WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 The Gospel of John introduces itself.

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 I usually start a sermon series with introductory thoughts about themes and why we're studying

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 the book and key context and we'll come back to some of that at the end this morning.

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 But the prologue of John's Gospel is, it's like a trailer to a movie that shows you some

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 of the highlights before you even get there.

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 It's like an orchestra.

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 Have you ever gone to a show in the orchestra before, when the lights are down, before the

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 curtain opens and there are actors on stage, plays through like the whole show and you

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 hear what's coming.

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 So I want to just start by reading it together this morning.

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 I'll simply say this before I do.

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 The Gospel of John for centuries has been referred to as water that a little child can paddle in

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 and that an elephant can swim in.

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 And I have been feeling that like an elephant doggy paddling for many days in the last few

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 weeks.

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 A little bit like the girl Marcus described, standing before the ocean and just having categories

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 redefined and mind blown, earth shattering.

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 Just looking at the prologue, it's overwhelmingly glorious.

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 The greatest ever written.

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 And I'm sure it's a literary masterpiece of chiastic structure and word choice.

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 And it is gloriously simple too.

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 So all of us should listen carefully to God's word.

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 Nothing I say will touch the edges of these words.

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 So listen most closely right now.

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 We put these page numbers up here so that if you don't have your own Bible open, you can

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 grab one from the back of the pew and have it open in front of you as I read the written

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 word of God, John 1 at verse 1.

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 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.

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 He was in the beginning with God.

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 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

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 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

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 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

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 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

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 He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through him.

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 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

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 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

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 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

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 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

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 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children

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 of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,

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 but of God.

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 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us.

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 And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

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 John bore witness about him and cried out,

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 This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.

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 And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

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 For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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 No one has ever seen God.

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 God, the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

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 Let's pray.

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 God, I ask that you would show us your glory.

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 Show us your grace.

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 Would you show us yourself in your word?

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 God, we ask it in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 If you want people to realize that you're writing about something really big,

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 you start with,

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 In the beginning.

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 Immediately, John reaches all the way back to the opening words of the Hebrew Scriptures in Genesis,

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 back before time began,

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 and he puts his account in the context of that grand story

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 that's reaching a climax in the events that he's going to recount.

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 All the way back,

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 before anything else was,

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 was the word.

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 The logos.

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 By using that word,

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 John is telling us that he is discussing the very meaning of life.

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 What or who is at the center of the universe that helps everything else hold together and matter.

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 When we ask,

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 What is the meaning of life?

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 We're asking really big why questions, right?

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 What's our purpose?

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 Our identity?

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 Our significance?

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 Our place in this world?

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 That's what nearly everyone in John's day would have heard when they heard the word logos.

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 They wouldn't have imagined the same thing, all of them,

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 but they would have known that whatever it was,

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 the word was the meaning of life.

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 See, religious people reading John's book,

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 they knew that the word in the Old Testament was right at the center of everything.

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 It referred to God's way of creating by the word of the Lord where the heavens made.

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 It referred to God's mighty acts in his world,

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 his power,

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 to his lasting nature that he endures forever.

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 And as a result,

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 to the hope of God's people,

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 as it goes out from his mouth,

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 his word accomplishes their blessing.

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 That was their ultimate hope.

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 But the word was the meaning of life for irreligious people, too.

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 In pagan philosophy, it was a principle,

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 the logos,

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 which if you understood this principle,

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 then life would have meaning.

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 It was the goal of life.

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 Sometimes the beginning and the end.

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 So now everyone is listening.

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 John is talking to all of us this morning.

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 Whether we've said that the meaning of life is my pleasure,

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 self-fulfillment,

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 God and his glory,

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 or even some then and now who say there is no bigger meaning.

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 Don't we long for something that's bigger than ourselves?

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 We feel it.

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 We know there's got to be some meaning in this life.

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 Back then, they felt it so desperately that many would say,

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 just live like there is,

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 even if you don't think there's meaning.

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 Live like there's something bigger.

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 You have to.

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 And we keep asking that question, don't we?

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 What is the meaning of life?

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 Well, John tells us several things about this word.

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 It's at the heart of the answer to that question.

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 He's already telling us about its eternal self-existence.

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 There was no time when the word was not.

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 He was before all things, we've read.

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 In the beginning, the word began?

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 No.

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 Became?

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 No.

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 No.

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 That's used several times of other things in this passage,

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 but the word here is was.

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 The word was in the beginning.

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 The Genesis account begins with God acting to create things,

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 but here it's the word's existence.

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 Back, all the way back then, with God.

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 Again, verse two, this same word,

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 in the beginning with God.

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 So close to God, yet distinct in some way.

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 I skipped the phrase, and the word was God.

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 That equates the word with God.

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 But some argue about grammar there,

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 so let me come back to it once you see what John says

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 to help us understand that phrase.

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 But second point, verse three, is the word's creative power.

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 Whatever or whoever the word is,

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 is the power behind the creation of the entire universe without exception.

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 John is especially pointing out positively,

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 he made all things,

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 and then negatively,

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 nothing was made except what the word made.

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 John's especially saying the word is not created.

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 But the word does create everything else.

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 There are so many implications of that.

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 If you stop to ponder for just a minute this morning,

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 the word's unparalleled power,

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 perhaps if you're feeling weak or overwhelmed this morning,

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 having that kind of power come to you.

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 The fact that the smallest particles of every bird,

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 every flower, every rock,

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 if you were to break it down beyond the microscopic

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 to its very smallest particles,

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 every single one of them hypothetically

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 would have TW inscribed on it,

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 made by the word.

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 Every single tiny particle in the world.

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 Nothing in the universe is beyond his control, right?

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 Boy, things feel out of control sometimes.

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 If that's true,

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 that he made every single thing,

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 then the word gets to dictate how things work,

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 doesn't he?

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 That means us too.

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 It doesn't work the other way around.

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 We don't dictate to him.

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 He made us.

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 He's the creator, the author, the designer.

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 What he says goes.

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 Maybe some of you like me

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 have been in a literature class at some point

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 and you're discussing a poem, right?

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 And I'm saying,

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 well, I think the poem is about this.

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 And someone else says,

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 well, I think the poem is about that.

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 And then the teacher says something like,

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 in a letter to a friend,

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 the author of the poem explains

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 that the poem is about the moon.

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 You can say that it makes you think of your friend

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 or that it makes you feel love

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 or whatever else you want to say,

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 but the debate on what the poem is about is over.

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 It's about the moon.

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 The author said so.

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 The creator,

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 in this case, the word,

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 has authority over all things.

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 No exception.

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 Do we live sometimes as though our lives,

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 our time,

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 our sexuality,

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 our mission,

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 our exceptions?

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 Next we read,

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 the word is the unique light source.

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 Clearly the word has life, right?

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 Not merely to create,

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 but to direct everything.

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 The light of men.

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 Yes, people are saying,

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 we all agree with that.

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 It's the meaning of life, right?

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 It drives out darkness.

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 It's the hope,

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 the peace,

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 the purpose.

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 That's the word.

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 Do you see how already the deity

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 of the word is being asserted

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 in this passage?

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 Only God can be eternally self-existent.

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 God created the heavens and the earth.

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 Nobody else, right?

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 The light to every single man must be God.

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 It can't be some other man

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 or created principle

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 if it's going to be life and light for everyone.

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 So while the word is distinguishable from God,

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 the word also was God.

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 God, not a God,

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 fully God,

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 lacking no aspect of God at all.

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 Whatever God was,

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 the word was.

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 That's what the grammar means.

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 No matter what a Jehovah's Witness

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 might tell you about the grammar there,

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 beyond that,

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 it's what the context demands

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 for the understanding of the word was God.

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 John is telling us of the deity of the word

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 at its very essence.

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 And this will get even more critical

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 as he identifies the word, right?

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 It's not this other John

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 that he starts telling us about.

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 Maybe if you'd read this for the first time,

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 you'd think,

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 oh, the word is named John.

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 No, no, he's very clear.

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 He came as a witness to the light.

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 We'll hear his testimony next week.

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 But whatever you do,

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 don't get confused,

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 John says,

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 about who the light is.

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 It's not John.

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 It's not you and your pleasure.

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 Nope, there is something bigger.

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 The meaning of life.

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 The word is God.

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 And John says,

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 was coming into the world.

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 Last year,

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 we were in London

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 during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee,

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 celebrating 70 years on the throne.

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 A seemingly mythical,

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 larger-than-life figure

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 for that many years, right?

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 We saw her pictures all over the paper.

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 We heard about all of the amazing things

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 that she had accomplished during her reign.

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 We read many wonderful things

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 that she said Queen Elizabeth was everywhere.

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 And then one day,

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 on an unassuming,

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 uncrowded street in London,

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 with just a few people around us,

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 we saw her.

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 We saw the Queen.

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 Not on TV,

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 not up on a palace balcony,

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 but less than 10 feet away from us.

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 Smiling in the back seat of a car,

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 driving by really fast,

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 right by where we stood on the sidewalk.

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 But all of a sudden,

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 in that moment,

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 she seemed more real.

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 She was like our friend

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 for the rest of the trip.

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 We talked about her,

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 like we knew her.

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 We had this deep connection

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 because we had seen the Queen.

00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:02.059
 Can you imagine the difference

00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.899
 in knowing about someone

00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.039
 who's so far removed?

00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.899
 Maybe it's the president of your company.

00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.399
 Your life has been impacted

00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.740
 by his decisions over and over,

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.039
 but you've never met him.

00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.860
 Maybe it's your favorite athlete.

00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:18.480
 You have watched them

00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:20.039
 over and over and over.

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.319
 You know everything they're like,

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.759
 you think.

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.139
 Maybe it's your favorite entertainer.

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.600
 You've heard all their songs.

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.639
 You've read their biography.

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.059
 You know this person.

00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.259
 But then the difference

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.860
 when you meet them,

00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.799
 not merely for a drive-by.

00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:39.159
 Imagine if you lived for a month

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:41.439
 with Taylor Swift.

00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.460
 Oh my goodness.

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.799
 Imagine if you talked

00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.500
 with Lionel Messi.

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.179
 If you watched them

00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.099
 with their family

00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:54.299
 and when they let their hair down,

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:57.439
 you would get to know them

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:59.739
 on an entirely different level, right?

00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:05.019
 Verse 14 moves us

00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:07.419
 from the glorious,

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.819
 far off,

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.159
 incredible word

00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:14.240
 to the mind-blowing,

00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:16.079
 we have no categories for this,

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:20.579
 the word became flesh.

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:24.100
 The meaning of life

00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:27.600
 is a person.

00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.620
 No, no, no.

00:17:30.820 --> 00:17:32.299
 It can't be,

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.700
 cry the irreligious.

00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.100
 The word is separate

00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.620
 from this world.

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.580
 It's beyond.

00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.440
 It's apart.

00:17:38.560 --> 00:17:39.320
 It can't take part

00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:40.039
 of this material.

00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.360
 No, no.

00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.500
 It can't be,

00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:45.740
 cry the religious.

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:48.500
 The word is God,

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.940
 not man then.

00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.299
 There is one God

00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.720
 and he is holy.

00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.640
 We can't even see him

00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.120
 and live.

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.200
 It can't be.

00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.000
 John says,

00:17:58.080 --> 00:17:59.480
 yes, it is.

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.519
 Yes, the word becomes a man

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:04.240
 with flesh and blood

00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.500
 like you and me

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.259
 and in fact,

00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:08.720
 not just in a drive-by moment,

00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:11.080
 but dwelling

00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:13.059
 for a while,

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:16.380
 tabernacling among us.

00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.600
 That word for dwelling

00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:19.540
 refers to the tabernacle,

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.300
 the tent

00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:22.360
 where Yahweh,

00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:24.140
 the one living God,

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.200
 once lived among his people

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.760
 as they journeyed

00:18:27.760 --> 00:18:28.520
 in the desert.

00:18:29.040 --> 00:18:30.180
 It kept them safe

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.440
 from his full glory

00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.880
 which they could not handle.

00:18:34.020 --> 00:18:35.300
 It was too much for them.

00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:38.240
 It also refers to revelation

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.560
 where one day forever,

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.540
 the dwelling place of God

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.039
 is where?

00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.859
 With man.

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.799
 Already in the word made flesh,

00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:50.000
 this relationship,

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:52.579
 God with man

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.779
 has begun.

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.359
 Men and women

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.220
 and children

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:58.879
 see the glory of God

00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.799
 and what happens?

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.839
 They live.

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.779
 The unique one

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:07.460
 who has been near God,

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.920
 the Father,

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.240
 who has always been there

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.720
 before and after John

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.700
 and is therefore

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.000
 of greatest rank,

00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.740
 shines the radiance

00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.740
 of God's glory

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.440
 into the world,

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.120
 John says,

00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.380
 so that we receive what?

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.720
 Grace upon grace.

00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.100
 Really,

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.900
 that means what

00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:23.519
 verse 17 explains.

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.579
 The grace of God's law

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.579
 through Moses.

00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.740
 It was a gift,

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.019
 a grace,

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.799
 but we needed yet more

00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.640
 to know God

00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:33.140
 fully and truly,

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.420
 to know not just

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.340
 his creation,

00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:37.759
 the things he has done,

00:19:38.199 --> 00:19:39.220
 to know not just

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.539
 his laws,

00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.339
 the things that

00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.759
 he has said,

00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.179
 but now,

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.799
 up close and personal,

00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:47.779
 the full grace

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.579
 and truth

00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.539
 of Jesus Christ.

00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.699
 There's the name

00:19:51.699 --> 00:19:52.559
 for the first time.

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.759
 The eternal word,

00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.399
 the light of the world,

00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.919
 who has come into the world,

00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.139
 John wants us to know,

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.199
 is Jesus Christ.

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.319
 Christ,

00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:06.319
 the promised king.

00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.860
 And so,

00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.319
 so now we see him

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:09.920
 when we,

00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:12.140
 with unveiled faces,

00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.059
 see Jesus.

00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:14.460
 We,

00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:16.620
 we see the glory of God.

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.700
 We encounter

00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.100
 the very meaning of life.

00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.640
 We personally know God

00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:23.440
 on an entirely different level.

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.500
 In the face of Jesus,

00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.980
 we see the glory of God

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:29.519
 in human form.

00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:31.160
 In the life of Jesus,

00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:33.279
 we see the perfect image

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.240
 of God.

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:37.060
 In the gentle and lowly

00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:37.980
 heart of Jesus,

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:40.100
 we feel the heartbeat

00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.940
 of a God

00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.880
 who is abounding

00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:43.519
 in steadfast love

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.940
 and faithfulness.

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:47.460
 In the sacrifice of Jesus,

00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:49.040
 we experience God

00:20:49.040 --> 00:20:50.820
 actually forgiving sins,

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.920
 not merely a system of laws,

00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.360
 picturing that.

00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:55.779
 In the death of Jesus,

00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.540
 we see the deep love

00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:59.460
 of God for us played out.

00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.980
 In the resurrection of Jesus,

00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:02.920
 we witnessed the power of God

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.180
 to bring life from death

00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:07.640
 and light from darkness.

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.840
 Do you see the point?

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:12.240
 Do you see why

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.319
 the word became flesh?

00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:18.380
 It's to make God known to us,

00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:22.200
 to reveal the Father perfectly.

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:24.519
 Because see,

00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.140
 no one

00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.400
 has ever seen God.

00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.980
 Verse 18 summarizes.

00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.660
 So God,

00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.940
 the one and only,

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.559
 the word with God

00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.700
 near to his heart,

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.860
 the only one

00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.120
 who can do this perfectly

00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:41.660
 has made him known.

00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.900
 That's why John

00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.819
 wants you to know

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:47.460
 the word is God.

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.759
 God and the word

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.779
 became flesh.

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.180
 Both of those things

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.840
 somehow,

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.799
 amazingly,

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.960
 so that you know

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.100
 you see Jesus

00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:58.200
 and you're not

00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.440
 missing anything.

00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.259
 The whole thing

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.779
 right there.

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.759
 You can have a Mormon

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.400
 tell you

00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.600
 or you can read

00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.700
 in a Christian science

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.480
 reading room

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.519
 that God

00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.440
 found a man

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.380
 to dwell in.

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.019
 This is so much

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.860
 better than that.

00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:17.459
 this is God himself.

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.379
 True God

00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.039
 of true God.

00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:21.139
 Very God

00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:22.240
 of very God.

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.319
 The old creeds

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.939
 clarify for us.

00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.799
 The God

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:27.099
 of all creation.

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.199
 The God

00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:29.059
 of the flood.

00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:29.740
 The God

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:31.019
 of the burning bush.

00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:31.719
 The God

00:22:31.719 --> 00:22:33.240
 of the red sea.

00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:34.099
 The God

00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.619
 who walked

00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.299
 with his people

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.839
 back in the

00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.459
 Garden of Eden.

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:36.839
 You remember?

00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.279
 The God

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.879
 who traveled

00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:40.079
 with his people

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.439
 in the tabernacle.

00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:42.099
 The God

00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.099
 who lived

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.279
 with his people

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.339
 in the temple

00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:47.819
 taking on

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.839
 flesh.

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.259
 That God

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.980
 revealing himself

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.759
 again

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.379
 breaking apart

00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.019
 the heavens

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.279
 to come down

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.539
 breaking in

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.480
 to draw near

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.000
 again

00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.099
 in relationship

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.859
 so that you

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.259
 and I

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.039
 can really

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.779
 and truly

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.659
 and personally

00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:05.619
 know him.

00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:07.599
 Grace

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.899
 upon grace.

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.179
 Amen?

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.679
 Can you believe

00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:12.480
 that he's done that?

00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:15.539
 Jesus

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.719
 the word

00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:18.740
 made flesh

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:20.419
 didn't step down

00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.519
 from the palace

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.179
 in order to

00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:23.359
 gain votes

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:26.139
 to attract

00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.959
 followers

00:23:26.959 --> 00:23:28.859
 to make

00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.899
 an obligatory

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.779
 appearance

00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:32.099
 for a photo op.

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:37.419
 Jesus came down

00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:39.419
 to know you

00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:41.199
 and to invite

00:23:41.199 --> 00:23:41.919
 you

00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.939
 truly

00:23:42.939 --> 00:23:43.759
 to know

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.879
 him.

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.799
 God

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.139
 made you

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.219
 to live

00:23:48.219 --> 00:23:48.740
 with him.

00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.519
 That is the

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.659
 meaning of life

00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.480
 friends.

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.179
 God

00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:54.059
 has designed

00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.079
 all of

00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.740
 history

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.319
 so that

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.319
 for all

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.139
 eternity

00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.500
 his people

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.540
 will live

00:24:01.540 --> 00:24:02.740
 with him.

00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.800
 That's the point.

00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:04.900
 And God

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.000
 became man

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.800
 because he was

00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:07.480
 unwilling

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.540
 that you should

00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.580
 stay in darkness

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.660
 apart from him.

00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.600
 He was unwilling

00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.560
 to leave you

00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:14.500
 living for your

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.300
 own pleasures

00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.280
 defining your

00:24:16.280 --> 00:24:17.000
 own identity

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.060
 not realizing

00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:18.720
 that there was

00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.360
 a light

00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:19.960
 that you were

00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.720
 made for

00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.540
 a life

00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.600
 with unimaginable

00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.220
 joy

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.280
 and purpose

00:24:24.280 --> 00:24:25.100
 and hope.

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.580
 He didn't want

00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.020
 to leave you

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.539
 without that

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.019
 so he

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.779
 came

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.500
 down.

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.099
 Let's back

00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.700
 up just a few

00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.019
 verses

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.779
 and see what

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.240
 happened

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.759
 when the word

00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.700
 became flesh

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.259
 for that

00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.660
 very purpose.

00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.160
 Verse 10

00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.879
 he was in the

00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.200
 world

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:46.379
 and the world

00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:46.759
 was made

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.319
 through him

00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.920
 yet the world

00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.639
 did not know

00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:48.900
 him.

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.900
 He came to

00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.740
 his own

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.639
 and his own

00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.240
 people

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.960
 did not

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.759
 receive him.

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.279
 many of the

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.759
 religious

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.720
 and the

00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.640
 irreligious

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.619
 reject

00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.900
 this Jesus

00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:02.960
 who comes

00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.680
 to reveal

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.240
 God

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.119
 to them.

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.359
 Perhaps

00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.240
 they prefer

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.660
 their own

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.119
 meaning of

00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.539
 life

00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.720
 perhaps

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.059
 there are

00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.180
 other reasons

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.279
 but regardless

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.619
 we're going to

00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.559
 see this time

00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:15.960
 and again

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.720
 through John's

00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.099
 gospel

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.680
 this is what

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.099
 happens

00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.960
 Jesus comes

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.799
 and his words

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.940
 and his actions

00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.119
 and his claims

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:23.339
 elicit widely

00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.460
 different responses

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:28.019
 many do not

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.799
 receive him

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:31.299
 but

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.860
 verse 12

00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:33.960
 don't miss

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.279
 this

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.980
 if you've

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.480
 gotten lost

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.039
 come back

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.220
 this is

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.880
 spotlighted by

00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.180
 the whole

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.960
 structure of

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.519
 the entire

00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.440
 prologue

00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.140
 verse 12

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.539
 but

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.880
 to all

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:44.100
 who did

00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.059
 receive him

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.960
 who believed

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.920
 in his name

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.799
 he gave

00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.279
 the right

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.000
 to become

00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.000
 children

00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.559
 of God

00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.860
 children

00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.619
 of God

00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.079
 are you

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.079
 kidding me

00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:56.359
 the greatest

00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.199
 blessing

00:25:57.199 --> 00:25:58.000
 in all

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.339
 of the

00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.719
 scripture

00:25:58.719 --> 00:25:59.339
 that could

00:25:59.339 --> 00:25:59.779
 ever be

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.099
 given

00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.839
 to someone

00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.359
 to have

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.159
 God

00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:02.779
 as your

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.240
 father

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.839
 to relate

00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.659
 intimately

00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.419
 with him

00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.299
 who to know

00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.059
 is life

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.099
 itself

00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.199
 having him

00:26:09.199 --> 00:26:10.339
 listen to you

00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.539
 and provide

00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.279
 for you

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.919
 and lead

00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:13.500
 and guide

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:13.819
 you

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.479
 and defeat

00:26:14.479 --> 00:26:15.119
 your enemies

00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.919
 and remake

00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:16.399
 you after

00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:16.919
 his image

00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.639
 and live

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.839
 with you

00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.979
 forever

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.559
 that is

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.339
 the life

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.180
 that Jesus

00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.099
 is inviting

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.799
 you into

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.660
 he has

00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.360
 come

00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.519
 that we

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.299
 might

00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.480
 believe

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.140
 both

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.960
 religious

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.380
 and

00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.160
 irreligious

00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.660
 if you're

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.099
 here this

00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.480
 morning

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.519
 all

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.519
 who receive

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.019
 him

00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.079
 who truly

00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.799
 and simply

00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:41.039
 believe

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.299
 become

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.960
 children

00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.660
 of God

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.160
 not based

00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.420
 on their

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.880
 performance

00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.700
 not because

00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:45.980
 they were

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.339
 better than

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.660
 the next

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:46.920
 guy

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.539
 it's not

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:47.920
 their own

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.480
 willpower

00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.819
 to get

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.200
 them there

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.799
 but it's

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.340
 the grace

00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:50.700
 of God

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.019
 they are

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.500
 born

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.360
 of

00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.319
 God

00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.500
 that's

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.059
 the invitation

00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.920
 for all

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.420
 of us

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.380
 in fact

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.940
 John tells

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.259
 us near

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.620
 the end

00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:58.920
 of his

00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.160
 book

00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.539
 what the

00:26:59.539 --> 00:26:59.940
 purpose

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.279
 of the

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.660
 entire

00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:00.940
 book

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.299
 is

00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.319
 all the

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.559
 things

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:02.779
 that he

00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.019
 writes

00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.460
 all the

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.840
 stories

00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:04.299
 about the

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.580
 life

00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.160
 of Jesus

00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.600
 he records

00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:08.660
 so that

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.039
 you may

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.759
 believe

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.580
 John

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:11.920
 20

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.400
 31

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.200
 these

00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.720
 are written

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.819
 that you

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.880
 may believe

00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.980
 that Jesus

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.400
 is the

00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.059
 Christ

00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.139
 the son

00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.720
 of God

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.220
 and that

00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.039
 by believing

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.679
 you may

00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.559
 have life

00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.480
 in his

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.259
 name

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.899
 that you

00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.700
 may believe

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.359
 believe what

00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:28.659
 that Jesus

00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:30.179
 is the

00:27:30.179 --> 00:27:30.859
 Christ

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.899
 John wants

00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:32.299
 you and me

00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.679
 to know

00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.299
 that this

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.059
 man Jesus

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.139
 is really

00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:35.799
 God

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.700
 and he's

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.779
 really become

00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.419
 flesh

00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:41.159
 so that you

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.740
 can see

00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:43.039
 and truly

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.819
 know

00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.839
 God

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.659
 that is the

00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.339
 meaning of life

00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.019
 that true

00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.379
 life

00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:47.919
 when you

00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:48.480
 embrace

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.199
 that reality

00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:49.579
 when you

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.159
 believe

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.179
 into Jesus

00:27:51.179 --> 00:27:51.579
 when you

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.199
 become

00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.980
 a child

00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.379
 of God

00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:53.759
 and have

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.299
 life

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.119
 abundant

00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.539
 life

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:55.919
 free

00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.319
 life

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.919
 fulfilling

00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.399
 life

00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.679
 John

00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.000
 says

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.659
 even

00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.459
 eternal

00:27:59.459 --> 00:28:00.139
 life

00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:02.059
 that's

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.220
 why

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.500
 John

00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:02.939
 writes

00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:05.079
 and that's

00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.379
 why we're

00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.720
 studying

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.159
 John

00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:08.119
 for the

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.299
 next

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.759
 78

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.179
 years

00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:13.059
 I haven't

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.379
 decided

00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.699
 when we're

00:28:13.699 --> 00:28:14.059
 finishing

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.299
 yet

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.619
 we're just

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.059
 starting

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.480
 today

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:15.759
 okay

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:18.920
 I was

00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.240
 going to

00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:19.599
 tell you

00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.000
 why

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.500
 we're

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.860
 studying

00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.339
 John

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.160
 theoretically

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.059
 but I

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.339
 think I'll

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.620
 tell you

00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:24.839
 why

00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.500
 personally

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.920
 based on

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.140
 my

00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.759
 experience

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.059
 this

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.360
 week

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:31.220
 Tuesday

00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.640
 was a

00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:31.819
 rough

00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.160
 day

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.900
 it

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.240
 started

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.539
 bad

00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:34.839
 and just

00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.059
 got

00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.420
 worse

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.259
 had a

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.360
 day

00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:36.579
 like

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:36.819
 that

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.440
 of

00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.680
 course

00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:38.900
 it

00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.200
 started

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.440
 with

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.620
 no

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:39.799
 one

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.160
 sleeping

00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.460
 well

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.740
 because

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:40.980
 the

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.220
 kids

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.420
 were

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:41.640
 all

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:41.960
 coughing

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.279
 through

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.440
 the

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.680
 night

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:42.900
 so

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.120
 that's

00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.500
 always

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.039
 you know

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.299
 the day

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.519
 is going

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:44.700
 to be

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:44.920
 good

00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.200
 when you

00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.420
 start

00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.580
 with

00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:45.779
 no

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.100
 sleep

00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:47.319
 a

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.600
 small

00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:47.900
 leak

00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.180
 in the

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.500
 kitchen

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.660
 was

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.039
 becoming

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.519
 a big

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.039
 problem

00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.480
 here

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.580
 messy

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:53.779
 and

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.240
 expensive

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.940
 the car

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.220
 wouldn't

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.500
 work

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.019
 people I

00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.299
 loved

00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.660
 shared

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.420
 some heavy

00:28:59.420 --> 00:28:59.860
 news

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:01.940
 other beloved

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.580
 people I was

00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.080
 supposed to

00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:03.440
 meet with

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.019
 got COVID

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:07.160
 then I

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.380
 wasn't

00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:07.819
 thoughtful

00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.160
 trying to

00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.480
 talk with

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.880
 my wife

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.400
 about these

00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:10.799
 things

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.299
 things

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:13.079
 I

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.399
 tried

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:13.539
 in

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.700
 effort

00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:13.899
 to

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.180
 save

00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.339
 the

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.519
 day

00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:14.819
 to

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.039
 take

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.200
 the

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.579
 family

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:15.919
 out

00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.139
 to

00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:16.460
 dinner

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.119
 both

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.619
 avoiding

00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:17.859
 the

00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.240
 kitchen

00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.180
 which

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.279
 was

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.599
 not a

00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:19.700
 good

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.099
 place

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.940
 and

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.480
 salvaging

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:22.659
 the

00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:22.980
 day

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:25.000
 and it

00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.119
 didn't

00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.279
 go

00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.559
 well

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.399
 no

00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:27.779
 details

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:32.519
 we got

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.940
 ready for

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.379
 bed and

00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.960
 I just

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.480
 wanted to

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:34.899
 put the

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:35.139
 day

00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.619
 behind

00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:35.899
 me

00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:38.280
 I had

00:29:38.280 --> 00:29:38.860
 failed

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.019
 life

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.300
 just

00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:40.700
 felt

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.160
 all

00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.780
 too

00:29:41.780 --> 00:29:42.460
 dark

00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:42.860
 too

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.480
 too

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.900
 heavy

00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.500
 life

00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:44.880
 was

00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.019
 just

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.759
 bad

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:49.640
 when I

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:49.900
 woke up

00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.160
 the next

00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.420
 morning

00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:50.900
 none of

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.040
 the

00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.560
 circumstances

00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:51.840
 was

00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.180
 different

00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:54.500
 but part

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.759
 of the

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.100
 grace

00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.540
 of my

00:29:55.540 --> 00:29:55.960
 calling

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:58.320
 such a

00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.620
 gift

00:29:58.620 --> 00:30:01.040
 is that

00:30:01.040 --> 00:30:01.519
 I really

00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:01.840
 needed

00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.140
 Wednesday

00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.519
 morning

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.259
 to spend

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.680
 some time

00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:03.900
 in the

00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.160
 gospel

00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.720
 of John

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:08.079
 I started

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.460
 reading

00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:10.579
 in him

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:12.319
 was life

00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:15.460
 the light

00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.299
 of man

00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.259
 that darkness

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.059
 has not

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.839
 overcome

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.440
 Jesus has

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.000
 shown me

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:22.279
 the glory

00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.160
 of God

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.620
 Jesus has

00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.200
 made me

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.420
 a child

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.120
 of God

00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:28.440
 Jesus has

00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.000
 given me

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.299
 grace

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.559
 upon grace

00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:34.700
 he understands

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.200
 the pain

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.819
 of yesterday

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:38.299
 but that

00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.059
 pain doesn't

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.059
 make life

00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.539
 all bad

00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.579
 that's not

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.220
 where life

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.359
 is found

00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.299
 life

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.679
 doesn't

00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:46.319
 consist

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.599
 in the

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.079
 abundance

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.700
 of my

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.500
 possessions

00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.399
 life's not

00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.079
 about spending

00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.019
 my resources

00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.440
 the way

00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.200
 I planned

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.339
 life's not

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.220
 about performing

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.720
 well enough

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.399
 as a husband

00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.539
 or a father

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:58.519
 certainly

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.980
 not as a

00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.679
 handyman

00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:01.519
 life

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.120
 Tuesday

00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:03.360
 and every

00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:03.820
 day

00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.960
 is in

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.779
 Jesus

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.400
 and so

00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:06.700
 it is

00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.220
 abundant

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.519
 and free

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.799
 and fulfilling

00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.080
 and eternal

00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:11.860
 and I started

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.740
 believing that

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.460
 and I got to

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.279
 feel light

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.960
 shine

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.660
 into my

00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.460
 darkness

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.519
 to have hope

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.259
 meet me in

00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.759
 despair

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.700
 to have life

00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.920
 be fulfilling

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.500
 even in my

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.019
 failures

00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.720
 and my

00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.500
 frustrations

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:27.019
 we're studying

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.720
 John because

00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.580
 I need it

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:32.339
 because you

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.019
 need it

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:35.059
 religious

00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.819
 people

00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.319
 irreligious

00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.419
 people

00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.500
 we need

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.259
 to believe

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.359
 that Jesus

00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.359
 is the

00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.980
 Christ

00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.919
 the son

00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:44.599
 of God

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.319
 and find

00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.079
 life

00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:47.539
 in his

00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:47.939
 name

00:31:47.939 --> 00:31:49.419
 nowhere else

00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:51.339
 the ultimate

00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:51.919
 meaning of

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.359
 life

00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.500
 in Christ

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.139
 alone

00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:54.859
 knowing him

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.859
 trusting him

00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:56.960
 talking to him

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:58.600
 relying on him

00:31:58.600 --> 00:32:00.600
 and John is one of the easiest places

00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:02.900
 to encounter the person of Jesus

00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.779
 the eternal word

00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:06.140
 made flesh

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.799
 so it is good for each of us

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:11.039
 and it's good for friends and neighbors

00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:13.100
 that we're praying for

00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:16.680
 that we're wanting to talk with God about

00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.120
 perhaps longing

00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:20.039
 to point them to Jesus

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.360
 John helps

00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:25.359
 John holds out for all of us

00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.579
 Jesus as the meaning

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.339
 of life

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.899
 he's right

00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.819
 it's true

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.979
 I've lived it this week

00:32:29.979 --> 00:32:31.719
 many of you have lived it on good days

00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:32.719
 and bad days

00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:34.559
 and maybe the gospel of John

00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.179
 will be a tool

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:36.319
 that will help you believe

00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.479
 and find life

00:32:37.479 --> 00:32:38.500
 for the first time

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:41.199
 or believe again

00:32:41.199 --> 00:32:43.199
 and live life

00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:44.679
 with the true meaning

00:32:44.679 --> 00:32:45.579
 reset

00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:48.479
 maybe it'll be a tool

00:32:48.479 --> 00:32:49.039
 you can use

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.039
 to offer someone else

00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.000
 the joy of believing

00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:52.740
 and finding life

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:54.539
 that's the preview

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.480
 John's giving us

00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.279
 of where we're going

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.740
 in the months ahead

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:59.079
 we're going to encounter Jesus

00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:01.339
 and a wide range of responses

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.480
 to him

00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:04.259
 my prayer is

00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.379
 you'll not only believe

00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:05.680
 but

00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:07.819
 also assent

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:10.839
 not just to the theoretical truth

00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:12.119
 but truly believe

00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.779
 and find life with him

00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.839
 like you've never known it

00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.639
 to be fulfilling

00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.619
 abundant

00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:18.000
 and free

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.420
 and I want to close

00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.980
 with the grandest possible words

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.099
 to highlight the glory

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.099
 and grace of Jesus

00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:25.319
 so now that we've meditated

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:27.200
 on some of what this prologue means

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:29.180
 in spite of what time it is

00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.599
 I want us to read it together

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.480
 one more time

00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:33.900
 I want you to hear these words

00:33:33.900 --> 00:33:35.160
 maybe in a fresh way

00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:39.859
 in the beginning was the word

00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:42.960
 and the word was with God

00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:45.420
 and the word was God

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:47.160
 he was in the beginning

00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:47.940
 with God

00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:49.539
 all things were made

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.160
 through him

00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.060
 and without him

00:33:51.060 --> 00:33:52.980
 was not anything made

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:54.200
 that was made

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:56.400
 in him was life

00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.800
 and the life

00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:58.880
 was the light of men

00:33:58.880 --> 00:33:59.860
 the light shines

00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:00.519
 in the darkness

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.519
 and the darkness

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:03.000
 has not overcome it

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:05.080
 there was a man sent from God

00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:06.180
 whose name was John

00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.400
 he came as a witness

00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.059
 to bear witness

00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.900
 about the light

00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:10.300
 that all might believe

00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.940
 through him

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.800
 he was not the light

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:14.800
 but came to bear witness

00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.720
 about the light

00:34:15.720 --> 00:34:16.780
 the true light

00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:18.180
 which enlightens everyone

00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:19.840
 was coming into the world

00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.500
 he was in the world

00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:21.920
 and the world

00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.900
 was made through him

00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.780
 yet the world

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.640
 did not know him

00:34:24.640 --> 00:34:26.539
 he came to his own

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.780
 and his own people

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.080
 did not receive him

00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:32.539
 but to all who did receive him

00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:34.560
 who believed in his name

00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:35.740
 he gave the right

00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:37.539
 to become children of God

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.420
 who were born

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.160
 not of blood

00:34:39.160 --> 00:34:40.519
 nor of the will of the flesh

00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.800
 nor of the will of man

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:43.080
 but of God

00:34:43.080 --> 00:34:45.700
 and the word became flesh

00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:48.820
 and dwelt among us

00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:51.039
 and we have seen his glory

00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:53.840
 glory as of the only son

00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.660
 from the father

00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:57.400
 full of grace and truth

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:59.180
 John bore witness about him

00:34:59.180 --> 00:35:00.160
 and cried out

00:35:00.160 --> 00:35:01.580
 this was he of whom I said

00:35:01.580 --> 00:35:02.840
 he who comes after me

00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.700
 ranks before me

00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:05.200
 because he was before me

00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.740
 and from his fullness

00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:08.519
 we have all received grace

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.700
 upon grace

00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.820
 for the law was given

00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.380
 through Moses

00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.440
 grace and truth

00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:14.340
 came through Jesus Christ

00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:17.519
 no one has ever seen God

00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:20.440
 the only God

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:22.840
 who is at the father's side

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:25.280
 he has made him known

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:26.400
 let's pray

00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:38.460
 Jesus we thank you

00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:43.039
 for giving us

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.480
 what we most desperately needed

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.340
 we needed to know God

00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:49.119
 we need to know

00:35:49.119 --> 00:35:50.380
 where life was found

00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:53.559
 we've looked for it

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.460
 in lots of places

00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:56.800
 we still do

00:35:56.800 --> 00:36:01.519
 would we see you

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:03.519
 this morning

00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.760
 and in every page

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.420
 of this book

00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:08.920
 as beautiful and glorious

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:10.019
 and life-giving

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:12.760
 might we find our life

00:36:12.760 --> 00:36:13.139
 in you

00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:15.740
 help us by your spirit

00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:17.980
 we ask it in your name

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.039
 amen

00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:22.099
 for more information

00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.360
 visit us online

00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.440
 at southwood.org

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:26.440
 a

00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:40.300
 free

00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:41.500
 for more information

00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:41.780
 from

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:42.559
 to

00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.579
 to