WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.880 I get the privilege of preaching from two passages at the end of John chapter 6, one today and one next Sunday, Lord willing. 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:25.199 ! I have an amazing passage that communicates some very encouraging truths. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:27.760 ! 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:34.960 Today I will be reading the entire section because there's a sense in which they're both intertwined. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:51.680 But each one does stand alone and has a chiastic center that we'll be looking at. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:01:00.560 So today let's look at the whole passage and then we'll be focusing just on the first. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:04.240 John 6, 60. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:34.239 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:35.879 It is the spirit who gives life. 00:01:37.039 --> 00:01:38.879 The flesh is no help at all. 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:44.819 The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:49.219 But there are some of you who do not believe. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:57.839 For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe and who it was who would betray him. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:09.259 And he said, this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the father. 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:17.959 After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:24.560 So Jesus said to the twelve, do you want to go away as well? 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:32.960 Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:37.080 You have the words of eternal life. 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:42.939 And we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God. 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:48.879 Jesus answered them, did I not choose you, the twelve? 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:52.439 And yet one of you is a devil. 00:02:53.600 --> 00:03:02.439 He spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:17.780 Heavenly Father, we look to you and your word this morning, asking that your spirit would move among us, illuminate us, 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:24.120 allow us to breathe the fresh life that your word provides. 00:03:25.200 --> 00:03:30.319 Help us to see your truths and cling to them, cling to Christ, 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:34.579 instead of drifting away. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:40.120 Through your spirit, feed our souls and strengthen our faith today. 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:41.859 In Jesus' name. 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:43.840 Amen. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:54.800 There are a few passages in scripture that show the divide between true and false disciples as well as this one does. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:59.060 In the midst of a crisis of faith, 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:04.659 where many of Jesus' disciples turned away from following him, 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:09.379 Peter makes an amazing, faithful confession. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:14.960 Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:18.420 You have the words of eternal life, 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:24.199 and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:32.459 Now, I believe that confession is a clear demonstration of the drawing love of the Father, 00:04:32.659 --> 00:04:36.379 the life-breathing breath of the Spirit, 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:40.899 and the keeping power of our Savior. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:50.839 This same kind of faith and divine preservation can be seen throughout the history of the church. 00:04:51.659 --> 00:04:57.439 Through the crises of faith that happened in each generation, 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:05.160 and though from generation to generation that crisis or crises differed, 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:13.819 God has continued to preserve a remnant of true believers who remained faithful to him. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:20.259 And you don't have to look far around you to see the same contrast in our generation. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:25.180 We've seen pastors, worship leaders, Christian authors, 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:30.539 even friends or family members who once professed faith, 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:31.300 now saying, 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:33.480 I am no longer a Christian. 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:36.659 Their reasons vary. 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:39.099 Some talk about suffering. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:41.339 Some talk about unanswered prayer. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:43.539 Church hypocrisy. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:43.819 Unanswered peace. 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:48.300 The difference between science and the Bible. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:50.460 Apparent contradictions in the Bible. 00:05:51.140 --> 00:05:52.340 Moral restrictions. 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:54.400 Divine justice. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:58.860 And the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:05.420 And they can use any kind of new terminology they want to justify it, 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:09.759 but it is simply unbelief. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.879 At the same time, 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:17.420 the church is still alive and growing and in many places thriving. 00:06:19.039 --> 00:06:22.319 God's faithfulness to his people is unchanging. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:28.620 And he wants to strengthen you today to endure well. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:36.280 The question I believe this text puts before us this morning 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:44.899 is how do we respond when Jesus's words confront us 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:49.259 or when others walk away? 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:55.459 And the wisdom I believe this passage also provides is this. 00:06:56.599 --> 00:07:00.599 When confronted with Jesus's difficult teachings, 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:01.980 he wants you, 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:05.759 he wants me to hold on to his words, 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:11.939 to be strengthened by the life that the spirit gives through them. 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:17.860 I believe this text shows us at least three reasons 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:20.699 to cherish and hold on to Christ's words. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:21.139 One, 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:23.600 because they expose your sin. 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:25.120 Two, 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.300 because they are your life. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.100 And three, 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:30.939 because he 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:32.439 holds on 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:33.399 to you. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:36.259 So let's start 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:39.519 with considering the first reason 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:42.019 to hold on to Jesus's words. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.620 Verses 60 through 62. 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:45.500 Hold on 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:46.620 to his words 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:48.899 because they expose your sin. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:52.599 When many of his disciples heard it, 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:53.279 they said, 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.339 this is a hard saying. 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:55.359 Who can listen to it? 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.279 But Jesus, 00:07:57.539 --> 00:07:58.560 knowing in himself 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:00.819 that his disciples were grumbling about this, 00:08:00.919 --> 00:08:01.459 said to them, 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:04.159 do you take offense at this? 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.919 Then what if you were to see 00:08:06.919 --> 00:08:08.319 the son of man ascending 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.379 to where he was before? 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:12.939 Now, 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:13.620 verse 60 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.839 introduces us 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:15.860 to another group 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.000 of people. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:19.759 They weren't just the crowds 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.339 that followed 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:21.560 because of the signs. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:23.300 They weren't 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:24.399 the religious leaders 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:25.259 from Judea 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.620 called in this passage 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:27.199 the Jews 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:27.759 who were 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:28.779 already 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:30.060 predisposed 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:31.300 to find fault with Jesus. 00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:31.579 No, 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.639 these were his disciples. 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:35.600 People who had committed 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.559 to follow him 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.559 and to learn 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:38.459 from his teachings. 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:41.299 But they found 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:42.279 Jesus' words 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:43.019 hard. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:45.799 The term used here, 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:46.639 skleros, 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.500 translated hard, 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:49.879 doesn't mean 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:51.639 hard to understand. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:53.639 It means 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:55.439 hard to accept. 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:58.280 they obviously 00:08:58.280 --> 00:08:59.140 didn't understand 00:08:59.140 --> 00:09:00.100 all that he was saying. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:03.020 But they resisted 00:09:03.020 --> 00:09:04.240 what they did understand. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:06.780 John's use 00:09:06.780 --> 00:09:07.280 of the term 00:09:07.280 --> 00:09:07.800 grumbling 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:08.780 in verse 61 00:09:08.780 --> 00:09:10.020 puts these disciples 00:09:10.020 --> 00:09:11.220 in the same category 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:12.060 as the unbelieving 00:09:12.060 --> 00:09:12.940 children of Israel 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:13.980 who grumbled 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:14.740 in the wilderness 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.640 when the manna, 00:09:15.880 --> 00:09:16.800 when they 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:17.900 got tired 00:09:17.900 --> 00:09:18.940 of the manna. 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:22.480 the claims 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.200 Jesus made 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:23.720 earlier 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:24.380 about coming 00:09:24.380 --> 00:09:25.040 from heaven 00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:26.120 and his superiority 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.140 to Moses 00:09:27.140 --> 00:09:27.980 most likely 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:28.620 bothered them 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:29.120 as well. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.640 And his words 00:09:31.640 --> 00:09:33.200 about eating 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:33.920 his flesh 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:34.400 and drinking 00:09:34.400 --> 00:09:35.040 his blood 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:36.040 provoked them 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:38.400 and exposed 00:09:38.400 --> 00:09:39.320 the true state 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.360 of their hearts. 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:42.300 They really 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:43.240 didn't 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.160 believe. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:46.679 this is what 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:47.379 Jesus knew 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.259 in himself 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.699 when he responded 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:51.459 to their grumbling. 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.439 He then says 00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:55.899 to them, 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:56.579 do you take 00:09:56.579 --> 00:09:57.279 offense 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.219 at this? 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:00.779 Then what 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.199 if you were 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:01.539 to see 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:01.919 the son 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.019 of man 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:03.639 ascending 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.199 where he was 00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:04.639 before? 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:07.620 Now this 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.240 response 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.779 might not 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.220 be easy 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:10.019 to understand 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.399 but I believe 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:11.759 it is 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:12.559 instructive. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:14.299 he refers 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:14.939 to himself 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:15.699 as 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:16.699 the son 00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:17.259 of man 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.939 a messianic 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:19.279 title 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.959 and he 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:21.439 speaks of 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:21.939 ascending 00:10:21.939 --> 00:10:22.319 to where 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:22.639 he was 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.079 before 00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:23.599 another 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:25.079 affirmation 00:10:25.079 --> 00:10:25.500 of his 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:26.659 pre-existence 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:27.539 both 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:28.099 things 00:10:28.099 --> 00:10:29.379 that they 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:29.779 had 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.500 trouble 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.479 believing. 00:10:32.859 --> 00:10:33.359 Yet 00:10:33.359 --> 00:10:34.019 he used 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:34.799 those words 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:35.959 to indicate 00:10:35.959 --> 00:10:36.500 that their 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.099 offense 00:10:37.099 --> 00:10:37.679 was 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:38.879 unfounded. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.119 In 00:10:41.119 --> 00:10:41.679 essence 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.299 he was 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:42.739 saying 00:10:42.739 --> 00:10:43.059 if you 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:43.359 can't 00:10:43.359 --> 00:10:43.639 accept 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:43.919 my 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:44.299 words 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:44.719 now 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:45.099 how 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:45.259 will 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:45.379 you 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:45.839 respond 00:10:45.839 --> 00:10:46.179 when you 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:46.500 see me 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.000 exalted? 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:48.979 And 00:10:48.979 --> 00:10:49.659 perhaps 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.419 understand 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:50.919 that that 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:51.759 exaltation 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:52.339 had to 00:10:52.339 --> 00:10:52.659 come 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:53.139 through 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:54.979 death 00:10:54.979 --> 00:10:56.939 and 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:57.559 resurrection. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.819 And 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.179 what's the 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:00.439 greater 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:00.859 offense 00:11:00.859 --> 00:11:01.459 anyway? 00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:04.120 The 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.539 image of 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:04.759 eating 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.259 flesh and 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:05.559 blood 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:05.559 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:05.979 or 00:11:05.979 --> 00:11:06.500 of 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:10.419 death 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.379 of the 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:11.819 Messiah 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:12.319 king 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.739 through 00:11:13.739 --> 00:11:14.219 envy 00:11:14.219 --> 00:11:15.159 and 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:15.619 jealousy. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:20.699 Their 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.079 offense 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:21.439 wasn't 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:21.899 just a 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:22.259 metaphor, 00:11:22.599 --> 00:11:22.879 wasn't 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.439 just about 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:23.659 the 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:23.959 metaphor, 00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:25.059 it was 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:25.519 about his 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.099 identity 00:11:26.099 --> 00:11:27.059 and his 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:27.439 mission. 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:28.879 He had 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.639 said earlier, 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:30.219 don't work 00:11:30.219 --> 00:11:30.559 for the 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:30.899 food that 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:31.359 perishes, 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:32.939 but for the 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.419 food that 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.059 endures to 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:34.399 eternal 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:34.859 life, 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:35.399 which the 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:35.719 son of 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:36.079 man will 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:36.539 give you. 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:38.279 They 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:38.539 couldn't 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.199 accept that. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:40.619 They 00:11:40.619 --> 00:11:40.859 couldn't 00:11:40.859 --> 00:11:41.459 accept that 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:41.699 he was 00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:42.039 the son 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:42.479 of man 00:11:42.479 --> 00:11:43.099 from heaven 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:44.359 and they 00:11:44.359 --> 00:11:44.859 couldn't 00:11:44.859 --> 00:11:46.619 accept what 00:11:46.619 --> 00:11:46.979 he was 00:11:46.979 --> 00:11:47.779 saying about 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.659 their own 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:50.599 misplaced 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:52.019 priorities. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.179 Whether 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:54.539 they could 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.179 understand it 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:55.500 or not, 00:11:55.599 --> 00:11:56.079 Jesus was 00:11:56.079 --> 00:11:56.779 simply saying 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.399 that eternal 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.419 life comes 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.259 through 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.379 believing in 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.799 and partaking 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.919 of him 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.639 as the 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:03.979 one 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.500 who gives 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:04.759 his 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.440 flesh 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.639 and blood 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.039 for the 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:07.500 life of 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:07.620 the 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.039 world. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:10.940 The 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:11.279 apostle 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.879 Paul 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.460 refers to 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:13.620 the 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:13.940 preaching 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.300 of the 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:14.720 cross 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.200 as a 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:16.580 stumbling 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.120 block 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:17.539 to the 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.019 Jews 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:22.019 and as 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.560 folly 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.560 to the 00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:24.259 Gentiles. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.360 But he 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:26.940 adds that 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:27.379 those who 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:27.940 are called 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.720 both Jews 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:30.039 and Gentiles, 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.519 Christ is 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.320 the power 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.140 of God 00:12:33.140 --> 00:12:34.660 and the 00:12:34.660 --> 00:12:35.020 wisdom 00:12:35.020 --> 00:12:35.660 of God. 00:12:38.160 --> 00:12:39.220 But these 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:39.700 disciples 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.280 considered 00:12:40.280 --> 00:12:41.920 hard and 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.240 couldn't 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:42.920 believe is 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:44.300 that God 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:44.920 has provided 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:45.900 for you 00:12:45.900 --> 00:12:46.800 to live 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:48.220 through 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:48.760 Christ. 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:50.379 Even when 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:50.760 we don't 00:12:50.760 --> 00:12:51.620 fully understand 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.260 his words, 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.160 we must hold 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:53.960 on to them 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.260 for our 00:12:55.260 --> 00:12:55.780 own 00:12:55.780 --> 00:12:56.760 eternal 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.939 good. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.580 How do 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.259 you respond 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:02.679 when 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.080 Jesus' 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.860 words 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.419 expose 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.639 your sin? 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.399 Do you 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.919 receive them 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.620 with faith 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.279 or do you 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:12.700 struggle 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.299 with them? 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:15.799 Every 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:16.439 difficult 00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.120 teaching 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.899 of 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.480 the 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:18.919 Bible 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.899 exposes 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.519 what's in 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.039 our heart. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.080 It shows 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:24.419 us where 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.000 we're at. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.340 And let 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:27.620 me tell 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:27.759 you, 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.279 after 40 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.539 years, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.059 it doesn't 00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:29.820 get any 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.940 different, 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.879 any better. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:35.940 When you 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:36.360 open your 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.240 Bible and 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.940 the words 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.299 cut deep, 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.159 someone said, 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:40.679 remember, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:41.879 they are 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.399 words that 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:42.779 heal. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.080 God's 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.899 truth is 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:46.320 like a 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.879 surgeon's 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.299 scalpel. 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:47.720 It may 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:48.220 sting, 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:49.779 but it 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.480 never cuts 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.080 to harm. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:51.600 It cuts 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.179 to heal. 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:54.759 And so, 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:55.500 when confronted 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.039 with Jesus' 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.339 difficult words, 00:13:57.479 --> 00:13:58.099 hold on 00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:58.559 to them. 00:13:59.219 --> 00:13:59.719 When they 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.179 show you 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.039 your sin, 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.399 take them 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.739 before God 00:14:04.739 --> 00:14:05.419 in prayer. 00:14:06.599 --> 00:14:07.459 So that's 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:07.919 the first 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.359 reason, 00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:08.719 then, 00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:10.599 to hold 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:11.059 on to 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.359 Jesus' 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.319 words because 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.959 they gracefully 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:15.059 expose our 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:15.279 sin. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:15.759 Now the 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.479 second reason. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.120 Hold on to 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.659 the words of 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.399 Jesus because 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.279 they are 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.059 your life. 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:24.239 for 63. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:25.219 It is the 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:25.799 spirit who 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.559 gives life. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.000 The flesh 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.299 is no help 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.759 at all. 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.319 The words 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:32.079 that I have 00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:32.919 spoken to 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.659 you are 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.859 spirit and 00:14:36.859 --> 00:14:37.379 life. 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:39.879 In this 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.459 verse, 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.039 we come to 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:41.559 the central 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.119 verse of 00:14:42.119 --> 00:14:42.819 the passage, 00:14:42.979 --> 00:14:43.619 the chiastic 00:14:43.619 --> 00:14:44.199 center, 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.299 what some 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:45.679 have called 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.659 the interpretive 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.519 heart of 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.199 the passage. 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:48.280 church. 00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:50.680 And Jesus 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.240 really is 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.440 continuing his 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.280 response to 00:14:53.280 --> 00:14:54.220 their offense 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.140 as well as 00:14:55.140 --> 00:14:56.280 expanding on 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:57.020 the teaching 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:58.920 of the way 00:14:58.920 --> 00:15:00.020 to life. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.320 The disciples' 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.759 unbelief had 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.600 blinded them 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.360 to the most 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.320 significant part 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.740 of Jesus' 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.460 teaching. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.780 Their focus 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:09.440 on the 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:09.900 flesh and 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.820 blood imagery 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:12.060 and the 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:13.680 idea of 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:14.540 coming from 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.820 heaven caused 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.400 them to miss 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.259 the entire 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.159 point of 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.799 his message. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.179 He had been 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.059 showing them 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:21.879 the way 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.259 one gains 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.340 eternal life 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.819 and that was 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.399 centered in 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.740 him. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.240 The word 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:28.740 life is 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.079 mentioned 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.500 directly and 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.279 alluded to 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.139 in various 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.819 ways 25 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.939 times or more 00:15:34.939 --> 00:15:35.439 in this 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.240 chapter alone. 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.120 It speaks 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.459 of never 00:15:39.459 --> 00:15:40.059 hungering, 00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:42.419 never thirsting, 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.240 never being 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.259 cast out, 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.939 being raised 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.580 on the last 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.200 day, never 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:50.679 dying and 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.679 living forever. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.480 Now, in 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.200 this passage, 00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:56.000 he adds, 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.159 it is the 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.679 spirit who 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.539 gives life. 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.419 Well, that 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.439 thought echoes 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:04.039 Ezekiel 37. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.059 If you remember 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:07.360 Ezekiel's vision 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.100 of the valley 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.120 of dry bones 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.379 where God 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.460 tells Ezekiel 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.080 to call to 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.520 the corners 00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:15.180 of the earth 00:16:15.180 --> 00:16:16.000 for the 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.600 breath to 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.860 come and 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.400 it did 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:20.500 and brought 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.560 those bones 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.139 back to 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.600 life. 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.180 And then 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:27.180 God interprets 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:27.860 that vision 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.400 for him, 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:28.980 saying this 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.480 is the 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:29.980 spirit of 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.920 God and 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:32.420 the spirit 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:32.920 breathes 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.920 life into 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.920 the people 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:36.440 of Israel. 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.360 And then 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:38.760 again in 00:16:38.760 --> 00:16:39.320 John 3, 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:39.920 we saw 00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:41.140 that there 00:16:41.140 --> 00:16:42.100 Jesus tells 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.840 Nicodemus, 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.380 you must be 00:16:44.380 --> 00:16:45.560 born of 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.200 the spirit. 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:48.200 The flesh 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.780 is no help 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:49.240 at all. 00:16:50.380 --> 00:16:51.100 No amount 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.580 of human 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.020 effort, 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.140 reasoning, 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.020 or religion 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:54.980 can produce 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.820 eternal life. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.380 Only the 00:16:57.380 --> 00:16:58.400 spirit can. 00:17:00.260 --> 00:17:00.700 And with 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.320 this word, 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.480 Jesus addresses 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:04.039 the real 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:06.120 issue that's 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:06.519 in the heart 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.059 of man, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.420 self-reliance. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.160 D.A. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.579 Carson 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.079 writes, 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:13.920 this phrase 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.640 sums up 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.380 the entire 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.240 problem of 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.160 human self-reliance. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.519 We cannot 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.339 produce 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.940 spiritual life 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.000 through human 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.559 means. 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.259 But notice, 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.620 the spirit 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:28.400 gives life 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.799 through 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.380 the words 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.120 of Christ. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.480 the words 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.799 I have 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.500 spoken to 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:34.920 you 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.240 are spirit 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.680 and life. 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.059 The words 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.660 themselves, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.480 even the 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.059 difficult 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.860 ones, 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.500 are spirit 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.940 and life. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.779 Andreas 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.779 Kostenberger 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.960 writes, 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:51.680 Jesus' 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.000 words are 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.839 spirit because 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.299 they are 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.319 animated 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.360 by his 00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:56.839 spirit 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:58.700 and communicate 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.759 spiritual 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.380 truth. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.319 They are 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.920 life 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.640 because 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.060 they 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.840 mediate 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:05.060 the life 00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:05.460 of the 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:05.840 kingdom 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:07.380 to those 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.420 who receive 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.840 them 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:10.120 by faith. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.480 J.C. 00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:14.900 Ryle 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.800 adds this, 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:17.100 the Christ's 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:17.600 words, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.000 when received 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.259 and believed, 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.380 quicken the 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:21.779 soul, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.539 feed the 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.039 heart, 00:18:23.800 --> 00:18:24.519 and sanctify 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.240 the life. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.299 life. 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.140 The same 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.940 spirit who 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.880 gave life 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.700 to sinners 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.000 then works 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.440 through the 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:32.839 word of 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.299 God 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.660 today. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.920 You cannot 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.740 separate 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.579 spiritual 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.559 vitality 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.259 from the 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.640 word of 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.099 Christ. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.000 When you 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.700 receive his 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.579 word in 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.099 faith, 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.660 the spirit 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.819 uses it 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.900 to awaken 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.039 and sustain 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.500 life in 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.879 you. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.399 So, 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.259 what if 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.139 you feel 00:18:59.139 --> 00:19:00.220 spiritually 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:00.859 dry? 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.940 Don't look 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.759 to something 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.279 novel. 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:07.759 Don't look 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.440 to the 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:08.980 wisdom of 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.619 this world. 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.259 Look to 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.779 Christ. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.079 Go to 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:13.440 Jesus. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.440 Hold on 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:14.920 to his 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.440 words. 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.440 Feed your 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.059 soul on the 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.379 word of 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:17.880 God because 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.680 his words 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.760 are spirit 00:19:19.760 --> 00:19:21.340 and life. 00:19:22.560 --> 00:19:23.360 Read the 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.200 scriptures daily. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.240 Meditate on 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.080 them deeply. 00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.620 Obey them 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.820 joyfully. 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.620 Someone once 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:31.920 said, 00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:32.220 if your 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.820 Bible stays 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:33.540 closed, 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.300 your faith 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:35.640 will grow 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.400 cold. 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.100 But when 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:38.700 you feed on 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.340 the word, 00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:39.960 the spirit 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.420 will breathe 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.080 life into 00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:41.680 your soul. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.580 And I 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.520 believe that's 00:19:45.520 --> 00:19:46.660 what God 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.360 intended when 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:47.919 he said, 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.559 man shall 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.199 not live 00:19:49.199 --> 00:19:50.579 by bread 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.079 alone, 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.619 but by 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.500 every word 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.419 that proceeds 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:54.839 from the 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.259 mouth of 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.639 God. 00:19:57.459 --> 00:19:58.019 So, 00:19:58.219 --> 00:19:59.059 hold on 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.959 to Jesus' 00:20:00.219 --> 00:20:01.699 words because 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.259 they expose 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.819 your sin, 00:20:03.719 --> 00:20:04.439 because they 00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:04.759 are your 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.279 life, 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:05.819 and now 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.459 thirdly, 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:07.599 hold on 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:07.899 to the 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.319 words of 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.199 Jesus because 00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:11.519 he holds 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.119 on to 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.539 you. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.339 But there 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:15.859 are some 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.379 of you who 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:16.719 do not 00:20:16.719 --> 00:20:17.259 believe. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.500 for Jesus 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.079 knew from 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.559 the beginning 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.379 who those 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.019 were who 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.500 did not 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.019 believe, 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.179 and who 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:23.899 it was 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:25.179 who would 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.240 betray 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.679 him. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.019 And he 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.279 said, 00:20:29.479 --> 00:20:30.379 this is why 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:31.299 I told you 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.599 that no one 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.299 can come to 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.539 me unless 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.299 it is granted 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.039 to him 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.039 by the 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.419 Father. 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.699 After 00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.139 this, 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.500 many of 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.159 his disciples 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.000 turned back 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.059 and no 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.359 longer 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:45.940 walked with 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.180 him. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:48.900 Jesus 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.299 states 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.900 plainly 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.500 what we 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.599 have 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.039 assumed 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.680 all along 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:52.980 that 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.460 there are 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:54.960 some of 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.240 you 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.059 who do 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.380 not 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.079 believe. 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:58.980 And John 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.819 comments that 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.960 Jesus knew 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.400 this all 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:01.779 along. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.640 And knowing 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.180 this, 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.500 I think it's 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.079 interesting that 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.000 he didn't 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.140 soften his 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.660 message. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:11.000 he didn't 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.700 try somehow 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.640 to eliminate 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.580 the 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.080 response, 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.480 the 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.540 offense. 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:20.000 You see, 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.000 unbelief 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.120 is more 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:23.080 than doubt. 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.400 It is 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.940 resistance. 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:26.680 It is 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.779 rebellion 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:29.100 against the 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.519 truth. 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.540 It's not 00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:31.980 just 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.900 innocent 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.380 doubt. 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.340 It's 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:37.759 rejection. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:37.879 rejection. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.920 And John's 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.359 gospel 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.059 portrays 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.579 unbelief 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.039 in various 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.519 ways. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.460 It's the 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.940 rejection 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.799 of the 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.099 light. 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.059 It's the 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.039 love of 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.420 darkness. 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:48.839 It's 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.019 the 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.420 hardness 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.400 of heart. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.379 And yet 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.279 Jesus knew 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.700 also 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.440 that this 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.339 unbelief 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.900 would serve 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.000 God's 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.420 plan. 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.539 He knew 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.680 who it 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.220 was 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.259 who would 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.980 betray him. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.759 God's 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:08.759 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:11.240 And at 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.740 this point 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.200 we are 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.799 told 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:16.339 that many 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:18.019 turned 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.559 away from 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:18.859 him. 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.599 Unbelief 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.900 results 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:23.680 in that 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.859 apostasy. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.420 But Jesus' 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.539 final words 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.839 in the 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.379 section are 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:30.759 both 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.079 challenging 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.000 and 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.619 confronting 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:35.299 or comforting. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:36.779 Yeah, 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.180 they're both 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.779 that too. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.500 No one 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.940 can come 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.420 to me 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.680 unless it 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.340 is granted 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:44.060 him by 00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:44.340 the 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:44.740 Father. 00:22:46.340 --> 00:22:46.680 These 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.180 words 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.720 are also 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.740 hard words 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.560 for many. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.779 No man 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.519 can come 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.019 to me 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.039 unless it 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.519 is granted 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:56.980 him by 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.400 the Father. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.000 He stated 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.440 that once 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.980 before and 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.480 he's telling 00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.960 them that 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.840 this is the 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:01.299 reason why 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.860 I said it 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.400 before and 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.920 he repeats 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.360 himself. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.099 And the 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.439 context in 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:05.719 which he 00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.219 said that 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.959 before was 00:23:06.959 --> 00:23:07.959 the grumbling 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.839 of the 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.240 Jews. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.079 How can 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.679 this man 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:13.099 give us 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.639 his flesh 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.099 to eat? 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.679 And his 00:23:15.679 --> 00:23:16.519 answer was 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:18.959 no one 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.519 can come 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.059 to me 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.099 unless the 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.959 Father draws 00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:22.240 him. 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.579 And here he 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.240 says it a little 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.740 different. 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.359 No one can 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:26.899 come to me 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:27.419 unless it's 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.139 granted to 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.699 him by the 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:29.019 Father. 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.839 Now those 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:32.059 words challenge 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.920 our pride. 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.639 It challenges 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.740 us deeply 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.680 because the 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.599 implication here 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:42.660 is that it 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.180 really has 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.900 nothing to do 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.299 with you. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.720 And I have 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.200 to admit that 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.799 this is probably 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.539 one of the 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:50.139 in the 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:52.299 what is it 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.139 40 years 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:53.460 that I've 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.720 been a 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:53.920 Christian 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.400 probably one 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:54.619 of the 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.099 most 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:57.619 difficult 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.220 words I've 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:58.779 heard people 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.779 complain about 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.299 Christians 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.059 complain about 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.899 this idea 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:04.639 that no one 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.160 can come 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.859 to him. 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.460 And the 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.039 objection is 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.859 well how 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.319 can God 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.960 not give 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.420 you and 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:11.740 me a 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.200 choice? 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.039 And that 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.339 is the 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.879 implication 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.139 here that 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:19.359 these people 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:20.000 who walked 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.700 away really 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.639 didn't have 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.420 a choice. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.799 But that's 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.299 not true. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.480 All it 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:28.119 says is 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.439 that no 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:30.000 one can 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.559 come to 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.139 me unless 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.500 it's 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.319 granted to 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.699 him by 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:32.859 the 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.199 father. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.159 You see 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:35.779 these people 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.879 had a 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.279 choice. 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.079 They made 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.619 that choice 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.619 and their 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.779 choice followed 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.500 the natural 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.739 inclinations of 00:24:42.739 --> 00:24:43.839 their unbelieving 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.319 heart. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.379 God. 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:50.179 They were 00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.679 free to 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.500 choose and 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.179 they chose 00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:53.179 what they 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:53.819 wanted. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.740 And it's 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.179 still true 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.599 today. 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.679 To come 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.379 to Christ 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.480 requires more 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:01.899 than 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:05.579 a simple 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.159 choice. 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.700 It requires 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.179 the grace 00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:08.720 of God. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.720 God. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.279 Because all 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.799 men have 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.380 inherited our 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.880 father's 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.700 Adam's 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.779 nature. 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.740 And that 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.660 nature is a 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.259 nature of 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:22.259 sin and 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.640 death. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.660 And it 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.779 takes the 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.360 grace of 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.039 God to 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.519 draw. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.620 It takes 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.319 the grace 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.880 of God to 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.100 give us 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:34.220 faith. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.299 faith. 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.299 In fact 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.860 that is 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.779 the 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.259 implication 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.640 of what 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.140 Jesus had 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.920 said earlier 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.480 as well. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.940 I didn't 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.259 write this 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.700 down but I 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:46.980 have to 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.660 read it. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.480 So let 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:49.759 me look 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.180 for it. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.240 In 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.920 verse 35 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.220 Jesus 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.720 says 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:03.100 I 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.160 am the 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.519 bread of 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:04.960 life. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.380 Whoever 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.140 comes to 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.420 me 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.800 shall not 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.140 hunger. 00:26:09.820 --> 00:26:10.320 And whoever 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:11.140 believes in 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.440 me 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.920 shall never 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.380 thirst. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.519 Now this 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.800 is an 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.759 example in 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.600 Greek of 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:19.200 a Hebrew 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.960 parallel 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.960 ism. 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.019 And it's a 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.540 synonymous 00:26:23.540 --> 00:26:24.560 parallel. 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.700 It says 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.500 two things 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.000 that are 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.940 basically the 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.360 same. 00:26:29.560 --> 00:26:29.860 One 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.860 whoever 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.640 comes to 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:31.920 me 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.500 shall not 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.820 hunger. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.940 And two 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.779 whoever 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.559 believes in 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.880 me 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.519 shall 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.779 never 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.299 thirst. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.740 The 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.259 parallels 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.640 are 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:43.140 come to 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.580 me and 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:44.160 believe in 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.460 me. 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.539 And 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.380 shall not 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:47.820 hunger 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:49.039 and never 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.580 thirst. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.620 Both 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.100 references 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.960 to life. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.299 God 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:55.600 and the 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.140 implication 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.900 there is 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.100 that 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.840 coming to 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.299 Christ 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.920 is the 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.240 same 00:26:59.240 --> 00:26:59.680 as 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.200 believing 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.960 in 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.299 me. 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.299 And so 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.660 when we 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.079 read 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.259 this 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.920 chapter 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.480 here or 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.720 this 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.039 verse 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.440 here 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.640 where 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.059 Jesus 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.000 emphasizes 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.680 at this 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.160 critical 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.980 point of 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.539 a crisis 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.059 of faith 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.340 where he 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.640 could have 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:14.880 said 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.299 anything. 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:15.680 He could 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.039 have tried 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.539 to soften 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:16.799 his 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.120 message. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.500 He could 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.659 have 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.019 tried 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.479 to 00:27:18.479 --> 00:27:20.979 encourage 00:27:20.979 --> 00:27:21.559 them to 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.019 faith 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.599 somehow. 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.099 He 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.779 basically 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.519 concluded 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.559 that 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:27.439 no one 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:27.819 can 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.459 come 00:27:28.459 --> 00:27:29.119 to me 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.199 believe. 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.299 In other 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.679 words 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:33.219 believe 00:27:33.219 --> 00:27:34.779 unless 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.279 it is 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.639 granted 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.079 him 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.179 by the 00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:37.539 father. 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.219 Definitely 00:27:41.219 --> 00:27:41.879 hard 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.439 words 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:44.479 but the 00:27:44.479 --> 00:27:44.819 word of 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.139 God. 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.619 These 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:46.919 words 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.479 challenge 00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:47.699 our 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.099 pride. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.299 They 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.699 remind 00:27:48.699 --> 00:27:49.000 us 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.359 though 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.919 that 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.500 salvation 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.459 is by 00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:52.819 grace 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.279 alone. 00:27:54.239 --> 00:27:54.759 And 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.119 they bring 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.299 us 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.879 comfort 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:57.239 assuring 00:27:57.239 --> 00:27:58.079 us that 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.699 those to 00:27:58.699 --> 00:27:59.099 whom the 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.559 father 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.480 draws 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.539 Jesus 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:01.919 will 00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:02.379 never 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.359 lose. 00:28:04.679 --> 00:28:05.259 That's 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.359 the 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:05.799 assurance 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.299 we have 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.799 verses 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.599 37 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:07.819 through 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.439 39. 00:28:09.199 --> 00:28:09.319 All 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.500 that 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:09.639 the 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:09.879 father 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.219 gives 00:28:10.219 --> 00:28:10.419 me 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:10.599 will 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:10.839 come 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.019 to 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.179 me 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:11.339 and 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.679 whoever 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.139 comes 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:12.319 to 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.439 me 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:12.639 I 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:12.819 will 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.259 never 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.099 cast 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.619 out. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:15.719 This 00:28:15.719 --> 00:28:15.919 is 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.079 the 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.319 will 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.500 of 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:16.699 him 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:16.899 who 00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:17.219 sent 00:28:17.219 --> 00:28:17.500 me 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.219 that 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:18.500 I 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.759 should 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.000 lose 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.480 nothing 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.119 of 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.539 all 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:20.759 that 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:20.899 he 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.059 has 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.299 given 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.639 me 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.599 but 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:22.939 raise 00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:23.099 it 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.399 up 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:24.079 on 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.219 the 00:28:24.219 --> 00:28:24.519 last 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:24.839 day. 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:27.959 This 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.119 is 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.480 why we 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:28.759 need to 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:28.960 hold 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.360 on 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.420 to 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.920 Christ's 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.299 words. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.059 One of 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.279 my 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.680 favorite 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.319 psalms 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.779 is in 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.279 is 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.599 psalm 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.180 63 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.539 and 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.880 one of 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:39.259 my 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.579 favorite 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:39.980 verses 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.559 in that 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.059 psalm 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.940 my 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.419 soul 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.019 clings 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.319 to 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.740 you 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.059 your 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.379 right 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:45.899 hand 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.960 upholds 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.220 me. 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:50.779 Two 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.079 sides 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.319 of the 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.579 coin 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:51.839 my 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.279 soul 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.779 clings 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.059 to 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.419 you 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:53.859 your 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.220 right 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.639 hand 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.819 upholds 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.079 me. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.220 Over 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:02.399 quite a 00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:02.839 few years 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.339 now I've 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.659 had the 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:04.200 privilege of 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.480 holding 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:04.940 many 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.740 babies 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.200 in my 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.559 arm 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:08.319 14 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.779 of my 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.019 own 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.440 children 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:11.720 29 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.500 of my 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:12.759 own 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.379 grandchildren 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:15.079 plus 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.440 many 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:15.940 others 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:18.740 and I 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.019 learned 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.519 early 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.039 that 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:22.899 babies 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:23.559 have 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:25.419 and 00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:25.659 Renee 00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.039 tried to 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.399 tell me 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:26.700 it was 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:26.980 something 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.480 about a 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.399 moral 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:28.839 or 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.399 palmer 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:29.819 reflex 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.279 and she 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.519 wasn't 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.159 sure which 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.579 one it 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.200 was in 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.440 this 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:32.819 case 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.119 but 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:35.159 they 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:35.379 have 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.559 this 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:35.980 reflex 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.539 so that 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.740 when 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:36.939 you're 00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:37.279 holding 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.599 them 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.099 and 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.359 if 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.639 you 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:38.919 were 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.339 walking 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.599 and 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:39.939 stumbled 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.399 a little 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:40.799 bit 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.839 they 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.119 would 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.200 react 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.919 and I 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:45.220 remember 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.700 one time 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.419 specifically 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.259 when one 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.539 of 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.839 my 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:50.419 children 00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:51.099 were 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.839 holding 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.379 onto my 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.779 hand 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.179 while I 00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:54.339 was 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.700 walking 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.319 and I 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.659 did 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.599 sort of 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:56.980 release 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.539 my grip 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:57.899 a little 00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.139 bit 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.519 and I 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:58.879 felt 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.819 a strong 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:01.379 little 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.039 finger 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.659 hand 00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.200 grabbing 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:04.500 onto 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:04.740 my 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.159 finger 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.240 and it 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.680 was a 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.119 it was 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.579 a great 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.099 feeling 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.920 to experience 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.259 that 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:11.639 and 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:15.139 and 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.279 I 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.059 realized 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:19.379 that if 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:19.960 I were 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.519 to slip 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.619 and release 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.899 that grip 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.759 would never 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.399 have held 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:24.940 that baby 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:27.559 there was 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:27.980 just no 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.339 way 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:30.119 but 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:31.659 he gripped 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.220 anyway 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.000 he gripped 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.500 because 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.920 that's 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.300 what he 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.140 needed 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:38.500 and this 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.740 verse 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.740 reminds me 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.240 so much 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.500 of that 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.160 experience 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.240 my soul 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.100 clings 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:45.920 to you 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:47.880 your 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.860 right hand 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:50.500 holds 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.080 me 00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:54.700 take 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.120 heart 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.600 if you 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.120 belong to 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:56.480 Jesus 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.560 he will 00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.060 not let 00:30:58.060 --> 00:30:58.400 go 00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:00.519 you 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:00.780 might 00:31:00.780 --> 00:31:01.000 feel 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.420 weak 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.160 your 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.440 grip 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:02.740 might 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.220 slip 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:04.560 but 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.140 his 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.680 grip 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.340 never 00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:06.820 does 00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:09.240 when 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.540 others 00:31:09.540 --> 00:31:09.880 walk 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.360 away 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:11.800 don't 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.140 interpret 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.620 that as 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:13.120 a failure 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.500 of the 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:13.940 gospel 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.680 it's a 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.740 an exposure 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.420 of 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.180 unbelief 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:20.019 when 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.280 you 00:31:20.280 --> 00:31:20.820 abide 00:31:20.820 --> 00:31:21.580 when 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:21.860 you 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:23.240 keep 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.700 holding 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.240 on 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:26.740 remember 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.059 it's 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.380 because 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.579 the 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.019 father 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.799 the 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.339 spirit 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.660 and 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:30.839 the 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.640 son 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.019 are 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.480 holding 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:32.880 on 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.200 to 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:33.539 you 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:35.819 so 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.000 what 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.120 is 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:36.380 Jesus 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.819 saying 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.039 through 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.279 this 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.819 passage 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:40.359 hold 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.579 on 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:40.680 to 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:40.839 my 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.339 words 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:42.400 even 00:31:42.400 --> 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00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.380 hard 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.440 are 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:29.580 the 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:30.000 words 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.840 that 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.060 give 00:32:31.060 --> 00:32:31.200 you 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.759 life 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.680 hold 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.220 on 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.840 cherish 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:35.860 ! 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.560 Cling! 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.620 Rely 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.200 on! 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.060 Never 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:39.880 let 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.180 them 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.620 go! 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.700 Let's 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:43.900 pray 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.240 together!