WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.640 Amen. 00:00:00.940 --> 00:00:03.940 Kiddos, you are now excused to your King's Kids class. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:05.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.939 He was with God, and the Word was God. 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:36.259 He was in the beginning with God. 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:41.179 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:45.519 In Him, the Word was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.280 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:00:49.879 --> 00:00:54.140 There was a man sent from God whose name was John, JTB, John the Baptist. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:59.760 He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through Him. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:02.939 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 00:01:03.599 --> 00:01:09.739 The true light, the Word, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:15.099 He, the true light, the Word, was in the world, and the world was made through Him, 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:17.019 yet the world did not know Him. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:21.060 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him, 00:01:21.479 --> 00:01:25.299 but to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:31.840 He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:35.479 nor the will of man, but of God. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:38.200 May God bless the hearing of His Word. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.420 Christmas time is crooner time. 00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:49.599 If you're not familiar with who a crooner is, typically a man, smoother operator, singer, 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:57.299 like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:00.359 Jenny and I started watching Holiday Inn last night. 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:03.579 Modern day crooner, Michael Buble. 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:07.599 And of course, Nat King Cole. 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:13.579 And Nat King Cole's version of Hark the Herald Angels Sing is iconic. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:15.139 Does everybody agree? 00:02:20.419 --> 00:02:24.139 All right, let me just remind you of the third stanza of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:28.759 We're going to close the service by singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, but listen to this. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:31.780 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:35.219 Hail the Son of Righteousness. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:40.819 Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:44.599 Mild He lays His glory by Philippians 2. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:47.900 Born that man no more may die. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:49.960 Born to raise the sons of earth. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:53.699 Born to give them second birth. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:59.240 Hark the Herald Angels Sing, glory to the newborn King. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:02.920 Now, wouldn't it be nice that when we do sing this at the end of the service, 00:03:03.320 --> 00:03:07.980 that all of us would be singing this song with crooner-like voices? 00:03:08.140 --> 00:03:08.800 Wouldn't that be great? 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:14.840 I mean, we all know there's only two men in the room who have crooner-like voices, 00:03:15.260 --> 00:03:16.200 Zach and myself. 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:18.400 And so, it's okay. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:20.379 We'll all make a joyful noise together. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:21.820 I don't know why you're laughing. 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:32.259 What this Christmas carol gets at, this born to give them second birth, 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:36.900 is why Jesus Christ, the Word, became flesh. 00:03:37.859 --> 00:03:39.560 To give a second birth. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:44.879 Or, as I'm going to argue this morning from this passage, 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:49.400 His light gives us life. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:53.259 So, believe in Him and live. 00:03:54.280 --> 00:04:02.400 Last week in John 1, 1-8, we learned that the Word is a He, a person. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:04.620 He was in the beginning. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:07.060 And that's a Genesis 1-1 shout-out. 00:04:07.819 --> 00:04:11.680 In the beginning, He was distinct from God the Father, 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:14.680 yet He was in relationship with God the Father, 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:18.459 yet He, the Word, was totally God. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:25.699 And He, the Word, is the uncreated creator of all things. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:27.560 In Him was life. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:29.259 Not just physical life. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:31.300 Eternal, spiritual life. 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:36.500 And that life is the true light of God's salvation shining into the darkness. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:43.060 Think of Jesus as God's revelation of His salvation for sinners. 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:47.759 So, the question we're going to ask this morning is, 00:04:48.080 --> 00:04:53.580 how do we respond to this light of life shining into our darkness? 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:59.759 Well, our culture responds to this incredible good news 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.180 with seasonal sentimentality. 00:05:04.099 --> 00:05:05.420 You know what I'm talking about. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:10.539 Just Christmas comes and goes in our culture. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:18.180 Our culture doesn't pause to think about the good news of God becoming flesh. 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:22.360 But for Christians, we're always celebrating Christmas 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:25.620 because Jesus, once He became fully human, 00:05:25.900 --> 00:05:29.139 has been fully human ever since and will remain fully human. 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:29.900 Totally God. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.340 Totally man. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:39.160 He is right now the light shining into the darkness of our world in 2025. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:45.860 And so, by His light, we live. 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:48.040 So, I'm going to make three points this morning. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.060 Reality, response, result. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:06:00.520 A bright reality, a believing response, and a born-again result. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:03.560 His light gives us life. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:06.960 So, the way to respond is to believe and live. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:09.980 So, let's look at a bright reality. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:11.720 We see it in verses 9 and 10. 00:06:11.780 --> 00:06:13.080 Let me just remind you of that. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:17.939 The true light, which gives light to everyone who was coming into the world. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:20.259 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:22.719 Yet, the world did not know Him. 00:06:22.779 --> 00:06:23.959 So, let's define some terms. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.120 The true light. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:33.479 That word true is the first time that John uses that word in this gospel. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:37.819 And when you hear the word true, you need to be thinking real. 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:41.860 You need to be thinking what is. 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:49.800 But what we'll see is that John doesn't just use the word true to speak about reality. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:54.600 John uses the word true to speak about ultimate reality. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:55.719 Let me give you two examples. 00:06:55.720 --> 00:07:02.340 In John 6.32, Nate Olson touched on this yesterday at the men's meeting. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:08.100 Jesus refers to Himself as the true bread from heaven. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:16.020 And what He's saying there is that unlike manna, which God gave to Israel in the Old Testament, 00:07:16.320 --> 00:07:18.940 they ate it and then they got hungry again. 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:24.160 The true bread from heaven, you eat of Him and you will never be hungry again. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:26.380 You eat of Him and you will be satisfied. 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:31.480 And so, what's being said there by Jesus Himself is that I am the ultimate bread. 00:07:32.220 --> 00:07:36.320 The real, ultimate, soul-satisfying bread. 00:07:37.520 --> 00:07:42.260 And then in John 15.1, Jesus calls Himself the true vine. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:47.480 And what Jesus is saying there is that He is the ultimate vine. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:49.340 We'll get there. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:51.780 I'll explain that more when we get there months from now. 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:59.899 But in both examples, bread and vine, they are both life-giving examples. 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:12.519 And so, when we read about the true light, this is God's ultimate reality of salvation in Christ for the entire world. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:18.079 It is the full and final revelation of God's salvation. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:20.359 And so, do you remember Hebrews chapter 1? 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:25.479 Long ago at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:31.859 But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:42.300 The full and final revelation of God and His salvation is in this true light shining in the darkness. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:47.979 And we read that He was coming into the world. 00:08:48.979 --> 00:08:55.479 This is the first reference in the Gospel of John of the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity. 00:08:56.819 --> 00:09:02.500 How did the second person of the Trinity, who is eternally existent from eternity past, 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:05.379 How did He become a man? 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:07.519 Well, John 1.14 says, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:09.440 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:10.799 Well, how did He do that? 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:13.419 How did He become a human being? 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:18.360 Well, we know from the Gospels that the first person of the Trinity, God, 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:23.019 conceived the second person of the Trinity, fully God, fully man, 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:28.419 by the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, in the Virgin Mary's womb. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:30.460 That's a miracle. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:33.460 That's a triune miracle. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:37.940 And that fulfills Isaiah 7.14. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:47.180 The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:52.720 So, this true light was coming into the world. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:54.900 It's actually ascending. 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:56.860 John 3.16, remember that? 00:09:56.860 --> 00:10:01.460 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:04.440 that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:11.139 And it's that word world that I just want to make sure we're all on the same page on. 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.759 If you look at verses 9 and 10, 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:19.919 you will see that the word world, it appears four times. 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:26.579 And my guess is when you hear the word world, you equate it with Earth. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:36.120 You hear the word world, and you think of that iconic 1968 photo from the Apollo 8 space mission 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:39.779 of this picture that's titled Earthrise. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:43.000 It is a spectacular picture of the Earth. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:51.759 But it may surprise you that John doesn't always equate world with Earth. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:11:00.259 Sometimes, even more often than not, John equates world with humanity. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:04.720 And not just a neutral understanding of humanity. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:08.759 Specifically, when John uses the word world, 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:15.279 he is speaking about sinful humanity in organized rebellion against God. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.539 And that's how he's using it here. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:24.679 The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:25.740 The darkness. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:29.100 He was in the world. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:32.759 Sinful humanity in organized rebellion against God. 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:37.279 And the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:43.820 Do you know, this is just crazy. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:50.519 The uncreated creator comes into the world that he made, 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:53.399 and the world doesn't recognize him. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:56.740 It's shocking. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:02.100 It's deeply ironic. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:09.819 That the uncreated creator would come to his own as one of us, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:13.620 but the world didn't recognize him. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:17.840 The darkness, this sin in each of us, 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.720 this sin in each of us, 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.699 which Paul David Tripp describes like this, 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:28.240 but if the greatest danger to all of us lives inside of us and not outside of us, 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:33.120 then the radical intervention of the incarnation of Jesus is our only hope. 00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:38.820 It is this new, bright reality shining into our darkness. 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:43.780 It's glorious. 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:51.519 Have you ever wondered why our culture doesn't celebrate the Christ of Christmas at Christmas time? 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.699 Because they're blind. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.100 Living in the darkness. 00:12:57.339 --> 00:12:59.919 They're trying to make sense of Christmas without Christ. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.620 I used to do that. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:11.120 This spiritual blindness that's a result of living in the darkness, 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.820 of being dead in our sin, 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.279 it goes by another name. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.620 It goes by the name unbelief. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:22.639 The true light of life is shining today, 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:28.700 but the darkness of sin blinds us to this bright new reality, 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:32.159 this new creation that has dawned 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:35.759 and is shining into our darkness 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:37.779 for all to see, 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.360 but not everybody is going to see it. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:43.519 So we move from this bright new reality, 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:46.460 this true light shining, 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:51.039 God's salvation shining into our darkness, 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:54.460 and now let's talk about how to respond. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.300 A believing response. 00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:59.440 How do we who are spiritually dead 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:01.740 and blind, 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.139 how do we respond to the true light shining in the world? 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:07.000 Well, this passage in verses 10 and 11 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.879 shows us two responses. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:13.259 Those in darkness respond to the true light 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.620 in one of two ways. 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:17.600 Either you will not receive Jesus, 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:21.000 or you will receive Jesus. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:24.480 You will not have eyes to see Him, 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:27.439 and you will respond to Him in unbelief, 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:30.000 or you will be given eyes to see Him, 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:33.299 and you will respond in belief, in trust. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.460 Let's look at this first one. 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:38.759 Those who do not receive Him. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.639 This unbelief. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.639 We already saw in verse 10, 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:46.179 the world sinful humanity 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:48.379 in organized rebellion against God. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.480 Well, they did not know that. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.559 They didn't recognize Him 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:54.000 because of their sinful blindness, 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:56.279 their moral blindness, 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.000 their moral wrongdoing. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:00.360 And if you turn just a couple pages 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:02.120 in the Gospel of John 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.940 to John 3, 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.120 not 16, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.559 but 19, 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:08.419 you will see 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.500 why 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.360 people do not 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.320 see 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.539 the Christ. 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.179 We read this. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.659 And this is the judgment. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:20.379 The light has come into the world. 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.620 The Word is shining. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:26.019 And people love the darkness 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.199 rather than the light 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:30.219 because their works were evil. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.600 They were blinded. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.740 You see, 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:37.120 what ultimately is going on here 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.360 is a heart condition 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.940 for those who are apart from Christ. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.620 If their hearts, 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:44.040 they love the darkness 00:15:44.040 --> 00:15:45.420 more than the light, 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.620 and so they remain blind 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.440 to the light shining 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:51.360 around them, 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.320 to them, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.360 through Christ. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:56.800 in verse 11, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.820 we learn that 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.980 not only did He come 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.720 to the whole world, 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.139 He came to His own. 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.080 And He's speaking 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:06.360 of the Jewish people. 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.720 And of all the people 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.320 on the planet, 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.159 His own, 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.180 the Jewish people, 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:14.419 should have recognized Him 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:16.039 and received Him, 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.279 believed in Him, 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.519 submitted to Him, 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.980 found life in Him 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.899 because the Old Testament Scriptures 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.300 had been testified 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:26.299 to the coming of this one 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:28.159 since Genesis 3. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.979 Genesis 3.15 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:34.039 speaks of this offspring of Eve 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:36.079 who will crush the head of the serpent. 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.799 That's the first, 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.959 it's called the proto-evangelium. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.699 It's the first gospel 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:44.240 of the coming of the second person 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:44.819 of the Trinity. 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:47.559 In Genesis 12 and in Genesis 22, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:51.000 we learn of this offspring of Abraham 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.360 in whom God will bless 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:55.779 all the nations of the earth. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.279 In 2 Samuel 7, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.179 we learn that David, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:05.420 there will be a descendant of David 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:08.160 who will sit upon His throne forever. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.660 Psalm 110 fulfills that. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:15.660 Isaiah 7.14, 00:17:16.300 --> 00:17:17.279 a virgin will conceive 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:19.040 and give birth to a son 00:17:19.040 --> 00:17:21.019 and His name shall be called Emmanuel. 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:23.880 Isaiah 9.6 and 7, 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.500 there's this child born, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.440 the son given, 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:28.220 and His name shall be called 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.519 Wonderful Counselor, 00:17:30.800 --> 00:17:31.519 Mighty God, 00:17:31.800 --> 00:17:32.900 Everlasting Father, 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:34.720 which is a reference to kingship, 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.860 Prince of Peace. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.240 Of His government and of peace, 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:38.820 there will be, 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:41.220 of the increase of His government 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.000 and of peace, 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.980 there will be no end. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.620 Isaiah 40, Isaiah 53 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:49.560 are all anticipating this one coming, 00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:51.360 but His own people, 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.340 they were unwilling 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:55.519 because they were living in darkness, 00:17:55.780 --> 00:17:57.420 loving the darkness 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.759 more than the light. 00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.700 They did not receive 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.640 the promised Messiah. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:04.360 And the result of rejecting 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:06.500 the true light of God's salvation 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.080 is steep. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:15.740 It's not something that's easy to hear. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:19.200 It's God's judgment you face. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.400 It's God's wrath you face. 00:18:21.780 --> 00:18:24.160 It's eternal suffering you face. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:27.000 If you look at John 3, 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:30.360 not 16, not 19, but 36, 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:34.980 whoever believes in the Son 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.000 has eternal life. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:39.160 Whoever does not obey the Son 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.980 shall not see life, 00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:43.620 but the wrath of God 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.900 remains on him. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:50.020 Not to receive the Word, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.140 the true light, 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:54.240 will result in eternal condemnation. 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.560 That's what it means 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:00.059 is to not receive him. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.819 It's spiritual blindness, 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.339 it's spiritual deadness, 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.579 it's unbelief. 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.440 But now let's look at 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.700 what it means to receive him. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:13.659 And what it means to receive him 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:15.539 is spiritual sight, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:17.059 it's belief. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:22.960 And what we read in verse 12 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.879 is this, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.179 but to all who did receive him, 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:30.980 who believed in his name, 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.559 he gave the right to become 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.339 children of God. 00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:35.899 When we talk about 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:37.919 believing in his name, 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.379 what we're not talking about 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.059 is thinking that 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.720 if you just chant the name 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.099 Jesus Christ enough, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.699 you will be saved. 00:19:47.959 --> 00:19:49.059 In our culture, 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.839 when we talk about a name, 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.119 we're talking about 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.799 primarily designating 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.259 one human being 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.859 from another. 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:59.699 Like, there's Jim 00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.559 and there's Lisa. 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:01.980 We're designating them. 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.459 There's Mike and Matt. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.480 We're separating them. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.039 We distinguish them 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.559 from one another. 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:08.279 But in the culture 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.519 that this was written in, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:11.119 a name carried 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.959 all so much more. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:15.180 it represented that person. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:18.000 It's to believe in his name 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.340 is to believe in who he is 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.440 and what he's done. 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:24.000 To believe in all of who he is. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.860 To believe that he is 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.680 the true light, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.180 shining. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.740 To believe that he was 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.340 in the beginning, 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:32.360 that he was distinct from God, 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.180 but with God. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:35.019 To believe that he's fully God 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.579 and yet fully man. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.500 It's to believe 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:39.480 that he is God's salvation 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:41.019 shining into the darkness, 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.660 miraculously conceived. 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.700 Lived a sinless life, 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.279 died a substitute for sinners, 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.579 raised from the dead, 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.980 reigning on high, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.340 will one day return, 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.860 will judge all, 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.440 and then he will recreate 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.440 the heavens and the earth 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.500 where we will be with him 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.940 forever face to face. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.840 When we believe in his name, 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.680 we are saying 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.600 we believe that 00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:02.920 he is Emmanuel, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.500 God with us, 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.759 the fullness of that. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.140 When we say 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.039 we believe in his name, 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.480 we're saying 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.480 you are the wonderful counselor. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:12.259 You have the best, 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.860 wisest counsel of all. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.819 We believe that 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.120 you are mighty God, 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.380 that you are God 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.160 in the flesh, 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.460 all powerful 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:21.180 in all that you do. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.200 When we say 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.579 call him by name 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.120 and say you are 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.019 the everlasting father, 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.519 we are saying 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:27.420 you are the everlasting king 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.860 from here on out 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:30.019 and we bow our knee 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.599 to you. 00:21:30.860 --> 00:21:31.460 When we say 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.700 you are the prince of peace, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.360 we are recognizing him 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.160 as the one 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.360 who brings full 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.759 shalom 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.619 comprehensively 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:41.339 to our lives now 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.619 and ultimately 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.539 we'll bring the 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.799 full and final version 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.839 of that when he returns. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.559 So when we talk about 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.740 believing in his name, 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.099 we're talking about 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.099 believing in all 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.279 of who he is 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:57.039 and what he's done. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.579 He was born 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.519 to give us 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.559 second births. 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.719 I just want to camp out 00:22:07.719 --> 00:22:08.579 on this idea of 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.759 this word believe 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:13.139 because I think 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:13.639 that there's some 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.919 misunderstanding out there 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.619 what this means. 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.559 In 112, 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.519 but to all who did 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.219 receive him 00:22:21.219 --> 00:22:22.199 who believed in his name, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.139 to receive Christ 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:24.299 is to believe in his name. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.459 When we use 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:29.240 the word believe, 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.240 we generally use it 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.039 in one of two ways. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.419 We use it as 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.380 like passive 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.279 acknowledgement. 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.019 I believe there's 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.480 a Bigfoot. 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.900 Or we use it 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.660 in terms of 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:45.019 like active trust. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.700 I believe the stage 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.940 can hold my weight 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.240 and I'm demonstrating 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.820 that belief 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.900 by standing on it. 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.660 I live by 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.680 Lincoln Park 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:57.380 and Lincoln Park 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.360 is home 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.580 of the Lincoln Park 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.100 Lagoon. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.880 Anybody been there? 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.400 Yeah. 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.480 Anybody be on the bridge? 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.860 Yes. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.560 Right now it's frozen. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.100 Let's say you and I are, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.940 you and me, 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.700 you and I, 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.300 we are standing 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.840 on the sidewalk 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.460 looking at 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.060 Lincoln Park 00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:16.279 Lagoon 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.160 and it's frozen. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:17.960 I pull out 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.680 a crisp $100 bill 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.180 and you're like, 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.539 ooh. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.680 I'm like, yeah. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.279 I pick up a rock. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.759 I wrap 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.060 the $100 bill 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:26.740 around the rock. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.779 I wrap 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.920 some elastic bands. 00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:29.720 I drop it 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.680 into a very bright 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.980 yellow festival bag. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.539 Wrap the end 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.099 and I toss it 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.159 into the middle 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:37.359 of Lincoln Park Lagoon 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.379 so it's sitting 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.480 on the top of the ice 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.980 in the middle 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.680 of the lagoon. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.720 And I look to you 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.399 and I say, 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.119 it's yours for the taking. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.220 What would you need 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.659 to do 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:50.180 in order to make 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.099 that $100 yours? 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.759 You would have 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.139 to exercise faith, 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:55.839 wouldn't you? 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.839 You would have 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.940 to step out 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.859 on the ice. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.559 Now, if you're 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.479 standing next to me 00:24:02.479 --> 00:24:03.299 and I look to you 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.759 while the yellow bag 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.339 is in the middle 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.979 of the lagoon 00:24:05.979 --> 00:24:06.559 and you say, 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.939 oh, I believe that. 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.219 I believe that ice 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:10.059 can hold my weight. 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.119 I will say to you, 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.039 no, you don't. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.819 You don't believe that. 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:17.679 You say you believe that, 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.659 but you don't believe it. 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:20.359 Why? 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.219 Because you're 00:24:21.219 --> 00:24:22.279 standing next to me. 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:27.159 Now, if you walk out 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:27.860 onto the ice, 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:31.240 pick up the bag, 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.060 and you're like, 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:34.440 I believe. 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.460 I would say, 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.560 yes, you do. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.740 That $100 is yours. 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.420 You see, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.019 when it comes to belief, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.220 what we're talking about 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.840 is the object 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.580 of your faith. 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.720 What you're actually 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.460 trusting in. 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.500 What you're actively 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.360 trusting in. 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.159 Not what you think 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.419 you're trusting in, 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.439 but what you're 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:01.559 actually trusting in. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.419 And when it comes 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:03.539 to Jesus Christ 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.240 and salvation, 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:08.139 passive acknowledgement 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:09.740 does not save you. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.619 Even the demons believe. 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:17.419 It is this active trust. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.579 It is stepping out 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:21.359 onto the ice 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.319 of Jesus, 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.259 of His name, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.240 of all that He is 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.059 and what He's done. 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.099 And you might walk 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.539 out there 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.139 and you're like, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.099 is it going to hold 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:28.579 my weight? 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.259 He will hold your weight. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.299 That, 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.599 if you want to push 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.220 the analogy, 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.859 that ice, 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.379 like, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.339 goes through 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.960 the entire planet Earth. 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.319 It is, 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.139 He is 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:46.240 fully trustworthy. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.740 And when it comes 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.599 to your salvation, 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.299 there's no one else 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.259 that can save you. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:53.099 there's no other 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:54.619 true light. 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.539 There's no other 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.779 God in the flesh 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:59.920 who paid for sins. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.480 He's the object 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.779 of your faith. 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:05.920 And that act of trust 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.579 is what it means 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.480 to be convinced. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.740 It's biblical faith. 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:11.440 It's biblical trust. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:12.779 Now, 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.500 if you are not 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.539 a Christian in the room, 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.420 I've got a couple 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.259 questions for you. 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:20.200 Are you aware 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.099 of your own 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.879 sinfulness 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.500 towards God? 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.900 That when you do 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.559 something wrong, 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.140 not only are you aware 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:29.019 that you've disappointed 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.859 yourself and you've 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.539 hurt others, 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.420 but your sin 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.440 is against the God 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.180 of the universe. 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.460 Are you aware 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.940 of that? 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.879 If you are aware 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.500 of that, 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.740 that is God's 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.579 kindness to you. 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.619 He's making you aware 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.519 of your sinfulness 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:45.259 so that you 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.960 can become aware 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.720 of His salvation 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.059 in Jesus Christ. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.400 And 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:54.440 to receive Christ 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.039 is something 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.079 you must do 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:58.500 to rescue you 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.400 from the darkness. 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.379 And it's not 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:01.940 some kind of 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:03.420 passive acknowledgement. 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.319 If you're not 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.680 a Christian, 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.700 you need to step 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.960 out onto Jesus 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.879 and He will 00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:08.460 hold your weight. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.440 And then you 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.980 keep stepping out 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.700 onto Jesus 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.319 for the rest 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.079 of your days. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:15.019 that is the life 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.699 of faith, 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.500 trusting in Jesus 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.500 again and again. 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:19.839 Now, 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.919 if you are a Christian, 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:29.179 are you actively 00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:31.439 trusting in your Savior? 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.279 Or are you 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.939 passively 00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.559 acknowledging Him? 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.579 Have you just 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.179 kind of gone 00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:39.339 seasonal sentimentality 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:41.119 with the Christmas season 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.579 and you're just 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:41.980 kind of going 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.659 through the motions? 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.740 Don't go 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.419 through the motions. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:45.919 Just 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.159 give yourself 00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:48.019 fully to Jesus. 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:49.079 Go all in 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.539 with Him. 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.659 Go out fully 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.339 on the ice. 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.699 Find joy 00:27:52.699 --> 00:27:53.359 in Him 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.439 this Christmas season 00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:55.379 that will go 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.199 beyond 00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:57.379 the Christmas season. 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.240 And by the way, 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.699 there's no 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.179 havesies. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.299 There's no 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.480 half in, 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.159 half out. 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.659 There's no 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.859 one foot 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.519 in the darkness 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.279 of the world 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.460 and one foot 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.439 in the kingdom 00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:12.000 of light. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.480 You know what? 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.500 You've seen those 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.299 videos of like 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.960 someone getting 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.480 on a boat 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.299 and that boat 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.960 is moving away 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.480 from the dock. 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:18.980 They've got one 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.539 foot on the boat 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.079 and one foot 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.599 on the dock 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.180 and it's spreading 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.680 and eventually 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:23.039 it's not going 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.400 to be good. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.720 You need to make 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.180 a decision. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:30.779 I used to live 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.259 that way 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.799 as a young man. 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:35.060 It was miserable. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.660 If you're a 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.240 non-Christian, 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.539 if you're a Christian, 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.860 go all in. 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.720 Full all of your 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.039 weight, 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.259 all of your trust, 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.640 all of your 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.299 salvation, 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.340 all of your 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.000 future 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.519 onto Christ. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.320 Two responses. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:55.439 not to receive 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:55.720 Him, 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.960 unbelief, 00:28:59.119 --> 00:28:59.960 eternal destruction, 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:01.359 or to receive 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.639 Him. 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:04.859 And what we see 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.419 happen 00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:06.819 is the next 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.240 point. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.700 The born 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.519 again result. 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.259 And this is in 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.819 verses 12 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.339 and 13. 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.579 Let me just 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.399 read it for you. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:20.820 But to all 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:21.620 who did receive 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:21.800 Him, 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.280 who believed 00:29:22.280 --> 00:29:22.800 in His name, 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.980 He gave the 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.700 right to become 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.519 children of God. 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.120 I hope your 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.420 heart, 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:26.840 Christian, 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.220 just rises 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.800 to that. 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:30.660 Who were born 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.220 not of the 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.600 blood, 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.380 nor of the 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:32.780 will of the 00:29:32.780 --> 00:29:33.120 flesh, 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.680 nor of the 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.240 will of man, 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.580 but born of 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.000 God. 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:36.820 Miracle! 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.220 The immediate 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.220 result of not 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.040 receiving the 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:41.720 true light 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.720 is to remain 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.460 in the darkness, 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.160 is to remain 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.800 dead. 00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:46.220 And eventually, 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.280 the ultimate 00:29:47.280 --> 00:29:48.320 result of that 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.700 unbelief is to 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.759 be cast out 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.419 into the 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.200 outer darkness 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.159 where there is 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:54.019 weeping and 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.839 gnashing of 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.220 teeth, 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.720 if I may 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.259 quote Jesus. 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.839 But when you 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.359 believe, 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:04.679 when you 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.099 come into 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.919 the knowledge, 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.059 when the 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.700 light is 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.339 shining, 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.439 and you're 00:30:10.439 --> 00:30:10.619 like, 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.299 I am a 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.599 sinner, 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:12.439 and you're 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.339 becoming aware 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.859 of these 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.339 things, 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.359 life has 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.819 come! 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.059 His light 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.779 gives us 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.519 life. 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:22.759 And there 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:24.099 were two 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:25.139 ways in 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.119 this two 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:27.019 verses that 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.939 that shows 00:30:27.939 --> 00:30:28.240 up. 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.159 It's a new 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:30.700 status and a 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.159 new birth. 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.179 The new 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:34.039 status is 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.519 verse 12, 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.259 He gave us the 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.740 right to become 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.460 children of God. 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.639 He gave us the 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:40.439 right to become 00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.200 children of God. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.679 We believe, 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.159 and He gave us 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.419 the right to 00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:43.960 become children 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.480 of God. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.660 The best way 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.079 to understand 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.759 that is through 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.620 kind of a 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.880 legal framework, 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.440 a change of 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.900 your legal 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.640 status in 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.259 God's eyes. 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.000 You've heard us 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.420 talk about 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:53.940 justification 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.660 along these 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.059 lines. 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.200 The same 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.819 applies to 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.360 adoption. 00:30:59.360 --> 00:30:59.880 Before, 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:01.000 when you were 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.660 in the world, 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:01.980 you were 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.160 spiritually dead, 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.259 blind. 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.220 You were a 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.660 rebel under 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.500 God's wrath. 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.839 But now, 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.740 the light has 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.220 shone. 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.960 there's life 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.740 that's resulting 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.900 in a belief 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.460 that you see, 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.539 that you see 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.240 who God is, 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.819 you see who 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.440 you are, 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.420 and when you 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:21.819 believe, 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.740 it's evidencing 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.900 that you have 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.259 been given 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.100 new life, 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.600 and you're 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.160 made a child 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.640 of God. 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.779 Have you ever 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:33.380 needed to bring 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.299 your birth 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.059 certificate 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.880 somewhere to 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.339 prove your 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:36.720 identity? 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.559 You need to 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:38.819 bring your 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.160 papers? 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.980 If you 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.100 believe in 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:44.900 his name, 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:48.019 not passive 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.900 acknowledgement, 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:52.079 but active 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.100 trust, 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:56.900 you have 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.839 been legally 00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:00.019 declared a 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.960 child of the 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.620 living God. 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.440 You're legally 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.980 his. 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.220 John 1.12 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.220 becomes your 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.360 adoption 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:11.059 certificate. 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:13.859 you're like, 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.579 oh, 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.879 I don't know 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.460 why I believe, 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.399 but I believe 00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:19.879 in Christ 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:21.039 alone for the 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.599 forgiveness of 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.339 my sin. 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.299 I believe who 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.720 he is. 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.419 I believe what 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:24.980 he's done. 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.299 I believe apart 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.799 from him, 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.919 there is no 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:29.700 salvation on 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.799 those grounds 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.799 by believing 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.799 you have been 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.740 given the 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.940 right of 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.819 sonship, 00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:37.740 of daughtership. 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.740 God's 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.519 irrevocable. 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.599 Once you've 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.140 been legally 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.000 adopted by 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.500 God, 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:46.680 you'll always 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.099 be God's 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.480 child. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.460 It's 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.420 status. 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.799 It's legal 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.440 status. 00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.120 And if you're 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:55.680 in the room 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.140 right now and 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.559 you're thinking, 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:56.980 well, 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.779 isn't that 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.240 convenient? 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.359 I just need 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:02.579 to call upon 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.120 Jesus, 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.319 I'll be 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.559 declared a 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.200 child of God, 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.400 and then I 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:07.920 can do 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.539 whatever I 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.240 want to do. 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:10.819 Blank 00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:11.240 slave, 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.620 you know, 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.680 got a 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.340 blank check. 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.259 Do you know 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.860 how someone, 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.819 how you can 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.400 see if someone's 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:18.880 a legitimate 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.720 child of God 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.080 or not? 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.840 Has this 00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:24.660 faith in 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.519 his name 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.680 resulted in 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:27.580 life change? 00:33:29.100 --> 00:33:29.880 When you 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:31.039 believe in 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.779 the Son, 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.440 when you 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.200 believe in 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.500 him, 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.680 it will result 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.600 in becoming 00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:36.619 like him. 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.559 When you 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.079 have a new 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.059 status of 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:41.000 becoming a 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.559 child of 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:41.799 God, 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:42.659 it will result 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.119 in a new 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.500 way of 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.839 living as 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.240 God's 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.639 children. 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:49.079 So you 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.419 have a new 00:33:49.419 --> 00:33:49.959 status. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.359 But you 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:53.799 also, 00:33:54.899 --> 00:33:55.639 it comes 00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:56.039 from the 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.459 result of 00:33:56.459 --> 00:33:56.699 a new 00:33:56.699 --> 00:33:57.159 birth. 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.759 In 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.480 verse 13, 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.240 we were 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.699 born, 00:34:02.199 --> 00:34:02.599 not of 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:02.939 blood, 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.459 nor the 00:34:03.459 --> 00:34:03.779 will of 00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.299 the flesh, 00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:04.719 nor the 00:34:04.719 --> 00:34:05.039 will of 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.319 man, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.879 but of 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.119 God. 00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:06.599 You 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:06.940 could also 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.240 read it 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.019 as you 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.480 were born 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.000 of God. 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:11.900 Those who 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.320 believe in 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:12.820 his name 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:14.759 experience a 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.139 new kind 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.619 of life. 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.320 In 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:18.880 John 3, 00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.559 Jesus 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.940 meets with 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:24.000 a Jewish 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.519 religious 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.880 leader in 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.179 the dead 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:26.500 of night. 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:26.820 His name 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.539 is Nicodemus. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.519 And Jesus 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.279 tells him, 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.179 you must 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:33.539 be born 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:33.839 again. 00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:36.500 And then 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.379 he goes 00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:37.639 on to 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:38.119 explain to 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:38.699 him that 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.679 this being 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.159 born again 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.579 is a 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.199 working of 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:41.579 the Holy 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.039 Spirit of 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.239 God. 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:43.699 And the 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.079 way you 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.539 know that 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:44.819 the Holy 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.279 Spirit is 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:45.639 moving, 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.079 it's like 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.579 the wind 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:46.940 in the 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.379 trees. 00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:49.079 You can't 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.599 see it, 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:49.960 you see 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.579 the results 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:50.980 of it. 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:54.940 It's not 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.440 of blood. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:57.940 It's 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.919 becoming a 00:34:58.919 --> 00:34:59.339 child of 00:34:59.339 --> 00:34:59.599 God, 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.039 being born 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.360 of God 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:00.699 is not 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.400 the result 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.199 of your 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.219 bloodline. 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:06.960 Becoming a 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.299 child of 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.619 God is 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.000 not the 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.000 result of 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.279 the will 00:35:09.279 --> 00:35:09.519 of the 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:09.900 flesh, 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:11.099 of sexual 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.679 union. 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.679 It's not 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.420 the result 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.440 of human 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.480 procreation. 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:16.539 It's not 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:16.980 that. 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.400 That's not 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:17.559 how you 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:17.960 become a 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.380 child of 00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:18.639 God. 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.039 Nor is 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.339 it the 00:35:20.339 --> 00:35:20.659 will of 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.199 the flesh. 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.619 No, 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.000 excuse me, 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:22.460 the will 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:22.940 of man. 00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:24.559 You cannot 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:25.759 will 00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:26.699 yourself 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:28.159 into becoming 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.079 a child 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:29.460 of God. 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.219 Nor can 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:30.980 you will 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.759 someone 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.920 else to 00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.960 become a 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.460 child of 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:34.719 God. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.420 And what 00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:36.559 these three 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.179 little statements 00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:37.960 have that are 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.440 all like 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:38.859 negative 00:35:38.859 --> 00:35:39.399 statements, 00:35:39.839 --> 00:35:40.139 not of 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.460 blood, 00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:40.940 nor the 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:41.199 will of 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.500 flesh, 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:41.819 nor the 00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:42.099 will of 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:42.339 man, 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.119 what all 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.639 these have 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.219 in common 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.019 is a 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.339 denial of 00:35:46.339 --> 00:35:47.219 a human 00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:47.859 centered 00:35:47.859 --> 00:35:49.099 cause to 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.639 becoming a 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.059 child of 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.359 God. 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.799 We don't 00:35:52.799 --> 00:35:53.420 make ourselves 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:53.960 children of 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.219 God. 00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:56.839 We don't 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.119 have the 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.859 ability to 00:35:57.860 --> 00:35:58.579 make ourselves 00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:59.880 or others 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.780 children of 00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.079 God. 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.720 Only God 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:04.140 can cause 00:36:04.140 --> 00:36:05.240 this second 00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.760 birth. 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:07.640 Only God 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.880 can make us 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.900 his children. 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:11.920 We must 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.460 be born 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:12.860 again. 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.680 That which 00:36:15.680 --> 00:36:16.180 is born of 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:16.760 the flesh 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.620 is flesh. 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.579 That which 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.140 is born of 00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:19.680 the spirit 00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:20.500 is spirit. 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:21.340 And what 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:21.880 Jesus is 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.559 talking about 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.059 is this 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:24.180 new creation 00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:25.660 that dawned 00:36:25.660 --> 00:36:26.340 at his 00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:26.880 birth, 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:27.820 at his 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.240 coming. 00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:29.220 This new 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.160 creation in 00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:31.140 which this 00:36:31.140 --> 00:36:32.100 new light 00:36:32.100 --> 00:36:32.780 of life 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.480 is shining 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.160 into the 00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:34.559 darkness. 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:36.100 And that if 00:36:36.100 --> 00:36:37.039 you can see 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.900 him and see 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.800 your sin and 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.460 believe in 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.760 him, 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:40.880 you will be 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:42.440 made new. 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.059 You will be 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.420 born again. 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.820 This is 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.600 fundamentally a 00:36:47.600 --> 00:36:48.100 different kind 00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:48.600 of life. 00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.519 This is 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.300 eternal life. 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:51.840 This is 00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.519 spirit-given 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:52.940 life. 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.740 And this 00:36:53.740 --> 00:36:55.360 starts at 00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:56.280 conversion. 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.159 Now the 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:59.320 question that 00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.659 this can 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.840 raise is a 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.220 chicken and 00:37:01.220 --> 00:37:01.840 egg question. 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.460 Which comes 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:03.840 first? 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.119 Belief or 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:06.440 birth? 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:08.900 Do you 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:10.460 believe and 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.480 then you are 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.119 born again? 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.200 Or are you 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:14.619 born again and 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.860 then believe? 00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:17.740 And what we're 00:37:17.740 --> 00:37:18.320 talking about, 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.039 we are, 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.579 we are, 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.360 this is a 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:21.259 very nuanced 00:37:21.259 --> 00:37:21.739 debate. 00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:26.900 I believe 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.219 that the 00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:28.059 Bible teaches 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:29.239 that we are 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.960 so sinful, 00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:30.619 we are so 00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.320 dead in our 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.619 sin, 00:37:32.659 --> 00:37:33.340 that we are 00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:33.940 spiritually 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.980 flatlined, 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:36.920 incapable of 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.300 anything, 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.900 anything towards 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.159 God. 00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.840 We're dead to 00:37:39.840 --> 00:37:40.079 God. 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.820 We're so 00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:43.099 blind that we 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.039 are unable 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:45.259 to believe 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:46.639 without the 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.480 spirit of 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:48.840 God first 00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:50.120 giving us 00:37:50.120 --> 00:37:50.539 life. 00:37:50.620 --> 00:37:51.000 In other 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:51.340 words, 00:37:51.760 --> 00:37:52.680 God must 00:37:52.680 --> 00:37:53.600 give us 00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.039 a new 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.960 heart in 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.860 order to 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.539 believe. 00:37:57.760 --> 00:37:58.559 It's this 00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.300 regeneration 00:37:59.300 --> 00:38:00.220 miracle. 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:01.800 And these 00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:02.280 things happen 00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:03.180 so quickly 00:38:03.180 --> 00:38:04.240 that they're 00:38:04.240 --> 00:38:04.780 very difficult 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.360 to parse 00:38:05.360 --> 00:38:05.840 out. 00:38:08.840 --> 00:38:09.720 In order 00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:10.200 for you to 00:38:10.200 --> 00:38:11.660 see the 00:38:11.660 --> 00:38:12.420 true light 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.220 that is 00:38:13.220 --> 00:38:13.760 shining, 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.519 that gives 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.460 life and 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.220 believe, 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:18.140 it is all 00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:18.859 a work of 00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.559 God's grace 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:21.019 beginning to 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.319 end. 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:23.920 To truly 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.339 live, 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:25.559 you have a 00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:26.359 new status 00:38:26.359 --> 00:38:27.819 because of 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:28.299 the new 00:38:28.299 --> 00:38:28.819 birth. 00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:29.859 And you 00:38:29.859 --> 00:38:30.139 know what it 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.420 makes you 00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:30.839 want to do? 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.259 If you're 00:38:32.259 --> 00:38:32.799 getting this, 00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:33.980 it makes you 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.259 want to 00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:34.619 sing. 00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:36.799 It makes you 00:38:36.799 --> 00:38:37.059 want to 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.339 like, 00:38:38.159 --> 00:38:40.059 glory to God 00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:40.259 in the 00:38:40.259 --> 00:38:40.659 highest. 00:38:41.879 --> 00:38:42.599 It makes you 00:38:42.599 --> 00:38:43.119 want to say, 00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:44.179 God, you are 00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:45.819 amazing to do 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.260 this. 00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:46.980 You, 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.539 Jesus, 00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:48.320 were born 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.120 to give 00:38:49.120 --> 00:38:50.000 me second 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:50.460 birth, 00:38:50.620 --> 00:38:51.180 to give 00:38:51.180 --> 00:38:51.940 you second 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.460 birth. 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.400 The 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:56.920 appropriate 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:57.820 response to 00:38:57.820 --> 00:39:00.740 this is 00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:01.100 worship. 00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:05.320 His light 00:39:05.320 --> 00:39:05.780 gives us 00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:06.220 life, 00:39:07.220 --> 00:39:08.680 and we 00:39:08.680 --> 00:39:09.559 believe in 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.700 him and 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:11.180 live. 00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:11.860 A bright 00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:12.539 reality, 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.800 new reality, 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:15.080 a believing 00:39:15.080 --> 00:39:15.880 response, 00:39:16.080 --> 00:39:17.200 and a 00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:17.620 born-again 00:39:17.620 --> 00:39:18.100 result. 00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:19.220 Because we've 00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.780 been able to 00:39:19.780 --> 00:39:20.539 see the true 00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:20.900 light and 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:21.260 believe, 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:21.800 if you're a 00:39:21.800 --> 00:39:22.100 Christian, 00:39:23.039 --> 00:39:23.660 we are now 00:39:23.660 --> 00:39:24.260 children of 00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.460 God, 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.160 and so you 00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:25.620 are. 00:39:28.260 --> 00:39:28.800 We're going 00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:29.200 to finish 00:39:29.200 --> 00:39:30.980 up in a 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:31.160 second. 00:39:31.260 --> 00:39:31.620 I'll pray, 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.100 and then we'll 00:39:32.100 --> 00:39:33.240 sing Hark the 00:39:33.240 --> 00:39:33.600 Herald, 00:39:34.700 --> 00:39:35.560 Angel Sings. 00:39:35.680 --> 00:39:36.140 But if this 00:39:36.140 --> 00:39:37.560 morning you've 00:39:37.560 --> 00:39:38.120 realized you're 00:39:38.120 --> 00:39:38.880 not a Christian, 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.660 you've just been 00:39:40.660 --> 00:39:41.460 doing this passive 00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:42.160 acknowledgement of 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.900 who Jesus is, 00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:45.960 after we sing, 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:46.300 will you come 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:46.820 down front? 00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.800 Let's talk. 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.500 Because today, 00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.740 today, you can 00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:53.019 become a 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.720 child of God. 00:39:56.340 --> 00:39:57.019 Let's pray. 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:02.000 Father God, 00:40:02.059 --> 00:40:02.519 thank you so 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:04.220 much for your 00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:05.099 kind work of 00:40:05.099 --> 00:40:05.740 your spirit. 00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.460 Lord, we want 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:10.700 to behold your 00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:11.680 son in his 00:40:11.680 --> 00:40:12.139 glory. 00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:13.940 We want to 00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:14.760 behold his 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:15.400 face. 00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:17.900 We want to 00:40:17.900 --> 00:40:18.539 behold your 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.400 glory, God, 00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:20.039 in the face of 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.860 Jesus Christ. 00:40:22.740 --> 00:40:24.039 God, would you 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:25.099 do a work in 00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:26.800 us this 00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:27.539 December 00:40:27.539 --> 00:40:28.639 2025, 00:40:29.240 --> 00:40:29.720 that you would 00:40:29.720 --> 00:40:30.800 move us from 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:32.960 a seasonal 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:34.180 sentimentality 00:40:34.180 --> 00:40:36.880 into a deep, 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.820 abiding, 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.360 active trust 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:40.139 in you. 00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:43.719 God, as we 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:44.259 sing, 00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:44.920 hark the 00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:45.519 herald angels 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:45.940 sing, 00:40:47.379 --> 00:40:47.839 would you 00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.339 stir our 00:40:48.339 --> 00:40:48.859 hearts all 00:40:48.859 --> 00:40:49.219 the more 00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:49.759 towards you. 00:40:49.839 --> 00:40:50.119 In Jesus' 00:40:50.279 --> 00:40:50.719 name we pray. 00:40:51.179 --> 00:40:51.519 Amen. 00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:51.679 Amen. 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:51.679 00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:53.679 Amen.