WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all. Please take your copy of God's Word and join me in the Gospel according to John.

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 Let's see.

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 I am not perfect, and I cannot plead my perfection before God, but must plead the perfection of Christ.

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 What a good reminder this morning as we sang a song called, It Was Finished Upon That Cross.

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 Today we're going to have an introduction to the Gospel according to John.

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 It's been some time since I have preached, and I'm very grateful to be back at it today.

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 So this marks the beginning of a verse-by-verse exposition of this Gospel.

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 So the verse-by-verse part of that will begin next week.

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 And I just want to say a brief word about verse-by-verse exposition.

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 Well, the idea of an exposition or to exposit a text means that you bring out the completion of it.

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 You're not neglecting any part of that text.

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 And we find as a general habit that verse-by-verse exposition is an important task to take up.

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 That's not to say that it's more holy than any other kind of preaching, but it's just a good habit.

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 Sometimes the word exposition and the word exegesis is used interchangeably, and this just shouldn't be the case.

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 I was speaking to a pastor earlier this week who kept saying he was going to exegete something,

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 and I think what he meant was exposit it.

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 But if you're expositing it, you're also exegeting it to be clear.

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 So exegesis, that word comes from the Greek, and it simply means to come from the source, to come out of the source.

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 And it's put in opposition to eisegesis, which means to read things into the source.

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 And so any good preaching, faithful preaching, God-exalting preaching is going to be exegesis.

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 It's going to come out of the text.

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 But not all preaching can be exposition because not all preaching can lay out the entirety of a given matter.

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 So like when we preach topically, it's very difficult.

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 I think it can be done, but it's very difficult to exposit a topic because that's to say you'd have to say everything there is to say about that topic.

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 That's difficult to do.

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 Sometimes topical preaching is the most difficult because you have to figure out what not to say versus what should be said.

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 So for those reasons, we like verse by verse.

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 It's a wonderful thing to have a text just laid before you and to say,

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 okay, this is what God intends for his people to hear on this day.

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 That said, an introduction really can't be an exposition.

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 I can't give you an entirety of John's gospel this morning.

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 We're going to do that across some time, but it should be exegetical.

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 It should still derive from the source the information.

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 So we're not going to rush our study of this gospel.

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 It's looking like, as I'm working through an outline, it's going to be something like 70 or so sermons.

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 So we'll spend the next year, year and a half in this text.

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 It surely shouldn't be the only Bible that you're getting.

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 You need to be reading the Bible more broadly, but I really, really hope that us drilling down, expositing this text will serve you.

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 And because we're about to set ourselves on this journey, we need to do some introductory work.

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 It's helpful for us to kind of prerequisite the study of John's gospel.

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 So today we're going to consider the book's authorship, its context, its purpose, and its major themes.

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 And my hope for today is that you get excited about the time our church will spend together in this portion of God's word.

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 So first, let's talk about the authorship.

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 Now you have already heard me say that this book is titled The Gospel According to John.

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 Your Bible likely has that exact title or some variation of it.

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 However, the book never names John as its author.

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 That said, and while there is some minor disagreement about its authorship,

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 the widely accepted understanding is that the apostle John wrote it.

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 I don't really think we need to have any arguments about it,

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 but I do want to give you some evidences that John did in fact write this gospel account.

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 The testimony of the early church bears witness to what I just don't mind stating as a fact.

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 John wrote this gospel.

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 Irenaeus was the first person to name John as its author in his work against heresies written in the 2nd century.

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 Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John.

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 So just a generation of discipleship removed.

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 Also, Theophilus of Antioch, who lived at the same time, wrote,

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 quote, quote,

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 The holy writings teach us, and all the inspired men,

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 one of whom, John, says,

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 in the beginning was the Word,

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 and the Word was with God, end quote.

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 I could go on.

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 There's lots of early church evidence that they consider John its author,

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 but I will spare you more historical names that I likely can't pronounce and further quotations.

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 The point is, the early church understood this book to be authored by John,

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 so we have them as a strong external testimony.

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 We also have some internal testimony, though not definitive,

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 that gives strong evidence of John's authorship.

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 So let me show you four.

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 I told you to take out your Bibles to John.

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 You may appreciate flipping around to some of these and seeing them.

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 I'm going to move fairly quickly through these,

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 because this is not the ultimate point of this morning.

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 Firstly, though, the author was a Jew,

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 and we get this evidence because he was familiar with Jewish traditions

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 and opinions about a number of matters,

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 including the Messiah.

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 We see this in chapter 1, verse 21,

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 chapter 6, verse 14 through 15,

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 chapter 7, verse 26 through 27, etc.

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 The importance of religious training,

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 the relationship of suffering to personal sin,

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 avoiding ceremonial defilement,

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 wedding and burial customs,

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 the need to be purified before celebrating Passover,

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 and more.

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 There's a lot of evidence that he was very familiar with Jewish traditions

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 and opinions about a bunch of different matters.

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 Secondly, we can derive from the text that the author was a Palestinian Jew.

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 His knowledge of local places could only be known

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 by someone who had lived in Palestine.

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 He gives specific distances from one place to another as an example.

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 They didn't have maps to reference or some device to look it up on.

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 He would have had to travel those distances.

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 A simple example is he distinguished between

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 the Bethany beyond the Jordan,

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 in chapter 1, verse 28,

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 and the Bethany on the outskirts of Jerusalem,

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 chapter 11, and verse 1.

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 So his familiarity with the geography

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 speaks to the fact that he was a Palestinian Jew,

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 lived in that region.

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 Thirdly, the author was an eyewitness.

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 He includes specific details

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 that aren't essential to the stories that he tells,

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 which are not found in the other three gospel accounts.

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 So he's not pulling these details from someplace else.

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 He must have himself witnessed these things.

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 Details like the name of Judas Iscariot's father,

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 you can see in chapter 6 and verse 71,

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 as well as other details.

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 And then fourthly, the author is not mentioned.

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 Let me explain.

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 The other three gospel accounts mention the apostle John.

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 John was one of the three apostles

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 who were closest to Jesus,

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 often called his inner circle.

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 It was John, his brother James, and Peter

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 that were, for example,

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 invited to witness Jesus' transfiguration.

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 The other three gospels mention him by name.

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 This one does not.

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 The gospel before us does mention

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 the apostle whom Jesus loved.

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 Chapter 13, verse 23.

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 Chapter 19, verse 26.

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 Chapter 21, and verse 20.

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 Which strongly implies that John is referring to himself.

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 And what a wonderful way to refer to yourself.

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 So John was a Jewish, a Palestinian Jew,

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 an eyewitness,

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 and he's not mentioned in the text.

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 All of this evidence, taken together,

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 gives us plenty to be confident in this book's authorship.

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 But I encourage you to shut down anybody

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 who wants to argue with you otherwise.

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 It is the gospel according to John.

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 Second, and very briefly,

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 John's context.

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 This book was written in the last part of the first century,

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 most likely between 80 and 90 A.D.

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 Once again, there's some controversy about this dating.

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 Typically meant to erode confidence in this gospel,

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 and I would be really glad to speak with you further

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 about the dating if you'd like to hear it.

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 I think most people don't,

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 so I'm not going to at this moment.

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 But there's some really good reason to believe

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 that it was written between 80 and 90 A.D.

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 Church tradition holds that John was in Ephesus

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 at the time of its writing.

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 Text doesn't give us any clue to that,

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 but the church tradition says

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 that that's where he was located

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 in the later years of his life.

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 Third, what was the purpose

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 for the writing of John's gospel account?

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 Now, we, of course, believe

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 that the scripture is inspired.

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 So John is being led to write this

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 by the Spirit of God who dwelt within him,

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 but he's got something in mind

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 as he sits down to write this particular gospel account.

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 John is unique among the gospels.

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 The other three are often called the synoptics

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 or the synoptic gospels.

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 This word comes from a Greek word

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 which means to see together,

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 and often we just think of that word

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 as meaning similar.

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 Matthew, Mark, and Luke

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 all have distinct emphases and themes,

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 but they follow the same general outline of events

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 and have similar content,

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 structure, and perspective.

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 So in that way, they kind of sit together,

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 and John sits a little oddly, uniquely,

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 off to itself.

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 More than 90% of John's gospel

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 is not found in the synoptics.

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 John speaks of Christ's preexistence

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 and creative power,

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 chapter 1, verse 1 through 3.

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 Jesus' early ministry in Judea and Samaria,

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 chapters 2 and 3.

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 His dialogue with Nicodemus,

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 chapter 3, verse 1 through 21.

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 His bread of life teaching,

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 chapter 6, verse 22 through 71.

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 His discourse about being the good shepherd,

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 chapter 10, verse 1 through 39.

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 The washing of the disciples' feet,

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 chapter 13, verse 1 through 15.

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 The upper room discourse

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 and the high priestly prayer,

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 chapters 13 through 17, and more.

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 We find all of this in John

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 and not in the synoptic gospels.

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 It explores the tragedy

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 of the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

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 And then John, with great clarity,

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 lets us know exactly why he wrote it.

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 And I just love that he does this for our sake.

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 John, chapter 20, verse 30 and 31.

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 He writes this,

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 Now Jesus did many other signs

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 in the presence of the disciples

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 which are not written in this book.

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 But these are written

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 so that you may believe

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 that Jesus is the Christ,

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 the Son of God,

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 and that by believing,

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 you may have life in his name.

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 So there it is.

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 The purpose of the writing

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 of this gospel account.

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 Now it could be argued, of course,

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 that this is the purpose of the writing

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 of the entirety of the Bible.

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 But John doesn't leave us guessing at all

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 why he is penning this letter.

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 John's focus is on proclamation,

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 not on instruction.

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 He desires for his readers

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 to behold Christ,

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 to see Christ,

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 to understand his person

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 and his work,

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 that by believing in him,

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 we might have life.

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 Calvin said this gospel

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 is the key to understanding

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 the person and work

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 of Jesus Christ.

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 Christ.

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 Now we are going to return

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 to chapter 20, verse 31,

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 time and time again

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 as we study this book.

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 Written so that you may believe

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 that Jesus is the Christ,

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 the one, the Messiah,

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 the one who has come

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 to redeem his people,

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 to deliver them from sin and death

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 and to give him life.

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 The Son of God,

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 that by believing you may have

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 life in his name.

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 The purpose is abundantly clear.

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 But we shouldn't,

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 and won't,

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 neglect the major themes

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 that serve the purpose

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 of John's gospel account.

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 You may hear that

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 and you may think,

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 well, I've already believed

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 in the person and work

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 of Jesus Christ, right?

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 I've already been granted

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 this life that John speaks about.

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 Do I have any need

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 to read this

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 and to hear it preached

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 over so much time?

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 I will say to you,

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 yes, yes,

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 you most certainly do.

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 There are undergirding themes

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 that are going to be

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 of great help to us

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 in thinking about our salvation.

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 So, fourth,

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 let's consider five major themes

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 of the book of John.

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 First major theme

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 is the deity of Christ.

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 The opening words

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 in the beginning

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 was the word.

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 John chapter 1 and verse 1.

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 Echoes Genesis chapter 1

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:31.539
 and verse 1,

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.419
 declaring Christ

00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:35.919
 as the eternal God.

00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.559
 Next week,

00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.960
 we're going to celebrate Easter,

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.740
 and we're not going to stop

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.480
 just to talk about the resurrection.

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.720
 We're going to get right

00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.620
 into the very beginning

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:47.000
 of John chapter 1, right?

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.019
 The resurrection affirms

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.639
 everything that Jesus said

00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.639
 about himself,

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:52.820
 namely,

00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:54.039
 most importantly,

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.980
 his deity.

00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.539
 In the beginning

00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:59.320
 was the word,

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.539
 and the word was

00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.879
 with God,

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.740
 and the word

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:05.000
 was God.

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.660
 Jesus is explicitly

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.019
 called God

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.759
 in the Gospel of John.

00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.140
 He calls himself this.

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.960
 John chapter 10,

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.619
 verse 30,

00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.879
 is an example.

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:17.079
 I and the Father

00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:19.079
 are one.

00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:21.399
 We see it in chapter 8,

00:17:21.459 --> 00:17:22.099
 verse 58,

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.559
 and chapter 20,

00:17:23.699 --> 00:17:25.619
 verse 28.

00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:28.000
 Jesus makes

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.039
 seven I am statements

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.919
 that reveal

00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:33.419
 his divine nature.

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.659
 Jesus calls himself

00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:37.199
 the bread of life.

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.739
 I am the bread of life.

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.339
 Chapter 6,

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.019
 verse 35,

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.019
 and verse 48,

00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.759
 and verse 51.

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.379
 Jesus says,

00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.879
 I am the light

00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:47.240
 of the world.

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.240
 Chapter 8,

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.079
 and verse 12.

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.420
 He says,

00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:53.359
 I am the door.

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:54.639
 Chapter 10,

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.359
 verse 7,

00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:57.079
 and verse 9.

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.160
 He says,

00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.599
 I am the good shepherd.

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.259
 Chapter 10,

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:00.940
 verse 11,

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.839
 and verse 14.

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.000
 He says,

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.299
 I am the resurrection

00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.659
 and the life.

00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.819
 Chapter 11,

00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:10.059
 verse 25.

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.180
 He says,

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.299
 I am the way,

00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.119
 the truth,

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.500
 and the life.

00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.700
 Chapter 14,

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.039
 verse 6.

00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:17.680
 And he says,

00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:20.359
 I am the vine.

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.799
 Chapter 15,

00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:24.099
 verse 1 through 5.

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.899
 He's got a lot to say,

00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.099
 right?

00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:27.119
 And this is why

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.220
 this is not exposition

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.559
 because I want to develop

00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.680
 all of those thoughts

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:32.399
 and we will

00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.960
 when we get to those

00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.160
 verses.

00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.240
 So it sets out for us

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.059
 a major theme

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.799
 of the deity

00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.100
 of Christ.

00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.880
 Second major theme,

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.819
 the sovereign work

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.759
 of God

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:48.279
 in salvation.

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.819
 The sovereign work

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.299
 of God

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.519
 in salvation.

00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.319
 We cannot

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.160
 save

00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.500
 ourselves.

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.840
 It must be known

00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:59.079
 that your sin

00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.819
 makes you

00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.019
 utterly incapable

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.880
 of saving

00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.640
 yourself.

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.000
 Right?

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.579
 You have

00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.759
 nothing to plead

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.480
 before God

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.899
 except for

00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:08.299
 the saving work

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.779
 of God

00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.480
 on your

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.639
 behalf.

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.799
 So John makes

00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.619
 a case for

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.859
 monergistic

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.599
 salvation.

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.799
 God coming

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.899
 and saving

00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:18.460
 a people.

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.199
 Let me show you

00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.899
 a couple examples.

00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.139
 John chapter 1

00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:23.000
 and verse 13.

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.099
 John says that

00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.720
 men,

00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.519
 people who believe

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.000
 in Christ

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.279
 are born not of blood

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.919
 nor of the will

00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:28.500
 of the flesh

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.759
 nor of the will

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.379
 of man

00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:33.740
 but of God.

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.099
 People who belong

00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.519
 to God

00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.379
 are born

00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:38.879
 of God.

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.839
 John chapter 6

00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.819
 verse 37.

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.740
 No one can come

00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.180
 to me

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.359
 unless the Father

00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.640
 who sent me

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.200
 draws him.

00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.819
 Draws him.

00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:50.859
 And this

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.140
 word draws

00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.759
 is used

00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.980
 in extra-biblical

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.660
 language

00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.319
 to talk about

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:55.859
 the drawing

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.500
 of water

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.480
 out of the well.

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.660
 Water is brought

00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.759
 forcefully

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:02.140
 up out of a well.

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.319
 Chapter 10

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.079
 verse 26

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.480
 through 29

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.019
 says,

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.700
 But you do not believe

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.559
 because you are not

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.559
 among my sheep.

00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.539
 My sheep hear my voice

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.400
 and I know them

00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.440
 and they follow me.

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.559
 I give them

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.279
 eternal life

00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.380
 and they will never perish

00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.559
 and no one will snatch

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.579
 them out of my hand.

00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:21.259
 My Father who has given

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.859
 them to me

00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.940
 is greater than all

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.819
 and no one is able

00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.579
 to snatch them

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:26.119
 out of the Father's.

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.220
 hand.

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.480
 Praise God

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.680
 that God saves

00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.539
 because we would not

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.460
 save ourselves.

00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.839
 We find ourselves

00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.359
 this morning

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.420
 in Christ

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:37.240
 because of God's

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.119
 sovereign work

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.759
 on our behalf.

00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.240
 John chapter 15

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.140
 and verse 16.

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.279
 There Jesus says,

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.920
 You did not

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.740
 choose me

00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.720
 but I chose you

00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.779
 and appointed you

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.140
 that you should go

00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.819
 and bear fruit

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.660
 and that your fruit

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.240
 should abide.

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.640
 We sing a

00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.820
 song called

00:20:56.820 --> 00:20:57.259
 My Lord.

00:20:57.780 --> 00:20:58.960
 And so I get

00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.320
 one of my

00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:00.500
 and every time

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.000
 we sing it

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.780
 I just expect

00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.520
 somebody to come up

00:21:02.520 --> 00:21:02.960
 to me upset

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.660
 about that song

00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.420
 and so I get

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:04.840
 one of my

00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.620
 ribbon markers

00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.360
 and I put it

00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.340
 in John chapter 15

00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:07.920
 verse 16

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.400
 and to date

00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.280
 nobody's been upset

00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:11.100
 at me about that

00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:11.600
 song.

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.480
 I think that's

00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.180
 a wonderful thing.

00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.759
 It's a profession

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.420
 of what Jesus

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.140
 says is true

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:18.080
 in John chapter 15

00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:19.540
 and verse 16

00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.580
 and all of this

00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.240
 is taught

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.359
 so that God's

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.039
 people will be

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.319
 comforted.

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.740
 God is the one

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.259
 who saves.

00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.900
 I'm so grateful

00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.460
 this morning

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:30.400
 that it is not

00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.259
 my supposed

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.960
 perfection

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.539
 that I plead

00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.079
 before God

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.599
 because my

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.480
 supposed perfection

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.180
 is not

00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.200
 perfection.

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.859
 I've shown myself

00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.519
 to be imperfect

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.059
 as my eyes

00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.920
 opened this morning.

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.559
 I need to plead

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.680
 a true perfection.

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.200
 A righteousness

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.940
 that doesn't come

00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.380
 from me.

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.740
 An alien righteousness

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.120
 as Luther called it.

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.779
 The righteousness

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.460
 that belongs

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.880
 to Christ.

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.620
 He also

00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.640
 under this theme

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.200
 of the sovereign

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.920
 work of God

00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.519
 and salvation

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.799
 argues for the

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.400
 necessity

00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.859
 of regeneration.

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.000
 That we need

00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.039
 to be changed

00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.120
 not in degree

00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.599
 but in kind.

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.819
 We need to be

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.980
 changed from one

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.240
 type to another

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.740
 type.

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.599
 We see the record

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.380
 of a conversation

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.900
 between Jesus

00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:17.059
 and a man

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.500
 named Nicodemus

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.220
 in John chapter 3.

00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.680
 There we read

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.339
 this man came

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.259
 to Jesus by night

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.920
 and said to him

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.839
 Rabbi we know

00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.420
 that you are a

00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.259
 teacher come from

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.819
 God for no one

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.519
 can do these

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.480
 signs that you do

00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.160
 unless God

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.019
 is with him.

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.940
 Jesus answered him

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:34.359
 truly truly I say

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:34.819
 to you unless

00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:36.180
 one is born again

00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.539
 he cannot see

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.559
 the kingdom

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.940
 of God.

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.640
 Nicodemus said

00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.059
 to him

00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.359
 how can a man

00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:43.960
 be born when

00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.539
 he is old?

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.539
 Can he enter

00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.319
 a second time

00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.079
 into his mother's

00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.980
 womb and be

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.439
 born?

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.759
 He is basically

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.139
 saying what

00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.899
 are you talking

00:22:49.899 --> 00:22:50.779
 about to be

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.299
 born again?

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.919
 Jesus answered

00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.819
 truly truly I say

00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.299
 to you unless

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.059
 one is born

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.299
 of water

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.099
 and the spirit

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.659
 he cannot enter

00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.799
 the kingdom of

00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.119
 God.

00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:02.159
 That which is

00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:02.740
 born of the

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.179
 flesh is flesh

00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:04.980
 and that which

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.419
 is born of the

00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:08.439
 spirit is spirit.

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.539
 So we are born

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:13.220
 once that natural

00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.259
 way that biological

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.199
 way and we must

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.200
 be born again

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.420
 that supernatural

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:19.100
 way of the

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.920
 spirit to be

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.140
 accepted into

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.299
 the kingdom of

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.519
 God.

00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.360
 So that first

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.120
 major theme again

00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.819
 is the deity of

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.259
 Christ, the

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.740
 second the

00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.380
 sovereign work

00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.880
 of God in

00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.360
 salvation.

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.019
 Thirdly the

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.340
 glory of Christ

00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:34.759
 revealed in

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.259
 signs or you

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.860
 could replace

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.400
 that word with

00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.240
 miracles.

00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.500
 John's gospel

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.920
 records seven

00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.960
 miracles that

00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.200
 demonstrate Christ's

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:46.500
 divine power.

00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.980
 John chapter

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.660
 two Jesus

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.680
 turns water

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.039
 into wine.

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.299
 In John

00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.640
 chapter four in

00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.600
 a declaration of

00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.400
 Christ's authority

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:57.180
 over life he

00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.220
 heals the

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.680
 official's son.

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.059
 In John

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.519
 chapter five in

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.360
 declaring a

00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.779
 sovereignty over

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.620
 the Sabbath he

00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.000
 heals the

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.519
 lame man.

00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.559
 John chapter six

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.000
 Jesus feeds the

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.700
 five thousand.

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.980
 John chapter six

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.559
 also the walking

00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:18.119
 on water.

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.359
 John chapter nine

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.660
 he heals a

00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:23.559
 blind man and

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.299
 he declares his

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.400
 power over death

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:27.599
 in chapter 11 by

00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.640
 raising Lazarus

00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.900
 from the dead.

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.759
 So we see the

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.359
 glory of Christ

00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:34.079
 and these miracles

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.259
 recorded for us.

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:37.619
 fourthly the

00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.799
 major theme that's

00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.720
 developed is the

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.440
 cross and the

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.339
 lamb of God.

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.460
 John alone

00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.440
 records John the

00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.019
 Baptist's

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.559
 declaration

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.839
 quote behold

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.920
 the lamb of God

00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:51.160
 who takes away

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:53.140
 the sin of the

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.579
 world.

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.779
 John chapter one

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.339
 and verse

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.700
 twenty nine.

00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.079
 John makes it

00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.779
 clear that the

00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.000
 cross is not a

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.099
 plan gone wrong

00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.960
 but the preordained

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.660
 mission of

00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.120
 Christ.

00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.039
 Jesus says in

00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.799
 John 10 and

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.680
 verse 18

00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.279
 no one takes my

00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.519
 life from me

00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.680
 but I lay it

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:15.160
 down of my own

00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.620
 accord.

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.180
 I have authority

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.840
 to lay it down

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.140
 and I have

00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.960
 authority to take

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.559
 it up again.

00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.220
 This charge I have

00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:23.000
 received from my

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.420
 father.

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.600
 See also John

00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.819
 chapter 12 and

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.640
 verse 27.

00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.880
 Further John's

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:31.100
 gospel emphasizes

00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:32.079
 the Passover

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.339
 connection.

00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.819
 That Passover

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.919
 meal just before

00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.819
 God's people were

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.439
 delivered from

00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:37.960
 Egypt.

00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.299
 The Exodus

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:41.279
 account that

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.720
 they huddled in

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.559
 their homes at

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.759
 night and they

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.199
 killed a lamb

00:25:46.199 --> 00:25:46.740
 and they spread

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.299
 its blood over

00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.220
 their doorposts

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.240
 so that the

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.619
 angel of death

00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.839
 would pass over

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.699
 their homes.

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.220
 Jesus is the

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.319
 fulfillment of

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.740
 that type.

00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.159
 He's the true

00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:01.419
 Passover lamb.

00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.420
 His blood

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.779
 takes away

00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.880
 the death

00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:06.080
 that is owed

00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.480
 us.

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.519
 John chapter 19

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:09.380
 and verse 36.

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.140
 So we see this

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.120
 developing major

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.620
 theme of the

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.820
 cross and the

00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:14.980
 lamb of God.

00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.779
 And the fifth

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.019
 major theme that

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.759
 we see is the

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.940
 triune God

00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.160
 at work.

00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.800
 John's gospel

00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:24.140
 gives profound

00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:26.060
 insight into the

00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.460
 trinity.

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.220
 We see the

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.220
 father sending

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.019
 the son.

00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.019
 John chapter 3

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.299
 and verse 16.

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.640
 For God so

00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:35.259
 loved the world

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.259
 that he gave

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.000
 his only son.

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:37.759
 The Lord

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.620
 believes in him

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.740
 should not perish

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.240
 but have eternal

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.360
 life.

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.740
 We see the

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.420
 son accomplishing

00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.640
 the work of

00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.559
 three quarters of

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.259
 that song and

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.360
 Alex led us in

00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.960
 the rest of it.

00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.960
 There in John

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.500
 chapter 19

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.960
 verse 30

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.860
 Jesus says

00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:56.440
 it is

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.759
 finished

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.779
 and he bowed

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.299
 his head

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.620
 and he gave

00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.720
 up his spirit.

00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:02.820
 He accomplished

00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:03.779
 the redemptive

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.580
 work on behalf

00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.380
 of the people

00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.539
 that the father

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.140
 sent him

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.160
 for.

00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:10.380
 And we see

00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.100
 the spirit

00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.720
 applying that

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.900
 salvation.

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.059
 John chapter

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.640
 14

00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.700
 verse 16

00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.539
 and 17

00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.299
 Jesus says

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.620
 and I will

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.720
 ask the father

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.559
 and he will

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.200
 give you another

00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.080
 helper to be

00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:23.000
 with you forever

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.460
 even the spirit

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.039
 of truth

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.220
 whom the world

00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.039
 cannot receive

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.440
 because it

00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.400
 neither sees him

00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.620
 nor knows him.

00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.840
 You know him

00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.700
 for he dwells

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.360
 with you

00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:33.920
 and will be

00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.380
 in you.

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.620
 The father

00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.740
 the son

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.819
 and the spirit

00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.360
 doing this

00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:39.980
 great work

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.579
 on behalf

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.079
 of his people.

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.960
 Additionally

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.680
 the high priestly

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.100
 prayer

00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:46.200
 John chapter 17

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.880
 shows

00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.519
 trinitarian unity

00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.799
 in the

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.519
 work

00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:52.220
 of redemption.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.539
 So those are

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.099
 the five major

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.899
 themes that are

00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.639
 serving that

00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.879
 great purpose

00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.759
 that we believe

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.240
 that Jesus

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.960
 is the Christ

00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.279
 the son of God

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.740
 that we would

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.960
 believe in him

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.779
 have the salvation

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.500
 of our souls

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.339
 and life

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.500
 forevermore

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.339
 the deity

00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:06.899
 of Christ

00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.680
 the sovereign

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.299
 work of God

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.980
 and salvation

00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.839
 the glory

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.659
 of Christ

00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.139
 revealed

00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.500
 in miracles

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.759
 the cross

00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.399
 and the lamb

00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:14.920
 of God

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.759
 and the

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.960
 triune God

00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.099
 at work.

00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:20.859
 So

00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:21.980
 I think we've

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.759
 hinted around

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.339
 that it a bit

00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.379
 but why

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:24.940
 is the study

00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.559
 of John

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.660
 a timely

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.279
 study

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:29.160
 for our church?

00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.160
 People ask

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.599
 that question

00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.099
 sometimes.

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.039
 Are your elders

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.000
 decided together

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.779
 we're going to

00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.379
 preach through

00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.559
 the gospel

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.559
 of John

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.660
 at a bunch

00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.819
 of Bible

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.700
 book names

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.559
 on a board?

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.379
 We stop

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:43.000
 and we think

00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.079
 we consider

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.559
 together

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.519
 what might be

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.299
 good for us

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.119
 to spend time

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.359
 studying together

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.639
 and

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.219
 there's

00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:50.639
 four reasons

00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.419
 that I want

00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:52.500
 to share

00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.919
 with you.

00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.779
 I hope

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.039
 there are

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.279
 more.

00:28:54.479 --> 00:28:54.659
 I hope

00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:54.859
 there are

00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.539
 other ways

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.019
 that our

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.459
 study of

00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:56.740
 this

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.619
 is helpful

00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.119
 to you

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.740
 but four

00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.099
 reasons

00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.479
 that I

00:28:59.479 --> 00:28:59.899
 could think

00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.199
 of

00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:00.839
 that this

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.059
 would be

00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.639
 good for

00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:01.979
 us to

00:29:01.979 --> 00:29:02.259
 study

00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.699
 together

00:29:02.699 --> 00:29:03.000
 and then

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.219
 we'll

00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:04.079
 close our

00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.399
 time

00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.019
 together.

00:29:05.979 --> 00:29:06.259
 Number

00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.619
 one

00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.279
 it is

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.339
 always

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.759
 always

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.519
 good

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.419
 to know

00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:12.919
 more

00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:14.259
 of Christ

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.639
 and we

00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.319
 know him

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:18.099
 by beholding

00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:19.019
 him in

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.219
 the word.

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.500
 You will

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.579
 not ever

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.919
 get bored

00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.959
 studying the

00:29:24.959 --> 00:29:25.239
 scripture.

00:29:26.199 --> 00:29:27.179
 Read it

00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:28.099
 and read it

00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:29.059
 and read it

00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.979
 by the power

00:29:29.979 --> 00:29:30.599
 of the spirit

00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.019
 he's going to

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.739
 continue to

00:29:31.739 --> 00:29:32.979
 unfold for

00:29:32.979 --> 00:29:33.659
 you in

00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.799
 these pages

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.440
 is our

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.839
 Lord and

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.119
 Savior

00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.700
 Jesus

00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.159
 Christ.

00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:39.720
 In an

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.059
 age where

00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.519
 people

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:42.500
 form Christ

00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.460
 they imagine

00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.059
 a Christ

00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.440
 to suit

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.159
 their own

00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:45.799
 desires

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:47.299
 we need

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.539
 to be

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.139
 laser

00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.599
 focused

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.039
 on who

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.319
 Jesus

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.079
 really

00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.119
 is.

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.039
 As he's

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.500
 revealed in

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.039
 the text

00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.740
 as he's

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.059
 revealed

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.899
 himself

00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.579
 we need

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.799
 the actual

00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.200
 Jesus

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.039
 clear in

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.680
 our minds

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.139
 to help

00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:01.240
 us discern

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:03.200
 the false.

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.380
 Christ

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.680
 we will

00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:04.900
 never

00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.519
 fail

00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.360
 if we

00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:06.880
 hold up

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.240
 to one

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.680
 another

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.380
 in

00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:08.700
 scripture

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.799
 Christ

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.600
 it's

00:30:10.600 --> 00:30:10.960
 always

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.299
 good

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.480
 to

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:11.700
 know

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.220
 more

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.360
 of

00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:13.759
 Jesus

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:15.900
 second

00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.319
 reason

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.960
 I think

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.100
 it's

00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.319
 helpful

00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.600
 for us

00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:17.920
 to study

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.360
 John

00:30:18.360 --> 00:30:18.700
 to

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:20.380
 nudge

00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.180
 at a

00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.920
 growth

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.420
 in

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.319
 reverence

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:25.200
 the high

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.559
 view of

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:25.900
 Christ

00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.140
 in

00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.519
 John

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:26.779
 should

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.080
 lead

00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:27.500
 us

00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.340
 to a

00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:28.779
 high

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.180
 view

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.500
 of

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.100
 gathered

00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.799
 worship

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.539
 of

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.200
 this

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.419
 Christ

00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:35.139
 Sundays

00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.799
 beloved

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.379
 are

00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.619
 serious

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.099
 days

00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.480
 and I

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.639
 don't

00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:39.960
 mean

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.259
 that they

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.480
 are

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:40.919
 an

00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.720
 unjoyful

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.559
 day

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.000
 Sunday

00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.259
 should

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.440
 be

00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.740
 full

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.279
 of

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.139
 joy

00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:46.419
 but I

00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:46.599
 do

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:46.899
 mean

00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:47.059
 that

00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.200
 they

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.319
 are

00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.299
 weighty

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.319
 days

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.240
 we

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.379
 are

00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.940
 invited

00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.220
 to

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.619
 come

00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.419
 together

00:30:52.419 --> 00:30:53.399
 as an

00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:53.940
 outpost

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.119
 of

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.859
 God's

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.379
 people

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.419
 to sing

00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:56.940
 praises

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.379
 to his

00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:57.680
 name

00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.119
 to open

00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:58.379
 up his

00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:58.680
 word

00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.019
 and to

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.779
 learn

00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.119
 from it

00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.459
 to speak

00:31:00.459 --> 00:31:00.959
 truth

00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:01.539
 to one

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.739
 another

00:31:02.739 --> 00:31:04.279
 and I

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.859
 think that if we

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.599
 give serious

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.619
 consideration to

00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.159
 who we

00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:07.619
 gather to

00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:07.919
 worship

00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:09.199
 we may

00:31:09.199 --> 00:31:10.039
 find ourselves

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.579
 approaching

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.519
 this day

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.479
 more

00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:13.119
 importantly

00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:15.619
 now at

00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.299
 the fear of

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.000
 indicting anybody

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.559
 this morning

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.659
 I'm not going to

00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:18.899
 give you

00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.399
 examples

00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.319
 but if you

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.639
 want some

00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.159
 come ask me

00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:21.419
 I'll be

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:21.719
 happy to

00:31:21.719 --> 00:31:22.019
 share with

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.159
 you

00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:22.779
 some ways

00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.119
 I think

00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.459
 we could

00:31:23.459 --> 00:31:24.139
 grow

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.219
 in our

00:31:25.219 --> 00:31:25.719
 reverence

00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:26.379
 as a

00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:26.719
 church

00:31:26.719 --> 00:31:29.059
 thirdly

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.539
 I think

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:29.899
 a study

00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.139
 of

00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.839
 John's

00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.179
 gospel

00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:31.559
 will be

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.220
 good

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.460
 it'll

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:32.720
 serve

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:32.879
 our

00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.119
 church

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.299
 to

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.740
 remind

00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.159
 us

00:31:34.159 --> 00:31:34.940
 of

00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.460
 God's

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:35.879
 sovereignty

00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.579
 and

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.259
 anchor

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.599
 our

00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.240
 souls

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.659
 for

00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.399
 difficult

00:31:39.399 --> 00:31:40.839
 days

00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.079
 once again

00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.399
 I think

00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.319
 this is a

00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.579
 thing we

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:43.839
 need to be

00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.519
 reminded of

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.539
 constantly

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.639
 we need to

00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.619
 see God

00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.399
 held up

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:48.759
 at the

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.179
 center

00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.599
 of the

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:49.899
 story

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.159
 of the

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:50.440
 Bible

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:50.679
 and

00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:50.940
 therefore

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.220
 at the

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.440
 center

00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.960
 of ours

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.579
 controlling

00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:52.819
 the

00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:53.339
 minutia

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.519
 of every

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.319
 single

00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:55.919
 moment

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:58.300
 day

00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:58.620
 because

00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:58.840
 we're

00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.240
 going to

00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.900
 experience

00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.860
 difficult

00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:01.279
 days

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.920
 and we

00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.120
 need to

00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.420
 remember

00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.860
 who is

00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.240
 ultimately

00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.820
 in control

00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:05.039
 of all

00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.440
 things

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:07.560
 fourthly

00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:08.640
 good for us

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.080
 to study

00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:11.120
 John's

00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.440
 gospel

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.920
 account

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.440
 to spur

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.060
 on

00:32:14.060 --> 00:32:15.160
 bold

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:16.180
 gospel

00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.740
 proclamation

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:20.300
 God is

00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:20.880
 saving

00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.660
 a people

00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.900
 for his

00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:23.380
 praise

00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.260
 and he's

00:32:24.260 --> 00:32:24.780
 using

00:32:24.780 --> 00:32:25.040
 his

00:32:25.040 --> 00:32:25.400
 people

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.080
 to

00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:26.700
 accomplish

00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.420
 that

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.860
 work

00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:28.880
 we

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.280
 gather

00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:29.640
 together

00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:29.940
 as a

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.300
 church

00:32:30.300 --> 00:32:31.020
 in order

00:32:31.020 --> 00:32:31.380
 that we

00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:31.840
 might be

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.400
 sent

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.200
 in order

00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.520
 that we

00:32:33.520 --> 00:32:33.820
 might

00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.340
 go

00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:34.700
 and in

00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:34.860
 our

00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.420
 going

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:35.980
 we're

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.120
 meant

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.420
 to go

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.220
 gather

00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.820
 people

00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.420
 back

00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:38.840
 together

00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.820
 for the

00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.240
 praise

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:41.100
 of

00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:41.440
 Christ

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.920
 we're

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.100
 going to

00:32:43.100 --> 00:32:43.300
 note

00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:43.600
 Jesus

00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.180
 saying

00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.520
 things

00:32:44.520 --> 00:32:44.780
 in this

00:32:44.780 --> 00:32:45.080
 gospel

00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:45.460
 account

00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.040
 like

00:32:46.040 --> 00:32:46.280
 in

00:32:46.280 --> 00:32:46.460
 John

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:46.700
 chapter

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.160
 12

00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:47.640
 verse

00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.260
 49

00:32:48.260 --> 00:32:49.020
 I

00:32:49.020 --> 00:32:49.240
 have

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.420
 not

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.960
 spoken

00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:51.040
 on

00:32:51.040 --> 00:32:51.220
 my

00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.560
 own

00:32:51.560 --> 00:32:52.000
 authority

00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.360
 but the

00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.660
 father

00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.240
 who sent

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.539
 me

00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.200
 has

00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.759
 himself

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.180
 given

00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.380
 me

00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:55.579
 a

00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.120
 commandment

00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:56.339
 what

00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:56.539
 to

00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:56.980
 say

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.380
 and

00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:57.720
 what

00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.200
 to

00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.680
 speak

00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.180
 we

00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.380
 see

00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:01.700
 Jesus

00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.980
 just

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.880
 going

00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.480
 in

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:03.620
 his

00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.240
 going

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.660
 about

00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.200
 right

00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.559
 he's

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:05.880
 saying

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.079
 the

00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.380
 things

00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:06.519
 that

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:06.660
 the

00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.019
 father

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.779
 tells

00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.059
 him

00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.279
 to

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.539
 say

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:08.660
 in

00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:08.779
 other

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.059
 places

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.220
 we'll

00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.339
 see

00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:09.500
 him

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:09.900
 doing

00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.120
 the

00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.440
 things

00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:10.620
 that

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:10.779
 the

00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.039
 father

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.819
 tells

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.200
 him

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.920
 to

00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.180
 do

00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.660
 and

00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:15.759
 then

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:15.839
 he

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.000
 says

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.339
 this

00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.559
 in

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:16.720
 John

00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:16.960
 chapter

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.299
 20

00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.579
 verse

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.299
 21

00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.299
 peace

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.779
 be

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.380
 with

00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:20.680
 you

00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.740
 as

00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:21.940
 the

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.299
 father

00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.579
 has

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:22.779
 sent

00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.140
 me

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.060
 even

00:33:24.060 --> 00:33:24.480
 so

00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.400
 I

00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.540
 am

00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:25.840
 sending

00:33:25.840 --> 00:33:26.560
 you

00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.140
 right

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:27.980
 that

00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.080
 we

00:33:28.080 --> 00:33:28.180
 would

00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.320
 just

00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:28.600
 go

00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:28.940
 about

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.320
 in

00:33:29.320 --> 00:33:29.600
 our

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:30.220
 going

00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.700
 right

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.380
 believing

00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:31.560
 in

00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:31.680
 the

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:31.980
 sovereign

00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.240
 God

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.420
 that

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:32.700
 saves

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:32.840
 his

00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.180
 people

00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.480
 and

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:33.600
 we

00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:33.720
 would

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:33.880
 make

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.420
 bold

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:34.960
 gospel

00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.120
 proclamation

00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:37.280
 as we

00:33:37.280 --> 00:33:37.560
 do

00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.500
 we'll

00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:38.900
 talk a lot

00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.140
 about

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.420
 that

00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.160
 in this

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:40.360
 coming

00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:40.720
 year

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:43.000
 beloved

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.180
 the

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.360
 Lord

00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:43.540
 is

00:33:43.540 --> 00:33:43.920
 blessing

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.320
 our

00:33:44.320 --> 00:33:44.680
 church

00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.000
 with

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.740
 children

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.860
 I

00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:47.000
 am

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.280
 so

00:33:47.280 --> 00:33:47.500
 so

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.820
 grateful

00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:48.180
 for

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.500
 this

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.220
 we

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.420
 had

00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:49.660
 two

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:49.960
 born

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.200
 just

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.400
 this

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.819
 past

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.759
 week

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:51.980
 and

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.299
 they

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:52.420
 and

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:52.599
 their

00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.400
 families

00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.519
 are

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:53.640
 in

00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:53.779
 our

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.319
 prayers

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:55.240
 if

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.519
 I'm

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.079
 correct

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.220
 I

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.339
 think

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:56.500
 I

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:56.720
 am

00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:56.900
 we

00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:57.359
 still

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:57.519
 have

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.019
 nine

00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.819
 women

00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.259
 currently

00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.839
 pregnant

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.160
 right

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.500
 now

00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:02.859
 130

00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.640
 children

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.720
 85

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.680
 of those

00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.019
 children

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.319
 are

00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.819
 four

00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.279
 and

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:07.900
 under

00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.420
 and

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.099
 all

00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.219
 of

00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:09.360
 those

00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.619
 numbers

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:09.780
 are

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.400
 plus

00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:10.539
 or

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.800
 minus

00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:11.000
 but

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.099
 I

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.239
 think

00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:11.380
 I'm

00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.599
 pretty

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:11.980
 accurate

00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:13.460
 they're

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.739
 precious

00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:14.780
!

00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:15.360
 souls

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:15.380
!

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:15.960
 we

00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.119
 are

00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.559
 grateful

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:16.860
 for

00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.380
 each

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.820
 and

00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.260
 every

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.420
 one

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.539
 of

00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:19.760
 them

00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:21.320
 if

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.440
 you

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.539
 are

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:21.680
 a

00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.039
 parent

00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:22.980
 the

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.780
 evangelizing

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:23.980
 and

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.539
 discipling

00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:24.760
 of

00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:24.960
 your

00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.360
 children

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.800
 is

00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:26.380
 front

00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:26.860
 line

00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:27.579
 work

00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.599
 and

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:28.720
 we

00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:28.860
 do

00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:28.980
 that

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.360
 together

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:29.599
 like

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:29.720
 we

00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.019
 partner

00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.240
 in

00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:30.420
 that

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:30.800
 effort

00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.280
 together

00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.579
 with

00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:32.840
 these

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.340
 kids

00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.579
 but

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:33.980
 let

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.119
 us

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.320
 not

00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:34.800
 forget

00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.260
 our

00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:35.840
 broader

00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.460
 command

00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.599
 to

00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:37.820
 go

00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.780
 we

00:34:38.780 --> 00:34:38.980
 have

00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.360
 neighbors

00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.579
 and

00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.140
 co-workers

00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:40.380
 and

00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:40.980
 classmates

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.480
 that

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:41.820
 need

00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.500
 the

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.800
 gospel

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.000
 of

00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.240
 Jesus

00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:43.760
 Christ

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.020
 praise

00:34:45.020 --> 00:34:45.440
 God

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.200
 for

00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:46.360
 our

00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:46.800
 biological

00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.320
 growth

00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.660
 don't

00:34:47.660 --> 00:34:47.840
 hear

00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.140
 me

00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.340
 for

00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:48.700
 a

00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:48.960
 minute

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.760
 downplaying

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.540
 biological

00:34:50.540 --> 00:34:51.000
 growth

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.260
 we are

00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:51.460
 so

00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:51.740
 happy

00:34:51.740 --> 00:34:51.980
 for

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.160
 it

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:52.760
 but

00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:52.880
 let

00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.000
 us

00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.200
 also

00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.480
 not

00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:53.740
 lose

00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:54.100
 sight

00:34:54.100 --> 00:34:54.320
 of

00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.500
 the

00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:54.800
 wonderful

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.300
 potential

00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.700
 of

00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.740
 conversion

00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.920
 growth

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.860
 we want

00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.100
 to see

00:34:59.100 --> 00:34:59.380
 dead

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.740
 people

00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.620
 come

00:35:00.620 --> 00:35:00.820
 to

00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.180
 life

00:35:01.180 --> 00:35:02.240
 and

00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:02.360
 be

00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.540
 part

00:35:02.540 --> 00:35:02.620
 of

00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:02.760
 our

00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:03.140
 church

00:35:03.140 --> 00:35:04.640
 I

00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:04.840
 hope

00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:04.960
 that

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.060
 our

00:35:05.060 --> 00:35:05.260
 time

00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:05.480
 together

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:05.700
 this

00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:06.020
 morning

00:35:06.020 --> 00:35:06.620
 this

00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:06.940
 brief

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.120
 bit

00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:07.240
 of

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:07.680
 moment

00:35:07.680 --> 00:35:07.920
 we've

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.220
 had

00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:08.400
 has

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:08.620
 given

00:35:08.620 --> 00:35:08.760
 you

00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:08.940
 some

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.420
 bearing

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:09.720
 for

00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:09.920
 our

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.360
 intentions

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:10.360


00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:11.460
 and

00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.520
 pray

00:35:14.520 --> 00:35:14.700
 for

00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:14.920
 me

00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.220
 as

00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:15.360
 I

00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:15.700
 prepare

00:35:15.700 --> 00:35:15.920
 these

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.280
 sermons

00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:16.520
 other

00:35:16.520 --> 00:35:16.700
 men

00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:16.840
 will

00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:17.060
 also

00:35:17.060 --> 00:35:17.320
 come

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.460
 and

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.800
 preach

00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.660
 from

00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:18.800
 this

00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:19.060
 book

00:35:19.060 --> 00:35:19.300
 as

00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:19.620
 well

00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:20.660
 pray

00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:20.780
 that

00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:20.880
 we

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.080
 might

00:35:21.080 --> 00:35:21.480
 rightly

00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.060
 behold

00:35:22.060 --> 00:35:22.820
 Christ

00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.220
 and

00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:23.760
 grow

00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.260
 into

00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:24.600
 his

00:35:24.600 --> 00:35:25.360
 likeness

00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:25.800
 in

00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.060
 ever

00:35:26.060 --> 00:35:26.500
 increasing

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.040
 ways

00:35:27.040 --> 00:35:28.220
 together

00:35:28.220 --> 00:35:28.820
 let's

00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.060
 pray

00:35:29.060 --> 00:35:29.600
 to

00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:29.800
 that

00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.040
 end