WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:18.660 We're continuing with our encounter with Jesus in the Gospel of John this morning. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:26.100 Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples the night before his death on the cross. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:31.780 And they are starting to process some pretty sobering realities. 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:41.920 So much so that Jesus addresses their angst in this passage today by starting with saying to them, 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:46.140 let not your hearts be troubled. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:49.140 Why were they troubled? 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:57.200 Well, they've just learned that Jesus, the leader they love, won't be with them much longer. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:00:58.899 That he's about to die. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:04.579 He's just informed them that one of them will betray him. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:12.840 And then he's told them that another of them, a leader among his followers, will fail him as well. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:16.260 How are they going to go on? 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:17.439 What's next? 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:20.740 Is there any hope at all left for them? 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:30.420 That's the context into which Jesus speaks, John 14, some of his most famous words. 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:33.820 They are not just quotes to hang on your wall. 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:37.680 They're not just for the sake of his Wikipedia page. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:43.300 They are words targeted for our hearts. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:45.600 I love that about Jesus. 00:01:45.720 --> 00:01:53.800 How Jesus saves some of his most glorious truths for some of our most desperate moments. 00:01:54.880 --> 00:02:04.080 Before I read them, I want to reflect with you briefly about how the hearts of the disciples in this room this morning 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:10.460 may be similarly troubled to those this night we're about to read about. 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:20.479 Y'all, there have been many different reasons just in this church family for us to feel troubled lately. 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:28.919 Some of us have stood recently face to face with death at the bedside of a loved one. 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:37.379 Others have reeled back with hearing difficult, life-altering health news. 00:02:39.739 --> 00:02:41.560 I've talked this week with parents. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:52.039 At their wits end, heavy hearts feeling like there's just no good path forward with this child they love. 00:02:52.039 --> 00:03:00.219 Someone else shared with me this week, he's just not sure there's value in what he's been pouring his life into for years. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.780 And what's it for? 00:03:01.899 --> 00:03:05.919 This job he spent so much time on just doesn't seem worth it to him. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:16.239 Many of us, day in and day out, find just the pace of daily life in this world overwhelming and beyond our control. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:28.219 Some of us, young and old, feel like we're missing out on life. 00:03:28.320 --> 00:03:29.080 We're alone. 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:30.620 Everybody else is enjoying it. 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:32.400 We're not. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.140 We're troubled about our uncertain relationship with God, 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:43.700 even though we've been in church, around Jesus for a long time. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:49.280 We're troubled because the best among us seem to be failing Jesus. 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:55.219 We're troubled because the group of people that we've followed Jesus with is not what we thought or hoped. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:01.399 Troubled by what's happening to myself, to my church, to my Jesus in the world. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:06.500 If you're troubled, if you're not troubled right now, 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:17.340 I suspect your heart will sometime soon feel that unsettled, insecure, disrupted feeling. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:27.399 And Jesus has some of his most hopeful words for some of our most hopeless moments. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:31.419 Hear Jesus' words this morning as I read them. 00:04:31.799 --> 00:04:37.379 Listen closely right now because they will bring more comfort than any words I will say this morning. 00:04:37.479 --> 00:04:40.099 John 14, verse 1. 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:45.459 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:04:46.539 --> 00:04:48.099 Believe in God. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:50.459 Believe also in me. 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:53.379 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:57.879 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:00.579 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:05.779 I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also. 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:08.879 And you know the way to where I am going. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:11.000 Thomas said to him, 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.659 Lord, we do not know where you are going. 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:15.560 How can we know the way? 00:05:16.659 --> 00:05:17.920 And Jesus said to him, 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:22.879 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:26.340 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:05:27.340 --> 00:05:30.340 If you had known me, you would have known the Father also. 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:33.980 From now on you do know him and have seen him. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:36.020 Philip said to him, 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:40.160 Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us. 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:42.380 Jesus said to him, 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:48.240 Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:51.820 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:05:52.080 --> 00:05:54.240 How can you say, show us the Father? 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:58.500 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 00:05:58.940 --> 00:06:02.240 The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, 00:06:02.640 --> 00:06:05.700 but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:10.360 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:12.839 Or else believe on account of the works themselves. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:16.060 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:20.800 whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:23.060 And greater works than these he will do, 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:25.539 because I am going to the Father. 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:27.560 Whatever you ask in my name, 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:28.819 this I will do, 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:31.879 that the Father may be glorified in the Son, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.959 if you ask me anything in my name. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.979 I will do it. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:40.120 Let's pray together. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:44.019 Jesus, in your name, 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:51.159 we ask you to comfort our troubled hearts 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:54.000 with your hope, 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:56.740 by the power of your Spirit, 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:59.579 for the glory of your name. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:02.099 But please, Jesus, now, 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:05.680 would you speak to us? 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:08.139 Amen. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:14.560 Many of us can remember a time 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:17.979 when we walked into a locker room at halftime 00:07:17.979 --> 00:07:20.399 with our heads down, 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:23.680 beaten down. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:25.780 We're way behind. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:29.040 We messed up early in the game. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:33.139 Our star player is out for the rest of the game. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:37.220 There's really no hope for the second half. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:39.960 And the coach has to step up 00:07:39.960 --> 00:07:44.480 to send us back out for the second half. 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:48.220 And he says something like this. 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:50.680 All right, you guys, you got this. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:52.520 You can do it. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:53.580 Keep fighting. 00:07:54.520 --> 00:07:55.660 Don't give up. 00:07:56.200 --> 00:07:57.000 Dig deep. 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:58.520 Believe in yourselves. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:01.439 That's the message, right? 00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:04.140 You've heard it in a number of different ways. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:06.939 I'm not against a good pep talk, by the way, 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:10.300 to encourage or motivate a team. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:15.500 But notice the contrast with Jesus' words 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:18.139 to his troubled disciples. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.399 He's sending them back out. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:25.639 Where will they find comfort and hope? 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:29.199 Is it in digging deep inside themselves? 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:31.819 Believing in themselves? 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:36.620 Believe in God. 00:08:37.940 --> 00:08:41.140 Believe also in me. 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.660 This is so important. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:47.140 The hope Jesus offers his troubled disciples 00:08:47.140 --> 00:08:48.820 throughout this conversation 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:51.720 comes from outside ourselves. 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:55.060 It's actually so hopeful, so encouraging. 00:08:55.400 --> 00:08:58.320 We need to place our faith in someone else. 00:08:58.660 --> 00:09:00.540 And he tells us to trust him. 00:09:00.880 --> 00:09:03.580 Jesus offers himself as our hope 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:06.280 whenever we are troubled. 00:09:07.280 --> 00:09:11.680 Christian, hear that message clearly this morning. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:14.339 Lest you go back out into the world 00:09:14.339 --> 00:09:17.039 that he sends you to in your own strength. 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:18.339 It's not how he sends you. 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:22.539 And if you have never believed in Jesus, 00:09:22.819 --> 00:09:25.099 never trusted yourself to him, 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.519 never decided that he is the source 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:29.699 of the life that you are longing for, 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:32.599 I'm so glad that you are here this morning. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:36.980 I would invite you to listen to what Jesus offers 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:40.379 to those who do believe in him. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:43.139 Whether you're convinced right now 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:47.120 that he can come through on what he offers or not, 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:50.019 consider the comfort, 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:53.379 the hope that Jesus promises to provide 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:55.960 differently from anyone else. 00:09:55.960 --> 00:10:01.000 Trust me, Jesus says. 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:05.560 And now the comfort that he offers begins. 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:08.220 It is all in him. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:09.320 Verse two, 00:10:09.900 --> 00:10:12.540 in my father's house are many rooms. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:13.519 If it were not so, 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:14.400 would I have told you 00:10:14.400 --> 00:10:18.139 that I go to prepare a place for you. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:21.180 Jesus is about to go away from them, right? 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:25.000 But he is going to prepare a place for them. 00:10:25.079 --> 00:10:27.079 It's a dwelling, a home, 00:10:27.219 --> 00:10:29.500 with the idea of these words 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:32.339 focusing not so much on the size 00:10:32.339 --> 00:10:35.179 as on the security, 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:38.779 the certainty of the home. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:40.500 There's a place for you, 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:41.859 a place where you belong, 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:43.339 a home. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:46.399 When the storms of life 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:48.699 have you confused and overwhelmed, 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:51.400 there's no place like home. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.600 There's no place like home 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:55.040 where you're accepted, right? 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:56.480 Where you're at rest. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:00.500 Where's home for us? 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:02.320 Paul will later say 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:05.480 our citizenship is in heaven. 00:11:06.520 --> 00:11:07.400 That's home. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:09.360 With God in his house, 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:11.480 a city, a heavenly home 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:13.340 that he's made for us 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.759 and made us for. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:19.299 Are you troubled by life 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.319 not working out 00:11:20.319 --> 00:11:21.720 the way that you'd hoped? 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.899 Feeling unfulfilled 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:26.279 here in this world? 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.679 Troubled perhaps 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:31.539 by the end of your time here 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:34.139 or someone else's time 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.399 here in this world 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.720 coming quickly? 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:40.460 Jesus sets our hope, 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.679 not here, 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.879 but on a true home 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.879 that is beyond this world. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.719 C.S. Lewis says 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:48.699 this is why God 00:11:48.699 --> 00:11:49.799 gives us here 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:51.319 only glimpses 00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:53.039 of true happiness, 00:11:53.239 --> 00:11:54.239 never enough 00:11:54.239 --> 00:11:56.839 to fully satisfy us. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:58.659 It's because he made us 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:00.099 for another world, 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.579 for another home 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:03.299 where we'll more deeply 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.339 feel that. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.099 Lewis writes 00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:06.620 in The Problem of Pain, 00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:09.439 the security that we crave 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.640 would teach us 00:12:10.640 --> 00:12:11.860 to rest our hearts 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:12.960 in this world 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.680 and so it would pose 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:15.280 an obstacle 00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:17.040 to our return to God. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.260 But a few moments 00:12:19.260 --> 00:12:20.220 of happy love, 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:21.440 a landscape, 00:12:21.880 --> 00:12:22.840 a symphony, 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:23.920 a merry meeting 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:24.680 with friends, 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:25.940 a bath 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:27.460 or a football match 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:29.860 have no such tendency. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:32.420 Our Father refreshes us 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.020 on the journey 00:12:33.020 --> 00:12:34.740 with some pleasant ends 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.780 but will not encourage us 00:12:36.780 --> 00:12:37.980 to mistake them 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.240 for home. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:43.039 Let not your heart 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:43.879 be troubled. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.340 Jesus is preparing 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:49.420 a home for you. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.480 And then he clarifies 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.840 the most important thing 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.039 about our true home. 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.080 It's one thing. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.560 It's that that home 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:59.139 is with Jesus. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.740 Verse 3, 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.759 if I go and prepare 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.600 a place for you, 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.060 I will come again 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:05.379 and will take you 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.299 to myself 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:08.299 that where I am 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:10.279 you may be also. 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:12.099 I will take you where? 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:16.099 To myself. 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:17.639 That where I am 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.939 you may be also. 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.399 This, beloved, 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:23.259 is heaven 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.679 to be 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:25.799 with 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:27.139 Jesus. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.339 How does the Apostle Paul 00:13:29.339 --> 00:13:30.539 encourage us with hope 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.439 in the end times? 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.120 He says, 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:32.820 and so 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:33.900 we will be 00:13:33.900 --> 00:13:34.820 always 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:36.520 with 00:13:36.520 --> 00:13:38.300 the Lord. 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:39.500 Home, 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.480 friends, 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.500 is where 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:43.300 Jesus is. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:44.880 In fact, 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.760 1 John 3 00:13:45.760 --> 00:13:46.340 tells us 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:46.940 we'll be 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.040 like Jesus 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.720 because we will 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.100 finally see him 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.400 as he is 00:13:51.400 --> 00:13:52.380 face to face 00:13:52.380 --> 00:13:54.220 completely remade 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.740 in his image. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:56.820 Jesus doesn't 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:57.560 get into a lot 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:58.020 of details 00:13:58.020 --> 00:13:58.820 about heaven here, 00:13:58.880 --> 00:13:59.180 does he? 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.000 How gold 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.219 are the streets, 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:02.659 Jesus? 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.099 I mean, 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:05.379 how big 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.539 is my house 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.199 after all? 00:14:07.359 --> 00:14:08.519 What will I spend 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.799 all of my time 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.199 doing? 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.099 Listen, 00:14:12.859 --> 00:14:13.959 he doesn't get into it 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:15.500 because none of that 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.819 comforts 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.859 like the fact 00:14:17.859 --> 00:14:18.799 that you will be 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:20.539 in the Father's house 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.739 with Jesus, 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.500 his Son. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.479 You know this. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.500 You know that's 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.319 the most important thing. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.800 What is by far 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:30.900 the most important 00:14:30.900 --> 00:14:31.840 thing about a honeymoon? 00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:34.180 Is it the particular 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.300 details of the place 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:35.920 that you stay? 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.980 Is it the excellence 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:38.720 of the food? 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:40.220 Is it the quality 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.040 of the service? 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.940 No way! 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.940 It is the presence 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.280 of your beloved, 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:46.900 right? 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.240 That's what makes 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.820 it a honeymoon. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.040 Jesus says, 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:52.940 I've got a home 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:53.600 for you. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.140 Not just a week, 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:56.880 but an eternity. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:00.000 And I'll be there 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.900 with you. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:03.740 So you can rest 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.540 today 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:05.580 instead of 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.720 trying to make 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.960 life in this world 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.020 a perfect 00:15:09.020 --> 00:15:10.300 and satisfying home 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:10.900 that gives you 00:15:10.900 --> 00:15:11.580 everything you've ever 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.360 longed for. 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:13.800 In fact, 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.540 even those of you 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.600 who fail me here 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.300 miserably, 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:17.720 you're coming home 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.300 with me. 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:20.920 Look, 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.300 this is 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:24.000 amazing grace 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.720 beyond what you 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.820 might be realizing 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.680 if you're just 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.500 thinking about heaven 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.220 and the home 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:28.600 right now. 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.540 Stop and listen 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:30.300 to Jesus here. 00:15:30.640 --> 00:15:31.900 Jesus is preparing 00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.879 a place for you, 00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:33.060 right? 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.720 He's doing all 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.200 of that work 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.220 and then he's not 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.020 waiting for you 00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:36.960 to find your way 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.740 to get there 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.379 to this wonderful 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.720 place. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.540 He's actually 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.300 coming back 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:41.020 to get you. 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:43.220 What comfort! 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.020 Don't miss that 00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:45.660 because Thomas 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.660 is about to miss 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.240 that, okay? 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.860 Let not your 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.779 heart be troubled. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.519 Your true home 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.560 is with 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.799 Jesus. 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.600 Thomas is too 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.720 practical here, 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.639 too down to earth, 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.180 although I'm so 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:02.940 thankful he is. 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.100 Gets us a really 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.159 beautiful interaction. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.820 And I find the 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.560 same thing in me. 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.539 When my heart 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:10.000 is troubled, 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.139 I often find that 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.460 I grasp for 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.360 something secure, 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.039 some very 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.240 practical security, 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:17.639 something I can 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.419 hold on to 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.539 even if I know 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.220 it won't really 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:20.860 last. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.779 Look at verse 4. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.680 Jesus says, 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.519 you know the way 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.480 to where I'm going. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.240 And Thomas said 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:27.460 to him, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.639 Lord, we don't 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.200 know where you're 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:29.580 going. 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.100 How can we know 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.680 the way? 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.299 Do you hear him? 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.080 Can you feel 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.680 the anxiety 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.159 in his voice? 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.279 Cut the fluff, 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:37.700 Jesus. 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.419 You're leaving us. 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.500 How are we going 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.500 to be okay on our 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:41.639 own? 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.560 You've got to give 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.500 us something more. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:46.340 how can they 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.279 know the way 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.940 to be with him? 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.220 Jesus said to him, 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.799 I am the way 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.139 and the truth 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:59.240 and the life. 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.600 No one comes 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.320 to the Father 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:03.559 except through me. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.019 There's an exclusive 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.420 claim here in this 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.960 verse and that might 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.099 be hanging some of us 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.259 up. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.839 We're going to come 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.880 back to that in just 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.660 a second, okay? 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.220 But what's Jesus 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.900 primarily saying here 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:18.380 when he makes the 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.180 statement about who 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.600 he is? 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.940 He is comforting 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:23.040 his disciples by 00:17:23.040 --> 00:17:24.960 telling them that he 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.540 is all they need, 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.420 that he is the 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:29.780 sufficient way to 00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:31.020 the Father to get 00:17:31.020 --> 00:17:31.460 home. 00:17:31.780 --> 00:17:33.440 They need only to 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.120 know him, to trust 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.860 him, to live in 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:37.160 relationship with 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.740 him. 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:40.120 Not some complex 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:41.340 set of directions, 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:43.459 this is not like the 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:44.519 Mission Impossible 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:46.019 movie where if 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.659 you're going to 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.859 find the treasure 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.839 you have to get 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.699 through a retina 00:17:49.699 --> 00:17:50.480 scan and then 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.699 crawl through the 00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:52.599 air vents and 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.919 dodge security 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.959 cameras and jump 00:17:54.959 --> 00:17:55.919 through laser beams 00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:57.319 and balance on one 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.639 tiptoe and crack the 00:17:58.639 --> 00:18:00.059 safe all the same 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.839 time just to get to 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.259 the treasure. 00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:02.159 That's not what 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.019 Jesus is saying. 00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.959 He says, no, you 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:08.399 trust me. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.600 I do the work. 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:12.800 I come back to 00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:13.519 rescue you. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:15.380 I bring you all the 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.120 way home. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.580 Y'all, that's grace. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.240 That's Jesus. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.640 That's how he works. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:25.440 I am, he says. 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:26.980 Yet again in John, a 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.080 pointer to his true 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.360 divine identity. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.259 Remember the bread of 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:33.320 life, the light of the 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:35.259 world, the door, the 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.500 good shepherd, the 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.539 resurrection and the 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:39.880 life and now I am the 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:42.539 way, the truth and the 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.140 life. 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:45.319 We just need to know 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.839 him because he's not 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.660 merely the way to the 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:50.579 father but the truth 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.119 and life himself. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.660 Just as we said, not 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:55.920 merely the way home, the 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.940 way to that place but he 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.460 is the destination, the 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:01.220 rest, the highlight of 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.259 the home himself. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.660 Thomas Akempis famously 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.160 paraphrased Jesus here in 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.180 the 15th century. 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:11.660 Without the way, there is 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.259 no going. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.940 Without the truth, there 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.720 is no knowing. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.320 Without the life, there is 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:18.940 no living. 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.320 I am the way which you 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:23.140 must follow, the truth 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.840 which you must believe, the 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:26.200 life for which you must 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.680 hope. 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:29.140 I am the inviolable way, the 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.620 infallible truth, the 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.920 unending life. 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.700 I am the way that is 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.200 straight, the supreme 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.860 truth, the life that is 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:38.960 true, the blessed, the 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:41.039 uncreated life. 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.360 That's the main thing Jesus 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.140 is communicating. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.620 That he is the sufficient 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.220 way. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:51.140 But it's true, and I want 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:53.059 to slow down here because 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.460 this throws most people 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.059 these days. 00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:59.799 He is the only way. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:02.639 That's quite clear in the 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:02.980 Greek. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:06.299 The way, the truth, the 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.779 life. 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.799 In fact, Jesus clarifies 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:10.480 that no one comes to the 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.899 Father except through him. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:16.059 Despite what you hear these 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.619 days, even in many 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:21.019 churches, this is consistent 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.879 with Jesus' claims elsewhere 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.819 in John, the teaching of 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.119 Scripture as a whole. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:28.019 salvation is found in no 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.359 one else, for there is no 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:30.500 other name under heaven 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:32.159 given to men by which we 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:33.219 must be saved. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.579 Acts 4.12. 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.359 Now, there are books and 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:39.039 blogs all over the place 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:41.299 about this and what it 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:43.039 means and how it impacts 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.279 us. 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:44.659 Let me just say two things 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.219 this morning. 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:48.179 The first one, primarily for 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.079 those of you here 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.939 investigating Jesus, 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:54.700 when something is personal, 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:57.700 it's always exclusive. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.559 In other words, when it's 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:03.440 about relationship, there's 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.259 only one way. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:08.700 There's only one me and one 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.279 you. 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:11.680 You can't pick someone else 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.759 and spend time with him, 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.100 getting to know him, and 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.220 then claim through that to 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.640 have a relationship with me. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.519 It's not the nature of 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.379 relationship. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.139 And Christianity teaches 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:24.119 that what we need, in fact, 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.200 what we long for, because 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.799 it's what we were made for, 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:30.960 is relationship with God 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.500 himself. 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.180 And so, Jesus, as we'll see 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:36.599 more here, is connecting us 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:38.119 to that uniquely. 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:41.420 Christianity is not like many 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.480 religions, an experience, 00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:46.220 or primarily a philosophy, 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:48.220 or an achievement, 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.519 something you do. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.440 The God of the Bible 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.660 is a unique person 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.620 in relationship with whom 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:57.180 we actually get to know him, 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.779 and we experience true love. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.779 We trust his justice. 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:05.259 We rejoice in his presence. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.720 So to say that there's a 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:10.779 person who exclusively 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.799 is the way to God 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:15.619 is wonderfully personal 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:18.019 and completely normal. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.720 Especially wonderful 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.220 if he's bringing God 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.359 to us, right? 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:26.319 What we should be concerned 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.859 about when we talk about 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.700 being exclusive, 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.039 this is the second thing 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.180 I especially want those 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.919 who trust Jesus already 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:35.119 to be listening to, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.619 who is excluded 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:40.659 by Jesus' exclusivity? 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:43.080 We rightly should be careful. 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.360 Typically, when we think 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.640 of people being excluded, 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.700 it is those who don't 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.380 measure up, 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.960 who can't reach the bar, 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.100 who don't offer 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.080 what's needed. 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:53.740 Exclusivity almost always 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.900 means that those 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:56.019 who are good enough 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.820 are in, 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:58.700 and those who are too bad 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.540 are out, right? 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.580 The good news of Jesus 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:07.540 is the most inclusive 00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:10.100 exclusivity ever. 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:12.240 Listen, this grace 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.480 we've been talking about 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.240 here this morning, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.740 Jesus prepares the place, 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.580 he pays the penalty, 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.620 he comes and brings us 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.840 home to himself. 00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:22.779 What does that mean? 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.200 It means the weak, 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.660 the poor, 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.900 the bad, 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.000 the humble 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.160 are in. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.880 They're in 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.860 with Jesus. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.420 The ones excluded 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:35.019 are those who proudly 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.500 insist on their own way, 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.340 who reject a God 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:39.480 who's greater than they are, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.160 who refuse the path 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.039 of grace. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:45.059 Friends, that probably means 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:47.200 there is way more grace 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.460 than we can comprehend 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.660 for mistakes 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.920 and misunderstandings 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.740 and missed opportunities. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.700 So we Christians 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.240 should be the last people 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.779 who are looking down 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.900 on anyone else 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.140 who disagrees with us. 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.500 It should be 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.839 that we're looking out 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.759 for them. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.740 We are the bad, 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.759 the left out, 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.519 the weak, 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:10.460 and Jesus has brought us in. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:10.660 Amen? 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.059 It's the only way 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.680 you get there. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.880 He is the way, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.900 not you being good enough. 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.240 Jesus is the way 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.920 and he loves 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.859 bringing people home. 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:25.519 you struggling 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.919 with your performance 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:28.039 these days? 00:24:29.959 --> 00:24:30.879 Are you hurt 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.939 by your church's 00:24:31.939 --> 00:24:32.599 failures? 00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.339 Are you thinking 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.639 you've lost your way 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.740 in life? 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.819 Let not your heart 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.599 be troubled. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:43.919 Jesus 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:46.500 is all you need 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.859 to get home. 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:51.679 Two more bits 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.219 of comfort 00:24:52.219 --> 00:24:52.899 more briefly. 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.799 Jesus continues 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.740 in verse 7. 00:24:56.459 --> 00:24:57.459 If you had known me 00:24:57.459 --> 00:24:58.759 you would have known 00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:00.039 my father also. 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.399 From now on 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.119 you do know him 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.059 and have seen him. 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.299 Philip said to him, 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.579 Lord show us the father 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.359 and it is enough 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.079 for us. 00:25:08.719 --> 00:25:09.539 And Jesus then 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.559 asks a really 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:12.639 sobering question. 00:25:13.199 --> 00:25:14.419 Especially if you've 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.299 been in a church 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.500 a long time 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:18.079 but you don't feel 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:20.039 close to Jesus. 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:24.000 Jesus said to him, 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.759 Have I been with you 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.779 so long 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.940 and you still 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.700 do not 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.799 know me? 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:36.000 Have I been with you 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.480 so long 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:39.380 and you still 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:39.819 don't 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.680 know 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.599 me? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.259 See, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.240 whoever has seen me 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.759 has seen the father. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.879 How can you say 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.900 show us the father? 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.359 Do you not believe 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.420 that I'm in the father 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.059 and the father 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.839 is in me? 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.759 The words that I say 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:53.920 to you, 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.759 I don't speak them 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.539 on my own authority. 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.220 You know this, 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.500 Philip. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.140 The father who dwells 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.539 in me does his works. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.980 Believe me 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.400 that I am in the father 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.119 and the father 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.579 is in me. 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:03.920 Have you gotten 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.599 the message yet? 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.700 Or else believe 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.099 on account 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.539 of the works 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.140 themselves. 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:09.980 Remember that 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:11.339 personal knowing 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.279 that I said 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.839 Christianity 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:14.400 is all about? 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.940 That's what Jesus 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.220 is saying here. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.200 It's not 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.800 information about. 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:21.240 Information about 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.920 someone is not 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.420 exclusive. 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.620 You can read 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:25.120 about someone. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.980 You can know 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.120 a lot of information. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.500 Jesus wants you 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.400 personally 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.500 to know 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.200 God, 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.360 your father. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.540 Jesus is telling 00:26:33.540 --> 00:26:34.140 his friends 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.920 that when they 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.580 know him, 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.860 they know 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.880 the father. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.519 Wow! 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:40.620 See, 00:26:40.780 --> 00:26:42.060 in this culture 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:42.420 that would have 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.600 been unthinkable. 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.599 God was 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.839 the unknowable. 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:46.619 Yahweh 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:48.079 was high 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.079 and exalted 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:50.319 and above them 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.199 and so Philip 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:52.039 is understandably 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.899 still worried 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.699 that Jesus 00:26:53.699 --> 00:26:54.419 is about to leave 00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:54.799 and God 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.480 is still out 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.199 there unknown. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.579 Perhaps he's 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.359 out to get them. 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.519 Likely at this point 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.339 he's disappointed 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.139 in them, right? 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.579 And Jesus 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.000 was this messianic 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.579 figure that 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.459 they hoped 00:27:05.459 --> 00:27:06.299 would lead them 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.199 to God 00:27:07.199 --> 00:27:08.939 and so Jesus 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:09.740 says don't be 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.480 confused. 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.419 Don't be 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:13.419 troubled by this. 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.860 I am 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.720 who God 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:17.180 really is. 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.500 Jesus 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.279 came 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.400 to reveal 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.060 the father 00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:22.039 perfectly 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:23.480 and personally 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.940 to us. 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.620 You want to know 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.500 what God's like? 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.660 He stoops 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.220 to wash 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.880 the feet 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.660 of those 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.500 beneath him. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.860 He weeps 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.840 in the face 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.380 of death 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.920 at the tomb 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.740 of a loved one. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.600 He feeds 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:37.160 5,000 plus people 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:37.700 like that 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.460 with no effort. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.080 He heals 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.620 the sick, 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.039 raises the dead, 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.759 challenges 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.500 the proud. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.960 In fact, 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:47.039 he chases 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.879 religious 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:48.700 profiteers 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.460 out of his 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:49.700 house, 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.619 drives them 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:50.960 away. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.200 It disgusts 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.519 him when 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.279 people use 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.960 his name 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.599 and his 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.059 church 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.740 to hurt 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.200 others 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.740 and to 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.159 point them 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:57.680 away from 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.079 him. 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.799 Just wait 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.319 till you see 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.759 if that's 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.059 what he's 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.559 like towards 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:01.960 religious 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.399 people. 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:02.920 What do 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.220 you think 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.539 he's going 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:03.920 to do 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.399 when he 00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:04.859 finds a 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.159 sinful 00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:05.519 woman 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.920 at the 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.259 well? 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:09.319 Well, 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.660 he patiently 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:12.379 and lovingly 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.500 and against 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.879 all expectations 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:17.359 engages with 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.539 her. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.400 He in 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.039 fact brings 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.420 hope to 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.180 her life 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.059 and through 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.720 her to 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.579 her whole 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.660 community. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.279 Will God 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.240 really be 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.000 that way 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.000 with me? 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.720 Will it be 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.299 like that for 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.420 me? 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.140 even though 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.680 I've known 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.620 about him 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.620 for so 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.220 long? 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:37.860 Will he 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.400 still be 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.060 that way 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.019 with me? 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.539 Is there 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.519 justice for 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.640 my suffering? 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.600 Is there 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.480 grace for 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.600 my sin? 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.460 Yes. 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.820 Most 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:54.120 assuredly, 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:54.960 yes, 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.759 there is. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.820 Let not 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.660 your heart 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.500 be troubled. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.340 God is 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.480 really like 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.440 what you've 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.500 seen in 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.860 Jesus. 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.019 Such 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.200 good news. 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.680 We're 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:06.800 going to 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.140 see more 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:07.480 of these 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.320 next hopeful 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.019 words next 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.360 week. 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.960 But they're 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.360 words of 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:11.900 comfort and 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.400 hope too. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.740 How will 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.620 we accomplish 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:16.240 anything with 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.779 you gone, 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.180 Jesus? 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:18.240 You know 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.800 they're asking 00:29:18.800 --> 00:29:19.180 that. 00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:20.080 You're the 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:21.000 miracle worker. 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.400 You're the 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.259 wise teacher. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.120 You're the 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.700 winner of 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.380 followers. 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.820 Verse 12, 00:29:28.300 --> 00:29:28.580 truly, 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:28.960 truly, 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.620 I say to 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:29.740 you, 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.120 whoever 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:31.180 believes in 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.160 me will 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.940 also do 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.480 the works 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.920 that I 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.160 do. 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.600 And 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.220 greater 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.820 works than 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.240 these will 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.580 he do 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:37.360 because I 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.620 am going 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:37.880 to the 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.200 Father. 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:39.960 In fact, 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.800 whatever you 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.240 ask in 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.680 my name, 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.440 this I 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.920 will do, 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.580 that the 00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:44.180 Father may 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.100 be glorified 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.740 in the 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.040 Son. 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.620 If you 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.180 ask me 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.120 anything in 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.759 my name, 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.440 I will 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.160 do it. 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.100 Believe in 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.600 me. 00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:54.820 Right? 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.500 Right where we 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.840 started. 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.880 Jesus offers 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:58.040 himself as 00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:58.560 our hope. 00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.500 He's leaving, 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.319 but he's 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.099 not leaving 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.700 us alone. 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.240 He's going 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.640 to keep 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.240 working in 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.579 us to 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.539 live like 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.700 him, 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.240 to do 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.539 even 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.180 greater 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.920 things in 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.440 the sense 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.160 of the 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:10.220 timing of 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.539 Jesus' 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.240 kingdom. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.400 After his 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.240 death and 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.940 resurrection, 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.019 the full 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.720 gospel will 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.680 be proclaimed 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.880 clearly and 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.500 personally. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.559 More people 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.220 will be brought 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:20.920 into his 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.299 kingdom. 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.140 God's glory 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.720 will come 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.240 and be seen 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.720 in fresh 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.319 ways. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.880 And when 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:27.339 you start 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.859 asking, 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:29.799 by the 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.459 power of 00:30:30.459 --> 00:30:30.859 Jesus, 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.419 not your 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:31.759 own, 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.559 for the 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.379 glory of 00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:34.759 Jesus, 00:30:34.979 --> 00:30:35.459 not your 00:30:35.459 --> 00:30:35.839 own, 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.319 he will 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.859 delight to 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.979 hear and 00:30:39.979 --> 00:30:41.199 answer your 00:30:41.199 --> 00:30:41.740 prayers. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.419 You can talk 00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.019 with him like 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.619 he's still 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.219 right there 00:30:45.219 --> 00:30:45.799 with you. 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.719 Now these 00:30:47.719 --> 00:30:48.299 last verses 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.059 can be abused 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.479 in both 00:30:49.479 --> 00:30:49.919 directions. 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.399 I'm aware 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:50.819 of that. 00:30:51.479 --> 00:30:52.039 No, he's 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.740 not saying 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.299 name it and 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.679 claim it, 00:30:53.719 --> 00:30:54.319 whatever car 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.819 you want, 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.259 just it'll 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.759 show up in 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.199 your driveway 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:56.939 this afternoon. 00:30:57.859 --> 00:31:00.219 But I 00:31:00.219 --> 00:31:00.579 want to warn 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.500 us Presbyterians 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.039 more on the 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.539 other side, 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:02.799 okay? 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.879 Don't 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:07.079 underestimate 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.419 the power 00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.500 of prayer 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:11.199 because it 00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:12.319 connects to 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:12.959 the power 00:31:12.959 --> 00:31:13.959 of Jesus 00:31:13.959 --> 00:31:14.539 who is 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.639 alive like 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.240 he's right 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.639 here with 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:16.879 you. 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.699 You long 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.099 to see 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.379 Jesus glorified 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.539 in the life 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.819 of your 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.339 child, 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:25.179 your neighbor, 00:31:26.459 --> 00:31:27.159 yourself, 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.300 in an area 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:28.960 that seems 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.460 to you 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.519 impossible. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.140 How could 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.519 the light 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:31.940 of Jesus 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.860 shine there? 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.180 Ask him. 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.240 Keep asking. 00:31:37.800 --> 00:31:38.640 He's telling 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.300 you that he 00:31:39.300 --> 00:31:39.840 may not be 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:40.680 here performing 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.759 miracles bodily 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.300 anymore, 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.519 but the miraculous 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.500 things beyond 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.500 what any of us 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.720 asks or imagines, 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.560 they haven't 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.279 stopped and 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.740 they won't 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.180 stop. 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:50.080 And I don't 00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:50.420 know if you're 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:50.840 starting to feel 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.500 uncomfortable because 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.420 I am just a little 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:53.740 bit, but I'm 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.800 preaching the text 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.559 and this is 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.139 what Jesus 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:57.000 says will 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.339 happen. 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.019 So he's 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.500 talking to 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.399 Peter, listen 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.180 Peter, you're 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.579 the one who 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.559 saw my glory 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.159 and my 00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:03.079 transfiguration. 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.819 You're the 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.200 one who 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.659 watched Lazarus 00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:06.339 walk out of 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.759 a grave. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:07.859 You, Peter, 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.919 have seen the 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.639 Samaritan woman 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.519 come to faith 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.419 and the Jewish 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:13.079 Messiah and I'm 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:14.059 telling you that 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:14.639 even though all 00:32:14.639 --> 00:32:15.099 those things have 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.759 happened, your 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:17.059 best days with 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.879 me are still to 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.220 come. 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:20.019 Greater things 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.200 yet will happen, 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:21.980 Jesus says. 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:23.019 Just ask. 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.680 You know why? 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.220 Because you're 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.819 not on your 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.160 own. 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:27.680 There are 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.319 greater things 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.700 with Jesus. 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.859 Holy Spirit 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:32.000 next week, so 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.299 good. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.900 Jesus will never 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:36.740 leave you and 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.839 in his economy 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:39.420 the best things 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.759 are always yet 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.220 to come. 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.599 Let not your 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.460 heart be 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:43.900 troubled. 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.420 Your best days 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:47.180 with Jesus are 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.119 still ahead. 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.779 So much comfort 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.039 for us in one 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.480 passage. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.019 right where we 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.400 most need it. 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:55.759 Right? 00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.799 He speaks words 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.460 like this. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.539 I'm not supposed 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.120 to but I have to 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.779 show you one last 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.000 thing. 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.880 When Jesus says 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.579 let not your 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.180 hearts be 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:07.599 troubled, 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:11.200 he's not 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:13.559 saying shut 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.099 up and quit 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.519 whining. 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.599 Your troubles 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.180 are no big 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:17.559 deal. 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:20.720 He knows there 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.679 are real reasons 00:33:21.679 --> 00:33:22.559 in this world 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:22.980 to get 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.579 troubled, 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.179 to be 00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:25.879 unsettled, 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:28.099 even upset. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.599 I know that 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:32.099 because we're 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:32.919 told that during 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:33.619 this very 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.440 conversation, 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.339 just a few 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.740 verses earlier, 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:38.519 Jesus himself 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:40.299 is troubled, 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:41.619 same word, 00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:43.039 in his 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.939 spirit. 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:45.679 As he 00:33:45.679 --> 00:33:46.619 contemplates 00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.639 his betrayal 00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:48.279 and his 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.759 approaching 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.679 death. 00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:51.000 So what does 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.859 Jesus do 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.679 when his 00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:53.159 heart is 00:33:53.159 --> 00:33:53.559 troubled? 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.579 Hey, take 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:54.819 your own 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.599 advice, man. 00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:56.019 Let not 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.399 your heart 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:56.899 be troubled. 00:33:56.899 --> 00:34:01.099 What does 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.759 Jesus do? 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:04.559 Jesus 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.839 stays 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.359 troubled 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.979 so that 00:34:07.979 --> 00:34:08.279 we don't 00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:08.859 have to. 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.119 Jesus 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.059 troubles 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:13.139 himself 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:15.099 for our 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.639 comfort. 00:34:16.359 --> 00:34:16.599 Jesus 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.440 goes to 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.539 an agonizing 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.199 death 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:20.139 willingly 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.000 as the 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.759 way to 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.440 prepare a 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.059 home for 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.239 us, 00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:24.099 to bring 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:24.440 us to 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:24.920 that home 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.279 with him, 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.199 to love 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.599 you like 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.119 God so 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:27.380 that you 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.059 always have 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.420 hope of 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.400 brighter days 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.539 with Jesus. 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.779 He faces 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:32.380 the trouble 00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.039 head on 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.960 to spare 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:35.019 us from 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.799 it so 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.240 that our 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:37.000 troubled hearts 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.060 today don't 00:34:38.060 --> 00:34:38.560 have to 00:34:38.560 --> 00:34:39.180 stay troubled. 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.100 There's 00:34:41.100 --> 00:34:41.900 comfort for 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.600 us today 00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:43.600 only 00:34:43.600 --> 00:34:45.340 because there 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:45.800 was no 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:47.300 comfort for 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.120 him on 00:34:48.120 --> 00:34:48.920 the cross. 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:52.140 He died 00:34:52.140 --> 00:34:53.660 to give 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.420 us these 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.560 glorious 00:34:55.560 --> 00:34:56.940 promises of 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.600 life. 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.320 Do you see 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.500 his love 00:34:59.500 --> 00:34:59.920 for you? 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.720 That's the 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.260 message of 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:02.760 the Lord's 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:03.019 Supper. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.160 It was 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.619 this very 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.019 night where 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.440 he's saying 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.899 these things 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.359 where he 00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:07.619 would be 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.139 betrayed. 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.179 That the 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.599 Lord Jesus 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.259 took bread 00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:12.819 and he 00:35:12.819 --> 00:35:13.359 broke it 00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:14.199 and he 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:14.460 gave it 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:14.759 to his 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.279 disciples 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:15.859 as I'm 00:35:15.859 --> 00:35:16.359 ministering 00:35:16.359 --> 00:35:16.699 in his 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.000 name. 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:17.519 Give this 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.019 bread to 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.339 you. 00:35:18.779 --> 00:35:19.099 And he 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:19.299 said, 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:19.719 take, 00:35:19.879 --> 00:35:20.119 eat. 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:21.079 This is 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.899 my body 00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:22.980 broken for 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.279 you. 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.460 Do this 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:24.960 in remembrance 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.519 of me. 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.420 And in the 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:26.839 same way 00:35:26.839 --> 00:35:27.519 after supper 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:27.980 he took 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.519 the cup 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:28.940 and said, 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:29.659 this cup 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.519 is the new 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.179 covenant in 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.739 my blood 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:32.559 shed for 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.279 many for 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:33.840 the forgiveness 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.519 of sins. 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.440 Drink from 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:35.880 it all 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.220 of you. 00:35:36.600 --> 00:35:36.900 For as 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.440 often as 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.760 you eat 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.280 this bread 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:39.120 and drink 00:35:39.120 --> 00:35:39.660 this cup 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.580 you proclaim 00:35:40.580 --> 00:35:41.220 the Lord's 00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:41.820 death 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:43.240 until he 00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:43.800 comes. 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:45.060 This is 00:35:45.060 --> 00:35:45.660 Jesus' 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.260 table. 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:46.700 It's not 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.140 the table 00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:48.040 of Southwood 00:35:48.040 --> 00:35:48.740 or the 00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:49.560 Presbyterian 00:35:49.560 --> 00:35:50.080 church. 00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:51.940 So child 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.580 of God 00:35:52.580 --> 00:35:55.040 let not 00:35:55.040 --> 00:35:55.920 your heart 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.060 be troubled. 00:35:58.060 --> 00:35:58.940 His body 00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.820 given 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:01.220 for you. 00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:03.580 His blood 00:36:03.580 --> 00:36:05.140 shed 00:36:05.140 --> 00:36:06.340 for you. 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:08.180 Your home 00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:09.480 purchased 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:11.080 and prepared 00:36:11.080 --> 00:36:12.280 for you 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.260 to be with 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.360 him today. 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:14.860 Come and 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.539 taste it. 00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.440 To be with 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:17.200 him forever. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.440 Long for that. 00:36:18.860 --> 00:36:19.720 Look forward 00:36:19.720 --> 00:36:20.780 to that. 00:36:21.100 --> 00:36:21.460 Come 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:22.700 and eat. 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.740 If you 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.220 don't 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.100 know Jesus 00:36:27.100 --> 00:36:27.720 like that, 00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:28.059 if you 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:28.660 have not 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.559 personally 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.179 embraced 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:30.639 him as 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.799 the way 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:32.199 into 00:36:32.199 --> 00:36:32.859 relationship 00:36:32.859 --> 00:36:33.460 with God, 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.179 the truth 00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:34.739 and the 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.399 life that 00:36:35.399 --> 00:36:36.379 you long 00:36:36.379 --> 00:36:36.779 for, 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.980 then don't 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.619 come take 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.259 these elements 00:36:39.259 --> 00:36:39.759 today. 00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.159 But I 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:41.659 would plead 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:42.039 with you 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.359 instead, 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:42.980 take 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.859 Jesus 00:36:43.859 --> 00:36:44.639 today as 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.399 he offers 00:36:45.399 --> 00:36:46.179 himself 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:47.039 to you. 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:47.980 Believe 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.879 in him 00:36:48.879 --> 00:36:49.839 as the 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:50.480 hope 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.359 for your 00:36:51.359 --> 00:36:52.000 troubled 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.719 heart. 00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.039 It's 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.719 trouble 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.339 that can't 00:36:55.339 --> 00:36:56.239 be fully 00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:56.719 handled, 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.379 fully 00:36:57.379 --> 00:36:58.059 satisfied. 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.719 any 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:58.960 other 00:36:58.960 --> 00:36:59.259 way. 00:36:59.599 --> 00:36:59.719 And 00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:00.199 Jesus 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:01.099 offers 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.679 himself 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.199 to 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.500 you 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:04.059 now 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.599 and 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:05.179 forever. 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.420 Come 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:06.779 let us 00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:07.299 pray with 00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:07.699 you during 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.219 the Lord's 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.420 Supper. 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:08.739 We'd 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.059 love to 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.000 talk with 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.440 you more 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.119 after. 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.019 But come 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.880 to Jesus. 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.480 Let's pray 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:14.820 and we'll 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.179 celebrate 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.679 together. 00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:19.699 Jesus, 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.440 every one 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.960 of us 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:21.880 desperately 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.739 needs you 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.579 to come 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.819 to us. 00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:27.079 By your 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.019 Holy Spirit 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.619 meet with 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.319 us now 00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:29.860 so that 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:31.119 very normal 00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:31.980 bread and 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.539 wine 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:35.380 minister to 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.219 our hearts 00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.519 in a very 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.340 holy 00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:40.380 and powerful 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:40.840 way 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:41.860 that you 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.659 would do 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.159 work here 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.559 today that 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.079 we couldn't 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.819 make happen 00:37:44.819 --> 00:37:45.199 on our 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.559 own 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:47.000 because you're 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.460 present 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:48.579 and you're 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:49.039 giving us 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:49.500 your grace 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.900 again. 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:52.659 Do your 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:52.960 work 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:54.260 for your 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.780 glory and 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:55.220 our good. 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.300 We ask 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.599 in your 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:57.880 name. 00:37:59.000 --> 00:37:59.280 Amen. 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:01.039 For more 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:01.559 information, 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.400 visit us 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:03.099 online at 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:03.860 southwood.org.