00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:09.220
 bearing the penalty

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.959
 for our sins

00:24:09.959 --> 00:24:11.159
 so that penalty of death

00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:12.619
 should be lifted from us

00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.959
 and then he gives himself

00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:14.779
 to us

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.899
 by giving us

00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:16.639
 his spirit.

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:18.720
 so the life

00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.500
 that is in him

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.520
 should flow in us,

00:24:20.560 --> 00:24:20.880
 he says,

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.420
 like living waters.

00:24:25.520 --> 00:24:27.259
 So as the truth,

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.460
 he's able to take away

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.200
 the darkness

00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.180
 of our minds

00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.280
 and give us understanding

00:24:31.280 --> 00:24:32.700
 and as the life,

00:24:32.800 --> 00:24:33.940
 he's able to take away

00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.700
 the deadness

00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.640
 of our souls

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:37.480
 and give us life.

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.860
 And then he says to us,

00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.940
 I am the way

00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:42.940
 and the truth

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.420
 and the life.

00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:46.539
 And we can come

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.080
 to the Father

00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.700
 through him.

00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.160
 And as we come

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.620
 to the Father

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.140
 through him,

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.100
 we receive both

00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:51.940
 the truth of God

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.019
 and the life of God.

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.300
 That's a most

00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:59.500
 stupendous affirmation,

00:24:59.600 --> 00:24:59.960
 isn't it?

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.259
 In answer

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.460
 to a troubling question.

00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:06.519
 Something to pause

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:09.300
 and marvel at.

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:13.779
 But Jesus immediately

00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.139
 adds a clarifying

00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.700
 negation.

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.919
 He says,

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.000
 no one comes

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.500
 to the Father

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.519
 except through me.

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.200
 This negation

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.500
 brings great clarity.

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.399
 It clarifies

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:28.960
 that Jesus

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.839
 is not just

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.659
 a way,

00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.399
 that he is

00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.539
 the way.

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.579
 because he says,

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.420
 no one

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:38.000
 comes to the Father

00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.759
 except through me.

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.519
 No special cases,

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.480
 no exemption,

00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.700
 no one

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.819
 comes to the Father

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.180
 except through me.

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.420
 You come

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.200
 to the Father

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.920
 through Jesus

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.859
 or you do not

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.680
 come at all.

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.180
 And it's this negation

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.039
 that makes the word

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.940
 such a controversial

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.980
 answer to the

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.779
 troubling question,

00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.839
 how can we know

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.180
 the way?

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.559
 And I just

00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.200
 imagine

00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.399
 that Graham,

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.899
 your pastor,

00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.099
 is invited

00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:08.159
 to some

00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:10.000
 civic event

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.519
 in Edinburgh

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.259
 city centre

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.220
 with community

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.039
 leaders from

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.720
 many different

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.119
 faiths

00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.559
 and he's asked

00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.119
 to say a few

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.720
 words about

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.279
 his faith

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.539
 and so he

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.679
 begins to read

00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.339
 these words

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.099
 of Jesus.

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.259
 Maybe there

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.319
 are murmurs

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.259
 of admiration

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.379
 as he reads,

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.379
 I am the way,

00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:30.039
 the truth,

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.639
 and the life.

00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.759
 What stirring

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.480
 words from

00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.819
 the lips

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.359
 of Jesus

00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.079
 but then

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.899
 he goes on

00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:37.259
 and he

00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.839
 completes

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.259
 the reading,

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.480
 no one

00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.519
 comes to

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.039
 the Father

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.679
 except

00:26:43.679 --> 00:26:45.559
 through me.

00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.319
 An awkward

00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.319
 silence follows

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:54.139
 because no one

00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:54.940
 can fail to

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.559
 recognise the

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.039
 challenge of

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.480
 the negative.

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:59.799
 those few

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.700
 words are a

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.559
 challenge to

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.700
 all of the

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.339
 world's

00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:03.799
 religions,

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:07.079
 to all of

00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.799
 their teachings,

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.360
 to all of

00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.220
 their techniques,

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.120
 to all of

00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.779
 their rules,

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.599
 their stories,

00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.460
 the words of

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.240
 their gurus

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.880
 and prophets

00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:16.099
 and it's saying

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.860
 that none of

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.559
 them will bring

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.259
 anyone to

00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.599
 God.

00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:21.379
 that's what

00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:21.859
 they claim

00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.139
 they will

00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.579
 do but

00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.179
 they won't.

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.000
 Jesus is

00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.599
 saying no

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.359
 one comes

00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.619
 to the

00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.219
 Father by

00:27:27.219 --> 00:27:27.579
 them.

00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:29.059
 That in

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.959
 fact by

00:27:29.959 --> 00:27:31.159
 pointing people

00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:32.339
 away from

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.919
 Jesus,

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.359
 by saying,

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.099
 claiming there

00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.459
 are other

00:27:36.459 --> 00:27:36.939
 ways,

00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.059
 that far

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.779
 from bringing

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.839
 people to

00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.279
 God,

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.559
 they must

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.740
 inevitably

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.879
 lead people

00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.799
 away from

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.139
 God,

00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.659
 away from

00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.180
 the truth,

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.700
 away from

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.240
 life.

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.079
 There are

00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.899
 many paths

00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.619
 away from

00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.119
 God but

00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.639
 only one

00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.139
 way to

00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.940
 God and

00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.279
 his name

00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.740
 is Jesus.

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.119
 And this

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.919
 negative is

00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:04.899
 the challenge

00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.779
 that we face

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.460
 as we think

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.099
 about bearing

00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.159
 witness to

00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.659
 the Lord

00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.039
 Jesus.

00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.059
 Because

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:14.019
 we might be

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.720
 delighted to

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.200
 talk about

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.059
 Jesus being

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.059
 a way,

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.779
 but we're

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.659
 fearful of

00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.259
 talking about

00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.899
 Jesus being

00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.700
 the way,

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.859
 of urging

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.279
 people to

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:24.659
 come to

00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.259
 Jesus because

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:25.759
 there's no

00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.500
 other way.

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.339
 Our friends

00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.740
 might be

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.419
 interested as

00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:29.879
 we talk about

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.460
 Jesus being

00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.059
 a way,

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.480
 about truth

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.919
 and life

00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:33.399
 being found

00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:33.859
 in Jesus,

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.500
 but when we

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:34.899
 tell them

00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.319
 there's no

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.139
 other way,

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.220
 well that's

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.539
 when the

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.379
 conversation can

00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:39.940
 get heated,

00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.839
 or at least

00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.559
 we anticipate,

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.359
 we fear it

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.659
 will get

00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:42.919
 heated,

00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:43.579
 so maybe we

00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.159
 never start the

00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.779
 conversation in the

00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.319
 first place.

00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.279
 We fear the

00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.859
 pushback.

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.399
 So first we

00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.259
 need to

00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:53.180
 overcome our

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.119
 fear of

00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.559
 controversy by

00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.599
 trusting in

00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:56.960
 God.

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.119
 But we also

00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.879
 need to feel

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.619
 for ourselves

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.379
 the forceful

00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:03.779
 weight of

00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.399
 this negative.

00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.579
 And I

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.339
 know for my

00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.920
 own part

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:12.100
 that this

00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:12.680
 negative

00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.720
 challenges both

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.740
 my reluctance

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.539
 to tell people

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.080
 the good news

00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.460
 of the Lord

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.500
 Jesus and

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.920
 my complacency

00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.080
 about their

00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.880
 urgent and

00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.640
 vital need

00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.700
 to hear this

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.380
 news.

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.220
 There is no

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.660
 room for

00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.539
 complacency.

00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.539
 My neighbours

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.480
 who do not

00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.200
 know Jesus,

00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.340
 they really

00:29:32.340 --> 00:29:33.580
 do not know

00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.160
 the way.

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.800
 And they

00:29:35.800 --> 00:29:36.539
 can't come to

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.160
 the Father if

00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.720
 they don't know

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.140
 the way.

00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.759
 And they

00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.560
 really are

00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:40.140
 lost.

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:40.800
 And they

00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.580
 really are

00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.140
 ignorant to

00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:42.560
 the truth.

00:29:42.820 --> 00:29:43.160
 And they

00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:44.680
 are truly

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.920
 perishing in

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.540
 their sins

00:29:46.540 --> 00:29:47.600
 without life.

00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:48.640
 And they

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.460
 will die in

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.240
 their sins if

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.780
 they do not

00:29:50.780 --> 00:29:51.380
 come to the

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:51.940
 Father through

00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.400
 Jesus.

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.360
 And the

00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.259
 same goes for

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.120
 every single

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.720
 person we

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.580
 meet who does

00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.060
 not know

00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:57.440
 Jesus.

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.820
 They do not

00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.380
 know the way.

00:29:59.480 --> 00:29:59.960
 They cannot

00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.800
 know the way if

00:30:00.800 --> 00:30:01.200
 they don't

00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.820
 know him.

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:06.240
 and I

00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.879
 might be the

00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.939
 only Christian

00:30:07.939 --> 00:30:08.659
 they know

00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:10.240
 who can

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.759
 tell them

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.819
 about him.

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.119
 And I'm

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.539
 not trying to

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.919
 give you a

00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.399
 guilt trip.

00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.500
 I'm just

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.039
 trying to help

00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.740
 all of us in

00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.159
 this room,

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.519
 myself included,

00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.439
 just to feel the

00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.179
 weight of that

00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.879
 and not be

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.679
 complacent.

00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:30.600
 And I need

00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.160
 to ask the

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.700
 Father to

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.220
 help me.

00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.820
 And I need

00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.740
 to rely on

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.320
 the Spirit

00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:35.840
 that Jesus

00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.640
 has given me.

00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:38.259
 And I need

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.900
 to overcome

00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.140
 my reluctance

00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:40.720
 and my

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.680
 complacency and

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.100
 I need to

00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.620
 tell them

00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.320
 about Jesus

00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.880
 the Son.

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.880
 Because I

00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.299
 know the

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.820
 way and

00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.580
 they don't.

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.740
 Just imagine

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.400
 that my wife

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:50.840
 had gone to

00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.320
 that person

00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:51.620
 who worked

00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:51.799
 in the

00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.240
 ticket office

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.600
 at Plymouth

00:30:52.600 --> 00:30:53.759
 Station and

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.039
 says,

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.400
 what's the

00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:54.900
 way for me

00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.299
 to get where

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:55.660
 I'm going?

00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:56.100
 And she

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.279
 said,

00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:56.680
 well I know

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:56.900
 but I'm

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.080
 not going to

00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:57.420
 tell you.

00:30:57.680 --> 00:31:04.000
 I know

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.320
 the way

00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:04.600
 and they

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.000
 don't.

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.360
 Do I

00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:07.799
 have enough

00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.299
 love to

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.720
 tell them

00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.000
 the way

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.240
 to the

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.560
 Father?

00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.000
 Where to

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.019
 find truth

00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.539
 and life?

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.460
 The good

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.039
 news of

00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.340
 the Lord

00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.779
 Jesus is

00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.180
 the good

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.820
 news of

00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:18.279
 the way

00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.160
 to God.

00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:20.700
 The God

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.160
 who created

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.720
 all things,

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.200
 the God

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.160
 who gave

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.700
 us life

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.240
 and breath

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.700
 and all

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:24.940
 that we

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.279
 have,

00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.100
 is the

00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:26.940
 good news

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.200
 of the

00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.400
 way

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.860
 to God

00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.080
 through

00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.500
 Jesus

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.759
 the

00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:28.980
 Son.

00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.480
 It's

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.840
 the way

00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.400
 to life,

00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:31.460
 it's the

00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.740
 way to

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.160
 the truth,

00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:32.960
 it's the

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.500
 way home.

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.680
 And through

00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.299
 all of our

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.820
 everyday evangelism

00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.580
 and through a

00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.380
 passion for life

00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:39.880
 we want to

00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.720
 encourage each

00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.720
 other and

00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.240
 we want to

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.059
 help each

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.259
 other and

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.920
 urge each

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:46.400
 other to

00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.640
 declare this

00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.580
 good news

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.059
 to those

00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:50.079
 to those

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.480
 that God

00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.879
 puts in

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.439
 our lives.

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.980
 But he

00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.319
 is the

00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.559
 way,

00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.980
 he is the

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.319
 truth,

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.639
 he is the

00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:56.980
 life.

00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.839
 That's why

00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.359
 we are

00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.939
 devoted to

00:31:59.939 --> 00:32:00.279
 Jesus,

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.859
 that's why

00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:02.299
 we need to

00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.740
 tell other

00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.419
 people about

00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:03.659
 him.

00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:03.720
 Amen.

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:03.720


00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:03.720


00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:03.720