WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.620 So this morning, we are going to take a break from Judges, 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:09.939 and as promised, we're going to continue through 1 John, 00:00:10.540 --> 00:00:13.019 which hopefully there are no groans about that. 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:18.080 I have to admit, I was talking with another gentleman in our church, 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:24.620 and I felt like I'm ready for this series to be over, 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:27.000 even though I see you all infrequently. 00:00:27.740 --> 00:00:29.500 I have been living in this. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.899 For quite a while. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:39.259 But with that, I think there is a fresh word that God has for us in 1 John. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:44.060 If you have your Bibles, turn with me to 1 John 5, 00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:48.200 and we're going to be looking at verses 1 through 12. 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:50.039 1 John 5, 1 through 12. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:58.079 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, 00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:03.039 and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. 00:01:03.659 --> 00:01:09.159 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:13.099 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:15.620 and His commandments are not burdensome. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:19.519 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, 00:01:19.759 --> 00:01:23.759 and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:29.700 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:34.980 This is He who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. 00:01:35.380 --> 00:01:39.000 Not by the water only, but by the water and the blood. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:43.760 And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is truth. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:48.880 For there are three that testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood. 00:01:49.460 --> 00:01:52.080 And these three agree. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:57.540 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:02.620 For this is the testimony of God, that He has borne concerning His Son. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:06.700 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in Himself. 00:02:07.360 --> 00:02:09.960 Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:15.159 because He has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.540 And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life. 00:02:20.040 --> 00:02:21.819 And this life is in His Son. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:24.760 And whoever has the Son has life. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:28.340 Whoever does not have the Son does not have life. 00:02:28.600 --> 00:02:29.060 Let's pray. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:34.240 Lord, we are reminded this morning from Your Word that we need it. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:36.719 Father, may You use it in our lives. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:41.460 May You convince hearts of the testimony concerning Your Son. 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:44.780 And may they have life. 00:02:45.259 --> 00:02:46.860 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:47.460 Amen. 00:02:48.860 --> 00:02:50.340 The Weather Girls. 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:51.599 Lou Bega. 00:02:52.259 --> 00:02:53.500 Sinead O'Connor. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:55.079 Billy Ray Cyrus. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:56.919 Sir Mix-a-Lot. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:02:58.240 Chumbawumba. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:00.360 I promise at this point I'm not making up words. 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:01.560 There is a connection here. 00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:04.920 Some of these names might be familiar to some of us. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:10.000 And some of them sound a little bit like I'm making up just words and spewing them out. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:12.340 But the collection doesn't end there. 00:03:12.640 --> 00:03:17.520 In fact, if we recognize those names, we might recognize a pattern. 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:22.000 But even when we, especially when we pair them with their work, 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:23.920 we might recognize the connection. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:25.140 Like Vanilla Ice. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:26.620 An Ice Ice Baby. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:30.340 Or Bobby Farron and Don't Worry, Be Happy. 00:03:30.980 --> 00:03:35.379 Or what about one of a yesteryear, Bobby Day and Rockin' Robin. 00:03:35.700 --> 00:03:38.700 Or Carl Douglas and Kung Fu Fighting. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:46.319 Even if we don't see the connection yet, we might remember names like the Blue Man Group or Crash Test Dummies. 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:50.540 And even if we can't remember their names at all, we might remember their works. 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:54.340 Things like the Macarena or Cotton Eye Joe. 00:03:54.340 --> 00:04:02.480 Whether we remember their names or their songs, such is the life of a one-hit wonder. 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:05.920 You probably don't remember much more about them, where they're from, 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:09.080 or what else they've done in their musical career. 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:12.500 It's not even a modern phenomenon if we think about it. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.780 Now, somebody's going to argue, yes, these songs have withstood the test of time. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:20.199 But things like, when you go to a wedding, what do you hear? 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.079 Canaan and Dee. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.899 Or what do we sing at Christmas? 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:25.259 Silent Night. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:29.300 For many musical artists, they have one shot at fame. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:31.800 One glorious moment in the sun. 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:34.479 And then they fade into obscurity. 00:04:35.479 --> 00:04:40.659 One seminal work that represents maybe their life of musical pursuit. 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:44.740 Or they have that one song that they can't escape. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:49.100 And it defines the rest of their life and even after their death. 00:04:50.140 --> 00:04:51.300 One-hit wonders. 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:53.040 Are they really that bad? 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:54.580 They're not. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:57.020 John's no one-hit wonder. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:00.720 But in the book of John, we might think he's a one-hit wonder. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:06.720 Because he returns again and again to one, one single theme. 00:05:07.380 --> 00:05:11.120 Even though he's responsible for a lot of the New Testament canon, 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:15.220 in this book, he's got one overarching theme, 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.800 one one-hit wonder that he keeps coming back to. 00:05:19.200 --> 00:05:21.080 But thankfully, it's something that we need to hear. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:25.779 We need to return to again and again as Christians. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:29.479 And it's that we should be assured of our faith, 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:32.439 not because of us, but because of the gospel. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:36.259 That we should be confident as we walk. 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:39.299 Even as we face these newfangled ideas, 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:42.939 or new challenges, or new problems, or new enemies, 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:46.539 that we should be assured of Christ and what he has done. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.420 And John's writing to Christians just like us, 00:05:50.020 --> 00:05:52.740 that they're facing new challenges and new ideas. 00:05:53.780 --> 00:05:56.660 And that one theme is driving this whole letter, 00:05:56.840 --> 00:05:59.260 as we've seen over the last weeks and months, 00:05:59.700 --> 00:06:00.480 maybe even a year. 00:06:01.460 --> 00:06:04.000 But that's nothing new to Christians. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:07.020 You see, the disciples struggled with this. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:11.340 They weren't these bastions of faith and strength 00:06:11.340 --> 00:06:13.280 when Jesus left them. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:15.060 What about the reformers? 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:17.980 They struggled to give words to this problem, 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.980 to be assured of their faith. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:23.720 What about us today? 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:26.560 This section we find ourselves in today 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:30.699 explores that theme, that one-hit wonder, 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:33.060 except it's maybe a little bit retuned. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:34.779 It's a new tune to the song. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:37.699 Maybe it's got auto-tuned voices for those that are younger. 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:40.579 But it's that same message 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:42.759 that John's been trying to communicate 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:45.079 over and over again and again. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.039 So let's listen closely. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:50.680 It's explanation of life in the sun. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:54.379 Not the S-U-N, but the son of God in Jesus. 00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:56.680 And we're gonna look at that in two parts. 00:06:56.839 --> 00:07:00.899 First is the marks or evidences of life in the sun. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:04.899 And then the content of life in the sun or beliefs. 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:06.919 First, let's look at the marks. 00:07:08.799 --> 00:07:11.579 John begins his chapter by defining the marks 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:14.139 or the attributes of someone who follows after Christ. 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:16.359 Throughout this section, really this whole book, 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:19.459 John has done that time and time again. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.519 But here he uses an interesting phrase, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.620 one that we might not be familiar with, 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.279 really, we really are familiar with, 00:07:26.339 --> 00:07:27.579 if you read your New Testament, 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.179 or if you even read this letter more than once. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:33.600 In the couple of verses at the beginning of chapter five, 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:35.920 he uses this familiar concept, 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:39.300 even maybe this concept that's grown old to us, 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:41.000 of being born again. 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:44.420 But it's so important, he revisits it. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:47.040 Look back with me at verse one. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.840 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:52.399 has been born of God. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:55.519 Being born of God or being reborn 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:58.079 is an important idea in John's work, 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.279 not just here in 1 John, but in the Gospels. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:03.699 John's very own Gospel says this, 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:04.859 at the very beginning, 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:07.359 after he's defined kind of who Jesus is, 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:08.500 he says, 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:12.379 he came to his own, talking about Jesus, 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.459 and his own people did not receive him. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:17.219 But to all who did receive him, 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.479 who believed in his name, 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:20.699 he gave the right to become children of God, 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:22.339 who were born not of blood, 00:08:22.419 --> 00:08:23.740 nor of the will of the flesh, 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:26.339 nor the will of man, 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:27.459 but of God. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:30.299 John connects this idea that belief in Jesus 00:08:30.299 --> 00:08:31.919 is actually tied to something 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.819 that they couldn't do themselves. 00:08:33.939 --> 00:08:35.759 They couldn't will it into existence, 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:38.620 but it had to come from an alien source 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:39.539 from outside them. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.600 God had to remake them. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.740 They had to be born again. 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:45.120 It had to be new. 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:48.860 God has wrought faith in them, 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:51.360 setting upon them the Spirit. 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:52.720 And we see this example, 00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:54.079 just a few chapters later, 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:56.000 in this great teacher of Israel. 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:56.379 Who? 00:08:57.180 --> 00:08:57.620 Nicodemus. 00:08:58.180 --> 00:08:59.400 What does Jesus say to him? 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:00.860 Very pointedly. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:01.240 It's not, 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:03.540 hey, dive deeper into God's word, 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:04.500 and you'll have faith. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:07.020 No, he doesn't say, 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.700 try harder and you will have faith. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.900 He says this to him. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:11.680 Truly I say to you, 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:14.820 unless one is born again, 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:18.320 he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.259 Belief flows from this change. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:27.179 Him being reborn creates faith in him. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:30.700 But it's not simple belief just in the existence of Jesus. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.840 Many people do that, 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.379 and they have no faith in him. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:36.039 But it's belief that he is the Christ. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:37.220 He is the Messiah. 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:41.159 He is the one who delivers his people. 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:44.259 That's the first exhibit. 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:45.279 That's the first mark. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:50.299 Belief is evidence of life in the Son. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:51.639 The second one is this. 00:09:53.479 --> 00:09:57.879 Life in the Son demonstrates or creates love. 00:09:58.459 --> 00:09:59.539 It has a couple of dimensions. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:01.240 Looking back with us, 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:03.379 or looking back with me at the first few verses, 00:10:03.859 --> 00:10:05.179 there's love for who first? 00:10:05.359 --> 00:10:06.240 Love for the Father. 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:11.019 John ties regeneration or being born again, 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:14.000 not simply to belief in Jesus as the Christ, 00:10:14.099 --> 00:10:15.259 but love for God, 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:16.459 love for the Trinity, 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.099 love for the Father. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:21.320 One has love for God when we're born again, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:25.259 but not simply love of God. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.580 Here's the third mark, 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:28.080 or the third piece of evidence. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:32.300 It's love for God's people. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:36.040 John's reiterated this so many times throughout this letter, 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:39.580 that love is an essential mark of the Christian, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.600 of one who has life in the Son. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:43.180 He says this in verse 2, 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:46.799 By this we know that we love the children of God 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.899 when we love God. 00:10:48.579 --> 00:10:49.979 John is uniting together 00:10:49.979 --> 00:10:52.639 what those seceders or those separatists 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.899 who were influencing the church 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:55.299 were trying to rip apart. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.139 They were saying, 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:58.639 Hey, it's okay if we have all these new ideas. 00:10:58.859 --> 00:11:00.419 It doesn't matter how we act. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:02.259 It doesn't matter how we treat other people. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.219 John's saying no. 00:11:04.859 --> 00:11:07.259 In fact, this is the biggest indicator 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:10.779 of how we know if you're a Christian. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:14.200 The opponents that were influencing this church 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.860 were introducing those new ideas, 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:19.200 and John is pointing back to love of God's people 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.299 as that seminal mark. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.620 He's saying if you love God, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:27.000 we will know by how you love his children. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:28.980 That's not a new problem for them, 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.279 or for us, 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.779 or even for the church. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.179 Think about Paul's letter 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.819 that he writes to a pretty dysfunctional church 00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.659 in 1 Corinthians. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:39.039 They're not the pinnacle of holiness, 00:11:39.859 --> 00:11:40.759 but he says, 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.319 What? 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:42.779 Knowledge puffs up. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.459 He's more concerned, 00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:46.419 not at their growth in this head knowledge, 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:48.279 but their love for other people. 00:11:49.599 --> 00:11:51.839 That's what Paul is saying to that church, 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:53.159 full of problems. 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:56.159 But the love of God's children 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.099 is kind of derivative. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:58.859 Love for God kind of comes first 00:11:58.859 --> 00:12:01.399 and then flows out to love of children. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.699 And this structure, 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.759 how John writes it here, 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.319 is kind of wonky. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:09.100 We're used to saying something like this. 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.159 Hey, if you love God, 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:13.459 then you'll love his people. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.939 Instead, John does what he's always done, 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.899 and he circles around, 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.139 and he changes things up 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:20.199 just to add a fresh new dimension. 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:21.720 It's just like with my kids. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.299 If I say, 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.759 Hey, put your shoes on. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:26.059 I can only say that so many times. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.460 I might say something like, 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:29.860 If you're going to go outside, 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:32.060 don't go outside without your shoes. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.700 The intent is still the same. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.560 Don't go outside without shoes. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:37.080 Put them on before you go outside. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:39.120 It communicates the same message, 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.460 but I'm changing the words. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.279 John is doing the same thing. 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:44.440 He's reminding his people, 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:46.000 he's reminding God's people, 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.180 that they must love one another 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:50.360 because of their love for God. 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.879 That's the third mark. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:13:00.000 The fourth mark is evidence of life in the sun, 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:03.200 is love or relationship to commandments. 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:05.559 John introduces that in two, 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.519 and again in three, 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:08.500 where he ties loving God 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.840 to loving his commandments, 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:11.200 to keeping them. 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:14.000 And faith in Christ changes that dynamic, 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:16.460 changes that relationship from the Christian 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:19.440 of maybe not desiring God's word 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.920 or loving his commandments 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:22.740 and delighting in them. 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.840 So now that the Christian, 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.500 by the Spirit, 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:28.400 can keep them, 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:31.100 and they're no longer burdensome, 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.740 but they're joyful. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.360 Someone who has new life, 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.940 the commands of Scripture 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:39.660 become something they should desire to do 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:42.240 and delight in them, 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.360 not toilsome, 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:45.419 but joyful obedience. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.500 The problem 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:51.779 with evidence of Christian faith 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:53.240 is that we approach it 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.899 like many other things in our lives. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.399 We think 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.440 that if we say it's true, 00:13:58.560 --> 00:13:59.460 then it must be so. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.500 I will play in the NBA. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:04.700 I'm gonna suit up 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.279 against the Lakers. 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:08.519 Even though I'm not as tall as Jokic, 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:11.300 I've never played organized basketball 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:13.879 beyond elementary school, 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:15.099 but I'm saying it so, 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:16.099 so it must be so. 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:16.959 And you would say, 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.359 I'm crazy for saying that. 00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:19.439 However, 00:14:19.979 --> 00:14:21.599 we act like that 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:23.719 when it comes to our Christian faith, 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:26.240 when everything that is true 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.599 points to the contrary. 00:14:28.459 --> 00:14:30.099 I was thinking about this recently 00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:32.279 when I was skiing with a group of friends. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.740 I'm a relatively good skier. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.539 At least my route selection 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:38.079 while skiing says 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.859 that I'm pretty stinking good, okay? 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.220 Now, 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:43.080 there's a couple of marks 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.300 of being a good skier. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.060 But, 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.680 the first run, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.659 my friend, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.279 who, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.759 he will return to be my friend 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.919 when I'm recovered, 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:55.220 chose a route 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:57.120 that I was unfamiliar with 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:59.000 at a place that I was unfamiliar with 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.500 on the first run of the day, 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:03.100 and I don't like to ski like he does. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:05.100 And I hurt my knee. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.420 So if I fall down, 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.180 that's why. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:07.620 Um, 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:08.659 but, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.659 I was really frustrated. 00:15:11.099 --> 00:15:12.419 I was so frustrated 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:14.339 at something that I love and enjoy, 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:16.719 and if you spend any amount of time with me, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.079 you know that I talk about this, 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:18.979 um, 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.879 because I love it so much. 00:15:20.979 --> 00:15:21.179 It's, 00:15:21.359 --> 00:15:22.559 I enjoy God's creation. 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:24.559 It's a fun activity I do with my family. 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:25.620 But, 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.319 because of that event, 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.559 it caused me to question 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:30.779 if I really was a good skier. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.220 And then I had to go through 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.439 all the essential marks 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:34.959 of what a good skier is. 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.519 And they go something like this. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:38.799 First, 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.360 I've spent a good amount of time skiing. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:42.879 They say that if you spend 10,000 hours 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.720 on anything, 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.199 you're pretty stinking good. 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.480 You're an expert. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.459 Now, 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.279 if I started at two, 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.639 I think I'm pretty close 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.879 to 10,000 hours. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.720 Before I could really even run, 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.699 I was skiing. 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.100 So, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.820 that's a check mark right there. 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.879 I have a lot of time under my belt. 00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:03.540 And though equipment, 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.000 which is the second mark, 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.500 doesn't make the skier, 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.840 it doesn't give you talent 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.660 or a place regular practice. 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.640 It does help you ski really well. 00:16:14.140 --> 00:16:15.740 I have the right tools to ski well. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.000 Now, 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.500 mind you, 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.600 I was trying to be cheap, 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.800 and I was trying to stretch out the season 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:21.300 so I don't have to pay 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:22.580 to get my skis tuned, 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:23.840 which backfired on me. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:26.280 I have the right equipment. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:27.700 So, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.899 half a check mark. 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.519 This might seem obvious, 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.600 but to be a good skier, 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.680 you'll have to have snow, 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.060 right? 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.160 I have to have a place to go 00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:37.560 because I can't ski in Kansas, 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.680 and I can't ski on a basketball court. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.639 It's too flat. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:45.800 I must have access to terrain, 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.700 to even train 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.600 or even go execute. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:51.580 I must have the physicality to ski. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.200 That's the one that tripped me up. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.180 That was the fourth one. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.220 In order to be good, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.240 you have to have coordination. 00:16:56.520 --> 00:16:58.560 You have to have muscular capacity 00:16:58.560 --> 00:17:00.620 to turn and do all the things, 00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:02.060 shift my weight, 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:05.440 and do all those technical moves. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.120 That's where I failed. 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.019 Now, 00:17:09.080 --> 00:17:10.580 if I took that component away, 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.319 right, 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.480 my physicality 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.720 or 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:16.480 the tools, 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.779 would I be a good skier? 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.619 If I hurt my knee 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.599 on the first run, 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.119 would I be a good skier that day? 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.839 Absolutely not. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:26.319 The physical ability is gone. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.160 I don't have the tools. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.980 If I didn't have skis, 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.299 period, 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.440 I can't be a skier. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.200 If I didn't have snow, 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.639 I lived in a desert. 00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.819 I can't ski. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.740 Now, 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.639 I know somebody in here 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.059 is thinking, 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.379 oh, 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.319 I have the sand dunes, 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.099 I can sand ski. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.559 I'm talking about snow skiing. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.619 The marks 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:46.240 of being a good skier, 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:49.039 the essential components 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.319 work together 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.279 and testify 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.419 to that fact. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:55.059 Why is it any different 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.740 when it comes 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.779 to our Christian faith? 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.720 We think we can do 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.980 anything that we want, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:02.460 and we have Christian faith. 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:04.079 We can assure ourselves 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.819 of anything. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.700 We can deceive ourselves 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:10.039 that whenever we remove 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.899 one of those components, 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.500 we're no longer skiing, 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.460 we're just strolling 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.180 at wintertime, 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.920 we're standing 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:17.640 in the middle of a desert. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.519 Why do we think 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.100 it's different 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.860 when it comes 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:22.040 to the Christian life? 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.320 The Christian life 00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:24.880 or having life in the sun 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.920 has telltale signs, 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:29.840 and John points them out to us. 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.080 If they're missing, 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.280 we have a problem, 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.759 but how often 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.259 do we charge right ahead 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.680 as if it doesn't matter at all? 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.880 We should be asking ourselves, 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:43.060 do I believe Jesus 00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:43.960 is the Christ? 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.800 Do I love God? 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.660 Do I love his people? 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.700 Do I love what he loves? 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:54.640 Do I delight in his commandments? 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:57.540 Do I find them burdensome? 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.240 Or are they sweet to me? 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.740 Am I growing in my obedience 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.400 to them? 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.320 John is saying, 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:05.680 here's the litmus test 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.300 of faith in Christ. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.259 Now, are you going to do 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.980 these perfectly? 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.759 Absolutely not. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.099 But if you've been reborn, 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.339 you still have those vestiges 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.460 of the old man. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.759 You're still going to struggle 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.480 with sin, 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:20.619 and parts of that old man 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:22.980 remain until you're called home. 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.759 But is the arc of my life, 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.279 am I growing more and more 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:28.660 in holiness year after year? 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.879 Or am I going backwards 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:33.759 year after year? 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.559 Or am I stagnant? 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.940 Am I growing in love 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.000 for God's people? 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:42.420 Do I kind of put my money 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.500 where my mouth is? 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.460 I say I love God's people, 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.680 but do I delight in spending time 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.079 with them, 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.379 in fellowship with them? 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.259 Or do I come to worship 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.759 for the day to download? 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:57.819 Yes, there is truth 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.599 and goodness 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:00.980 in learning from God's word. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.619 Absolutely. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.819 Do I delight in loving him 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.980 or knowing him more 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.819 because I see him as lovely 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.640 and I see his people 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.140 as I spend time with them 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.140 as lovely. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.400 Do we do that here 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.019 at our church? 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.099 Can we grow in that? 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.740 Can you grow in that? 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.279 I'm not saying it's easy, 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:23.299 but let us all grow in love. 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.660 That's part of our vision here. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.079 Thick community. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.559 Yes, robust teaching as well. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.539 John's talking about both of those. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.240 Growing in our love 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.119 for God's word 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.240 and who he is 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.700 and growing in our love 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.460 for each other. 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.200 Are we availing ourselves 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.160 of the opportunities 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:43.319 to spend it with God's people, 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.519 whether it's Sunday school, 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.859 men's ministry, 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.619 women's stuff, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.440 community groups, 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.400 or just that brief 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.759 or not so brief moment 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.720 that we have in worship 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.819 where we greet one another? 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:58.680 Are we growing in our love 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.740 for God 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.980 and the things that he loves? 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.720 Those are the marks 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.660 of life in the sun. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.859 But what? 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.180 Those are the things 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:08.799 that evidence life in the sun. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.640 But what is it 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:11.440 that a Christian actually believes? 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.519 That's our second heading 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.059 this morning. 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.200 John pivots from things 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.220 that mark out a Christian 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.480 in those first few verses 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.559 from love of God, 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:24.180 love of God's people, 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.539 and love of his commandments 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:27.559 to the absolute substance 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.980 of what the Christian believes. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.120 But he does it a little bit 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:33.460 before most Bibles have a break. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.900 He starts it in verse four. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.200 For everyone who has been born of God 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.360 overcomes the world. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.220 And this is the victory 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.779 that has overcome the world, 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.579 our faith. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.899 Who is it that overcomes the world 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.779 except the one who believes Jesus 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.960 is the Son of God? 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:52.059 John doesn't start with ideas 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.759 or doctrines or propositions. 00:21:53.919 --> 00:21:55.379 He kind of reverse engineers this. 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:57.759 He goes first to those marks 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.939 to cause us to question those things 00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:01.419 because of the challenges 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:02.199 that were presented 00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:04.299 by all these voices 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.019 in that church. 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:09.460 And then he goes to their faith. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.359 He talks about the effects 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:13.099 of the faith first, 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.699 the overcoming the world. 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.579 Now he could be talking about 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.459 something like 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:19.659 the believer's triumph at death. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.839 But instead, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.919 he's actually talking about 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:24.459 overcoming the challenges 00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:26.699 that were present in that day. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.799 These people 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:30.019 that were introducing new ideas, 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.839 the opponents, 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.939 they're casting doubt 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.679 on the theology 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:36.000 that had been delivered to them 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.779 by the apostles, 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:39.179 those that walked with Christ. 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:41.019 And John is reminding them 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.379 of the faithfulness 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:44.440 to the message of the gospel 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:47.019 is what gives them deliverance 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.720 from their present condition. 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.660 It's a word for us as well. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.920 And we see the substance 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.799 of that error 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.859 as he poses it in verse five. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.700 This whole book 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.720 has that one-hit wonder theme, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.359 returning again and again 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.059 to assurance. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.740 But assurance is being challenged 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.480 by this idea 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.059 that Jesus is somehow 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.579 not fully God. 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:09.859 but John says no. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.319 Instead, 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:12.299 Jesus is the Son of God. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:15.740 He's reminding them of that. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.500 And as they challenged 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:19.519 his status as the Son of God, 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.359 the thing that was so crucial, 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.279 so essential 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.419 to the Christian faith, 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.500 John is pointing them 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.240 right back 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:27.919 to that very simple idea. 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.759 And he expounds on it 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.019 in that section six 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.599 through almost the end. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.359 He begins that argument 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:37.199 with kind of some weird stuff. 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:37.919 You know, 00:23:37.959 --> 00:23:39.119 oftentimes in seminary, 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.039 you're told, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.899 as you're a young preacher, 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.119 you never mention 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.819 certain things, 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.979 but John didn't get that lesson. 00:23:47.219 --> 00:23:48.799 He mentions them straight away. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.679 Blood. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:50.939 He says, 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.199 the water and the blood. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.619 This is he who came 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.059 by water and blood, 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:56.839 Jesus Christ. 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.519 Not by the water only, 00:23:58.959 --> 00:24:00.619 but by water and blood. 00:24:00.979 --> 00:24:02.199 And then he'll introduce 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:03.059 a third thing. 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.839 Some have associated this 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.019 with the sacraments, right? 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.379 Baptism, as we've seen, 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.639 and blood and communion. 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.899 I'm not sure that's 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.960 what he's talking about here. 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.599 Some have pointed 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:16.279 to the idea 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.179 that when Jesus 00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:18.159 was on the cross, 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.240 his side was pierced 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.279 and blood and water 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.279 flowed from that. 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.940 I'm not sure that's 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.980 what he's talking about here. 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:26.139 He is talking about baptism, 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:28.659 and he is talking about 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.419 another event 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.399 in Jesus' life. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.119 The baptism of Jesus, 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.959 but also his death. 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.919 Those two events 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:37.779 where we see most clearly 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:39.139 in the Gospels 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:41.759 that Jesus is God. 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.939 He's fully God. 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.619 How do we see it 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.179 in his baptism? 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.939 He didn't become God 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.699 in his baptism 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:50.759 as some of these opponents challenged, 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:52.079 but we see 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:54.619 the three working together 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:56.399 and affirming 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.879 that Jesus is fully God. 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.619 He is the Son of God. 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:01.639 And then in his death, 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:05.599 we see the Father 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.619 and the Son 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:08.339 and the Spirit 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.559 working together. 00:25:10.239 --> 00:25:12.259 We see Christ 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:14.079 giving up his place, 00:25:14.479 --> 00:25:17.979 not becoming less God, 00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:19.500 but being fully God 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.919 and paying for the punishment 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:21.619 of sin. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:25.339 As John's explaining this, 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.839 he starts to talk about 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.519 the witnesses 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:29.679 that operate here. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.979 That's why we read that section 00:25:30.979 --> 00:25:31.759 in Deuteronomy. 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.419 There's three witnesses, 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:34.679 the water 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.619 and the blood 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.539 and the Spirit. 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.839 Back in verse 6, 00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.239 he says, 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.119 the Spirit is the one 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.839 who testifies 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.639 because the Spirit 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.119 is truth. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.019 We see that 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.819 in his baptism. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.799 The Spirit 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.779 is testifying 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:47.539 to who Jesus is. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.720 We see that 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.980 in the death 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.700 on his death 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.440 on the cross. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.319 We also see 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.980 the operation 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.700 of the Spirit. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.899 What is he doing? 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.759 He's testifying 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.940 in agreement 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:02.099 and that 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.899 gives weight 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.019 to what is going on. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.940 The descending 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.440 of the Spirit 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.200 as a dove 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.659 validates 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:11.859 Jesus' status. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.940 And there's nothing 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.159 left to say in that. 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.000 It's almost as if, 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.279 like in modern parlance, 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.299 there's a mic drop here. 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:20.440 But John goes on. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.139 As if that testimony 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:23.139 wasn't enough, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.099 he says, 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.960 the truthfulness 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.160 of this testimony 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:29.920 is in the substance 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.059 of the witnesses. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.119 It's not just man. 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.079 Look at verse 9. 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.039 If we receive 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.039 the testimony of men, 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.539 the testimony of God 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.059 is greater. 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:39.539 For this is the testimony 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.200 of God 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.960 that he is born 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.940 concerning his Son. 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.279 Whoever believes 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.279 in the Son of God 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.139 has a testimony 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.839 in himself. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.259 And whoever does not 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.859 believe God 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.879 has made him a liar 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:50.379 because he has not 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.680 believed in the testimony 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.119 that God has borne 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.619 concerning his Son. 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.819 That testimony 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:57.240 is born through the Spirit. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.319 It's true 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.539 because of God's nature. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.319 He himself 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.720 is communicating. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.099 And if we're going to 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.400 pit that against man, 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.160 of course he wins. 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.759 He is greater. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.319 It's tricky here, though, 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.619 because John is not saying, 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.979 don't believe the apostles. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:16.119 Don't believe those people 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:18.659 who walked with Jesus. 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:20.059 No, that's not what he's saying. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.539 He's saying, 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:23.239 how much more 00:27:23.239 --> 00:27:24.659 should we believe God? 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.539 How much more 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.239 should we believe 00:27:27.239 --> 00:27:27.979 this testimony 00:27:27.979 --> 00:27:29.399 because he is God 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:30.859 and is saying these things? 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.959 On the scale of witnesses, 00:27:34.219 --> 00:27:35.179 when God speaks, 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:36.439 it is true. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:39.279 And when we don't believe it, 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.259 we make God 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.799 out to be a liar. 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:44.080 Who he is 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:45.380 and his status 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:47.340 confirms this testimony. 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.080 Recently, 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:49.539 I was at 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:51.160 Colorado Springs Airport 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.140 to pick up a visitor. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.140 And as I was doing it, 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.600 I do what I always do. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.320 And some of you 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.039 are going to be 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.680 really frustrated 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.559 at what I'm about to say, 00:27:59.100 --> 00:28:00.519 especially if you come 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.120 from a major 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:02.340 metropolitan area. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.680 Because as you pull up 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.360 to the sidewalk 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.779 at the Colorado Springs Airport, 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.240 there's a reason 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.159 why I ask my guests 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.979 to fly into 00:28:08.979 --> 00:28:09.799 Colorado Springs 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.519 and not Denver. 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:12.500 And I will often 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:14.939 offer to pay 00:28:14.939 --> 00:28:15.819 the extra money. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.559 It's because it's so easy. 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:18.740 There's nobody 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.539 ever there, right? 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.619 I can pull up 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.299 to the side 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:23.339 and I can hop out 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.979 of my car 00:28:23.979 --> 00:28:24.899 and go inside. 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:26.019 Now, before you get 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:27.919 all rule follower on me, 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.719 there is a section 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.839 that does not have 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.919 the sign that says 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.939 you cannot park here. 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.979 In fact, 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.400 on the sign, 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.819 it does not say 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:38.519 you can't park here. 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.720 So, next time, 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.339 I'm not going to tell you 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.759 where it is 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.160 because you might 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:43.019 steal my spot. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.480 But, after all, 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.059 that's the reason 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:48.099 why I ask people 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.920 to fly in the Springs 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.599 and not Denver. 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:53.299 Because you can do that. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.640 Now, as I walked 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.839 into the baggage claim, 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.180 as I always do, 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:01.539 this lady approached me, 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.139 no badge, 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.960 no uniform, 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.079 no credentials, 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:06.240 and said, 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.119 hey, 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.180 you should move 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.659 your car. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.139 And I said to myself, 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.220 thanks. 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.240 Okay, 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.180 I hear you. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.519 But I'll just be 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.240 right back out 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.920 because I'm going 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.480 to pick up somebody 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.259 and come back in. 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.920 I said this all 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.359 in my head. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.359 And then, 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.779 so, 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.960 I dismissed this lady. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.659 I have no idea 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.240 who she is. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.839 She's not wearing 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.200 a uniform. 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:25.799 She's not wearing 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.180 a badge. 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.840 She has no authority. 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.400 But then, 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.700 a few minutes later, 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:32.299 as I'm waiting around, 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.660 what happens? 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.740 The big, 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:35.480 bad voice 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.200 that comes over 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.320 the airport intercom 00:29:37.320 --> 00:29:37.940 that tells you 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.920 you're about to miss 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.400 your flight 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:41.080 comes and gives out 00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:42.340 a description of my car 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:43.799 and says, 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.600 you need to move 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.100 your vehicle. 00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:46.279 So, 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:46.720 what do I do? 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.660 I immediately run out 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.500 and I go 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.920 and I stand by my car 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.200 because, 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:50.680 you know, 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:52.160 I don't want my car 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.840 to get towed. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.519 But, 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.819 that dreaded alert 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.720 prompted me to action 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.559 because it spoke 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.419 with authority. 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.819 The lady who is not 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.639 uniformed, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.720 who didn't have 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.299 a name badge, 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.399 who didn't have 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:06.539 any credentials, 00:30:06.959 --> 00:30:08.000 I didn't believe her. 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.639 But when that 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:11.019 airport voice came on, 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:11.759 man, 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.740 I was hustling. 00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:16.240 The authority 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:18.500 of an unmarked, 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.279 unbadged, 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:20.279 ununiformed 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.079 airport worker 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.319 is not what's 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.480 in question here. 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.399 But it's really similar. 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.259 Authority 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:29.399 is what God represents. 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.399 God is giving 00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:31.059 the testimony 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.039 through his spirit 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.379 and he is saying, 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.700 this is true. 00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:36.500 Jesus is the son of God. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.579 Way more authority 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.720 than the airport voice. 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:42.539 The airport intercom. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.539 And when he says, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.779 these are the marks 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.500 of a Christian, 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.579 when John says 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.299 these things, 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:51.099 why do we blindly 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.460 go forward 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:54.220 or bebop along 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.460 like it doesn't matter? 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:58.720 Or why do we deny 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.700 that truth? 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.339 Because when we do that, 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:02.440 we make God out 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.579 to be a liar, 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.960 as John says. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:07.859 Christian, 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.480 do you live 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.200 in a way 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.480 that confesses 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.519 this truth? 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.599 Do you bear 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.419 these marks? 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.980 Do you love God? 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.079 Do you love 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.819 his people? 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.059 Do you love 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.819 what he loves? 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.220 Do you love 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.899 his commandments, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.679 his word? 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:25.099 Do you love 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.599 him yourself? 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.379 Yes, 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.220 moment by moment, 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.379 that is really difficult. 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.259 And you're not going 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.019 to do that perfectly, 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.759 as we've said. 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:34.740 But are there areas 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.439 or arenas 00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.199 that we're holding 00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:37.019 so closely 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.199 that we don't want 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:39.240 to let him invade? 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:41.699 Because I can do this 00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.639 on my own. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.839 Because I believe 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.679 that I can start 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.980 for the Denver Nuggets. 00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:51.099 Are we blindly 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:52.240 walking? 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.179 Turn to him 00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:56.059 for forgiveness 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.799 for that unbelief. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.439 Christian, 00:31:59.199 --> 00:31:59.759 the gospel 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.699 is for you too. 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.359 It's not something 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.379 that we leave aside 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.419 after we've made right 00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:03.959 with God, 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:05.079 and then we go 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.000 on about our way. 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.319 It's moment 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.039 by moment. 00:32:09.459 --> 00:32:10.720 I think this is sometimes 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.199 when we look 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.880 at missionaries 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:14.660 and it seems crazy 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.299 what they do. 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.720 I think of John Payton, 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:19.299 spelled almost like Patton, 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.200 but Payton. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:22.160 He goes to an island 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.400 in the South Pacific 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.440 where there are cannibals, 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.160 and everybody says 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.740 he's crazy. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.519 Maybe he is 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.259 a little bit crazy. 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.059 He loses his wife, 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.960 he loses his children, 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.960 and we look at that life 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.720 and say, 00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.480 oh my goodness, 00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.700 that is crazy. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.600 But God used him 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.500 so much 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.180 because he was 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.080 so sure 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:40.200 of this. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:42.039 But instead, 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:43.440 often in our own lives, 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.480 we're almost hedging 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.539 our bets a little bit. 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.519 That's why 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.380 when we go 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.160 to the cubicle 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:51.140 or we're sharing 00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:52.100 with a friend 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.860 over coffee 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.740 or at work, 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:57.799 we almost don't want 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.460 them to know 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.100 we're Christians. 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.200 But what would 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.559 that boldness look like 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.799 in our daily lives 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:04.080 as we parent 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.140 and interact 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:05.960 with that neighbor 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:07.319 who thinks 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.039 you're crazy 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.680 because you showed up here 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.539 to listen to me? 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.620 What would it look like 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.660 in that boldness 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.560 to share the gospel 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:15.279 with that person? 00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:19.039 What would it look like 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:20.480 to not hedge your bets, 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.720 to not be ashamed 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.120 of that? 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:24.039 Man, 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.299 that life of John Payton 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.860 and my life 00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:27.759 on a Monday 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.400 or a Wednesday 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:30.480 look a lot more similar. 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:34.460 maybe it's why 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.799 instead of 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.460 in persisting 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.360 in faithfulness 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:39.240 to share the gospel, 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.940 we remain silent 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.360 because we're scared. 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:44.200 Because by our actions, 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.220 we might 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.700 in some small part 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.299 be saying, 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.740 I'm not sure 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:50.440 about your testimony. 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.579 I'm not sure 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:54.279 about what you say. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:56.879 if you've never 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.339 considered 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.220 the testimony 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:58.759 of God 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.680 and his son, 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.339 this kind of 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:02.740 sounds a little bit crazy 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.639 and you'd be right. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.440 But I invite you 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.819 this morning 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.480 to consider 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.179 the testimony 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.699 that John is giving. 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.880 Consider the testimony 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.900 that the Spirit 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.500 has given 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:14.099 that God has said 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.320 about his own son 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:17.019 that he's fully man, 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.119 fully God 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:20.219 and he died 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:21.000 on the cross 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.860 for your sin 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.440 so that he might 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.180 have life. 00:34:25.620 --> 00:34:26.140 Life 00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:29.019 to the full. 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.280 John points us 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.780 in these last few verses 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.940 to this very fact. 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.559 This is the testimony 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.960 that God gave us, 00:34:36.140 --> 00:34:36.920 eternal life. 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.420 And this is life 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.240 in his son. 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.640 Whoever has the son 00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:42.340 has life. 00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:43.539 Whoever does not 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.220 have the son 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:45.920 does not have life. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.000 John's given 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.760 us these words 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.860 so that we might remember 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:52.519 that those who believe 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.880 have eternal life 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:56.380 and have it to the full 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.460 as he says 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.099 in the gospel. 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.559 Whoever has the son 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:02.079 has life. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.120 Christian, 00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:07.300 someone who's 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.780 not a follower 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.380 of Christ, 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:11.019 come to Christ 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.599 for in the son 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:14.019 there is life. 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:15.980 Let's pray. 00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.340 Lord, 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.940 we're reminded 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.539 this morning 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.659 of wherever 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.900 this finds us. 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:23.900 Believing 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.639 in your word, 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.860 believing in your testimony, 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.659 or struggling 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.340 through it, 00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:30.000 that you have 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.619 offered us 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.119 a life, 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:32.779 eternal life 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:33.420 in your son. 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.259 May we find 00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:35.920 this testimony 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.779 to be true 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:38.659 and Father, 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.440 may we delight 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:39.840 in it. 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.059 And we pray 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:41.579 these things 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.360 in Jesus' name. 00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:42.960 Amen. 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.099 Amen. 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.119 Amen. 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.179 Amen. 00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:43.199 Amen. 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.219 Amen. 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:43.239 Amen. 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.259 Amen. 00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:43.300 Amen. 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:43.719 Amen. 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:43.759 Amen. 00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:43.840 Amen. 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:43.900 Amen. 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:45.000 Amen. 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.159 Amen. 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.199 Amen. 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.219 Amen. 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.259 Amen. 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.759 Amen. 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.219 Amen. 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:47.199 Amen. 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:49.519 Amen.