WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:20.260 We've come in our study of John's Gospel to Jesus' prayer in John 17. 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:29.839 Last week we heard Jesus begin by praying for glory, for shared glory with God the Father 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:37.060 and this relationship where they have enjoyed being fully known, fully loved forever since 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:38.399 before the world existed. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:47.280 And we started to see that as Jesus prays about that relationship, amazingly, He prays for 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:50.219 us to share it with them. 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:59.760 In their infinite love, Father, Son, and Spirit before the foundation of the world. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:08.260 He was so purposed to adopt us into that family, that fully known, fully loved relationship. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:11.719 That's what Ephesians 1 explains to us. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:17.260 You could say relating with God like that is what we were made for. 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:24.159 Jesus cracks the door into that reality a little bit in verse 3. 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:27.259 And I don't want us to miss it. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:29.739 So we're going to stay there this morning. 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:32.459 Let's read the beginning of this prayer again. 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:34.120 We'll settle in on verse 3. 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:38.140 Eternal life and knowing God. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:41.140 John 17 at verse 1. 00:01:42.539 --> 00:01:47.179 When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:49.760 Father, the hour has come. 00:01:50.380 --> 00:01:56.880 Glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all 00:01:56.880 --> 00:02:00.860 flesh to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. 00:02:01.860 --> 00:02:11.000 And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:11.580 have sent. 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:17.100 I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:23.800 And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:25.220 world existed. 00:02:26.700 --> 00:02:30.620 This is God's utterly perfect word of life. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:31.680 Pray with me. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:43.040 Knowing You, Jesus, it's true what Ron's saying. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:45.960 There is no greater thing. 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:51.900 May that reality be true for every one of us. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:03:01.400 Would You work a fresh love for You, delight in You, passion for Your kingdom, 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:05.020 and for others to know You in us even now. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:07.460 Holy Spirit, show us Jesus. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:10.620 We ask it in His name. 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:11.640 Amen. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:23.300 We are focusing on verse 3 this morning, partly because I have FOMO. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:30.099 Kids, you may need to help your parents understand what the fear of missing out is. 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:30.900 Okay? 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:33.799 It's a terrible fear to have. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:44.680 But I fear that many of us, even in this room, are missing out on the life that we were made for. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:47.900 Listen to Jesus. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:52.099 This is eternal life. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:04:00.580 That they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:11.960 Elsewhere, Jesus says, life does not consist in the abundance of one's possessions. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:19.600 Life is not in the stuff of this world, the wealth of things and success. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:29.540 And I just want us to think honestly for a couple minutes about how most of us actually experience life. 00:04:30.760 --> 00:04:37.060 From the moment that we can remember as young kids, we grab things and say, 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:38.900 mine, that's mine. 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:47.459 And we are convinced, we seem to assume that life is about having enough of what I want. 00:04:47.859 --> 00:04:48.000 Right? 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:51.279 Having all the fun I can have with all the friends that I can. 00:04:52.919 --> 00:04:57.039 In our teenage years, that grows into a longing for freedom. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:07.020 To have what I want, whatever it takes for me to fit in with the group that I want so my life can be good. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:13.040 But of course, most of us never get enough of what we want. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:16.980 And we start to think, if I can just get through high school, right? 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:18.640 Some of you are feeling that right now. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:20.439 There will be college. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:26.939 College, what I've been told is the pinnacle of this life of freedom. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:30.180 Ultimate pleasure. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:32.319 Whatever I want. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:38.019 Except that it seems like, as many of us have been through college, 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:41.620 that no matter how abundant our possessions are, 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:45.000 no matter how much pleasure we've enjoyed, 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:52.819 somehow, most of us graduate still not feeling fully satisfied with life. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:55.779 And so several young adults have told me recently, 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:58.920 we look for that good life in a successful career. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.360 In great relationships. 00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:08.740 Perhaps even in reinventing or finding ourselves in that season of life. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:15.000 At some point, sooner or later, though often still unfulfilled, 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:20.560 many settle down with a family to look for life, right? 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:28.639 By living for the same exact things through our kids that never fully satisfied us. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:37.220 Helping them have enough things and taste enough success and enjoy enough fun vacations. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:41.220 And that's where life will be, except that they grow up. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:45.180 And as they move on and seek life for themselves, 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:47.020 we pour ourselves into something else. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:50.980 Maybe back into our careers or a house remodel or whatever, 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:52.720 because it's still not enough. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.900 Maybe we'll get grandkids. 00:06:56.140 --> 00:06:56.880 That'll do it. 00:06:58.760 --> 00:07:00.420 Or at least retirement. 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:03.780 It's another pass at college, right? 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:07.359 Then I'll be able to do whatever I want. 00:07:09.359 --> 00:07:10.679 Finally, the freedom. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.059 That's life, right? 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:14.579 Whatever I want to do. 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:16.239 Having enough experiences. 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:18.559 Traveling enough places. 00:07:19.099 --> 00:07:20.539 That'll be the life. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:25.659 But somewhere along the way, many of us have believed in Jesus. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:28.279 We've trusted Him. 00:07:28.359 --> 00:07:29.739 What have we trusted Him for? 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:34.960 For eternal life, most of you would say if I asked you that question. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:36.879 For heaven, of course. 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:38.540 And we've settled that. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:40.600 Oh, that feels so good, doesn't it? 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:43.939 And then we've put eternal life up on a shelf. 00:07:44.960 --> 00:07:47.340 While we keep searching this world for life. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:48.079 Where is it? 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:50.540 What will a fulfilling life consist of? 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.100 We're going to find it somewhere. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:56.180 We've got eternal life on layaway for when we die. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:56.220 Why? 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:01.660 And occasionally we stop into a place like this to thank Jesus for that. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:04.379 Because that sure does feel good to have something to hold on to. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:07.040 But most days, we're living life right here. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:10.000 And we're searching for what's really going to matter. 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:13.620 And what's really going to soothe my soul looking all around me. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.939 Do you feel like that? 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:19.519 Do any of those seasons of life describe your experience? 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:26.500 I think it's increasingly the model, the mindset of American Christianity. 00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:29.319 Eternal life one day. 00:08:30.479 --> 00:08:33.360 A busy search for life today. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:38.159 Searching for life in these many good things. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.240 Y'all, they're good things. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:42.899 But searching for life in them is part of our brokenness. 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:46.159 Not part of our good design. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:50.480 That's why we repeatedly find them not enough. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:54.839 It's why Ecclesiastes calls this search for life a chasing after the wind. 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:56.059 You can't catch it. 00:08:57.819 --> 00:09:05.240 That's because as Jesus tells us, we can't have the life we were made for unless it's given to us. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:12.679 Maybe that's the first surprising reality about eternal life that we learn here. 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:15.559 Maybe you came thinking, I know about eternal life. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:16.059 I've been in church. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.199 I hear about eternal life. 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:17.919 There's lots of verses. 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:18.919 I know one about that. 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:20.559 It's in John 3, 16. 00:09:20.659 --> 00:09:21.739 I think there's eternal life. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:22.739 I've always known that. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.759 But we wake up breathing. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:28.299 We feel alive. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:36.899 And yet Jesus prays for us to have eternal life because we don't naturally have it. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:46.019 And Jesus says he gives eternal life, verse 2, implying that we don't have it on our own. 00:09:46.079 --> 00:09:48.559 We need it provided to us. 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:51.959 That is why at every stage of life we long for more. 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:53.740 We aren't fully satisfied. 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:56.840 The Bible always talks this way about eternal life. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:58.159 It's a gift, right? 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:03.879 The free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:05.819 Romans 6, 23. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:15.820 Well, second surprise for most of us about eternal life is that it's a present reality. 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:18.800 Eternity starts today. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.980 This is exciting. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:25.000 See, God never designed eternal life to be put up on a shelf until you die. 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:30.780 He meant for you to enjoy it while you live, right now. 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:36.860 This word translated eternal means of the age to come. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:45.019 Life characterized by a different world, a different age, which we remembered last week. 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:46.500 It's glorious. 00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:50.319 But the glory of all glories in heaven is what? 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:56.819 It is that fully known, fully loved relationship with God himself. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:11:05.300 It's not so much going to a different place as it is enjoying a different relationship that becomes the center of reality for you. 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:07.400 We're going to see this more in a minute. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:18.159 But nothing characterizes heaven, the age to come eternal life, more than close relationship with God. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:30.259 So all through John's writings, this eternal life is spoken of not as a future hope, the way we often think about it, but as a present possession. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:34.139 You may recall this from John chapter 5. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:41.720 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. 00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:46.120 He has passed already from death to life. 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:48.360 Or maybe in John chapter 6. 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:54.580 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:12:02.300 And here it's such a present experience that Jesus goes on to say, the one who has it will not die, but live forever. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:14.020 I don't know about you, but for me most of the time, and for most professing Christians these days, when we hear eternal life, that means future hope. 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.620 Something to look forward to. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:17.320 And it is not less than that, okay? 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:20.560 I'm not here to tell you eternal life is not wonderful in the future. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:27.259 But Jesus says it is about this relationship with God now. 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.179 Think about it this way. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:33.019 What if you asked me today how my marriage is going? 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:36.559 How I'm enjoying that relationship? 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:39.739 How it impacts my life today? 00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:45.259 And I said, well, I mean, we're looking forward to retiring together one day. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:48.740 And you said anything else? 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:52.360 And I said, no, we're looking forward to that one day. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.319 It's going to be great. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:57.000 You might say to me, you don't have much of a marriage right now. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:00.080 You're missing something, right? 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:04.860 Eternal life is knowing God. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:17.860 Or as theologian D.A. Carson helpfully says, eternal life is not so much everlasting life as personal knowledge of the everlasting one. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:23.779 See, it's about quality of life, not quantity. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.279 Listen to this. 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:28.659 Some of you are going to be so grateful for this truth, okay? 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:34.959 Because for you, life day in and day out is unbearably difficult. 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.959 It's painful. 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:40.019 It's exhausting. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.839 Emotionally. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.179 Physically. 00:13:44.459 --> 00:13:52.339 And if all that Jesus changes in giving you eternal life is the amount of time it lasts, 00:13:52.340 --> 00:14:00.480 you can hardly imagine the burden of living this frustrating life without end. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:04.280 With no end to what you're facing today. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:07.019 It's hardly bearable to think about. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:11.759 But we know this promise is more than that, isn't it? 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:14.280 It's not just about quantity of days. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.639 It's about quality of life. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:24.220 That's what changes the quality of life in the age to come, highlighted by that close relationship with God. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.980 It becomes ours. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:28.019 And yes, it never ends. 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.819 That's true. 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:34.699 But the primary point is that it's an entirely different level of life from what you've been living. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:42.759 As far above mere human existence as human life is above plant life and animal life. 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:47.720 It is certainly not fully what it one day will be. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.779 We still see through a glass dimly, right? 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.980 We are not home yet. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:54.580 That explains a lot. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:58.439 But it actually changes everything. 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:00.679 It's actually satisfying. 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.340 Finally fulfilling. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:06.319 Endlessly glorious to know God. 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:09.879 And I could say that with confidence because you were made for it. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.340 That's what he made you for. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:15.879 The eternal life we're made for. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:19.080 Jesus is really clear. 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:26.840 We won't find it in the abundance of our possessions, experiences, successes. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.139 Do you believe him? 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:34.000 It's not difficult to understand. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.200 The question is, do we believe him on that? 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:43.460 He says it's actually simple where we find life as far as understanding it. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.720 Knowing God. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.100 Father, I pray. 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.259 Father, I pray. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.879 Jesus comes to pray what's on his heart. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:56.920 I pray they would know you and me. 00:15:57.920 --> 00:16:02.779 That word for knowing here is best understood as a close relationship. 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:08.340 In this case, it's the glorious one between father and son that we're being invited into. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:12.120 It's intimate, personal, loving. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:18.560 What the life of the age to come, the life we were made for, is marked by. 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:23.139 Think about how prominent this is through the Bible's whole story. 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.860 Just walk with me for a minute. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:27.940 All the way back to the way God designed the world. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:32.920 He made Adam in his image for relationship with him. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:37.279 God walked with Adam and talked with Adam. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:40.259 That's what perfect life was marked by. 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:43.199 By time in God's presence. 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:45.039 Being with God. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:48.500 And just a few chapters into the story, we read of Enoch. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.479 Who walked with God. 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:52.199 And then he didn't show up one day. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.500 Why? 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:57.159 Because God took him into eternal life. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.279 Because he so lived with God. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:06.559 He was so marked by the life of the age to come that it pleased God to bring Enoch on home to that life. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:15.740 That's so what we were made for that it's no surprise that when wanting to make a life for ourselves and live for our own pleasures, 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.299 we broke our relationship with God. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:23.099 That it is that relationship with him that we long for. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:25.240 That's the ache, by the way. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.879 That's the hole in our hearts. 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:27.839 That's the one you feel. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:35.459 For generations, for millennia, we've shared the psalmist's hearts even when we didn't have the words. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:43.000 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:47.359 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 00:17:47.459 --> 00:17:51.240 When shall I come and appear before God? 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:57.339 We're longing to know him, to be with him, even when we don't know that's what we're longing for. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:05.619 I love the way God reminds us of where life is not found and where it is in Jeremiah chapter 9. 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:07.239 Thus says the Lord, 00:18:07.239 --> 00:18:09.359 Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:11.539 That's not the thing to be excited about. 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:14.299 Let not the mighty man boast in his might. 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:16.519 Let not the rich man boast in his riches. 00:18:16.979 --> 00:18:20.779 But let him who boasts boast in this, the one thing worth being excited about. 00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:24.659 That he understands and knows me. 00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:29.939 The Lord who practices steadfast love and justice and righteousness in the earth. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:33.299 For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:37.019 Knowing him, that Lord, that's worthwhile life. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:45.259 It's so worthwhile that the prophets all paint the same picture of sinful man's future hope. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:49.820 The pinnacle of all the new covenant promises over and over comes back to the same thing. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:52.620 Isaiah and Habakkuk say it the same way. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:55.559 Knowing knowledge of the Lord. 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:58.299 Filling the earth, that's the promise. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.199 As the waters cover the seas. 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:02.159 Jeremiah says it this way. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:05.839 They shall all know the Lord. 00:19:06.239 --> 00:19:08.839 No longer will they be asking one another. 00:19:09.219 --> 00:19:11.859 They will all know me. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:15.299 From the least to the greatest. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:19.519 Do you see there how it is? 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:22.899 How will they all know the Lord? 00:19:23.219 --> 00:19:26.199 Notice, it's not by memorizing facts about him. 00:19:27.479 --> 00:19:30.659 By having sins forgiven. 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:34.339 Relationship restored. 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.679 That's the promise. 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:38.179 And so when we turn to the New Testament, stay with me. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:42.580 It's of course Jesus who comes to make God known. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.980 So that we can know him. 00:19:44.340 --> 00:19:47.039 First John says because no one's ever seen God. 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:49.279 So Jesus comes close. 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:51.700 The way God's relationship was designed, right? 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:55.120 Walking and talking with Adam in the garden. 00:19:55.340 --> 00:19:56.539 The way it used to be. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:59.259 So that when Paul realizes who Jesus is. 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.019 And it took him a while. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:03.720 He says, Christ who is your life. 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.100 That's it. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.120 Just Jesus. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.279 Jesus. 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:08.339 That's your life. 00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.919 God with you. 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.719 Knowing you. 00:20:10.959 --> 00:20:12.079 And loving you. 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:16.539 So that what Paul says he longs for more than any other religious achievement. 00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:17.979 You remember what Ron sang? 00:20:18.479 --> 00:20:20.219 It was the words from Philippians 3. 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.799 Beautifully put to music. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:28.639 Everything else is weak and worthless compared to this. 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:30.700 Knowing you. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.759 Knowing you, Jesus. 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:39.300 The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:46.059 And of course that close relationship, that eternal life does last forever. 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:48.059 As Revelation points out. 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:49.839 It pictures the dwelling of God. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.879 Right with man. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.980 So close that no other light is needed. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.879 Nothing else than being near him. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:57.139 Life coming from God to man. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:59.220 Always the river of the water of life. 00:20:59.399 --> 00:21:00.399 Flowing from where? 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.059 From the throne of God. 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:05.619 To provide healing and life constantly. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.619 Okay, that's a lot. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:10.119 You don't have to remember all the details. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:13.079 There's a lot more examples in God's story. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:20.200 But I wanted you to get a taste of how important it is to God that you know him. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:26.240 That therein you experience the life that he made you for. 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.680 It's all through the story. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:30.519 It's what he's working towards in your life. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.720 There may be some of you who are thinking, 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:36.900 That doesn't really make much sense. 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:39.799 Well, I've been in church all my life. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:45.100 I know more things about God than most anybody else I know. 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:49.400 And I don't feel any of that close relationship. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:53.600 Surpassing worth of knowing Jesus? 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:58.299 What Jesus says is eternal life? 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.319 Am I missing something? 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:05.259 You might be feeling that or asking that this morning. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.240 I'm glad that you asked. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.700 Thank you. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:10.480 I always appreciate those questions that I get to answer now. 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:17.620 Because it may be that what you're missing is in fact eternal life. 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:21.119 I say that not at all to be mean. 00:22:21.219 --> 00:22:22.959 But because I don't want one of you to miss it. 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:31.859 See this knowing God that Jesus is talking about here is more than knowing about God. 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:37.259 We certainly do learn many things about God and in his word. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.679 And that is great. 00:22:38.979 --> 00:22:41.279 Knowing God is certainly not less than that. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:48.279 But Jesus is clear that that is not in itself eternal life. 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:54.399 The close loving relationship kind of knowing that he wants with you. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:23:00.300 See Jesus is not just warning us against looking for life in the abundance of our possessions. 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:06.120 He's also warning us against looking for life in the abundance of our religion. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.680 The first is a worldly struggle. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:13.480 The second is a churchy struggle if you will. 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:18.040 Jesus told the religious leaders of the day about this a lot. 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:21.759 They were the ones who assuredly knew the most about him. 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.200 And what did he say? 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:28.180 He said to them that they didn't actually know him or his father. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:30.120 Package deal, right? 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:32.340 You don't even know him. 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:37.900 He speaks to the Pharisees in John 5. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.480 And he says to them this. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.299 It's a little scary. 00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:43.620 He says, you search the scriptures. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.120 John chapter 5. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.080 I think it's the next one. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:51.220 Because you think that in them you have eternal life. 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:56.579 And it is the scriptures that bear witness about me. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:02.000 Yet you refuse to come to me that you might have life. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:06.039 You're going to lots of Bible studies, Jesus says. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.980 But you're not coming to me. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.819 You're missing it. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.680 You're missing life. 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:15.319 It's not about how much you know. 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:17.299 It's not about how well you perform. 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.720 It's about receiving me. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:21.740 The one who gives eternal life, right? 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:27.920 See, Yahweh, that's his first name, so to speak. 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:33.779 The God of the Bible, the only true God, is personal. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:40.700 So we have to know him personally as he reveals himself to us. 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:47.480 Not just learn some things about him from a distance and make up our own conclusions about him however we would like. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:50.099 You wouldn't let somebody do that to you, would you? 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:54.059 And say that they know you just because they've made up a few things. 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:56.759 They decided they like to think about you that way. 00:24:57.899 --> 00:25:02.420 Pastor Tim Keller is really helpful in explaining that this is true for all people. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:08.800 We know them personally by revelation, not by how we just like to think about them. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:15.080 For example, I would be appalled if you came up after the service and said to me, 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:18.980 Pastor Will, you know how I like to think of you? 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:24.820 I like to think of you as a big South Carolina Gamecock fan. 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:29.900 A lazy pastor who works one day a week. 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:35.100 Who loves mushrooms on his pizza and hates dessert. 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:38.040 That's how I like to think of you. 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:45.420 Many people in here would assure you that you don't actually know me. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:48.980 If that's how you would like to think of me. 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:52.540 You can't know a person like that. 00:25:52.539 --> 00:26:05.440 So why would we say, well, I like to think of God as a jovial Santa Claus grandfather in the sky kind of figure. 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.399 No, he's not. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:10.759 So no, you can't think of him that way. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:18.180 Or I like to think of God as a vengeful judge who's always peering over my shoulder, 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:21.100 looking to catch me messing up and punish me. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.860 Well, no, he's not. 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:25.140 So no, you can't. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.900 Not him. 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.580 Do you see what Jesus is saying here? 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:34.560 Knowing him, knowing Jesus is knowing the Father. 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:37.799 Yes, in case you've been here for a few months, Jesus has said this before. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:43.120 And yes, he's saying this is eternal life. 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:48.259 See, one of the themes of John's gospel is that Jesus has come into the world. 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:48.659 Why? 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:51.739 To make God known to us. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:57.839 To reveal the person, the character, the heart of God to us 00:26:57.839 --> 00:27:02.099 so that we can finally write accurate theology textbooks. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:04.219 That would be so wonderful. 00:27:05.739 --> 00:27:06.299 No. 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.179 That's not why he came. 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:14.240 He came so that we can know, so that we can have a personal relationship 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.960 with the God that he really is. 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:19.220 Not some figment of our imaginations. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:23.480 So that we'd actually become children of a heavenly Father 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:28.960 whose perfect love and justice meet at the cross of Jesus as we saw last week. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:32.360 So that we would actually begin, this would change our lives, 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:36.500 we'd start to bow before a God more holy than we comprehend. 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:43.539 So that we'd feel the embrace of a God more loving than we dream. 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:49.960 So that we'd rest in the providence of a God who's more sovereign 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:54.820 and more wise than we imagine and we'd be able to trust him. 00:27:56.400 --> 00:28:02.140 That's why Paul sees the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:06.720 Why the longing to know God, the promise of his presence with us 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:09.800 becomes fulfilled in this close relationship with Jesus 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:14.960 as he comes in the flesh followed by the indwelling of his spirit in us 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:19.759 and the glorified relationship with the triune God, Father, Son, and Spirit 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.900 in heaven forever. 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:27.340 It's all part of knowing him now and always. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:36.639 When I want to know if I'm on the right track about the big issues of life, 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:43.019 it helps me a lot to sit with people who've been living a lot longer than I have. 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:45.519 I find that's a really helpful thing to do. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:51.539 Last week I sat in a chapel at Brookdale Place Retirement Home 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.700 with some of our neighbors. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:56.379 Several living over 90 years. 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.420 They're ahead of me. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:01.119 Some married over 70 years. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.579 Also got a long way to go. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:07.680 And they were sharing about the heartaches of life. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:10.680 Losing a spouse after 70 years. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:14.180 Facing the death of children. 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:20.220 Relationships at the center of life for them for years and years, 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:22.380 for decade after decade. 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:28.740 Could there be any life in the face of such grief? 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.640 Death? 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:37.220 I don't think I would have kept going if it weren't for God in my life. 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:40.299 One of them said, smiling through tears. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:44.099 I didn't have anyone else left. 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.159 But I had Him. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:53.879 No one said that about the abundance of their possessions. 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:57.359 They'd have to give many of them away. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:30:03.979 No one said that about their professional success. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:10.299 There is life in knowing God. 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:12.680 In being close to Him. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:18.220 I can't tell you all the ways you'll experience the quality of that eternal life 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:20.779 in your life even while you're here. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:23.200 Because life here is genuinely hard. 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:25.380 This doesn't make everything easy all of a sudden. 00:30:25.600 --> 00:30:29.900 We broke that good relationship and God's good creation. 00:30:31.100 --> 00:30:36.940 But you can start now glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:40.539 See, many of us who say that's our chief end. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.519 That that's our purpose in life. 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:45.819 We think what that means is that we're supposed to glorify God now. 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:48.779 And then one day we'll get to enjoy Him forever. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:53.720 In heaven, listen, start enjoying Him now. 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:57.200 Both of those are to be now and forever. 00:30:57.619 --> 00:31:03.319 Pull that eternal life off the shelf into the sunlight and the rain 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.599 and let it grow. 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:07.399 Nurture that life that He gives you. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:10.160 Every opportunity that you get. 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:14.839 Every chance you have to get to walk with God. 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:19.359 Every moment you carve out to talk with God. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:22.319 Enjoy that relationship. 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:26.099 Every close relationship takes time to grow, doesn't it? 00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:33.559 Are you living closer to Jesus than you are to your work? 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.839 Or your phone? 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:39.579 Or your stuff? 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:47.000 Which one are you closer to if you were to describe your relationship? 00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:52.000 You need to see your day and your week and your year and your life 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:57.099 through that reality of Him so that it changes your quality of life in every area 00:31:57.099 --> 00:32:02.099 and your life starts to reflect the glory of that relationship that's unlike any other. 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.639 See, there's so many ways. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:10.960 When you pull eternal life off the shelf and it starts to be living today 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:13.820 and the reality of that relationship with God through Jesus, 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.740 there's all sorts of stuff that changes. 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:21.440 You can battle anxiety and find peace in the midst of it. 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:24.640 I mean, in the middle of the night, you can be reading Psalms 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:30.300 and trusting that He's more in control than you feel like He is 00:32:30.300 --> 00:32:32.320 and you can actually experience that. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:36.439 You can walk through grief and find joy. 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:38.240 I talked to Tara Calhoun this week. 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:40.839 She just, her mom went to be with Jesus. 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:44.200 She couldn't have been more excited for her mom. 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:50.299 There was a deep joy that mom's home in a better place 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:52.480 and she believed it deeply. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:56.759 You can look at your life at 80 years old 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.879 and you could say like some people I've heard, 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.759 I'm just getting started. 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:03.119 My body may be slowing down, 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:06.299 but my soul is picking up speed with Jesus 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:10.500 and that is not ever going to stop even when my heart does. 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:14.859 You can live with purpose even when life is slow 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.599 or work is just not coming 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:19.460 because the primary reason that you were made is to know God 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:21.779 and that relationship with Him can grow in any season, 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.379 whatever else is going on. 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:30.320 You can face things like greed and lust and envy 00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:32.520 that you feel like are just part of who you are 00:33:32.520 --> 00:33:35.980 and you can actually find true contentment 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.460 even while you battle those. 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:41.840 Because more and more you find your true treasure, 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:47.200 the one who really satisfies is yours forevermore. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:49.780 He's not going away and He's not letting go of you 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:53.279 and there's so much peace there and fulfillment. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:56.940 You know, you can even slow down with your kids 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.799 or your grandkids. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:04.139 You don't have to feel the pressure 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:07.039 of finding life in the scholarship 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:11.000 or the vacation or the perfect obedience 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:14.219 because you've got life in the Savior 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:18.659 who is perfect for you and for them, 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:22.019 who's present with you and with them. 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:26.940 And those are the ways that you were made to live. 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:30.000 And knowing Jesus, you can in those ways 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.159 and so many other ways. 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:37.379 In 1297, 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:41.719 facing seemingly insurmountable odds 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:44.739 and quite certain death at the Battle of Sterling, 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:47.000 William Wallace, 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:49.480 or at least the movie version of him, 00:34:50.779 --> 00:34:52.019 famously said, 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:56.159 every man dies. 00:34:56.159 --> 00:35:00.839 Because not every man really lives. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:09.079 I know I'm going to be able to talk about this part, 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:12.500 but I want every one of you, 00:35:13.879 --> 00:35:15.339 every boy and girl, 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:18.480 every woman and man in this room, 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:22.119 to know real life, 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:24.199 to really live. 00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:25.679 Don't miss out on this. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:30.379 I am here because Jesus offers you life 00:35:30.379 --> 00:35:33.440 and he has sent me to open his word 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:36.799 and let you hear how he prays for you, 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:39.419 what he longs for you to know, 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:41.219 what he made you for, 00:35:41.419 --> 00:35:43.879 the relationship he wants to live with you in forever. 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:47.599 I don't want one of you to miss out on that. 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.299 You exist. 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:52.059 You're breathing this morning. 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:56.699 But where are you looking for life? 00:35:57.940 --> 00:36:00.360 Where's life going to be found for you? 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:04.619 This is eternal life. 00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:08.900 That you know the only true God 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:12.599 and Jesus Christ whom he sent. 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:17.420 And even better than me wanting you to have that 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:21.759 is that Jesus wants you to know God 00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:23.279 and have life. 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:25.099 So he prayed for it 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:27.299 and he gave his life 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:31.039 for people hopelessly separated from life, 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:32.039 apart from him, 00:36:32.239 --> 00:36:36.759 so that you would have eternal life forever 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:40.460 and today with him. 00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:41.200 Let's pray. 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.480 Jesus, thank you. 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:49.580 Thank you that I don't have to make up 00:36:49.580 --> 00:36:51.120 where to find life. 00:36:52.040 --> 00:36:53.340 That I don't have to pretend 00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.760 that this world's enough. 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:58.780 That if we just work a little harder 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.900 and try a little better, 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:01.100 we'll be satisfied. 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.360 It's not true. 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.440 We've tried it. 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:09.240 Thank you that there is life 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:10.420 in knowing you. 00:37:11.240 --> 00:37:13.579 Life that will really fulfill 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:15.280 and life that will never end. 00:37:15.280 --> 00:37:18.360 So might we know you 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.519 and know you more. 00:37:21.180 --> 00:37:23.800 Draw us more deeply 00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:25.519 into love with you. 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.800 Make us more certain today. 00:37:28.240 --> 00:37:30.360 Don't let any of us leave unsure 00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:33.519 of where we think life might be found. 00:37:34.080 --> 00:37:36.560 Help us to know that you came for that. 00:37:36.660 --> 00:37:38.400 You're not hiding from us. 00:37:38.440 --> 00:37:40.000 You came to show us 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:43.100 the life that you made us for. 00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:45.200 The God who created. 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:48.019 Jesus, the one who will be with us forever. 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.680 Give us joy in that, 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:52.880 that we might really, really live 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:54.660 and know you. 00:37:56.560 --> 00:37:57.820 Do that work even now, 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.820 we ask in your name. 00:37:59.540 --> 00:37:59.840 Amen. 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.620 For more information, 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:04.940 visit us online at southwood.org.