WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.540 Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit would work mightily in our hearts and our minds, our wills, our affections as we open your word. 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:25.859 Father, we thank you that as Jesus becomes the Savior of our lives and as he becomes Lord of more and more of our lives, that you build within us a deep inner freedom. 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:31.339 Father, we thank you for this mighty work of your Holy Spirit in our lives. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:36.519 So, Father, pour out the Holy Spirit now and we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:38.119 Please be seated. 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:44.539 Just want to sort of begin by asking for your prayers for me. 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:52.460 You know, I really do know how hard it is sometimes just to share about Jesus. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:58.799 Maybe I'm way more sensitive to what people think about me than you folks are. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:06.859 But just yesterday, I was in a Starbucks and I was working on my sermon. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:16.079 I had this book out with my pen and I kept staring off into space and I was praying and I was having a hard time trying to put my sermon together. 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:19.120 But there's this couple that I'd never talked to before. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:33.359 They were a bit older than me and they just, everything about them just said, these are two people that were probably university professors, just very urbane, educated, competent people. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:36.659 But just somehow or another, from the way they dressed to the way they carried themselves. 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:39.659 And I'd seen them there quite a few times over the years. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:40.580 I'd never talked to them. 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:47.319 And yesterday, after I'd been working away at my sermon for about an hour and a half, we got into a conversation. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:50.659 And one of the very first things they asked me is if I was working on a speech. 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:53.900 Now, here's where I'm asking for your prayer. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:57.980 I have to say that within myself, I paused and I almost felt like saying yes. 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:01.039 But I didn't want to say I was working on a sermon. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:04.039 This isn't George at his best. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:05.420 This is George as a sinner. 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:20.520 And I actually, it felt like a long time, but it was probably only a fraction of a second that went through my mind was, I'd like to really just sort of feel like I'm at one with these people, you know, urbane, educated, you know, whatever. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:26.560 But, you know, probably in heaven I'll find out that one of you were praying for me at that exact moment. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.659 But I said, well, actually, I'm not working on a speech. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:30.699 I'm a pastor and I'm working on a sermon. 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:36.339 And that ended up bringing about a conversation we had for about 20 minutes. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.799 But here's the other thing about that, which is so funny. 00:02:40.359 --> 00:02:45.280 And so on one hand, I ask for your prayers because I'm a sinful, fallen human being. 00:02:45.959 --> 00:02:51.519 And it's easy to just want to try to curry favor with people rather than bearing witness to Jesus. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:55.299 You know, the funny thing, of course, is that we didn't have a bad conversation. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.780 They didn't say, oh, well, you're really stupid. 00:02:56.839 --> 00:02:57.739 I'm not going to talk to you. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:00.019 We actually had a very good conversation for 20 minutes. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:01.939 But here's the other funny thing about it. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:10.620 That just before, but probably about five minutes before I prayed to them, I actually wrote down in my book two prayer requests because I was having a hard time. 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:15.200 I wrote down, Lord, how do I begin my sermon? 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:22.140 And the second thing is, Lord, how do I connect this sermon, this topic to Christians and non-Christians? 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:26.140 And five minutes later, I had my conversation with these two non-Christians. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:31.799 It was only afterwards that I thought to myself, God answered my prayer in five minutes. 00:03:34.619 --> 00:03:42.279 Especially because, and this is the last part about the story, because I actually probably didn't do a very good job talking to them. 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:47.179 It was one of those cases where afterwards I thought of 23 better things I could have said. 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:53.060 But, you know, I did my best because they asked me what my sermon was going to be on. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:59.500 And I didn't do a very good job of answering it, partially because I was still trying to put things together in my mind. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:08.200 But one of the things which we talked about, the three of us, was something which, in fact, has troubled me at a certain time in my life. 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:10.560 And I know troubles many Christians. 00:04:11.019 --> 00:04:17.959 We got into a conversation about whether or not people only believe what they believe because that's what they were raised with. 00:04:19.039 --> 00:04:23.480 Like, basically, they said to me, George, don't you think that if you're raised as a Christian, you become a Christian? 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:26.099 Like, people, if you're raised as a Buddhist, you become a Buddhist. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.919 If you're raised as a Hindu, you become a Hindu. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:31.639 And we had a bit of a conversation around that. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:40.300 But that very, very topic is actually one of the main things that the gospel text, which we're going to look at, addresses. 00:04:40.919 --> 00:04:48.779 Not in those exact terms, but it talks, in fact, it's a scripture text which talks about the importance of human freedom. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:57.659 And the fact is that sometimes people have the possibility to use their freedom in a way which leads them towards truth. 00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:01.660 And sometimes we use our freedom in a way which leads us away from truth. 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:05.360 But it's, in fact, actually essential to how God relates to us. 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:06.740 This is what I'm saying to you. 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:09.680 I was more like blah, blah, blah with them. 00:05:10.940 --> 00:05:16.340 So one of the things we can do for each other is just pray that when God opens doors to talk about, 00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:22.000 just bear witness that we're followers of Jesus, that we walk through that door rather than walk away from that door. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:27.480 And that we pray for each other that we can do a good job in talking. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:32.819 But also that we just pray for each other to know that if we don't do a good job, it's not the end of the world. 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:34.680 Life goes on. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:36.300 God is still God. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:40.620 But how does this text actually address this topic of freedom? 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:43.459 So if you get your Bibles and turn to John chapter 11, 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:52.359 John chapter 11, verse 45, it's actually sort of seen in a sense in the shadow of the text. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:55.479 It's not what the text actually show. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:59.120 On one level it shows, well, let's just look and see. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.359 It's a very, very interesting text. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.799 It's John chapter 11, verse 45. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:10.419 And as I explained a little bit earlier, what's just gone before this is that Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:13.759 And if you go back on your own and read the story, 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:19.140 and one of the things that can be good is to print the Bible text out sometimes. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:24.960 One of the things I actually do every week before I preach is I handwrite the scripture text out. 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:30.740 Because if you handwrite the scripture text out, it helps you to be more present with the text. 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:33.920 And then afterwards I do things, if you look in my notes, 00:06:34.080 --> 00:06:37.540 I circle things with different colors and stuff like that to notice them. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:45.000 And one of the things that's interesting is if you look at the scripture text and just circle all the times it gives you some indication that Lazarus is dead, 00:06:45.840 --> 00:06:52.140 you'll see I think some 20 times in the 45 verses in different ways it emphasizes that Lazarus is dead. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:56.420 And it emphasizes the miracle-ness of the miracle. 00:06:56.640 --> 00:06:59.120 Miracle-ness isn't a word, but I just, you know what I mean. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:08.860 It emphasizes the miracle, even to the point that Lazarus is buried in a cave with a stone rolled on top of it that takes several people to move. 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:13.879 The fact that he comes out with the cloth over his face, that even if he had been in a swoon, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.500 the cloth would have suffocated him and he would have died. 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:20.680 And so it emphasizes the deadness of Lazarus. 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:27.019 And one of the things which is very interesting in the text is that the way that circumstances work, 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:30.300 there's a fairly large number of people who are there. 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:34.060 The miracle happens just two miles outside of Jerusalem. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:36.280 So many people from Jerusalem have come. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:40.139 And not only are there a large number of people there for the miracle, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.660 but the miracle is witnessed by friend and foe of Jesus, 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:48.699 by people like Mary and Martha who love Jesus. 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:53.319 They don't fully understand who he is or what he can do, but they love Jesus. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:55.120 They're Jesus people. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:08:00.719 And it's also witnessed by a lot of people who are anybody but Jesus people, 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.079 anti-Jesus people. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:06.319 And both types of groups are all there for the miracle. 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:09.560 And so this spectacular miracle happens. 00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:12.060 A man who's been dead for four days, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:15.240 Jesus brings him back to life. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:18.579 So what is the response to the miracle? 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:21.500 Well, here's where we start to get into the issue of human freedom. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:25.800 Like how do people respond to this very, very powerful miracle? 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:29.000 Well, this is what the text begins with in verse 45. 00:08:29.979 --> 00:08:33.120 Many of the Jewish people, therefore, who had come with Mary 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:36.539 and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:40.000 Many did, but not all of them. 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:41.220 Verse 46, 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:45.019 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.720 Now just pause there. 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:51.740 They didn't, the but which is there, it's a, sorry, I love saying this. 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:52.500 It's a big but. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:58.759 And it's a, it does, they don't go to the, they don't go to these people and say, 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:01.700 wow, you guys are going to believe Jesus too after this. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:04.520 No, they know that these are the people who hate Jesus. 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:07.259 And they go to cause Jesus trouble. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.640 Like it's really interesting. 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:13.560 They use their freedom to go out of the way to cause Jesus trouble. 00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:14.700 They're not even indifferent. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:19.780 They want to have Jesus get in trouble. 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:22.539 And so how do the people react? 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.319 Verse 47, 00:09:23.459 --> 00:09:26.559 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.759 And just sort of pause there. 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:32.620 The actual word in the original language is Sanhedrin. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:35.360 And that means this is a very special council. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.699 And there's nothing really like it in Canada. 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:46.060 So just try to imagine that in Canada, if Canada was sort of at the very highest level of ruling Canada, 00:09:46.640 --> 00:09:53.700 you had a group of, in this particular case, only men, a group of men that's both the Supreme Court 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:59.640 and also the cabinet and also the head of the police forces 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:03.840 and also the head of the religious institution 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:13.679 and also the top faculty, Université de Montréal and McGill and University of Toronto and UBC. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:21.179 So you have the top academics, the top lawyers, the top cops, the top politicians, 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:25.600 all in one group to govern the country. 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.639 And that's who's gathered. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.799 There's nothing like it in Canada. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.279 We separate these powers. 00:10:30.859 --> 00:10:32.399 But in that time, they were all one. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:35.579 And so just, we'll read that verse 47 again. 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:37.039 So that's who's gathered. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:41.079 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, the Sanhedrin, 00:10:41.579 --> 00:10:42.159 and said, 00:10:42.859 --> 00:10:43.819 What are we to do? 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:47.240 For this man performs many signs. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.740 Isn't that interesting? 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:49.479 They don't say, 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:53.279 This guy is the best magician I've ever come across. 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:55.279 He keeps fooling people. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.479 They don't say, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.720 Listen, this is the best drug dealer that we've ever come across. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:03.639 He keeps giving people magic mushrooms and they're having these hallucinations. 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.960 He's the best trickster. 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.060 He's the best fraudster. 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:09.039 No, they don't say any of those things. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.320 They say, 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.240 This guy's performing miracles. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:16.240 This guy is performing miracles. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.019 That's 47. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:19.340 48. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:23.639 If we let him go on like this, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.899 Isn't that sort of funny? 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.159 As if God said, 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:30.700 I'm not going to perform any miracles there unless I have the permission of the Sanhedrin. 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:34.160 No, that's not how it worked. 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:36.900 It would be as if the Trudeau government, 00:11:37.020 --> 00:11:37.500 or any government, 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:38.580 it doesn't matter who the government is, 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.980 or the next province of Ontario, 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:42.340 so it doesn't look like I'm playing political favorites. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.240 They said, 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:48.200 No miracles by God are allowed in this province unless it's passed by the legislature. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:48.759 What? 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.360 Like, that's just stupid. 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:53.920 Anyway, but that's how they're thinking. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.799 If we let him go on like this, 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.360 everyone will believe in him, 00:11:57.819 --> 00:12:02.599 and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:04.339 That's their worry. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:07.599 And the word place here has sort of a double meaning. 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.719 On one hand, it means the temple. 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.159 On the other hand, it means our place. 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:14.679 Like us being the Sanhedrin, 00:12:14.839 --> 00:12:16.059 us being in control, 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:17.179 us being in power. 00:12:18.099 --> 00:12:19.079 And they say, 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:21.459 Listen, Jesus is performing all of these miracles. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.060 We've got to fight against these miracles. 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:25.519 We've got to stop the miracles. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:29.200 And if we don't stop the miracles, 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:31.060 Rome is going to destroy our nation, 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.720 the temple is going to be destroyed, 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:34.019 and we're going to lose our place. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.160 So, verse 49, 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:38.740 one of them, Caiaphas, 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:41.400 who was high priest that year, 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.460 and by the way, 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:44.180 Caiaphas is known to historians. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:47.660 He was the longest serving high priest of the first century. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:51.040 He served from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.659 He's known outside of the Bible. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.779 It's one of the many ways 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:56.360 that we see that this biography of Jesus 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.339 is historical 00:12:57.339 --> 00:13:01.599 by their proper use of historical locations and names. 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:02.980 Verse 49 again, 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:04.000 But one of them, Caiaphas, 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.179 who was high priest that year, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.719 said to them, 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.279 You know nothing at all. 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.199 In other words, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.699 you guys can't think. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:10.839 You're stupid. 00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:14.379 Nor do you understand 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:16.059 that it is better for you 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:18.059 that one man should die for the people, 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:20.919 not that the whole nation should perish. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.279 And in verse 51, 00:13:24.719 --> 00:13:25.759 he did not say this. 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:27.039 Now, this is John speaking. 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:29.799 John, the writer of the Gospel, 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:31.119 says he did not say this. 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:31.799 That's Caiaphas. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:33.439 Did not say this of his own accord. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.579 But being high priest that year, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.959 he prophesied 00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:39.439 that Jesus would die for the nation, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:41.079 and not for the nation only, 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.559 but also to gather into one 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:45.119 the children of God 00:13:45.119 --> 00:13:46.159 who were scattered abroad, 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:48.539 so that from that day on, 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:50.079 they made plans 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:51.819 to put Jesus to death. 00:13:53.239 --> 00:13:53.459 Now, 00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:59.739 this is an odd story. 00:14:00.119 --> 00:14:01.039 We're going to read some more of it, 00:14:01.119 --> 00:14:01.679 obviously, in a moment. 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:03.899 But what's up 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.579 with Caiaphas 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:07.319 actually being able to prophesy? 00:14:08.599 --> 00:14:09.919 Like, what's up with that? 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:12.119 How does that make any sense? 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.480 Caiaphas, Caiaphas, 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.700 is an envious, 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.539 power-hungry, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.840 unjust, 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.080 manipulative, 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.100 insulting, 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.299 murderous man. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.720 And he gets to prophesy? 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.679 Like, what's up with that? 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:31.919 Like, 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:35.360 like, what's up with that? 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.799 Is, is, is, 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.940 and this is what troubling, 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:41.279 if you think about it for a second, 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.000 for many people, 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.379 when they, 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.199 they think about that, 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.500 they go, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.699 there seems to be like, 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:46.120 there's two types of possibilities. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.179 One possibility is, 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:48.779 and this, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.139 this feeds into the fear 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.620 that many people in our culture 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:53.720 have about Christianity, 00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:55.220 is that God somehow 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.579 is rewarding him 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:57.899 for his evil behavior 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.600 to be, 00:14:58.679 --> 00:14:59.299 to make him 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:00.720 able to prophesy. 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.860 Or is it 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.839 that God just sort of 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:04.399 all of a sudden 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.259 takes Caiaphas, 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.799 and Caiaphas is going around, 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.740 and all of a sudden, 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.720 Caiaphas is making his plans, 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.620 and all of a sudden, 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.639 God just grabs Caiaphas 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.600 by the head, 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.240 and overwhelms Caiaphas, 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:17.399 and Caiaphas, 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.899 against his will, 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.360 says the words 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.860 that God wants him to say. 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.740 Is that what's happening 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.800 here in this story? 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.279 What's up? 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.060 Well, Andrew, 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.519 hopefully you got that 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.540 I changed my points. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.240 Did you get that? 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.000 We're going to find out. 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:29.279 Yes. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.820 Thank you, Andrew. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.320 So here's the first thing. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.920 God works through human freedom. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:38.360 God works through human freedom. 00:15:39.339 --> 00:15:40.899 The fact of the matter is, 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.459 is that Caiaphas is 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:44.159 an envious, unjust, 00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.099 murderous, 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.659 power-hungry, 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.740 high priest. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.559 That's what he is. 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:54.099 And the fact of the matter is, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.279 is that what he said 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:58.199 is 100% from Caiaphas. 00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.819 But here's the other thing about it. 00:16:00.839 --> 00:16:02.759 It's also 100% from God. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.860 And that's what's a little bit 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.980 puzzling to people. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.819 You see, what it is, 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.059 is that God never, 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:12.100 many of the fears that we have 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.679 about getting close to Jesus 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:15.500 are really fears 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.860 about getting close to the devil. 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:20.580 It's lies that the devil tells us. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.000 And he tells us lies 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.860 which speak very deeply 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.980 to our own heart 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.419 and our desire for power. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:29.360 And the devil tells us these lies 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:31.000 about God. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.039 God. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.720 But really, 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:37.659 really what he's making us afraid of 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.419 isn't, 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.519 it's funny, 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.100 he's, 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.179 the devil is making us 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.399 sort of trust the devil 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.840 and worry that God 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.679 is like the devil 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.940 even as we trust the devil. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.639 It's a very, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:49.720 very powerful type of delusion 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:51.159 that the devil works in us. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:53.059 That somehow or another 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:54.740 if we get close to God, 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.659 if we get close to Jesus, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.820 if he becomes more and more 00:16:58.820 --> 00:17:00.660 the Lord of our lives, 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.379 that somehow God 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:04.160 will overwhelm us 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.740 and take away our freedom. 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:08.320 But God works through human freedom. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.900 It's in fact, 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.539 as we get closer to evil, 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.779 it's as we get closer to the devil 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:16.320 that our freedom is overwhelmed. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.460 You've heard me use this example 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.140 many times 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.559 and there's lots of different ways 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.019 to put it, 00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:21.820 but it's still a very, 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.720 very good analogy. 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.360 If you think about, 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:26.159 if you've ever been to a room 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:27.119 of drunk people, 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.979 like people who are just 00:17:29.979 --> 00:17:30.299 really, 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:30.579 really, 00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:31.419 really drunk, 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.500 the drunkenness 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.919 overwhelms 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:36.619 their individuality 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.339 and their uniqueness. 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:41.159 It's hard to distinguish 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.759 between four drunk men. 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:45.019 When they're sober, 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.559 you might find that one, 00:17:46.719 --> 00:17:47.000 in fact, 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.279 is really good at badminton. 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.559 One is really handy. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.339 One can tell limericks. 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:53.159 One is really filled with jokes. 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:55.900 But as the alcohol overwhelms them, 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.019 it overwhelms them 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.820 and removes their uniqueness. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:01.940 If you see four people 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.560 watching pornography, 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.980 if you were to videotape 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.720 four people deeply immersed 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:09.000 in pornography on their computer, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.920 what you see is 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.680 you see the effect 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.680 of the pornography 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:14.519 reducing their differences 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.540 in their uniqueness 00:18:15.540 --> 00:18:20.000 as they become slack-jawed 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.980 and empty 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.680 and overwhelmed 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.380 with lust. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.660 That sin always 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:29.180 makes us less ourselves 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:32.240 and lowers us 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.259 to some type of 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:35.500 lower common denominator. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.940 And you can go through 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.779 all of the sins, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.799 whether it's anger, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:41.140 whether it's pride, 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:44.000 that in fact 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.440 it always overwhelms. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:47.160 And what we see here 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.340 in this particular text, 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.180 in the original language 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:51.660 in verse 51, 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:52.900 it says, 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:53.700 he, 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.539 that's Caiaphas, 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.500 did not say this 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.440 of his own accord. 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.460 But being high priest 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:58.860 that year, 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.640 he prophesied 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.759 that Jesus would die 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.900 for the nation. 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:04.120 And in the original language, 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.880 it says that 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.840 he didn't say this 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.620 from himself. 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:08.039 And what it means is 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.340 it's not that 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:10.140 the words 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.600 we have, 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.720 Jesus must die, 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:13.039 that came from himself, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.879 but the prophecy 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.079 didn't come from himself. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.940 So what happens 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.839 is that God 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.460 oversees, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.819 Caiaphas is completely 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.180 and utterly free, 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:24.339 100% free, 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.819 but God, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.859 in a sense, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:30.440 uses Caiaphas' freedom 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.519 to see that the words 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.259 that he wants 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.359 to have spoken 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.480 are spoken. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:39.039 But Caiaphas is 100% free 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.440 all the way through. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.279 But some of you might say, 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:42.639 well, George, 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.360 what's up with that? 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.000 I thought you said 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.560 that the Bible 00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.420 was inspired. 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:48.020 And now you're sort of saying, 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.620 I don't know 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.560 what you're saying, George. 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:50.200 You're saying that 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.840 a murderous, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.520 power-hungry, 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:52.259 envious man 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.180 can say that 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.780 and they're free 00:19:53.780 --> 00:19:54.660 and somehow 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:56.600 the right words come 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.640 and that doesn't seem 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.380 to make any sense. 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.200 Well, if you could put up 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.120 the next point, Andrew, 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.200 here's the thing 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.880 which is important 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.620 for us to remember. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.620 It's the words 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:05.240 that are inspired, 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.160 not the person. 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:08.660 The words that are inspired, 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.520 not the person. 00:20:10.820 --> 00:20:11.420 That's why 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.340 in the New Testament 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.899 we have 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:15.259 pagan poets 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.319 who are quoted. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.879 We have 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.839 unjust judges 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.599 which are quoted. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.259 And if you read 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.299 the Old Testament, 00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:21.000 a donkey 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:23.199 is given the ability 00:20:23.199 --> 00:20:23.819 to speak. 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:25.659 Now, you see, 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.359 if it was 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.599 that the individual 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:30.079 was somehow inspired, 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.980 not the words, 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.439 it would mean 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.099 that every time 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.019 that donkey said, 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.659 eah, eah, eah, 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.939 we'd have to have it 00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:36.459 in the Bible. 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:38.360 It would mean 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.720 that every single word 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.720 that Caiaphas said 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.279 would have to be 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.740 in the Bible. 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.340 But it's not 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.140 that the individual 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.660 is that there's 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.519 something special 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.420 about the individual. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.920 I've shared this analogy, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.740 I'll say it again. 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.039 If they find, 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.059 if archaeologists 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.579 find another letter 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.400 by Paul, 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.620 and they can tell 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.259 that it says, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.940 I, Paul, 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.640 the apostle, 00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:58.579 and you can tell 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.500 that it's from Paul, 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.380 it would be a very 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.180 great interest 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:01.700 to scholars, 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.180 but it wouldn't 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.860 go in the Bible. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.179 Why wouldn't it 00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:04.779 go into the Bible? 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.759 Well, because Paul 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.419 was not an inspired individual. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.059 It wasn't that 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.319 everything that Paul said 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.219 had to go in the Bible. 00:21:10.219 --> 00:21:11.379 Out of the hundreds 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.659 of thousands of words 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:13.379 that Paul said 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:14.000 throughout his life, 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.019 only some of them 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.240 were the words 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.059 that God wanted 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.000 to have spoken 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.119 and then written down 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.479 and then recognized 00:21:22.479 --> 00:21:23.319 as his 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.639 and then preserved 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.879 so that we have them today. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.859 So that's why it is, 00:21:27.919 --> 00:21:28.599 it's this, 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.799 it's the words 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:31.740 which are inspired. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.420 These are from God. 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:35.299 It's not that the individuals 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:37.700 have some special power 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:39.099 of inspiration. 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:41.019 So it is with Caiaphas. 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.960 Caiaphas spoke 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.720 out of his own 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.180 evil, murderous heart. 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.759 But at the same time, 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.759 what he said 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.900 completely and utterly 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.779 of his own, 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.960 God used his words 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.779 to be a prophecy, 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.740 to be recognized 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:55.640 that Jesus was not 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.000 just dying for himself, 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.000 but that he was dying 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.660 not for the Jewish people 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:01.320 and for any person 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:02.580 in any people group 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:03.720 who would put their faith 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.660 and trust in him. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.180 Now, 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.100 why is it 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.259 that, 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.400 but, 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.220 one of the things 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.720 then that people 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.080 might say, 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.540 well George, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.200 I don't know, 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.620 you said that the, 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:20.759 that God is concerned 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.500 with our freedom, 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.340 but surely 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.560 if, 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.940 if God 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.880 has these words 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:27.080 words 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.340 that are his, 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.440 if you really believe 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.440 that these words 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.500 are God's, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.100 doesn't that sort of 00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:34.200 reduce our freedom? 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.420 Like, 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.120 doesn't that sort of 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:37.640 stand against us 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.860 in some way? 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.340 Like, 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.120 how can we really 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.860 be free 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.540 if like when Ken, 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.440 Ken just wrote, 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.800 read the Ten Commandments 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:46.540 just a little while ago, 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:46.780 you know, 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.520 you shall not do this, 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.420 you shall not do this, 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.280 you shall do this, 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.260 like if, 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.600 how is it, 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.460 that doesn't make 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.020 any sense, 00:22:53.020 --> 00:22:53.400 George, 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.280 that if God 00:22:54.280 --> 00:22:55.160 revealed himself 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.759 in words 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.259 that somehow 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.560 or another 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.180 were free? 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.720 But if you say that 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.360 or if you're thinking 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:01.860 about that, 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.600 you don't understand 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.740 what freedom is like 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.100 and you don't understand, 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.220 well, 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.100 here's the thing, 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:13.519 one of the things, 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.080 one of the fears 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:15.519 I had when I was a kid, 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.380 a teenager, 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.259 started to get interested 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.920 in girls, 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.259 is, 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.880 one of the fears 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:21.460 I had was, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.040 how on earth 00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:23.340 could I ever marry somebody? 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.060 I had a hard time 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.980 talking to a girl 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.659 for a minute 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:28.379 and if I married her, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.099 I'd have to talk 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.119 to her for decades 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:33.619 and where on earth 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.639 would I have enough words 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.419 to talk to her 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:36.079 for decades? 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.059 Like, 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.099 how would that work? 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.119 And then the other problem 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.639 I had, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.359 I used to, 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.579 I'm getting read 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.419 even talking to you 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.000 about this, 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.899 but I'd call up, 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.519 like I remember 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.019 when I first 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.980 would call up Louise 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:50.359 and I'd make a list 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:50.779 of things 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.919 to talk to her about. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.880 I would go through 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.640 in my mind 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.259 at first 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.340 how the conversation 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.180 was going to go 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:59.779 and then I would make 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.580 a few notes 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.460 that I'd have 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.180 by the phone. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.300 Now, 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.960 here's the thing 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.580 about talking 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.580 to a real person 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.460 as opposed to 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.500 how a conversation 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.140 is going to work 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.580 with an imaginary person. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.460 Generally speaking, 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:15.000 my imaginary conversations 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.240 all work out fine, 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:20.400 but my conversations 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.279 with real people 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.000 don't work out 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.819 quite as fine. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.920 I mean, 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.700 they interrupt 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.380 or they change 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:27.960 the topic 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.680 or they bring up 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.099 a topic 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.240 I hadn't thought about. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:31.960 Well, 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.640 and that's what it's like 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.859 to be with a real person. 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:35.980 And, 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.460 see, 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.700 this is what's so powerful 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.920 about God's revelation 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:41.940 is it's not just 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.099 that God gives me some, 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.839 if God just gave everybody 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.659 private revelations, 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.379 they'd probably be 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:48.859 no different 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.599 than just me, 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.359 like me having 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.779 an imaginary conversation 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.659 with Louise. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.980 Where before I met Louise 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.619 and I was trying 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.159 to imagine 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:57.779 the woman of my dreams 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.500 and how I would 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.359 talk to her 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:03.000 and how she would respond. 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:03.619 Oh, 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.019 George, 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.819 you're so wonderful. 00:25:04.959 --> 00:25:05.099 You know, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.419 whatever. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.879 Get my jokes, 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.879 laugh at my jokes, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.119 you know, 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.099 all that type of stuff. 00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.299 You know, 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.799 never be mad at me. 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:17.179 I've told you this before, 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.419 right? 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.939 I'm so clueless. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.720 I wish I'd written 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.619 all of these things down. 00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:21.379 I remember the time 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:22.099 I told Louise 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:24.039 that she was aging beautifully. 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.599 And then, 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.079 because I'm so dumb, 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.339 I couldn't understand 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.599 why she was so unhappy 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.179 with me 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:33.740 for such a long time 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.279 afterwards. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.379 But in my imagination, 00:25:36.699 --> 00:25:37.240 that's not how 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.799 that conversation went. 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:41.379 That went swimmingly. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.400 You see, 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.860 what Christianity shows 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.720 is that Christianity, 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.800 God doesn't restrict 00:25:47.800 --> 00:25:48.360 our freedom, 00:25:48.520 --> 00:25:50.600 but He's real. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.800 He's real. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.580 He speaks to me 00:25:56.580 --> 00:25:57.380 through His Word. 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.540 And I might say, 00:25:59.580 --> 00:25:59.700 oh yeah, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.480 God's going to say this, 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.000 He's going to like this. 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:02.220 No, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:05.240 You shall not steal. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.760 You shall not 00:26:06.760 --> 00:26:08.560 commit adultery. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.619 You shall not 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.819 bear false witness. 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:13.720 I do miracles. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.000 This is how I am. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.960 This is how I work. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.659 This is relating 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:19.279 to a real being, 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.539 not just an imaginary one. 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.559 Like, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.639 the fact that God 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.399 reveals 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:28.019 His Word to us 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.519 allows us 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.399 to have the freedom 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.159 to enter into 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:31.940 a relationship 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.179 with a real person, 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.179 not an imaginary one, 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.299 not a make-believe one, 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.419 not a fantasy one. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:39.100 to sign 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.039 a reality. 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.080 It's 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:43.380 what allows 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.539 not only our freedom 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.000 to blossom, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.380 but our love, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:47.880 because 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.480 God loves us 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.460 and He wants us 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.759 to love Him back. 00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:54.259 And that's 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.220 why, 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:57.560 I mean, 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.039 on one hand, 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:58.680 that's why there's 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.940 this tragedy of sin 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.779 and it's this tragedy 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.279 of evil 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.960 and this tragedy 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.800 of brokenness, 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.539 but God 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.680 reveals Himself. 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.019 In fact, 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.460 Andrew, 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.940 if you could put this up, 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.200 God's revelation 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.100 is open 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:11.480 and public, 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.680 not secret 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.120 and hidden. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.000 God's revelation 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.740 is open 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.299 and public 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.600 and not 00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.360 secret 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.039 and hidden. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.340 And that 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.220 means that 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.360 you can't just 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.360 have some bishop 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:24.680 saying you 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.880 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:26.620 this is the way it is 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.440 and this is the way it is 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.860 because, you know, 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.640 even to a bishop, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.259 it doesn't matter 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.779 if you have a, 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.460 you know, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.980 one of the things 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.600 that was so hard 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:32.960 for me 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.759 when I was studying 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.539 at my equivalent 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.119 of seminary, 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.339 I mean, 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.240 I had these professors, 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.619 they had, 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.740 their IQ was probably 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.740 three times higher 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.500 than my IQ, 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.220 they effortlessly 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.519 knew six languages 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:45.000 and they were 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.359 very, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.599 very, 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.339 very eloquent, 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.339 but half the time, 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.159 more than half the time, 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.000 they were completely 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.240 and utterly wrong 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:53.000 and not wrong 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:54.500 because I'm Irish 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.899 and us Irish people 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.740 are used to dealing 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.240 with those 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.420 who are our betters 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.200 going 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.279 to them. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.059 No, 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.480 because it's just, 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.279 that's not what 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.620 the Bible says. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.680 Like, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.500 they're just wrong 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.440 because it's not 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.400 as if they're somehow, 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:10.980 I mean, 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.220 all that knowledge 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.840 and all that, 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.000 if it doesn't, 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:15.940 like, 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.420 you can, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.900 in a sense, 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.559 fell them 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.600 with a single word 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.360 from the Bible. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:23.100 But doesn't Jesus say, 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.759 I am the way, 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.200 the truth, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.700 and the life 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.559 when they tell you 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:29.039 that when they tell you 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.899 that Jesus isn't 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.579 the only way 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.599 or when they say 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.579 that there's the Christ 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.980 of faith 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.159 and the Jesus of history 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.000 and then you just point 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.619 to them all of the 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.799 different times 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.599 in the New Testament 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.279 where they say, 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.159 this Christ, 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.519 you crucified. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.720 I mean, 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.559 it could go on 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.179 and on and on. 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.119 They can be felled 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.700 by a single public word 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:47.960 that, 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.419 in fact, 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:50.480 an open public revelation 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:52.279 deconstructs 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:54.500 and undermines power. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.700 And makes it something 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:58.179 where God can speak 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:59.159 to all. 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.139 I mean, 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.200 the wonderful thing 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.139 about his word, 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:03.839 and this is one of the things 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.559 we should pray about 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.720 with our own Sunday school, 00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.220 is that, 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.179 and those of you 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:08.099 who have young kids, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:10.700 is the very first stories 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.659 that a child 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:13.379 can have read to them 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.639 can come from this book. 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.679 A little tiny child 00:29:19.679 --> 00:29:21.399 snuggled up on your arm 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.619 and you can read them this. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.480 Those wonderful teachers 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.759 who are spending time, 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.460 even with very, 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.460 very young children 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.019 out there, 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.660 you can be a part 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.559 of that too if you want. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.819 We always need more teachers. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:34.279 And the very first stories 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.640 that they ever hear 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.740 can be from this book. 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:40.019 And if God spares us 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.200 and Jesus tarries 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.940 and we die at 106, 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.000 the day before we die, 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.279 we can read this book too. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.700 And you can have 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:50.279 a PhD in physics 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.579 or you can be 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.400 down syndrome 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:54.120 and you can read this book. 00:29:56.320 --> 00:29:57.300 It's simple 00:29:57.300 --> 00:29:58.340 and open 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.320 and public 00:29:59.320 --> 00:30:00.600 and it's for all. 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:02.300 And it comes 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:03.180 from God 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.580 because he loves you 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:06.740 and because he wants you 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.960 to know about him 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.940 and enter into 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.160 a relationship with him 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.680 and come to know Jesus. 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:15.220 And it's open 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.740 and public. 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.940 It's not for the elite. 00:30:17.560 --> 00:30:18.519 It's not just for those 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.840 who have high IQs 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.720 or have abilities 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:23.359 to have special relationships. 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:25.899 I mean, 00:30:25.959 --> 00:30:27.980 special types of intuitions. 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:34.839 And here's the other thing 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.779 about this is that, 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:36.899 you know, 00:30:36.959 --> 00:30:37.939 so we look at this thing 00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:38.539 of Caiaphas 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.659 and we say to ourselves, 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.199 why is it that Caiaphas 00:30:41.199 --> 00:30:42.559 has this special, 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:43.720 that God, 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.500 in a sense, 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:45.879 uses him 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.919 to prophesy? 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:49.420 like he's such a bad guy. 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.840 Like he's, 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.640 he's an evil man. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.880 He abuses his power. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:58.000 He abuses the law. 00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.660 He, 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:03.180 he fights against God. 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.519 But you see, 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.720 even when we say that, 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.019 deep in our hearts, 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.400 deep in our hearts, 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.680 we, like Caiaphas, 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.740 desire power. 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.940 If you could put up 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.559 the next point, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:12.920 Andrew, 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:16.140 the fruit of the Holy Spirit 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.079 matters more 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.680 than the gifts 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.620 of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.819 The fruit 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:22.079 of the Holy Spirit 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.420 matters more 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.880 than the gifts 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:26.240 of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.019 Now, 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.400 that doesn't mean 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.339 the gifts of the Holy Spirit 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:28.960 don't matter. 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:29.359 And, 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.200 and for those of us 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.140 who are in Jesus, 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.400 we do receive gifts 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.319 of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.480 But the fact of the matter is, 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.380 is that God could use 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.680 a donkey to prophesy. 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:39.799 And if God gives you 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.680 the gift of prophecy, 00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:40.920 well, 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.400 that's good. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:41.680 And, 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.960 and hopefully you will 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.900 humbly use it 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.980 to the glory of God. 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.900 But you know 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.799 what really matters? 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.320 Isn't whether or not 00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:49.980 you prophesy. 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.960 We should always remember 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:52.180 Caiaphas prophesied. 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.799 A donkey prophesied. 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.740 What matters 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.700 is the fruit 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.560 of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.560 And if you look 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.180 at that list, 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:58.840 and it comes from 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.920 Galatians chapter 5, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.380 it's such a wonderful list, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:01.840 isn't it? 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.880 Because there's 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:04.019 a singular fruit. 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:04.640 If you go back 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:06.640 and read Galatians chapter 5, 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.820 there's a singular fruit. 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.960 It's just one word. 00:32:09.060 --> 00:32:10.160 But this one word, 00:32:10.300 --> 00:32:11.140 this one fruit, 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.480 has nine aspects. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.940 And isn't the, 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:14.880 excuse me, 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.220 aren't these nine aspects 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.960 a perfect description 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.640 of inner freedom? 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.900 Of an inner freedom 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:23.800 which is inwardly whole. 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:25.440 Love, 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.620 joy, 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:27.920 peace, 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.380 patience, 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.540 kindness, 00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:31.700 goodness, 00:32:32.540 --> 00:32:33.400 faithfulness, 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.560 gentleness, 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.060 self-control. 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:38.140 This working 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.280 of the Holy Spirit 00:32:39.280 --> 00:32:40.340 in our lives 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:41.660 describes this 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.820 wonderful, 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.100 powerful, 00:32:44.780 --> 00:32:45.220 deep, 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.440 inner freedom. 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:47.780 And as Jesus 00:32:47.780 --> 00:32:49.200 gets closer to us 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.140 and we get closer 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.660 to Jesus, 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:51.880 as he becomes 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.600 more and more 00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:53.520 the Lord of our lives, 00:32:53.580 --> 00:32:54.600 as the Holy Spirit 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:56.180 has a deeper role 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:56.759 in our lives, 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.580 what matters 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.759 is not whether 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.420 there's sort of 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.520 works of power, 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.880 not whether there's 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.020 words of eloquence. 00:33:03.120 --> 00:33:03.759 What matters 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.640 is the fruit 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.700 of the Holy Spirit 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.960 working within 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.000 our brokenness, 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.880 our sin, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.460 our woundedness, 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:12.280 our natural abilities, 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.820 excuse me, 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.480 our brilliance, 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.580 working within that 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.360 for this deep 00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.480 inner freedom. 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.400 It's not just 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:19.960 an inner freedom 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.700 to do evil. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.860 It's not an inner freedom 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.759 to get our way. 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.100 It's an inner freedom 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.460 characterized by love, 00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:26.200 by joy, 00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.200 by peace, 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.920 by being patient, 00:33:29.040 --> 00:33:29.960 by being kind, 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:30.740 by being good. 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.940 faithfulness means 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.759 being trustworthy 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:34.319 and keeping your word. 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.039 And self-control 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.720 and gentleness 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.740 means that your words 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.460 are words that you 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.000 want to keep. 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.880 And your self-control 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.779 means your words 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.480 are words that you 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.559 say that you want to keep. 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.440 They're not just words 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.299 that mean you've flown 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.019 off the handle 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:48.059 and lost control. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:50.539 The work of the Holy Spirit 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.980 is what really matters 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.740 in our lives, 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.839 the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.960 I just want to wrap 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.620 this thing all up 00:33:58.620 --> 00:33:59.160 in a close. 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.480 Wouldn't you think 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.420 it was pretty pathetic 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.880 if you discovered 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:04.000 that your co-worker 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:06.279 had an app 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:08.300 so that every hour 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:10.159 the phone 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:11.460 sent him a message? 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:13.119 You're wonderful. 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.960 You're the best. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.599 You're brilliant. 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:18.180 Gosh, I love you. 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:20.280 Like, if you found that out, 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:20.840 wouldn't you think 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.059 that's pretty pathetic? 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.740 He programmed 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.680 or she programmed 00:34:24.680 --> 00:34:25.360 the phone 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.440 to send them 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.599 a message like that 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.539 all of the time. 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:31.019 You see, 00:34:31.819 --> 00:34:33.079 God could turn you 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.899 into that phone. 00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:36.000 God could use 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:37.059 all of his power 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:38.099 to program you 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.839 in such a way 00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:39.399 that that's what 00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.159 it would be every hour. 00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:41.019 God, you're great. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.460 God, you're wonderful. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.759 God, you're beautiful. 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.500 God, I love you. 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.719 But he doesn't do that. 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.219 He can do these 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.019 wonderful miracles. 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:54.079 We're free to respond. 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:55.079 He can speak to us 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.739 from his word. 00:34:55.879 --> 00:34:56.879 We're free to respond. 00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:57.880 God, you're free to do it. 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.200 That, in fact, 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:59.440 everything about God's 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.579 relationship with us 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:02.260 is that he does everything 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:04.180 so that we will come 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:05.059 to that point 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.820 where we will 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:07.440 put our trust in Jesus 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.000 and receive 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.920 what he has done 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.640 for us 00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:11.760 and that we will 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.980 love him freely. 00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:14.320 And as the Holy Spirit 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.019 moves deeply 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.480 and deeply 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.300 in our lives, 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:18.240 it will only create 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:18.880 more and more 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.599 inner freedom. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:20.880 You see, 00:35:21.220 --> 00:35:22.579 one of the things 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.700 which is so powerful 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.839 about this text 00:35:24.839 --> 00:35:26.679 is that Caiaphas 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:28.359 uses his power 00:35:28.359 --> 00:35:30.899 so that he keeps 00:35:30.899 --> 00:35:31.699 his place 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:33.319 by having Jesus die. 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.559 If you could put up 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.519 the next point, Andrew. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.699 And that's generally 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:40.139 how things work 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.719 in this world. 00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:41.659 Not that the powerful 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.879 want everybody to die. 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.919 Most of the time, 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.480 the powerful 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.319 don't give a hoot 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.879 about you. 00:35:46.399 --> 00:35:47.359 They don't even know 00:35:47.359 --> 00:35:47.939 you exist. 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.919 They don't even care 00:35:48.919 --> 00:35:49.759 that you exist. 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:51.679 But if it comes time 00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.379 to choose 00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:53.639 for the powerful person 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:54.460 between them 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.539 keeping their power 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.839 or somebody else 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.639 having to die, 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.659 they will almost always, 00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:01.279 we will almost always 00:36:01.279 --> 00:36:03.119 choose the other person dying. 00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:03.960 The powerful 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:05.940 want you to die for them 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:07.059 if it comes down 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.199 to the end. 00:36:08.779 --> 00:36:09.619 But Jesus, 00:36:10.219 --> 00:36:11.199 he has the power 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:12.299 to raise the dead. 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.619 He has the power 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:15.480 to feed 5,000 men 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.339 with a few loaves 00:36:16.339 --> 00:36:16.839 and fishes. 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:18.379 He has the power 00:36:18.379 --> 00:36:19.639 to heal a man 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.559 who was blind 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.119 from birth. 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.980 He has the power 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.819 to heal a man 00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:23.659 who had been an invalid 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:25.699 for many, many, many decades. 00:36:25.819 --> 00:36:26.679 He had a power 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:28.920 to heal a nobleman's son 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.699 who was very, very far distant. 00:36:30.799 --> 00:36:31.759 He had the power 00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:34.279 to turn water into wine. 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.460 But Jesus, 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.480 the powerful one, 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:39.960 dies for the powerless. 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.980 If you could put up 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.199 the final slide, Andrew. 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:50.039 It's very, very interesting 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:51.619 how John has chosen 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.719 to write this book. 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.900 If you go back 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.139 and read John chapter 1 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.619 and you'll see 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:58.279 how Jesus is first introduced. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.860 I love this. 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.960 It's one of my favorite parts 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.400 in the Bible. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.480 How is Jesus introduced? 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.500 Go back and look it up 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.519 in John chapter 1. 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.199 John the Baptist says, 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:07.880 Behold the Lamb of God 00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.800 who takes away 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.820 the sin of the world. 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.699 And now, 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.940 when all of the miracles 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:15.139 are coming to an end 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:16.059 that John is going 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:17.039 to talk to us about, 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.360 and as we come 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.539 to a final time 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.559 of Jesus teaching 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:21.940 his disciples one-on-one, 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:24.599 we see that Caiaphas 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.900 says that Jesus, 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.059 how does he put it? 00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:28.380 Verse 50, 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.519 he says, 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.579 It is better for you 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.480 that one man 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:33.779 should die for the people, 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.920 not that the whole nation 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.679 should perish. 00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:37.860 And if you go back 00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.940 and read the next few verses, 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.239 this happens as people 00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:41.679 are preparing for Passover, 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.440 where the Passover lamb 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.280 will be sacrificed. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.559 We are to understand 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.420 that all of these 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.400 wonderful teachings 00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:50.039 of Jesus 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:51.780 about rivers of living water, 00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:53.099 about bread from heaven, 00:37:53.280 --> 00:37:54.619 about eternal life, 00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.019 we are to understand 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:57.280 that all of these miracles, 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:58.920 that it is the miracle worker 00:37:58.920 --> 00:38:00.440 who dies upon the cross, 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:02.059 that he dies 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:04.300 in my place. 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.880 The heart of the gospel, 00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:10.039 in my place condemned he stood. 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:11.079 True story. 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:11.500 You want to know 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.320 who wrote those words, 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.220 in my place condemned 00:38:13.219 --> 00:38:13.759 he stood. 00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:15.679 His last name was, 00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:16.839 I'm not making this up, 00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:17.719 Bliss. 00:38:19.959 --> 00:38:20.399 Bliss. 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.839 His name was Philip Bliss, 00:38:22.039 --> 00:38:22.879 1875. 00:38:23.899 --> 00:38:24.579 What a savior. 00:38:25.319 --> 00:38:25.959 It's one of the lines 00:38:25.959 --> 00:38:26.419 in the hymn. 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.659 In my place, 00:38:29.419 --> 00:38:29.819 condemned, 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.139 he stood. 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:34.419 That is the heart 00:38:34.419 --> 00:38:35.919 of the gospel. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:37.899 The powerful dying 00:38:37.899 --> 00:38:39.199 for you and for me. 00:38:40.299 --> 00:38:41.419 And we receive it 00:38:41.419 --> 00:38:42.019 by faith. 00:38:43.219 --> 00:38:44.500 You are free to choose. 00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:46.619 You are free to choose. 00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:46.719 But let me tell you, 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:48.259 that if you choose 00:38:48.259 --> 00:38:48.859 to receive 00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:49.859 what Christ has done 00:38:49.859 --> 00:38:50.359 for you, 00:38:50.819 --> 00:38:52.439 you are not going to have one 00:38:52.439 --> 00:38:52.899 who is going to 00:38:52.899 --> 00:38:54.039 so overwhelm you 00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:55.399 and destroy your uniqueness 00:38:55.399 --> 00:38:57.339 and destroy your individuality 00:38:57.339 --> 00:38:59.159 and overwhelm your personality 00:38:59.159 --> 00:39:01.059 and make you into a robot, 00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:02.599 make you into a zombie. 00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:03.639 No. 00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:06.419 He died for you. 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:08.760 He loves you. 00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:12.180 And I stand before God 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:14.880 not because I can speak well 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:16.000 or I can't speak well 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:17.579 or not because my church is big 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.240 or small 00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:19.320 or this or that 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:20.119 or anything like that. 00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:21.559 I stand before God. 00:39:22.059 --> 00:39:24.039 My only confidence before God 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:25.639 is that in my place 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:26.079 condemned, 00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:26.700 he stood. 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.460 That that which has kept me 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.579 far from God 00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:32.340 fell on him 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:33.460 and he took the punishment. 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:35.280 and the innocence 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:36.079 and righteousness 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.639 and perfection 00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:38.400 and goodness 00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:39.480 of Jesus 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:41.119 comes on me 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:43.179 all out of grace, 00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.820 all out of love, 00:39:45.539 --> 00:39:46.639 freely bestowed, 00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:48.699 freely to be received. 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:51.599 And as we receive 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.780 what Christ has done 00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:54.019 and draw close to him, 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:56.460 his great work within us 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.599 will be a growth 00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:58.880 of inner freedom. 00:39:59.780 --> 00:40:00.699 Please stand. 00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:09.420 Bow our heads in prayer. 00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:19.679 Father, 00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:24.019 we ask that you would grip us 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.800 with the gospel. 00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:26.820 Help us to remember 00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:28.059 who Jesus is. 00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:29.340 Father, 00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:30.400 that on one hand 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:31.559 we ask that you give us 00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:33.380 a godly fear of you 00:40:33.380 --> 00:40:34.699 that we might know 00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:35.480 that you are God 00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.380 and that we are not, 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.259 that we might know 00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:38.340 where we begin and end 00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.539 and where you begin and end 00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:40.840 and how you are always God 00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.639 and we are never, 00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:42.079 ever, 00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:42.559 ever, 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.079 ever, 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:44.159 ever God. 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:45.920 That's good. 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.039 That we might have 00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:48.639 that deep sense 00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.579 of that difference 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:52.059 combined with a thankfulness 00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:52.719 and an awe 00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:54.059 and a longing for you 00:40:54.059 --> 00:40:54.980 which is that true 00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:56.159 and proper fear of you. 00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:56.380 Father, 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.920 we ask that you grant us that. 00:40:58.659 --> 00:40:59.259 But Father, 00:40:59.260 --> 00:41:01.540 deliver us from all foolish, 00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.700 flesh-born, 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:05.320 devil-inspired fears 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:07.640 that you will somehow hurt us. 00:41:08.600 --> 00:41:08.960 Father, 00:41:09.060 --> 00:41:09.780 we thank you 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:11.800 that you will never hurt us, 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:13.600 that you will be with us 00:41:13.600 --> 00:41:14.740 when we are in sorrow, 00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:15.940 that you will be with us 00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:17.060 when we are in difficulty, 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:18.360 that you will be with us 00:41:18.360 --> 00:41:19.020 at the day of, 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:20.520 as we walk through the valley 00:41:20.520 --> 00:41:21.580 of the shadow of death. 00:41:21.660 --> 00:41:22.560 You will be with us 00:41:22.560 --> 00:41:23.060 when we hear 00:41:23.060 --> 00:41:24.380 the terrible diagnosis. 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:25.700 You will be with us 00:41:25.700 --> 00:41:26.920 in our celebrations 00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:27.980 and in our joys. 00:41:28.079 --> 00:41:28.840 You will be with us 00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:29.559 in our rising 00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:33.700 and our lying down at night, 00:41:33.760 --> 00:41:34.800 that you will be with us, 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:36.059 that you will walk with us, 00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:37.420 that you will be our God 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:38.780 and that we will be your people 00:41:38.780 --> 00:41:40.900 and that your Son died for us 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:42.780 and your Holy Spirit works within us 00:41:42.780 --> 00:41:43.760 to bring inner freedom. 00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:44.340 Father, 00:41:44.840 --> 00:41:45.720 grow within us 00:41:45.720 --> 00:41:46.800 that deep, 00:41:46.940 --> 00:41:48.400 abandoned growth 00:41:48.400 --> 00:41:49.099 of ability 00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:50.579 to abandon ourselves 00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:51.420 upon you. 00:41:53.240 --> 00:41:54.260 And all these things 00:41:54.260 --> 00:41:55.559 we ask in the name of Jesus. 00:41:56.180 --> 00:41:56.519 Amen. 00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:57.920 Amen. 00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:58.300 Amen. 00:41:58.300 --> 00:41:58.360 Amen. 00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:58.480 Amen. 00:41:58.480 --> 00:41:58.920 Amen.