WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:01.500 Thank you, brother. 00:00:02.760 --> 00:00:07.900 This morning we continue in the book of John, chapter 3. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:11.919 And it's my privilege to read the passage this morning. 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:17.980 But before I read it, I just want to remind us that we're still in the section of John 00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:24.960 where Christ has received Nicodemus and they're in conversation. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:31.000 And by the grace of Christ, he is sharing the truth with Nicodemus so that Nicodemus could 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:35.240 come to see the only means of salvation. 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:43.760 And so it's beautifully articulated here in chapter 3, this message of being born again. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:51.859 And so this morning we will focus on verse 17 and following down through verse 21. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:56.140 But for sake of context, I want to start reading in verse 14. 00:00:56.519 --> 00:00:59.420 And then we'll read down through verse 21. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:06.159 So if you would join me as I read, starting in verse 14, it says this, 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:13.939 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:18.519 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:23.140 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:28.619 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:32.879 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:36.640 but in order that the world might be saved through him. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:40.819 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:44.179 but whoever does not believe is condemned already, 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:48.820 because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:50.900 And this is a judgment. 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:53.620 The light has come into the world, 00:01:53.720 --> 00:01:57.560 and people love the darkness rather than the light, 00:01:57.680 --> 00:01:59.160 because their works were evil. 00:02:00.020 --> 00:02:03.520 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, 00:02:04.080 --> 00:02:07.880 and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:11.659 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:17.599 so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:18.879 Let's pray briefly. 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:20.960 Fathers, we open your word this morning. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:23.579 I pray that you would open our eyes and our ears spiritually, 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:27.300 that we might see the truth that is here in your word, 00:02:27.359 --> 00:02:33.039 and we might hear from you as you would help us to understand your word. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.539 Lord, I pray that you would move us on a heart level, 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:40.280 that, Father, you would open our hearts to receive readily 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.680 that which you share through your word this morning. 00:02:43.019 --> 00:02:45.519 I pray that you would bless this time as we open your word, 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:46.419 and I pray it in your name. 00:02:46.739 --> 00:02:46.979 Amen. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:53.340 So I've got five points I want you to see out of this passage this morning. 00:02:53.859 --> 00:02:54.819 I feel like Jonathan. 00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:56.159 I've got five points, 00:02:56.219 --> 00:02:57.659 and if you like taking notes, 00:02:57.719 --> 00:03:00.439 you might want to write down these five points. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:03.039 Point number one is this. 00:03:03.139 --> 00:03:04.919 We see in verse 17, 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:07.859 I want you to see the structure of the sentence, 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:12.259 which there's a message in it that I want you to see. 00:03:13.279 --> 00:03:15.659 So if I would abbreviate this sentence, 00:03:15.799 --> 00:03:16.599 it says this, 00:03:16.839 --> 00:03:18.699 God did not, but did. 00:03:20.299 --> 00:03:22.699 God did not, but did. 00:03:24.339 --> 00:03:26.299 And I'll fill in the blank here in a second, 00:03:26.399 --> 00:03:27.779 but I want to say this, 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:31.819 is that when we see the negative coming before the positive, 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:34.699 what it does is it emphasizes the positive. 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:37.979 It highlights the greatness of the positive. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:41.159 So if we fill in the blank here, 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:42.500 the verse says this, 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:46.840 God did not send his son Jesus into the world to condemn the world, 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:50.079 but God did send his son Jesus into the world 00:03:50.079 --> 00:03:53.319 in order that the world might be saved. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:56.620 The first point is this, 00:03:56.699 --> 00:04:00.759 we see the purpose of God in verse 17, 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:04.120 that the purpose of God is salvation. 00:04:05.419 --> 00:04:07.959 And who is this salvation for? 00:04:09.019 --> 00:04:13.039 The verse reveals that this is a global salvation. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:17.199 This is not a salvation that is only for the Jewish nation. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:20.420 You know, we've said it before in chapter 3, 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:24.959 as we've preached week after week after week on chapter 3, 00:04:25.039 --> 00:04:25.699 we've said this, 00:04:25.979 --> 00:04:28.519 is that Nicodemus had a Jewish mindset. 00:04:29.099 --> 00:04:30.639 Matter of fact, the text says this, 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:32.980 he was a ruler of the Jews. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:34.860 It says in verse 1. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:36.240 And then in verse 10, it says, 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:38.000 he was the teacher of Israel. 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:43.319 So this Jewish man who was a teacher of Israel 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:45.399 did not understand. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:48.899 understand that the Old Testament 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:51.539 prophesied about a coming Messiah, 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:53.299 this king that would come 00:04:53.299 --> 00:04:55.079 through the lineage of David, 00:04:55.179 --> 00:04:56.219 of the line of David, 00:04:56.399 --> 00:04:57.500 and he would be a king, 00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:58.959 this great and mighty king, 00:04:59.039 --> 00:05:00.500 the greatest of all kings. 00:05:00.799 --> 00:05:02.739 But they thought that meant 00:05:02.739 --> 00:05:04.699 that he would be an earthly ruler. 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:07.839 That he would be a great king 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.419 of this great nation of Israel 00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:11.379 and all these other nations 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:13.199 that had been a hindrance to Israel 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:14.279 for all these years. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:18.199 Even this Roman power 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:21.919 that had their thumb on Israel, 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:24.379 they thought that when the Messiah come, 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:26.179 he would set up his throne. 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:29.219 And truly, that's what the Old Testament said. 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:31.099 But it's speaking spiritually. 00:05:31.299 --> 00:05:32.500 It's not speaking physically. 00:05:32.919 --> 00:05:36.059 So Nicodemus misunderstood the Old Testament. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.619 This teacher of Israel misunderstood 00:05:38.619 --> 00:05:40.959 that this king was not going to have 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:41.979 an earthly reign. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:44.040 He was not going to destroy 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:45.280 all these nations 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:48.120 so that Israel as a nation, 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:48.860 a physical nation, 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:50.340 would be the greatest of all nations. 00:05:50.520 --> 00:05:52.160 That is not what was meant. 00:05:54.200 --> 00:05:56.600 Nicodemus thought that there was only one nation 00:05:56.600 --> 00:05:58.120 that were children of God. 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:00.379 Only one nation that was chosen of God. 00:06:00.580 --> 00:06:04.240 He saw himself as being a part of that nation, 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:05.560 this Jewish nation. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:08.620 A nation that God first revealed himself to. 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:10.920 And he thought because he was a Jew, 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:11.780 he was saved. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:14.040 Because he was a Jew, 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:15.399 he had eternal life. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:21.819 So when Christ graciously shares this 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:23.000 with Nicodemus, 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.000 we've got to understand 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.459 that he would have been shocked. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:29.459 He would have not understood 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:31.360 up until that moment 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:33.660 the breadth or the width 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:34.500 or the greatness 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.379 or the wideness of the salvation 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:37.519 that God had intended. 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:39.600 And so we read it again. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:41.560 For God did not send his son 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.759 into the world 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:44.000 to condemn the world. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:45.060 What is he speaking of? 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:47.000 He's speaking of the world 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:48.879 that is the entity of earth, 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:50.139 all the nations, 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:51.219 the Gentiles. 00:06:51.220 --> 00:06:54.580 So if we read that passage 00:06:54.580 --> 00:06:57.080 with the understanding 00:06:57.080 --> 00:06:59.140 of what Christ is saying 00:06:59.140 --> 00:06:59.960 to Nicodemus, 00:07:00.020 --> 00:07:00.300 he's saying, 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:00.940 Nicodemus, 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:02.500 Christ did not come 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.800 to set up his throne 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:05.440 that the Jewish nation 00:07:05.440 --> 00:07:06.560 would be the greatest of nations 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:07.840 so that he could destroy 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:09.000 all these other nations. 00:07:10.140 --> 00:07:11.440 To judge them. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:12.680 And in essence, 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:14.020 to condemn them. 00:07:15.900 --> 00:07:17.780 That is not why he came. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.060 That is not the purpose 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.800 of the Messiah. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:21.860 Matter of fact, 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:23.480 the purpose of the Messiah 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:25.180 is totally different 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.020 than what you're thinking, 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:26.960 Nicodemus. 00:07:27.960 --> 00:07:28.699 It says, 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.639 God did send his son 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:32.680 in order that the nations 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:35.060 might be saved 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:37.060 through his son, 00:07:37.900 --> 00:07:38.639 Jesus Christ. 00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:39.920 Isn't it beautiful? 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:42.460 To see so clearly 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.300 the picture, 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:44.580 the purpose 00:07:44.580 --> 00:07:45.840 of God 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:47.019 in sending his son. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:49.279 it's for the salvation 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:51.439 that is widely offered 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:52.139 to all. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.359 And we'll see that 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:54.000 a little later 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.399 as we look at 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:56.060 one of these other 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:56.599 five points. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.339 But I want us to see, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:00.199 and I want to remind us, 00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:01.199 I want us to see 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:02.000 that Nicodemus, 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:02.699 as a Jew, 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:03.379 would have known 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.159 the Old Testament. 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.079 He would have recognized 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:07.259 these references 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:08.539 that Christ was sharing 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:08.979 with him. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:12.660 And so even this reference, 00:08:13.640 --> 00:08:16.120 Nicodemus should recognize 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.240 it in the Old Testament. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:20.160 We've looked at it before, 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.480 but I want to look at it again. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:23.540 It's in Isaiah 52 and 53. 00:08:24.280 --> 00:08:25.340 And I'm going to jump around 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:25.920 a little bit 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:26.980 because of sake of time 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.100 just to hit a couple 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:28.800 of highlights 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.140 in Isaiah 52 and 53. 00:08:31.140 --> 00:08:33.060 But hear the word of God 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:34.800 through the prophet Isaiah 00:08:34.800 --> 00:08:37.080 as he shares about his plan. 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:41.160 Behold, my servant, 00:08:41.400 --> 00:08:42.840 Jesus, my servant, 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:43.860 my son, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:45.139 my one and only son, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:45.860 that servant. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.220 Behold, my servant 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.600 shall act wisely. 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:49.980 He will act 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:52.980 in a sinless way. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:53.920 He will act 00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:55.259 in a perfect way. 00:08:56.160 --> 00:08:57.639 He shall be high 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:58.379 and lifted up. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:00.200 Yes, he'll be exalted 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:01.540 in God's eyes. 00:09:01.920 --> 00:09:02.600 God will say, 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:03.240 well done, 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:06.100 my good and faithful son. 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:08.300 But he will be exalted 00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:08.980 in another way. 00:09:09.020 --> 00:09:09.740 He'll be exalted 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.920 or placed on a cross 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:11.759 for all to see. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:14.620 And he says, 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:15.639 he was despised. 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:15.920 That is, 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:17.080 Jesus was despised 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:18.200 and rejected by men. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.379 He wasn't rejected 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.060 by the Father, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:20.420 was he? 00:09:20.520 --> 00:09:21.600 He was applauded 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.220 by the Father. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.259 Many times, 00:09:23.520 --> 00:09:24.060 audibly, 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.500 God said in the audience 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:26.020 of people, 00:09:26.020 --> 00:09:27.800 this is my son 00:09:27.800 --> 00:09:29.580 whom I am well pleased. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:30.379 Hear him. 00:09:31.400 --> 00:09:31.940 This son, 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:32.400 Jesus, 00:09:32.540 --> 00:09:33.700 who never sinned, 00:09:34.420 --> 00:09:35.040 who lived 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:36.420 a God-honoring life, 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:37.479 who only did 00:09:37.479 --> 00:09:38.039 what the Father 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:38.679 told him to do, 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.579 who only said 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:40.079 what the Father 00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:40.939 put in his mouth. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:42.240 This son, 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:43.539 he was despised 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.699 and rejected by men, 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:46.279 even his own countrymen. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:48.279 Even the leaders 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:49.360 of the Jewish nation 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.099 rejected him 00:09:50.099 --> 00:09:51.459 and put him on a cross. 00:09:52.599 --> 00:09:53.659 He was despised 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:54.979 and rejected by men, 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:56.000 a man of sorrows 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:56.919 and acquainted with grief. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.679 Surely he has borne 00:09:58.679 --> 00:09:59.579 our griefs. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.459 You know that this 00:10:00.459 --> 00:10:01.079 was written 00:10:01.079 --> 00:10:02.959 roughly 700 years 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:04.199 before Christ came? 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:07.320 God is telling us 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:08.720 700 years before 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.300 that he was going 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:10.259 to send his son 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.440 and these things 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.000 would be true. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:12.680 Nicodemus, 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.360 do you hear 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.879 what the prophecies 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.700 are talking about? 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:18.740 He was smitten 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.340 by God 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:19.960 and afflicted. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.040 He was pierced. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:22.020 Obviously, 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:22.920 we know that to mean 00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:23.520 on the cross. 00:10:23.640 --> 00:10:24.480 He was pierced 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.000 for our transgressions. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:26.860 He was crushed 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:28.460 for our iniquities. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.060 Do you see 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:30.080 the purpose of God 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:30.800 in these verses 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:31.940 in Isaiah? 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:34.340 that God sent 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:35.100 his son 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:36.880 for those 00:10:36.880 --> 00:10:38.840 who would be saved. 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:41.980 That he would die 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.860 for our iniquities. 00:10:43.020 --> 00:10:44.560 He would be crushed 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:45.500 for us. 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:47.040 With his wounds, 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:47.960 we are healed. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:50.880 The Lord has laid 00:10:50.880 --> 00:10:51.800 on him 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:53.260 the iniquity 00:10:53.260 --> 00:10:54.460 of us all. 00:10:54.640 --> 00:10:55.060 That is, 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:56.100 those of us 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.360 who trust in him 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.480 as our Lord 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:58.980 and Savior 00:10:58.980 --> 00:10:59.920 for salvation. 00:11:01.260 --> 00:11:01.880 Verse 10 says, 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:03.340 Yet it was the will 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:03.880 of God 00:11:03.880 --> 00:11:04.820 to crush him. 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:06.240 Isn't it amazing 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.200 that God would send 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:07.820 his son 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:08.820 with the purpose 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:09.580 of crushing 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:10.260 his son? 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.360 That Christ 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.180 would have to 00:11:14.180 --> 00:11:15.800 take on our sin 00:11:15.800 --> 00:11:17.640 in order that 00:11:17.640 --> 00:11:18.660 we might know 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:19.500 the forgiveness 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.480 and the righteousness 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.800 that God would offer us 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:22.680 through him, 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.700 his son. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.400 He has put him 00:11:25.400 --> 00:11:26.060 to grief 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:27.140 when his soul 00:11:27.140 --> 00:11:28.180 makes an offering 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:28.760 for guilt. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.040 You know, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.180 the purpose of God 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:30.980 is that he would 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:31.760 send his son 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.319 in order that 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:32.659 his son 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.000 would make 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.539 an offering 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:35.319 for us, 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:37.059 his bride. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.279 Isn't it beautiful 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.919 to see the purpose 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:41.460 of God 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:43.000 in its own display 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.600 here is that 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:45.159 God sent his son 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.120 in order that 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.980 we might be 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:47.899 saved. 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.720 So it begs 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:51.480 the question, 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:52.919 why? 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.000 Why? 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:55.279 Why would God 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.039 send his one 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:56.980 and only son 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.939 to die 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.819 and to suffer 00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.720 and be crushed? 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:00.120 Why? 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:00.899 It's because 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:01.860 the condition 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.740 of us, 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.200 the condition 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:04.899 of men. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.779 What is our condition? 00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:07.899 What state 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:08.379 are we in? 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:08.580 Well, 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.500 Nicodemus thought 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.360 that he was fine. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.340 Nicodemus came 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.120 to him by night. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.460 He saw something 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:16.560 different in the life 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.000 of Christ. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:17.680 He said, 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:18.800 the things that you're 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.180 doing, 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.300 these miraculous things, 00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:21.620 they can't happen 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.860 unless God's involved. 00:12:23.160 --> 00:12:23.779 Tell me what's 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.540 going on here. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:29.240 something points 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.199 to you being 00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:31.799 the instrument 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.439 of God. 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.199 And what does 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:35.679 he say to 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:36.319 Nicodemus? 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.319 Nicodemus, 00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:38.319 you think you're 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:38.919 right with the 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.079 Lord, 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.679 but you're not. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.799 You think 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.959 because you know 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:43.759 the Old Testament 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.159 text, 00:12:44.459 --> 00:12:45.419 you think because 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.259 you're moral 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:46.939 in the way you 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.240 live, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.620 you think because 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.599 you have 00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:51.219 been born 00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:51.959 into this 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:52.439 nation, 00:12:52.599 --> 00:12:53.279 this Jewish 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:53.740 nation, 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.139 that your 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.500 heritage is 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.340 enough for you 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:56.899 to be the 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.700 child of God. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:58.680 You think that 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.120 you'll have 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.779 eternal life 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.279 because you're 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:00.700 a part of 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:01.279 this nation, 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:02.080 but you don't 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.799 understand that 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.299 you have to 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:03.980 be born again. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:09.000 You're in a 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.080 condition that 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:12.080 separates you 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:12.580 from a holy 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:12.879 God. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.659 You're in a 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.379 condition of 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:14.860 sin. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.259 That's why I 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:17.840 needed to send 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.340 my son, 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:18.759 Nicodemus. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.580 That's why 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:20.340 Christ says, 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:21.620 I am he. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.440 Do you 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:23.880 believe? 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.600 Nicodemus, 00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:27.280 let me show 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:28.220 you by 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:28.780 looking at 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:29.680 multiple Old 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.540 Testament texts 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:31.400 that I am 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:32.040 the Messiah, 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:34.260 the one who 00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:35.040 speaks to you 00:13:35.040 --> 00:13:35.440 and he. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.400 You need to 00:13:38.400 --> 00:13:39.340 be born again. 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:39.760 Why? 00:13:39.880 --> 00:13:40.480 Because you're 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.320 in a condition 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.400 of sin. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:43.320 And we look 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.300 at verse 19 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.440 and we see 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:46.360 Christ talking 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.100 about mankind 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.580 here. 00:13:47.640 --> 00:13:48.040 What does he 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.300 say? 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.100 It says, 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.760 people love 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.480 the darkness. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:53.879 You know 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.240 that's true 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.679 of all of 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:54.960 us? 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:57.759 That we 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.600 love the 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:58.980 darkness. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.639 That is our 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.860 natural bent. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.559 What is 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:02.960 darkness? 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:03.840 Darkness is 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:04.519 everything that 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.179 does not honor 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:05.559 God. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.720 Everything that 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.759 is in rebellion 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.139 to God is in 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.059 this category of 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.419 darkness. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.580 Notice, 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:17.179 too, 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:18.419 in verse 18. 00:14:20.219 --> 00:14:20.879 Whoever does 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.679 not believe 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:22.620 is condemned 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.139 already. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:23.699 Do you know 00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:24.259 that we're in 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.839 a state of 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.519 condemnation? 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:28.059 That our 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:30.239 condition is 00:14:30.239 --> 00:14:31.459 this condition 00:14:31.459 --> 00:14:32.439 of condemnation. 00:14:32.599 --> 00:14:32.899 We are 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.299 condemned. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:33.559 Why? 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.039 Because of 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.479 our sin. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.439 Isn't it 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:39.199 interesting that 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:40.259 as we read 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.120 the book of 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.500 John, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.179 that there was 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:42.839 God sent 00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:43.579 someone before 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:44.019 Christ. 00:14:44.179 --> 00:14:44.699 God sent 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:45.759 this forerunner. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.659 And what was 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.200 the message 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.639 of this 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.159 forerunner, 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.639 John the 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:48.939 Baptist? 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.620 What was 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.120 his message? 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:51.879 Repent! 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.379 To this 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.379 Jewish nation, 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:54.899 he says, 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.340 repent. 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.620 Repent of 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:56.879 what, 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.259 John? 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.039 Of your 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.460 sin. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:58.759 Do you 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.299 not see 00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.879 your sin? 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.379 Do you 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.220 not recognize 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.019 your separation 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.559 from God? 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.439 Just because 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.319 you show up 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:05.799 at the temple, 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:06.819 just because 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:08.139 you bow, 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:08.980 just because 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.939 you read, 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.639 that doesn't 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.220 mean that 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.620 you're in 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.139 right standing 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.500 with God. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.019 Do you 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.019 not see 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.980 your separation? 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.759 Do you 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.279 not see 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.100 your sinfulness? 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.519 Nicodemus. 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.060 And I 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.659 love the 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.460 way that 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.539 Jesus brought 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.379 back Numbers 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.539 21 to the 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.980 mind of 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.659 Nicodemus. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.060 He says, 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.759 Nicodemus, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.659 we've all been 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.379 bitten by the 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.820 serpent and 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.060 we're in 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.320 trouble. 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:36.759 We've all 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.259 been bitten 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.759 by the 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.060 serpent. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.120 You know, 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.920 it also takes 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:40.379 us back to 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:40.800 the garden, 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:41.180 doesn't it? 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.800 In a sense, 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.379 we were bitten 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.159 by the serpent. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.779 The serpent 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:46.919 beguiled Eve. 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.579 The serpent 00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:49.159 spoke a lie 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.639 and Adam 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:50.919 and Eve 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.620 embraced the 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.819 lie and 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:53.319 they chose 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:53.740 to rebel 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.519 against God. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.419 They chose 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.100 to sin and 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.639 as a result, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.000 they were 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.500 forever out 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:58.839 of the 00:15:58.839 --> 00:15:59.079 garden. 00:15:59.219 --> 00:15:59.419 They were 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.079 kicked out, 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:00.620 if you will, 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.339 or forced 00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:01.799 to leave 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.399 the presence 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:02.819 of God 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.259 because of 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.699 their sinful 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.120 state. 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:04.699 Do you 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.000 know that 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.480 all men 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:05.819 are born 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:06.279 that way? 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.579 In this 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.159 condition of 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.579 sinfulness? 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:09.879 You know, 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.799 Paul used 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.419 to think 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.360 like Nicodemus? 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.179 Do you 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.799 remember the 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.459 text in 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:16.439 Philippians 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.939 where Paul 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:19.679 is sharing 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.439 about the 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:20.819 way he 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:21.240 used to 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.500 live? 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.240 He said, 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:22.519 listen, 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.659 I was a 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.179 Jew, 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.659 circumcised, 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.079 in other words, 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.759 I was of the 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.679 right family, 00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:28.500 the right 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.019 nation, 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.199 circumcised the 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:30.639 eighth day, 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.059 I did it 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.519 just right. 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:34.059 I lived a 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.599 God-honoring 00:16:34.599 --> 00:16:35.059 life, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.860 I was faithful 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.519 as far as 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.039 righteousness, 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.879 I was leading 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.480 the pack. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.100 Matter of 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.279 fact, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:40.840 I was so 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.279 full of 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.960 zeal that 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.480 I was going 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.000 from city 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.399 to city 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.820 to city 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.259 to kill 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.159 people or 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.620 lock them 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:45.980 up in 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.560 prison that 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.259 we're doing 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.220 anything other 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.460 than what 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.440 is told us 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:50.820 to do in 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.279 the law, 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.659 the Jewish 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.000 law. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:54.139 And you 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.420 know what 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.879 happened to 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.300 Paul on 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:55.740 the road to 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.340 Damascus? 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.220 He had an 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.779 encounter with 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.139 Jesus. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.340 And you 00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.740 know what he 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.240 realized? 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.420 He realized, 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.940 oh no, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.259 I'm in 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:02.519 trouble. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.500 I thought 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.440 that all of 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.960 this was 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.620 honoring to 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:06.819 you, 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.059 God. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:07.880 He said, 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.059 no, 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.180 no, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.599 you're 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.380 persecuting 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:09.660 me. 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:11.740 And so 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.120 what did 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:12.600 Paul say 00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.060 in Philippians? 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.300 He said, 00:17:13.760 --> 00:17:14.800 everything that 00:17:14.800 --> 00:17:15.580 I used to 00:17:15.580 --> 00:17:16.520 think merited 00:17:16.520 --> 00:17:17.340 salvation, 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.660 I recognize 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.420 it now that 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:19.880 it's all 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.560 garbage. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.360 It's all 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:23.120 junk. 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:23.980 It's all 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.820 a lie. 00:17:25.280 --> 00:17:25.660 He said, 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.420 it's worthy 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.040 to be thrown 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:27.480 on the 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.260 garbage heap. 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.720 Everything that 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.420 I used to 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.340 trust in for 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:32.180 my salvation, 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.800 every moral 00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:35.760 thing that I 00:17:35.760 --> 00:17:36.160 ever did, 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.800 every attempt, 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.779 my fleshly 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.500 attempt to 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.120 honor the 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.820 law is 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.440 garbage. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.440 In light 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.860 of knowing 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.980 Christ Jesus, 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:48.940 my Lord. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.720 Paul would 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:51.980 say, 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.779 I've come to 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.740 see that not 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.620 because I'm a 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.240 Jew am I 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:55.980 saved, 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.800 not because I'm 00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:57.400 a Jew do I 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:57.900 have eternal 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.180 life, 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.380 I only have 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.140 eternal life 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:00.900 because of what 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.080 Jesus has done 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:02.740 through the 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.779 purpose of God 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.200 on my behalf 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.819 that he would 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.940 die for me, 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.700 that he would 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:09.139 pay on the 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:10.359 cross for my 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:10.720 sins. 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.440 That is the 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.160 provision of 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.920 God and the 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.700 condition of 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.000 man. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.759 I want you to 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.539 see what Paul 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.359 says when he 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:21.359 talks about 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.099 the exclusivity 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.000 of the Jewish 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.819 people who 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.579 thought that they 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.160 were all in 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.720 good standing 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.299 with God. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.379 And he says 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.619 this by way of 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.660 argument to help 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.500 the Jews 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.220 understand. 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:35.519 there's this 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.200 tendency for 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.759 Jews to think 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.259 we're better 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.700 than everybody 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:37.960 else, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.539 we don't even 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.359 marry with 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:39.740 anybody else, 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.019 we don't even 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.660 spend time with 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.059 anybody else, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.539 we don't want 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:41.980 to talk to 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.379 anybody else, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.299 we've got to 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.420 keep ourselves 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.759 clean by not 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.680 associating with 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.099 these other 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.660 nations and 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:47.920 people, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.240 etc. 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:51.779 And we see 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.819 as the early 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.399 church was 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.099 growing there's 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.920 this difficulty 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.359 of accepting 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.019 Gentiles, 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.059 a difficulty of 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.680 eating with 00:18:59.680 --> 00:18:59.819 them, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.899 difficulty of 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.500 understanding 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.420 that they're 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.139 God's people 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.500 too. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.960 And Paul 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.559 says it like 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.220 this in 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.379 Romans 3, 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.240 he says, 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:09.519 are Jews 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.059 any better 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.500 off? 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.180 No, 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.059 not at all. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.759 For we, 00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:15.599 that is Jews, 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.259 have already 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.980 charged that 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.299 all, 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:18.960 both Jews 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.619 and Greeks, 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.180 are under 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.579 sin. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.379 As it is 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:22.660 written, 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.660 by the way, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.619 in Psalm 14 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.559 and Psalm 53, 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.420 we see this, 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.799 it's written, 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.059 it says, 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:27.779 none is 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.180 righteous, 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.240 he's speaking 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.740 to the Jews 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.200 as well as 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.799 the Gentiles. 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.839 none is 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.180 righteous, 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.779 not one, 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.319 no one 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.680 understands, 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.359 no one 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:36.799 seeks for 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.019 God. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.899 All have 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.619 turned aside 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.259 together, 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.200 they have 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.440 become worthless, 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.539 that is without 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.299 worth. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.779 No one does 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.079 good, 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.059 not even 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.659 one. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.440 Paul, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.119 are you saying 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:50.859 that the Jews 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.819 are not a special 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.599 class of people, 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.200 that they 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.599 don't have a 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.240 special gift 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.779 and blessing? 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:55.859 blessing? 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.440 In a sense, 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.200 they were 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.379 gifted the 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.299 revelation of 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.019 God showing 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.619 himself to 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:02.859 them, 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.680 so in a 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.119 sense, 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.119 they have 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.559 had a 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.920 huge blessing 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.440 given to 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:08.619 them, 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.500 and yet they 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.639 didn't understand 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.119 their sin. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.839 They didn't 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.019 understand how 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.519 to be in 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:14.960 this right 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.859 relationship with 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.079 God, 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:16.519 though they 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:16.940 had the 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.220 law. 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.579 So the 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.279 second point, 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:22.559 if you 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.079 hadn't picked 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.420 it up, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.639 is that men 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.460 are in a 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.160 condition of 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.900 sin and 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.540 without hope. 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.259 Except that 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.960 God would 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.520 provide salvation 00:20:32.520 --> 00:20:33.900 to those who 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.280 are in a 00:20:34.280 --> 00:20:35.040 condition of 00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:35.580 sin, 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.220 they would 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.580 have no 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:36.920 hope. 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:37.840 You know 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.140 that's you 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:38.440 and me? 00:20:40.300 --> 00:20:41.180 Unless he 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.460 provides salvation 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.180 for you and 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.360 me, 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.980 those of us 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.200 who are 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:44.860 under sin, 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:45.400 who are 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.920 condemned, 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.040 who are 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.580 bitten by 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.180 the serpent, 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.380 who love 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.280 darkness rather 00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:51.000 than light, 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:51.860 we have no 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.100 hope. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:55.240 The third 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.279 point is 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.859 the provision, 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.500 is Jesus. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.059 The provision 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.939 of God we 00:21:00.939 --> 00:21:01.659 see in verse 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.240 17, 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.079 for God did 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.619 not send 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.500 his son into 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:04.959 the world to 00:21:04.959 --> 00:21:05.199 condemn, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.740 but he sent 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.439 his son in 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:07.859 order that we 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.259 might be 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.519 saved. 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.079 Let me just 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.419 say this, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.079 the word of 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.819 God declares 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.379 we'll never 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:11.859 be saved, 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.480 we can't be 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.119 saved apart 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.799 from anything 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.659 else except 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.119 Jesus. 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.319 There's no 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.959 good deed you 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:19.480 can do, 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:21.740 there's no 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.339 school you 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.920 can go to 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.400 and learn 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.920 enough, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.620 there's no 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.579 morality that 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.200 you can 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:29.019 achieve that's 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.740 going to earn 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.940 you salvation. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.900 Apart from 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.759 the provision 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.900 of God that 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.900 is his one 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.720 and only son, 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.539 that is Jesus 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.200 Christ our 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:38.500 Lord, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.620 there is no 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.740 salvation for 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.299 anyone. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.700 I love how 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.480 it talks about 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.059 it in this 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.720 passage. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:50.600 it says 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:50.940 that, 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.319 and this 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.779 is the 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.339 judgment, 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.180 that is, 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.640 this is the 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.680 evidence of 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.360 this sinful 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.720 life, 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.539 this rebellion, 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.519 this separation, 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.640 is that the 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.880 light has come 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.819 and they love 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.400 the darkness 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.100 more than the 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:05.420 light. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.259 Nicodemus 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.600 would have 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.980 immediately 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.039 recognized the 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.960 prophetic passage 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.759 out of Isaiah. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.259 And that 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.000 passage out of 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.819 Isaiah chapter 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.860 9 says this, 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.980 the people who 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.559 walked in 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.279 darkness have 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.240 seen a great 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.880 light. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.319 Again, 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.299 pointing toward 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.759 Christ, 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.380 this is the 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.539 same passage 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.000 that says, 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.059 for unto us 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.799 a child is 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.100 born, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.960 unto us a 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.360 son is 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.720 given, 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.380 and the 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:34.779 government 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.380 shall be on 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:35.900 his shoulders, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.440 his name 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.059 shall be called 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.559 Wonderful, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.319 Counselor, 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.200 Mighty God, 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:39.839 Everlasting 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.240 Father, 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:40.860 Prince of 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.160 Peace. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.839 And it 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.120 says, 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.120 the people who 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.740 walked in 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.440 darkness have 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.339 seen a great 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.180 light. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:46.700 What is that 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.019 light? 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.000 It's Jesus. 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.519 That Jesus 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.740 has come and 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.500 they didn't even 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.320 recognize him. 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.700 Remember what 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.200 John the Baptist 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.539 says, 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.600 there's one among 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.259 you whom you 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.160 don't even know 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.380 whose latchet of 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.279 his shoes I'm not 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.940 worthy to even 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.519 unloose. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.920 You come to me 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.820 and ask me who I 00:23:03.820 --> 00:23:04.019 am. 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:04.759 I'm not the 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.160 Messiah. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.140 I'm the voice of 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.279 one crying in the 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.620 wilderness. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.660 There he is. 00:23:11.060 --> 00:23:11.660 Trust him. 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.259 There he is, 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.100 the Messiah. 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.159 Do you see? 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.199 That's the one 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:17.159 that was foretold. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.059 Apart from him 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.759 there is no 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.299 salvation. 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.379 Beautiful picture 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.039 of this light. 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.719 You know that 00:23:26.719 --> 00:23:28.079 this is not new 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.740 to our ears 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.279 in the book of 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.559 John. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.759 If we turn back 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.439 to chapter 1, 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.299 verse 3 and 4 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.879 said this, 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.939 all things were 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.959 made through him 00:23:38.959 --> 00:23:39.879 and without him 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.899 was not anything 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.759 made that was 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:41.980 made. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.920 in him was 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.519 life. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.079 That is, 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.779 in Christ 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.880 was life. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.480 And the life 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.339 was the light 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.900 of men. 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.799 There we go 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.079 again. 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.380 This theme 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.180 that Christ 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.240 is the light. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:53.779 What does the 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.380 light do to 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:54.759 darkness? 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.059 It illuminates 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.240 it. 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.140 So physically 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.860 speaking, 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.259 a physical light 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.700 is going to 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.380 illuminate 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.799 darkness. 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:02.759 I've been in 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.599 a cave before 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.660 where there 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.279 were no lights 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.819 and you'd poke 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.440 yourself in the 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.860 eye and you'd 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.440 never see your 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.900 finger coming. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.099 It was as dark 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.539 as anything 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.380 I've ever seen. 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.440 One guy 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.360 struck a match 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.700 and it just 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.360 went pew. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.920 The whole cave 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:16.320 area was a 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:16.540 light. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.240 Now it wasn't 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.540 perfectly clear 00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:19.000 everywhere, 00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:19.780 but if you're 00:24:19.780 --> 00:24:20.580 looking that way 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.200 it illuminated 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.760 a lot of 00:24:21.760 --> 00:24:22.180 things. 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:23.540 The beautiful 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.620 picture of the 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.580 light that 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.380 penetrates the 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.360 physical darkness 00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.340 is only a 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:28.720 pointer, 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.060 is only a 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:32.840 way of sharing 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.820 a spiritual 00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:34.300 message. 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:34.640 And the 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.380 spiritual message 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.500 is the light 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.340 that is Christ 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.240 who is truth 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.760 and is light 00:24:38.760 --> 00:24:39.580 has come into 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.159 the world 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:41.460 that were 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.119 dark. 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.659 They didn't 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.299 understand. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.579 They didn't 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.579 know the 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.699 depth of what 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.679 God was saying 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.579 even through the 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:50.879 scriptures. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.059 Their mind 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.819 was darkened. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.839 They were in 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.839 a sense blind 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.759 to the reality 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.980 of their condition, 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.859 blind to the 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.500 reality of their 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.559 sin, blind to 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.039 the reality 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.579 they needed 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.039 Jesus. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:01.939 And when Jesus 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:02.419 came, what did 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:02.559 he do? 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.339 He illuminated 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.559 it. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.599 He showed 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.199 us as he 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:07.000 showed Nicodemus. 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.839 Nicodemus, 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:09.119 you need to be 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.619 born again. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.159 This beautiful 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:16.839 concept is 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:19.099 highlighted in 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.919 John 8. 00:25:19.979 --> 00:25:20.519 If we peek 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.219 forward a little 00:25:21.219 --> 00:25:21.739 bit and look 00:25:21.739 --> 00:25:22.319 at verse 12, 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:23.119 it says this. 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:25.019 Christ speaking, 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.859 Jesus spoke to 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.199 them saying, 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.199 I am the 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:27.699 light of the 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.079 world. 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:31.119 I am the 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.659 light of the 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:32.039 world. 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.699 Apart from 00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.879 the illumination 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.759 that Christ 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.459 gives, we will 00:25:36.459 --> 00:25:37.000 never see. 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:39.180 I am the 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.640 light of the 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:39.819 world. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.339 Whoever 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.259 follows me 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.920 will not 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.420 walk in 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.839 darkness. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.740 Whoever 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.539 follows their 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.240 own ways 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.900 are walking 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.359 in darkness, 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.859 but whoever 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:49.279 turns and 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.180 follows Christ 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.079 will not walk 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.440 in darkness, 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.519 because Christ 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.900 illuminates what 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.559 honors God. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:55.980 Christ 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.920 illuminates our 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.180 sin. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.539 Christ says 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.680 this, whoever 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.500 follows me will 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.180 not walk in 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.900 darkness, but 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.099 will have the 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.660 light of life. 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.660 do you know 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.120 that when we 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:06.779 turn and follow 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:08.360 Christ and we 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:10.560 recognize him as 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:11.400 the means of our 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.279 salvation that we 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:14.060 have light, he 00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:15.300 begins to show us. 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:15.680 You know what it 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.420 says in the word of 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.900 God about the 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.259 Holy Spirit? 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.880 The Holy Spirit 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.779 comes to indwell 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.740 those who trust in 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.460 him, and he 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.779 leads us and guides 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:24.360 us into all truth. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.540 He shows us what it 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.480 looks like to honor 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.860 God. 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:29.240 He shows us our 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:31.440 sin, and he says, 00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.200 no, no, no, no, 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.200 no, don't walk 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.040 that way, walk this 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.859 way, walk in a 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.720 way that honors 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.440 the Father. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.460 The fourth point 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:48.159 is this. 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.819 I saw people 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.379 start writing. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.079 That's really 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.440 interesting. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:50.980 Jonathan, I've 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.500 never done that 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.059 before, but that's 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.480 pretty cool. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.079 Everybody's pen 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.379 went to their 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:53.639 paper. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.980 The fourth point 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.500 is this. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.500 I want you to 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.399 see that three 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.460 times in this 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:01.339 passage, we see 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.359 this invitation. 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:04.240 And you know, 00:27:04.479 --> 00:27:06.719 Christ gave, there's 00:27:06.719 --> 00:27:08.939 an invitation to 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:09.759 Nicodemus that's 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.679 inferred here, and I 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:12.459 want us to see it. 00:27:13.219 --> 00:27:14.079 But I also want us 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.159 to see that invitation 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:16.079 is for you and me. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.179 So if we were to 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:21.639 look back in 14 and 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:23.419 15, it's the picture 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.740 of that wilderness 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:26.099 event where they 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.240 rebelled against God, 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.119 they rebelled against 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:30.339 God's leadership, and 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.719 God sent serpents to 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.440 judge them, and 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.360 they began, the 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.140 serpents would bite 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:34.480 them, and they 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.339 began to die, and 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.200 to die, and to die, 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.839 and to die, and to 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.039 die. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.420 Why? 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.980 Because of their 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.660 rebellion against 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:38.900 God. 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.579 Did they deserve to 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:39.920 be judged? 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.500 Yes, of course. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.200 But God provided a 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.039 means that they might 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.579 be saved, and Jonathan 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:47.200 talked about that 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.660 last week. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.360 What a beautiful 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.440 picture of looking 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.779 on this provision of 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.700 God in order to be 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.120 saved. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.920 And we know that we 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.680 need to look on the 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.519 provision of God, that 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.559 is Jesus Christ, in 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.440 order that we might be 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:57.819 saved. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.579 But it says this, 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.500 who can be saved? 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.220 And whosoever 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.940 believes, whoever 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:05.519 believes, whosoever 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.799 from any nation, 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.799 whosoever believes. 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.720 You know, we see it 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.660 in verse 18 as well, 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.420 and 16. 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.460 So in 16, for God so 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.440 loved the world that 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:16.180 he sent his only son, 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.559 he loved him in that 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.519 way that he would send 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.960 his son to die, his 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.460 provision. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:23.680 That whosoever believes 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.339 in him should not 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.500 perish, but have 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.279 eternal life. 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.539 And we see it again in 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:27.900 18. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.440 Whoever believes in 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.759 him is not condemned. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.200 So what is salvation? 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.320 What is the means by 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.420 which we would be 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:37.860 saved? 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.400 How is it that I can 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.540 come to a place where 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:41.320 I am saved? 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:43.960 It's this, is it to 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.780 believe on him? 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:47.480 To believe that apart 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.560 from him I have no 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:48.940 hope? 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:51.220 To recognize my sin and 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.480 my need of a savior, my 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:54.620 need of forgiveness, my 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.680 need of cleansing. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:29:02.580 whoever believes is not 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.100 condemned. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:05.200 Church, and those of 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.880 y'all who might be 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.640 visiting this morning, 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:07.820 have you believed? 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.200 Have you believed that 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:14.080 Christ alone is our only 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.460 hope? 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.799 Have you recognized, like 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.380 he would say to 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.380 Nicodemus, Nicodemus, do 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.900 you see that you're 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.640 actually sinful? 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:22.480 Do you recognize that 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.700 all these efforts that 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.720 you've put into this 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:28.019 religion don't merit 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.580 anything? 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.460 Paul recognized it. 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.779 He said all that stuff 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.460 is garbage. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.240 You know what tends to 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.360 happen for you and I? 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.519 Is that we tend to lean 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:39.080 on something else besides 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.519 Jesus. 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:42.420 We tend to think because 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:44.059 our goodness, because of 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.460 our attendance, because of 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:47.019 our family, because of 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.620 whatever, that that is 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.000 enough. 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:50.779 That God would not dare 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.000 not let us in. 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:52.880 Look how good we are. 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.780 Look at all these things 00:29:53.780 --> 00:29:54.420 we've done. 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.920 You know that Nicodemus 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.500 couldn't have done a 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.360 single thing that would 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.320 have earned him salvation 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:59.160 and neither can we. 00:30:01.280 --> 00:30:03.020 Apart from looking on the 00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:04.660 provision of God, apart 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.680 from looking at the 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:07.360 Messiah elevated on a 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.740 cross and recognizing 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:11.620 that that sacrifice God 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:14.080 accepted as a substitute 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:16.220 for our sin, as payment 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.880 for our sin, our condition 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.440 of sinfulness was paid 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.800 for. 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:22.419 That is what it isolated 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.539 and separated us from a 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.019 holy God. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:26.039 But God sent his provision 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.539 in order that we might be 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:29.599 saved if we would only do 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:29.839 what? 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:31.379 Whoever believes. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.539 Have we believed? 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.139 You know the invitation is 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:38.379 for everyone worldwide? 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.639 Whoever believes, 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:47.580 whatever nationality, whatever 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:49.960 background, whatever level of 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:52.100 sin, whatever things you've done 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:54.340 in your life, if you will look on 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:56.420 the Messiah, though you've been 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.840 bitten and you will believe on him 00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:01.240 and you will cast yourself into his 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:03.860 hands for his mercy, we will be 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.280 saved. 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:06.860 The invitation is for all of us. 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:08.659 And if there's someone here 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:10.699 who right now in your heart 00:31:10.699 --> 00:31:11.439 you're saying, you know, 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:15.699 I truly never have actually 00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:17.459 stepped toward God. 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:19.179 I've never truly entrusted 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.000 myself to him. 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:21.799 I've never truly understood 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.759 that it's Jesus and Jesus alone. 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:26.059 You know the invitation is for you 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.459 this morning? 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:32.880 God will forgive you on the basis 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:35.600 of the sacrifice of his son, 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.400 Jesus Christ. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:39.860 His death, his perfect life, 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.579 his death, the burial, 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:43.279 and the evidence of God's 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.640 acceptance by his resurrection 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.240 and ascension. 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.980 That God would forgive you. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:49.340 He would take the righteousness 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:50.079 of Christ. 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.480 This is a beautiful picture that 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:53.700 Jonathan reminded us of last week 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.240 in Corinthians. 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:56.819 that he would take our sins 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:58.000 and he would put our sins 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.700 on the back of Christ. 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:02.259 And Christ would carry them 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.859 to the cross for us. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.799 Our sins on Christ. 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:07.620 And in exchange he would give us 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.740 his righteousness. 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:10.480 So when God looks at those 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.420 who trust in him, 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:13.279 who trust in the son, 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.099 you know what he sees? 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:16.779 He sees the pure and spotless 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:19.039 blood of the lamb covering us. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.620 Cleansing us. 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.319 You know there's no other way 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.480 to be cleansed except through 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:26.099 the powerful blood of Christ. 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:30.619 The invitation is here 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:32.019 and the fifth point is the response. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:33.019 What will your response be? 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:35.799 When you hear this truth, 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.259 how do you respond? 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:39.159 You know I think many of us 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.279 have already understood this. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.980 Many of us have already 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:44.059 asked God to forgive us 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:47.500 and asked God to accept us 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:49.160 as his son and daughter. 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:52.799 Ask God to be our Lord. 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.720 We've changed. 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.900 We've begun to serve him. 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.619 Not perfectly, 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.480 but our heart is there. 00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:00.400 Our heart desires to honor God 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:01.660 and desires to seek God, 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.400 desires to serve God. 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:05.500 What will your response be? 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.299 How about Nicodemus? 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:09.079 We had talked about this once before. 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.700 Do we see any evidence 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:12.000 in the life of Nicodemus 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.660 after this encounter with Christ 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:15.160 that he's a changed man? 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.660 You know the text says this. 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:21.000 Whoever does what is true 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.080 comes to the light. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:26.320 So that it may be clearly seen 00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.200 that his works 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:29.360 have been carried out in God. 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:29.840 You know what? 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:31.600 We see something 00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:34.320 carried out in the life of Nicodemus. 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.720 His works. 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:39.700 This display laid in the Gospels. 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.660 You know the Gospels 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.720 didn't have to tell us this. 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:43.079 It didn't have to tell us 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.620 that Nicodemus went 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:46.319 with Joseph of Arimathea 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:48.420 to anoint the body of Christ. 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.380 His work, 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.960 his willingness to step outside 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:52.519 of the will of the Sanhedrin 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:54.519 and to go and anoint 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.519 the body of Christ 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.380 is evidence, 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.620 at least I believe, 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:59.500 that he was changed. 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.539 That we begin to see works 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:03.120 that were different than before. 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.880 That there's this changed life. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.779 You know that when we turn to God, 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:08.320 God does something special to us. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.159 He gives us a new heart. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:12.619 Ezekiel says this, 00:34:13.399 --> 00:34:14.859 And I will give you a new heart 00:34:14.859 --> 00:34:17.559 and a new spirit I will put into you. 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:19.719 I will remove the heart of stone 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.460 from your flesh 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:22.519 and give you a heart 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:24.420 that desires me. 00:34:24.879 --> 00:34:25.359 Let's pray. 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:31.120 Father, I thank you 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:34.300 that you would open our eyes 00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:36.780 to see our sin 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.400 and our condition. 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:41.599 That apart from the provision 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.620 of your Son 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:44.660 to fulfill your plan 00:34:44.660 --> 00:34:46.519 that is the salvation of many, 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.360 that we would have no hope. 00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.800 God, thank you that you've opened 00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:51.180 many of our eyes 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:52.500 and I hope all of our eyes. 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:54.099 God, we've come to see 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:57.000 that we're separated from you 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.019 because of our rebellion, 00:34:58.199 --> 00:35:00.659 because living for our own ways 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:03.059 and not living for you. 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:05.179 Father, you're holy in every way 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:07.039 and it's right that we would serve you 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.820 and that we would bow our knee to you 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:10.519 and we would honor you 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.780 with our whole life, 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:13.840 that we would present our bodies 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.440 and our life 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:16.260 as a living sacrifice to you, 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:18.440 which is right and proper, 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:20.019 considering that, 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.440 Father, you've given us 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:24.019 a gift that's so great 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:25.639 that we can't even understand. 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:28.340 Not only do you accept us 00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:29.179 as your child, 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:31.320 but you provide for us glory. 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.099 That we will be able 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:35.380 to spend eternity with you. 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:37.119 We will be able 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:39.220 to have perfect fellowship with you. 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.740 Father, our salvation 00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:41.659 is just the beginning 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:43.639 of this amazing depth 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.880 of relationship with you 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:47.159 that you've simply gifted to us, 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:49.440 those of us who will bow our knee, 00:35:49.899 --> 00:35:52.079 those of us who will recognize our need, 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:54.119 those of us who will cry out to you. 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.059 And Father, I ask, 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.519 even this morning, 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.659 if there's somebody here 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:59.279 that is not yours, 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.779 that has not bowed their knee, 00:36:00.859 --> 00:36:02.059 that has not accepted you 00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.759 as Lord and Savior, 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:05.019 that has not called out to you, 00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:07.119 Father, move in their heart this morning 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.279 to give them a desire 00:36:08.279 --> 00:36:09.299 to call out to you. 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:11.139 And I know who you are, God, 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:12.219 that you're a God of grace 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:13.279 and you always respond 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.759 to those who lift their hands up 00:36:14.759 --> 00:36:16.119 to you and say, help me. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:18.380 So God, do what you will. 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.839 We praise you in Christ's name. 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.219 Amen.