WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:05.179 If you would, please open up your Bibles this morning to John chapter 6. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:14.000 John chapter 6. We've been walking through John's Gospel together and every week I encourage you to have your Bibles open. 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:22.260 I don't want you just to hear the words from me in my mouth. I want you to see it with your eyes on the pages of Scripture and see what he says. 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:35.500 So if you would, turn there now, John chapter 6. If you're using the pew Bibles there in front of you, I'm thinking this is around page 835, 836, but it'll be there for you to read. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:41.840 So we're going to read John chapter 6 verses 35 through 51 this morning. Follow along with me as I read. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:49.700 Jesus said to them, 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:51.960 I am the bread of life. 00:00:52.620 --> 00:00:55.120 Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, 00:00:55.720 --> 00:00:58.719 and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:04.700 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:08.820 All that the Father gives me will come to me, 00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:12.359 and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 00:01:13.119 --> 00:01:16.679 For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, 00:01:17.039 --> 00:01:18.679 but the will of him who sent me. 00:01:19.199 --> 00:01:21.819 And this is the will of him who sent me, 00:01:22.199 --> 00:01:24.939 that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, 00:01:25.019 --> 00:01:27.239 but raise it up on the last day. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:29.719 For this is the will of my Father, 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:33.639 that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him 00:01:33.639 --> 00:01:35.500 should have eternal life, 00:01:35.979 --> 00:01:38.619 and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:42.119 So the Jews grumbled about him because he said, 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:43.899 I am the bread that came down from heaven. 00:01:44.039 --> 00:01:44.459 They said, 00:01:44.559 --> 00:01:46.979 Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, 00:01:47.479 --> 00:01:48.959 whose father and mother we know? 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:51.819 How does he now say I've come down from heaven? 00:01:52.919 --> 00:01:54.019 And Jesus answered them, 00:01:54.119 --> 00:01:55.699 Do not grumble among yourselves. 00:01:56.519 --> 00:01:58.239 No one can come to me 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:01.899 unless the Father who sent me draws him, 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:05.099 and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:07.280 It is written in the prophets, 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.140 and they will all be taught by God. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:14.680 Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:16.960 Not that anyone has seen the Father, 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:18.759 except he who is from God. 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:20.340 He has seen the Father. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:22.699 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:25.939 whoever believes has eternal life. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:28.520 I am the bread of life. 00:02:29.359 --> 00:02:31.199 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:32.319 and they died. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:35.400 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:38.460 so that one may eat of it and not die. 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:42.260 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 00:02:42.820 --> 00:02:44.740 If anyone eats of this bread, 00:02:45.300 --> 00:02:46.580 he will live forever. 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:50.840 And the bread that I will give for the life of the world 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:52.480 is my flesh. 00:02:53.760 --> 00:02:56.860 Church, the grass withers and the flower fades, 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:58.840 but the word of our Lord endures forever. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:00.900 If you would, let's bow once more and pray. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:06.219 Father, we ask again, 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:08.060 as we open up your word, 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:11.539 that my voice would go out, 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:14.000 and that my voice would become small, 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:15.400 and your voice would become great, 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:16.319 that I would decrease, 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:17.340 that you would increase, 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:19.580 that what is true and helpful 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.800 would land on fertile soil, 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:25.039 and what is unhelpful would bypass their ears. 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:28.199 God, we pray that your truth would build up this church. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:29.960 In Christ's name, amen. 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:36.140 How do we understand the miracle of salvation? 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:41.139 One of my favorite things to do as a pastor here at Seaweed Bay 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:45.819 is to hear your stories of how you came to faith in Christ. 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:47.419 And for the most part, 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:49.159 at the basic level at least, 00:03:49.239 --> 00:03:50.879 the stories are all the same. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:53.339 You at one point heard the gospel, 00:03:53.459 --> 00:03:54.359 maybe one time, 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:55.039 maybe two times, 00:03:55.119 --> 00:03:55.759 maybe ten times, 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:56.899 maybe a hundred times, 00:03:56.899 --> 00:03:58.379 but at a certain point, 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:00.099 you heard that gospel truth, 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:01.319 and by the grace of God, 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:02.919 you believed it. 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:07.299 But in the specifics of how exactly that came to be, 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:08.919 those stories are all diverse, 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:09.479 and unique, 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:10.039 they're different, 00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:11.779 and they're fascinating to me. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:14.879 I love to hear the stories of your salvation. 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:17.419 I want to share with you 00:04:17.419 --> 00:04:21.120 the story of somebody named John Wesley this morning. 00:04:21.219 --> 00:04:23.300 I read his conversion story again this week. 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:25.180 John Wesley is not a member of our church. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:30.300 He is best known for being the founder of Methodism, 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:33.319 but I want you just to listen closely to his testimony 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:36.220 of how he came to Christ. 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:40.060 John Wesley was at the age of 20. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:41.899 He was, from all outside appearances, 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.079 very religious. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:44.420 He was devout. 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:45.840 If you and I looked at him, 00:04:45.960 --> 00:04:46.819 observed his life, 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:47.519 you and I would say, 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:48.420 without a doubt, 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:50.060 this man knows the Lord. 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:52.040 He is a believer. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:53.660 His journals, 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:56.820 they say that he set apart an hour or two 00:04:56.820 --> 00:04:58.820 every day for religious retirement. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:00.320 This is how they spoke back then. 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:01.420 For religious retirement, 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:04.320 he communicated every week. 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:06.140 He watched against all sin, 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.420 whether in word or deed. 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:10.300 He aimed and prayed for inward holiness. 00:05:11.200 --> 00:05:12.879 He was, by all accounts, 00:05:13.320 --> 00:05:16.140 a devout religious man. 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:17.580 But despite all of this, 00:05:17.640 --> 00:05:18.640 by his own admission, 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.600 he was not yet converted. 00:05:21.840 --> 00:05:22.760 Twelve years later, 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:25.099 when he was 32 years old, 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:26.599 he set out as a missionary 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:28.480 to the Indians of Georgia. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:29.680 And when he was asked, 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:30.060 why? 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:30.779 Why are you going? 00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:31.719 Why are you doing this? 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.079 His answer revealed a lot. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:35.039 He said that he had hopes 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:36.639 of saving his own soul. 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:41.920 He hoped that by bringing the gospel to others, 00:05:42.099 --> 00:05:44.740 that he might obtain the holiness 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:46.839 that he so desperately desired. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:47.539 And then he, 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:49.300 by bringing the gospel to others, 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:52.339 would be made right with God. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.659 Well, the story goes that 00:05:54.659 --> 00:05:56.579 there in Georgia, 00:05:56.719 --> 00:05:58.560 he met a Moravian pastor, 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:00.039 a guy named Augustus, 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:01.920 who began to talk with John, 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:04.680 and he asked him some very pointed questions. 00:06:06.060 --> 00:06:07.759 Does the Spirit of God 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:09.659 bear witness with your spirit 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:11.779 that you are a child of God? 00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:12.719 He asked. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:16.400 John had no answer. 00:06:17.400 --> 00:06:19.980 Do you know Jesus Christ? 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:21.100 He asked. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.100 To which John said, 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.720 I know that he is the Savior of the world. 00:06:27.280 --> 00:06:29.820 But do you know that he has saved you? 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:33.720 I hope he has died to save me, 00:06:34.640 --> 00:06:35.200 John said. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:39.740 He continued to minister there in Georgia, 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.339 preaching the gospel 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:44.120 as an unconverted minister of Christ. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.819 And almost three years later, 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:48.060 he wrote this in his journal. 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:48.500 He said, 00:06:48.500 --> 00:07:09.240 That is a good question, 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.439 isn't it? 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:12.879 How could anyone, 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.319 a man so religious, 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:15.340 so devout, 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:17.360 so eager to please the Lord, 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:20.019 yet by his own admission, 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:21.720 not be converted? 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:24.879 And not see the truth clearly? 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:28.879 Well, as we read in John chapter 6 this morning, 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.780 what we see here is a similar situation. 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:34.019 Jesus is in the middle of a conversation 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:35.719 with a group of Jews. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.359 And there in verse 35, 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:39.539 Jesus makes this incredible statement. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:41.379 It's an incredible promise. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:42.199 He says, 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:43.699 I am the bread of life. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:46.019 And whoever comes to me 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:47.000 shall not hunger, 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:48.680 and whoever believes in me 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:50.120 shall never thirst. 00:07:50.219 --> 00:07:51.240 So this is a promise of 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:53.019 eternal satisfaction 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.439 for your soul, 00:07:54.539 --> 00:07:56.699 for any who would come to Christ 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:58.839 simply by believing in him. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.859 And he extends that invitation 00:08:00.859 --> 00:08:02.859 broadly and widely 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:05.360 to any who would come to him in faith. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:07.160 Any who come to me 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:09.220 will lack nothing 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:12.560 and will be satisfied in God forever. 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:15.500 But then we get to verse 36 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.560 and there's a problem. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.100 Do you see it? 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:20.460 He says to the Jews, 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.439 But I said to you, 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.220 you have seen me 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:26.740 and yet do not believe. 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:30.080 How can that be? 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:33.519 Well, this is a shocking issue 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:34.779 when you see it. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:35.559 Apparently, 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.879 you can be face to face 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.960 with the living God. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:41.240 You can hear his words 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:41.960 week in, 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:42.819 week out. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:44.379 You can see his works 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.879 unfold in real time. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.039 You can be zealous 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:48.319 to obey the Lord 00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:51.480 and yet you can still miss it. 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:54.079 You can still not truly believe. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:56.039 You can mistake familiarity 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.179 with Christ, 00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:59.719 with faith in Christ. 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:02.419 So the answer that I, 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:04.360 the question that I want 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.579 to let Jesus answer 00:09:05.579 --> 00:09:06.699 for us this morning 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:09.339 is how does anyone 00:09:09.339 --> 00:09:11.459 truly come to believe 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:12.339 in Christ? 00:09:13.099 --> 00:09:14.459 How does anybody 00:09:14.459 --> 00:09:16.339 truly actually come to him 00:09:16.339 --> 00:09:17.980 and receive what he's offering 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:19.699 to us here in the gospel? 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:22.500 How is anyone saved? 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.899 And what I hope 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:26.480 you'll come away convinced of 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.919 and assured by 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:28.939 and strengthened of 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:29.579 this morning 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:30.519 is the good news 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:33.319 that God must do it. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:36.959 God must do it. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.259 We're going to see 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:38.840 three answers 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:39.699 to that question 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:40.340 this morning. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:41.879 How is anyone saved? 00:09:41.959 --> 00:09:42.840 If you're a note taker, 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:43.659 this will help you 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:44.500 to follow along. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:45.340 Three answers 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.199 to the question, 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.840 how is anyone saved? 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:49.399 First, 00:09:50.079 --> 00:09:50.980 answer number one, 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:52.620 we see that salvation 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:55.300 is arranged in eternity. 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:57.480 Look there to verse 37, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:58.940 John 6, 37. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.180 Here we see the roots 00:10:01.180 --> 00:10:02.279 of our salvation. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:03.240 This is the basis 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.700 of our salvation. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.480 You know how sometimes 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:06.259 you ask somebody, 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.279 hey, tell me your story, 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:08.899 and they go like way back 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:10.639 to when their parents 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:11.120 were born 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.259 and how their parents met 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:13.460 and their grandparents' story. 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:14.180 They go way, 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:15.080 way, way, way, way back. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.139 Well, Jesus here, 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:17.259 he goes back further 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.000 than that. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:20.039 He's going all the way back 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.179 to an arrangement 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:22.179 that happened 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:24.000 in eternity past, 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.620 before time, 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.480 as we know it, 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:26.840 began. 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:27.279 Look there. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:28.340 Now, Jesus says, 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.919 all that the Father gives me 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.379 will come to me, 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:34.080 and whoever comes to me 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:36.519 I will never cast out. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.960 So, before you existed, 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:40.259 before I existed, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:41.639 before the world existed, 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:42.899 what we see here 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:44.120 is that God the Father 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.659 gave a people 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:47.220 to God the Son. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.080 And the result 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.980 of that giving 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.799 in eternity, 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.860 look there what it says, 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.539 the result of that giving 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.179 in eternity 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:57.039 is their certain coming 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:57.960 to Christ 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:59.940 at some point in time. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.700 All that the Father gives me 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:05.080 will come to me. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:05.960 Now, the order here 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:07.279 is important, isn't it? 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:09.679 We sometimes tend to think 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.000 in the opposite direction. 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:12.419 We read these verses backwards 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:13.200 as if it said, 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:14.539 all that come to Christ, 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.620 well, that's who the Father 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.620 will give to him. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.419 If we come, 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.560 then he gives. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.539 That's not what it says. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.299 I just want you to look 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:22.120 at what the verse says. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:22.840 He says, 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.779 all that the Father gives me 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:26.879 will come to me. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:28.940 So, how is anyone saved? 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:31.580 Well, if we zoom out, 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.700 get ourselves out of the picture, 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.340 zoom out of our own experience, 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:37.220 zoom out of our lives, 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:39.220 if we had the whole picture 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.680 of eternity in mind, 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.720 as Christ does, 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:43.300 we would say that 00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:44.920 your coming to Christ, 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:46.120 believer, in time, 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:49.139 was a direct and certain result 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.100 of God's giving you to Christ 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.779 before the ages began. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.060 Now, I want to show you 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:58.060 two other places in John 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:59.220 where we see this. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.480 Because this is not 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:01.519 a one-off comment. 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.600 It's all throughout 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.540 the Gospel of John. 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.519 This is not the first time 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.540 Jesus says something like this. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.000 This is where Jesus 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.340 roots our salvation. 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:10.200 It's not ultimately 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:11.340 an hour willing, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.259 hour working. 00:12:12.420 --> 00:12:13.560 He roots salvation 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:15.460 ultimately in God's working, 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.820 God's willing, 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.639 God's planning, 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:19.040 God's arranging. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.860 So, two places here in John. 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:21.580 Mark this down. 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:22.800 You can go digging in here 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:24.040 a little later this afternoon 00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:24.580 if you'd like. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.860 John chapter 10 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.780 and John chapter 17. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.940 John chapter 10 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:32.139 and John chapter 17. 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:34.560 John chapter 10, 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.180 verses 26 through 29. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:36.860 Jesus says, 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.280 You do not believe 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.720 because you are not 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.699 among my sheep. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:44.000 My sheep hear my voice 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.039 and I know them 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.179 and they follow me. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.259 I give them eternal life 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.399 and they will never perish 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:51.639 and no one will snatch them 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.819 out of my hand. 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.159 My Father, 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:56.659 who has given them to me, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.339 is greater than all 00:12:58.339 --> 00:13:00.299 and no one is able 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.199 to snatch them 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:03.659 out of my Father's hand. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.819 Notice what he doesn't say. 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:06.759 The order here, 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:08.000 again, is important. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.220 He doesn't say, 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.779 You are not among my sheep 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:12.779 because you do not believe, 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.460 although that is true. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:16.899 What does he say? 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:17.600 He says, 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.799 You do not believe 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:20.519 because you are not 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.860 among my sheep. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.240 My sheep hear my voice. 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:24.580 Why? 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.299 Because the Father 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:28.600 has given them to Christ. 00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:29.879 Example number two, 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:32.179 John 17, 6 through 10. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:34.440 Listen to the words of Jesus, 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.580 how he prays. 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:39.420 I have manifested your name 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.920 to the people 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:42.760 whom you gave me 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:44.280 out of the world. 00:13:44.400 --> 00:13:44.900 Do you hear that? 00:13:46.140 --> 00:13:47.260 Yours they were 00:13:47.260 --> 00:13:49.420 and you gave them to me 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:51.480 and they have kept your word. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.600 Now they know 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.380 that everything you have given me 00:13:54.380 --> 00:13:55.200 is from you. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.740 For I have given them 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.420 the words that you gave me 00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:00.160 and they have received them 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:01.400 and have come to know in truth 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.559 that I came from you 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.620 and they have believed 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.579 that you sent me. 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.000 This is a glorious truth, 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:10.779 Christian. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:12.959 And when we begin 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:13.679 to understand 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:15.480 the big picture 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:17.079 of our salvation, 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.959 this is a glorious truth. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.059 Do you see what this means 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.919 for your salvation? 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.659 When we begin to understand 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.460 the miracle of salvation 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.519 in this way 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.600 as the outworking 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.159 of the eternal plan of God, 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.679 there is joy 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:32.620 and there is confidence. 00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:35.039 Our salvation 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:38.019 does not depend on us. 00:14:39.219 --> 00:14:40.139 It does not depend 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.959 on our strength, 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:42.779 on our willing, 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:43.539 on our working, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.299 on our goodness, 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:45.139 on our knowledge, 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:45.839 on our ability 00:14:45.839 --> 00:14:47.039 to muster up the strength 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.219 to believe today. 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.039 Our salvation 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.319 is rooted 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:53.179 in the unshakable, 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.599 eternal plan 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.919 of an unchanging 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:57.019 and faithful God. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.159 God, 00:14:57.699 --> 00:15:00.419 a few months ago, 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.039 I was sharing this 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:01.559 with somebody. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.439 We took our boys 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.179 to Legoland 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.759 and it was awesome. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.079 But of course, 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:09.919 a trip like that, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.799 we don't just do 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.659 spur on the moment. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.199 Okay? 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.360 Amanda and I 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.579 had planned it out 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.460 far in advance. 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:16.600 We purchased the tickets. 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.679 We booked the hotel. 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:19.819 We planned the exact day, 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.799 the exact moment 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.500 we would go. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.279 All of this 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.159 before we told 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.319 the boys anything. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:27.280 And then when 00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:28.200 the time was right, 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.240 at the moment 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.120 of our choosing, 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.820 we revealed to them 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:35.960 all of the incredible plans 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.220 that we had made 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:37.940 for them. 00:15:38.420 --> 00:15:39.240 And it was amazing. 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.900 Then we got them 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:41.520 in the car. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.220 We packed up 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.900 all their stuff. 00:15:43.020 --> 00:15:43.860 We drove them 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.980 safely to the park. 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:46.160 Their coming 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:48.020 was a direct result 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:49.540 of our planning. 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.600 All that the Father 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.680 has given me 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:54.699 will come to me. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.620 Now let me ask you something. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.359 What kind of a father 00:15:57.359 --> 00:15:58.199 would I be 00:15:58.199 --> 00:16:00.620 if when we arrived 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.459 there at the park, 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.339 we got to the gate, 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.739 we got ready to go inside, 00:16:03.959 --> 00:16:05.239 if I turned around 00:16:05.239 --> 00:16:05.979 to them 00:16:05.979 --> 00:16:06.620 and I said, 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.620 what are you doing here? 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:11.239 I changed my mind. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.099 You're not coming 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.259 to the park today. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.459 I'm not bringing you 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:15.599 inside. 00:16:15.599 --> 00:16:16.159 You thought you were 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.000 coming inside here. 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.519 Forget it. 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.899 What kind of father 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.819 would I be 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:21.639 if I turned them away? 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.840 That would be ridiculous, 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:23.419 right? 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.620 Why would that 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.199 be ridiculous? 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:29.699 Because at the root, 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.059 at the basis 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.860 of this whole thing 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.580 was my arrangement 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:36.299 to make it happen. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.220 It was my plan. 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:39.259 It was my gift 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.080 to them. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:40.759 Why would I 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.740 turn them away? 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.559 This was their confidence 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:46.340 and their joy 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.480 that this would happen. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.039 It was their freedom 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.360 in receiving this gift. 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.259 It was because mom 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.379 and dad had planned it. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.300 They had purchased it. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.340 They told us it's happening 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.200 and we believe it. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:57.180 Now we get to enjoy it. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:57.980 Christian, 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.519 this is the confidence 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.940 that we have 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.180 in our salvation. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.819 Your salvation, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.960 your assurance, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.680 your confidence, 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.740 your joy, 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.140 your hope 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.259 is rooted 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.779 in the unshakable 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.120 will of God. 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.839 This is good news. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.339 Look there to verse 38. 00:17:22.459 --> 00:17:23.199 You might ask, 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.199 what is that will? 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:26.379 What is the will of God? 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.319 Look to verse 38. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.039 Jesus says, 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.199 For I have come down 00:17:29.199 --> 00:17:29.699 from heaven 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:31.139 not to do my own will, 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.599 but the will of him 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.439 who sent me. 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:35.519 And this is the will 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.740 of him who sent me, 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:37.980 that I should lose 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.939 nothing of all 00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:40.019 that he has given me, 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.519 but raise it up 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.720 on the last day. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.859 For this is the will 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.599 of my Father, 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:47.059 that everyone 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.659 who looks on the Son 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:50.159 and believes in him 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:52.119 should have eternal life 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:54.439 and I will raise him up 00:17:54.439 --> 00:17:56.019 on the last day. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.579 But how will we look? 00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:02.799 And how will we believe? 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.500 This is the second answer 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.859 to our question this morning. 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:07.099 How is anyone saved? 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:07.740 Second, 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:11.599 salvation is applied in time. 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:15.500 Salvation is applied in time. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.559 Look there to verse 41. 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.119 Because the Jews 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.940 didn't like what they heard. 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.619 It seems like they pretty much 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.000 just ignored everything 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.359 that Jesus had just told them 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.180 about salvation, 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.299 about the will of God, 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.460 about what he's come to do 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.720 because they were so hung up 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.480 on what he said 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.559 in verse 35. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.480 It says the Jews 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.980 grumbled about him 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.039 because he said, 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.180 I am the bread of life 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.519 that came down from heaven. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:37.880 They said, 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.160 Jesus, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.279 what are you talking about? 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.299 You didn't come from heaven. 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.140 We know your father. 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.980 We know your mother. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.019 Isn't this Jesus, 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:45.940 the son of Joseph? 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.440 We know Joseph. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.140 We know Mary. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.299 How does he now say, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.559 I've come down from heaven? 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.099 See, 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.220 they still don't get it. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:55.380 They still can't perceive 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.460 the truth 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.220 that's standing there 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:59.120 right there in front of them 00:18:59.120 --> 00:19:00.559 explaining the gospel. 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.180 They're so close to Christ, 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.819 yet they still don't get it. 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:06.400 Maybe you can think of a friend, 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.299 a family member, 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.240 a co-worker, 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.160 someone that you know 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.799 and that this sounds 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.160 a little bit like, 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.059 someone that you have 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.660 attempted to communicate 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.660 the gospel to. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.180 You've spoken the words 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.480 of Christ to them. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.680 You've tried and tried 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.620 to articulate it 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.579 as clearly 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.980 as you possibly can, 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:26.640 but they still just 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.859 don't get it. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.200 Why? 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.539 Why is that? 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:33.799 It's because our sin 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:37.019 runs so deep in us 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:40.259 that until we are born again 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.879 of the Spirit of God, 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:44.299 we cannot see 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:46.399 spiritual truth clearly. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.659 This is what Jesus told Nicodemus. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.299 You might remember 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.859 from John chapter 3. 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.680 He said, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.399 unless one is born again, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.639 he cannot see 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.940 the kingdom of God. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.460 Again, he says, 00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.840 unless one is born of water 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.720 and of the Spirit, 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:03.039 he cannot enter 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.460 the kingdom of God. 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.860 This is the necessary condition 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:08.200 of spiritual life 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.980 and here we see another 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.420 unless, don't we? 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.920 Jesus answered them 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.720 in verse 43. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.640 Do not grumble among yourselves. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:19.200 No one can come to me 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.299 unless the Father 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.440 who sent me draws him 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:25.720 and I will raise him up 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.160 on the last day. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:30.340 And so the necessary condition 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.920 of anyone coming to Christ 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.660 we see here 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:35.320 is God must draw them 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:36.820 to Christ. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.880 And so here's my question. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.620 What in the world 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.180 does that mean? 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.540 What in the world 00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:43.640 does it mean for God 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:45.740 to draw someone to Christ? 00:20:45.800 --> 00:20:46.759 And there are, I think, 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:49.740 two very clear possibilities here. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.100 Possibility number one 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:55.519 is that this drawing to Christ 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:57.420 is a sort of wooing. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:21:00.799 I had a friend growing up, 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.859 I would go over to their house, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.440 every now and then 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.319 they would have kittens 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.500 under the porch 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:06.660 and we would go down 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:09.579 and try to call them over to us. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.740 Come here. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.619 Come on. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.599 Come on. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.720 Let me get you. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.480 Let me pet you. 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.000 Come on. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:15.680 Come on out. 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.339 And if that didn't work, 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.319 when that didn't work, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.000 we would put out some milk, 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:21.259 maybe put out some food. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:23.759 We would try to lure them out to us. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.700 But at the end of the day, 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.700 we were powerless to make them, 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.379 to call them, 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.119 to bring them. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:31.680 We were powerless to bring them to us. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:34.339 It was hopeful drawing. 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.379 That's how many think 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:39.660 that God draws people to Christ. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:44.039 I'm going to argue for option number two here. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.140 Option number two 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.559 is that this drawing is not hopeful, 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.299 it is effective. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:54.440 What God has planned in eternity, 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:57.680 He certainly accomplishes in time. 00:21:58.579 --> 00:22:01.240 All that God has given to the Son in eternity 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.940 will come in time. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.240 Not one will be lost. 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.180 All will come. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.519 Why? 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:10.240 Because God Himself will draw them effectively. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:13.839 Think on your own story, Christian. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.899 If you're here and you are a believer in Christ, 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:19.640 just think back on your own story, 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:22.220 how you came to believe in the gospel. 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.940 Some of you, I know, 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.140 have a dramatic testimony. 00:22:24.780 --> 00:22:26.160 You were far from the Lord, 00:22:26.280 --> 00:22:27.100 living in sin, 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.000 living in rebellion, 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.060 and somehow, 00:22:29.280 --> 00:22:29.740 some way, 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:30.980 you opened up a Bible, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.620 somebody came and shared with you, 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.640 you turned on the radio, 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:33.960 and you, 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.680 whatever the tool was, 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:37.280 you heard the gospel, 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.800 and by the grace of God, 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.360 you believed. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.800 Others of you have a story, 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.160 like what I pray for my children. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.680 You have a very boring testimony. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.400 You know, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:49.560 I pray that my children have a terribly boring testimony. 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:52.299 They grew up in a believing home. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:54.100 They heard the gospel from mom and dad 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:56.600 over and over and over and over and over and over again. 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.340 They came to church. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.880 They heard the gospel from dad 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:01.299 over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.360 But at some point, 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.840 something clicked. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.340 They heard it differently. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:11.220 Not just as information that they know, 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:13.019 but truth that they cherish. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.339 They believe. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:19.500 They begin to trust that Jesus Christ is their Lord, 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.599 and their God, 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.839 and their Savior, 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.759 and their hope. 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:26.240 Do you know what happened in you, believer? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:30.500 That when you finally believe that gospel message, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.119 you heard it from someone, 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:38.160 but you were taught the truth by God. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:41.540 Look there again to verse 44. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.940 Look what Jesus does. 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:46.000 He says, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:50.220 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:52.680 and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:56.279 And then he backs up this statement with Scripture. 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.500 He says, 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.779 It is written in the prophets, 00:23:59.040 --> 00:24:02.259 and they will all be taught by God. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:06.220 See, the way that God draws his people 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:08.460 is by teaching them. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.460 And we see the result. 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:13.579 Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:15.700 comes to Christ. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:19.799 This is a reference to what we call the new covenant. 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.940 The new covenant. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.519 This type of teaching of God 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:27.000 is not just information that touches our ears. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:29.980 It's transformation of the heart. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:32.640 It is the internal work of God 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.700 in the hearts of his people 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:37.220 where he himself writes the law of God on their hearts. 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.860 It's no longer external. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.579 It's no longer outside of them. 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.900 It is now in them. 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:44.099 No longer familiarity with Christ. 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:46.259 It is personal faith in Christ. 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:49.200 God himself replaces their heart of stone 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.360 and gives them a heart of flesh. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:53.400 God himself places his own spirit within them. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:55.579 God himself promises to be their God 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.299 and for them to be his people. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:25:00.259 And when God teaches you in this way, 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:03.960 all of a sudden you begin to see everything 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:06.859 with new clarity that you didn't have before. 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:12.519 You begin to see the worth and the glory of Christ 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:14.700 like you've never seen before. 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:17.180 You begin to open up the pages of scripture 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.240 and see the glory of God 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.500 in ways you've never seen before. 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:23.139 You see your own sin and a desire to put it away 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.500 in ways you've never felt before. 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.700 You desire holiness to please the Lord 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:28.740 in ways you've never felt before. 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:30.240 Where did this come from? 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:34.720 It came from the teaching of God in your heart. 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.619 I've got to share this story with you. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:45.940 I had the opportunity to speak with somebody 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.539 in our home this past week. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:53.940 And this is a person who has gone to church for years 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:56.000 and as we spoke, 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:58.980 it just became clear that she did not understand the gospel. 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:02.559 She did not understand the truth of the gospel, 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:04.420 what we're talking about here this morning. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.879 In her own understanding, 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:08.399 being right with God was about her works, 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:09.960 what she knew, 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.460 right and wrong, 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.359 yes and no. 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:15.679 So it was an improvement message for her. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:18.099 And so we talked about the gospel, 00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:20.000 those four parts that we talk about all the time. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.659 God, man, Christ, response. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.399 We walked slowly through each one. 00:26:23.459 --> 00:26:24.839 I said, I don't want to put words in your mouth. 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:26.479 I just want to explain this and stop 00:26:26.479 --> 00:26:28.819 and see if you believe what I'm talking about here. 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.559 And we talked about God. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.979 God is the creator of everything. 00:26:34.199 --> 00:26:34.659 He's good. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.019 He's worthy of our praise. 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.159 She said, yeah, I believe that. 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.159 We talked about sin, 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:43.400 how all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:45.480 All of us bear personal responsibility 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.380 for our rebellion against the Lord. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:49.680 She said, you don't have to tell me that I'm a sinner. 00:26:49.800 --> 00:26:50.720 I believe that. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.500 And then we talked about Christ 00:26:53.500 --> 00:27:00.060 and how anyone who looks to the work of the Savior 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:02.740 who came and lived in our place 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.759 and died in our place 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:07.320 and rose to offer eternal life 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:09.039 to any who don't work for it 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:10.200 to simply believe. 00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:13.240 That's how anyone is saved. 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:15.159 And she said, I've never heard that before. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.339 Now, I know she'd heard it before. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:25.039 She sat under my teaching for about a year. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.059 I know she'd heard it, 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:28.019 but she hadn't heard it 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.779 until that moment 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.960 when for the first time 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:34.079 God opened up her ears 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.399 and her eyes 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:37.799 to perceive the truth of the gospel 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.899 and to believe it 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:40.639 with all of her heart and soul 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:41.679 for the first time. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.559 She left that room, 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.220 that moment, 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.059 justified. 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:49.059 This is the work of God. 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.720 The work of God 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:55.079 to draw sinners to faith in Christ 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.659 by opening their eyes 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:58.720 to see the glory of Christ 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.279 in the gospel. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.059 You know, here's the thing, church. 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:06.399 We don't know 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.679 who God will draw. 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:12.119 God alone knows 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:14.720 who He will effectively draw 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.339 to be His own in time. 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.319 God alone knows 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:20.839 who He will draw to Christ effectively. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.460 This is not ours to know. 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.599 God alone knows 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.679 whom He's given to Christ 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:25.740 in eternity past 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:28.220 and He will draw them in time. 00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:30.159 We have the privilege 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:33.420 of seeing in real time 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.960 the unfolding 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.860 of the eternal plan of God. 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:40.060 And not just seeing it passively, 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.680 but church, 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.779 we have the privilege 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:45.259 of being actively used by God 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:47.120 to bring salvation 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.600 to the lost 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:50.000 as we proclaim 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.400 the message 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.740 of the gospel. 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.140 We have the joy 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.259 of proclaiming 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.160 our third point 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.960 this morning. 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.579 third and final point. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.740 That salvation 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:03.420 is made available 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.360 to all 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.680 right now 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.299 in the gospel. 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.440 Salvation 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:11.200 is made available 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.519 to all 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.160 in the gospel 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.539 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:18.259 If you're here 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.859 this morning 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.879 and you're not a believer, 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.480 first I just want to say 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.359 I'm thrilled 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.019 that you're here. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.240 We welcome you 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.899 to be here. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.799 I hope that you are 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.039 hearing truth 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.859 for the first time. 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.720 I'm glad that you're 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.759 sitting under the word 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.259 this morning. 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.180 You may be wondering 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.759 what in the world 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.639 we're talking about 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.500 when we talk so much 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.299 about the gospel. 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.119 The gospel 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.519 is the good news 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.960 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.839 And we believe 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.879 that if sinners 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.620 like me 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.860 and like you 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.700 if sinners like us 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.620 are ever going 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.900 to know God 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.420 it is only 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.580 through faith 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:53.160 in Jesus Christ. 00:29:54.020 --> 00:29:54.520 This is what 00:29:54.520 --> 00:29:55.580 Jesus tells us 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.460 here in verse 46. 00:29:56.760 --> 00:29:57.080 He says 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:58.040 no one has ever 00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:59.120 seen the Father 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.540 except he who is 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.660 from God. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.020 He has seen 00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:03.520 the Father. 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.820 So how can anyone 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.660 know the Father? 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.900 Well they must 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:08.440 look to Christ. 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.840 No one has ever 00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.620 seen God. 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.400 The only God 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.420 who is at the Father's 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:13.680 side 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.560 he has made 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:15.680 him known. 00:30:15.800 --> 00:30:16.259 If we want to know 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.320 what God is like 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:18.700 we have to look 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.300 to Jesus. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.080 If we want to know 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:20.680 what it's like 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.519 to be made right 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.180 with God 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.120 we have to listen 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.900 and come 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.060 to Jesus. 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.640 And he tells us 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.840 when we look 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:28.440 at Christ 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.640 with eyes of faith 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.040 look again 00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:30.560 to what he holds 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.200 out for us 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.180 here in verse 47. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.220 Jesus says 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.120 truly truly 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:36.080 I say to you 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.540 whoever 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:38.019 believes 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:39.480 has eternal 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.259 life. 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.319 life. 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.019 This is the 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.759 free 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:47.599 and broad 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.420 invitation 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.680 of the gospel. 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.240 Not by our 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.640 working 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.379 not by our 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.720 doing 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.359 not by our 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:54.859 knowing 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.500 not by our 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.700 believing 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.319 anything 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.000 other than 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.460 believing 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.079 and trusting 00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.759 by faith 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.500 that Christ 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.680 is enough. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.220 Whoever 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:04.339 believes 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.599 has eternal 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.579 life. 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.960 And this 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.399 life is 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:08.919 available 00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:09.699 to you 00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:10.240 right 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.000 now. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.299 If you 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.679 would simply 00:31:12.679 --> 00:31:13.159 come 00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:14.000 by faith. 00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:16.000 We often 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.619 read the words 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.099 of Isaiah 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.879 55. 00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:18.460 We read them 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:18.939 last week. 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.599 I'm going to 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.019 read them 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.359 again. 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.579 He invites us 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.559 come everyone 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.619 who thirsts 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.339 come to the 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.799 waters. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.339 He who has 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:26.859 no money 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.359 come 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.099 buy and 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.359 eat 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.939 come by 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:29.379 wine 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.899 and milk 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.480 without 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.000 money 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.619 without 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.319 price. 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:33.679 Why do 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:34.099 you spend 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.519 your money 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.899 for that 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.220 which is 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.619 not 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.379 bread 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.119 and your 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:37.419 labor 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:37.819 for that 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.219 which does 00:31:38.219 --> 00:31:38.559 not 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.239 satisfy. 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.459 Listen 00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:40.979 diligently 00:31:40.979 --> 00:31:41.739 to me 00:31:41.739 --> 00:31:42.279 and eat 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.739 what is 00:31:42.739 --> 00:31:43.199 good 00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:44.159 and delight 00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.839 yourselves 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.359 in rich 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:45.799 food. 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.699 Incline 00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.139 your ear 00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:47.500 and come 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:47.879 to me 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.299 here 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.119 that your 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.479 soul 00:31:49.479 --> 00:31:50.319 may live. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.399 How often 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.979 do we 00:31:55.979 --> 00:31:56.639 ignore 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:58.219 the feast 00:31:58.219 --> 00:31:59.819 that Christ 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.879 offers us 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.239 in the 00:32:02.239 --> 00:32:02.679 gospel? 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:05.199 This is an 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.759 invitation 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.240 to stop 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.799 eating 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.380 not 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.039 bread 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.259 and to 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.580 stop 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:10.860 eating 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.120 that 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.319 which 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.559 does 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.039 not 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.900 satisfy 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:14.019 and to 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.240 stop 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.720 living 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.299 for that 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.480 which 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:15.640 will 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.140 never 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:16.799 fulfill 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.059 the 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.460 deepest 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.059 desires 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.460 of your 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.000 soul 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.920 and to 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.519 come 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.900 and partake 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.799 of that 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.380 which will 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.019 satisfy 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.880 your soul 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.700 forever. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.240 Do you 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.460 see the 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.200 contrast that 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.740 Jesus makes 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.019 here in 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.580 verse 49? 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:32.960 God 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.319 did 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.019 something 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.740 miraculous 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.259 there in 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:35.639 the wilderness 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.339 for Israel. 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.399 He rained 00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:38.259 down bread 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.000 from heaven. 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.639 Life-giving 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.359 sustaining 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:41.759 bread. 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.319 He fed 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.799 the Israelites 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.240 there for 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.980 40 years 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.359 with this 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:44.819 miraculous 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.299 provision 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:45.839 of God 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.899 but it 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.359 was 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.099 temporary. 00:32:49.699 --> 00:32:50.059 It was 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.480 a miracle 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.379 but it 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.179 had an 00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:52.740 expiration. 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:54.480 They ate 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:54.579 it. 00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:54.859 They were 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.259 filled. 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:55.659 They got 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:55.859 up. 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.139 They did 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.579 it again 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.059 over and 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.419 over and 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:57.839 over again 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.279 for 40 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.819 years and 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.099 then the 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.759 bread was 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.279 no more 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.779 and then 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.980 they died. 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:03.720 Jesus 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.379 says this 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:04.839 bread, 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.539 this bread 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.099 that comes 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.059 down from 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.460 heaven, 00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.279 comes down 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.899 to feed 00:33:09.899 --> 00:33:11.000 you forever 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.319 and if 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:12.899 anyone eats 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.240 of this 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.599 bread, 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.039 he will 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.599 live 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.460 forever. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.439 This bread 00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:16.899 is offered 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.619 freely to 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.399 any who 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.980 would come 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.799 and eat. 00:33:19.919 --> 00:33:20.159 Eternal 00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:21.460 life is 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.240 available to 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.480 any who 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.059 would come. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:25.839 And what 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.179 is this 00:33:26.179 --> 00:33:26.439 bread? 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.399 The bread 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.700 that I 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.159 will give 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.500 for the 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:30.960 life of 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.419 the world 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:31.919 is my 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:32.439 flesh. 00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:35.339 This is 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.859 an incredible 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:39.079 promise at 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.019 an incredible 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.139 price. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.200 The body 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.299 and blood 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.679 of Jesus 00:33:45.679 --> 00:33:47.460 broken and 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.799 shed for 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.079 you. 00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.599 Do you 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.039 believe it? 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.599 Are you 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.879 feasting by 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:58.079 faith right 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.240 now in 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.779 what Jesus 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.839 Christ offers 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.799 you in 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.139 the hope 00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:02.399 of the 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:02.779 gospel? 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:04.859 And if 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.319 you are, 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.799 are you 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.599 bringing this 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.400 bread to 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:10.159 others that 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:10.860 they might 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.579 hear and 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:12.980 believe? 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.199 John 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.639 Wesley, 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.719 by the 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.079 grace of 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.340 God, 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:18.739 eventually 00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.360 came to 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.679 know the 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.000 Lord. 00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:22.239 And 285 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.759 years ago, 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.239 actually, 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:24.059 as of last 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.420 Wednesday, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.679 he wrote in 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.159 his journal, 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:28.460 the date, 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.039 Wednesday, 00:34:29.359 --> 00:34:30.420 May 24th, 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.559 1738. 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.639 It was about 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.420 five o'clock in 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:33.899 the morning that 00:34:33.899 --> 00:34:34.539 I opened my 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.299 testament upon 00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:36.019 these words. 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.420 There are 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.179 given to us 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.960 great and 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.639 exceeding 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.199 promises, 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:40.839 even that 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:41.839 ye should be 00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:42.619 partakers of 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.079 the divine 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.539 nature. 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.219 Just as I 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.559 went out, 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.139 I opened it 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:46.960 again upon 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.639 these words, 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:48.519 thou art not 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.440 far from the 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.079 kingdom of 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:50.480 God. 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.079 In the 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.440 afternoon, 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.139 I was asked 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:53.599 to go to 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:53.759 St. 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:54.299 Paul's. 00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:54.759 The anthem 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:55.179 was, 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.779 Out of 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:56.159 the deep 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.460 have I 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:56.980 called unto 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.219 thee, 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:57.659 O Lord, 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.059 hear my 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.500 voice. 00:34:59.259 --> 00:34:59.559 In the 00:34:59.559 --> 00:34:59.819 evening, 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.239 I went 00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:01.559 very unwillingly 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:01.859 to a 00:35:01.859 --> 00:35:02.619 society on 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.379 Outersgate 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:03.839 Street, 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:04.579 where one 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:04.980 was reading 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.480 Luther's 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.139 preface to 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.659 the epistle 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.299 to the 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.679 Romans. 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.399 About a 00:35:09.399 --> 00:35:09.879 quarter before 00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:10.259 nine, 00:35:10.319 --> 00:35:10.799 while he was 00:35:10.799 --> 00:35:12.039 describing the 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:13.179 change whereby 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:14.619 God works on 00:35:14.619 --> 00:35:15.179 the heart 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:16.079 through faith 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.919 in Christ, 00:35:17.819 --> 00:35:18.960 I felt my 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:20.019 heart strangely 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.539 warmed. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:22.559 I felt I 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.599 did trust in 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.480 Christ alone 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.500 for salvation. 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:26.659 And the 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.519 assurance was 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.239 given me that 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:29.179 he had taken 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.139 away my 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:30.860 sins, 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.159 even mine, 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.480 and he 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.539 saved me 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.279 from the 00:35:35.279 --> 00:35:35.900 law of 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.980 sin and 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.360 death. 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.920 Do you 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.400 have a story 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.980 like that? 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.320 In just a 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:44.579 moment, 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.239 you see here, 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.099 we are going 00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:46.779 to partake of 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.340 the Lord's 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.699 Supper. 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:49.659 we have the 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.399 body and 00:35:50.399 --> 00:35:50.919 the blood of 00:35:50.919 --> 00:35:51.980 Christ visibly 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:53.319 portrayed for 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:54.359 us here. 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:57.259 Believer, I 00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:58.039 want to invite 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:58.980 you right now 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.659 before we 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.699 prepare to 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:03.000 partake, to 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.819 pause and to 00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:05.439 reflect on the 00:36:05.439 --> 00:36:06.319 gift of God 00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:06.659 in your 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:07.159 salvation. 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:09.319 To praise 00:36:09.319 --> 00:36:11.299 God for what 00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:11.960 he's done in 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.879 giving Christ 00:36:12.879 --> 00:36:14.039 for you, 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:16.980 for drawing 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.299 you. 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:18.439 to know and 00:36:18.439 --> 00:36:18.679 to be 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.460 satisfied in 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:19.939 Christ. 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:21.879 Let's bow 00:36:21.879 --> 00:36:22.299 and pray. 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:31.019 Jesus, the 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.619 offer is set 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.399 before us. 00:36:34.859 --> 00:36:35.519 Come any 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:35.859 who are 00:36:35.859 --> 00:36:36.219 hungry, 00:36:37.359 --> 00:36:37.960 come any 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.299 who are 00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:38.719 thirsty, 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.119 and find 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.960 true life 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.759 in you. 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.679 We thank 00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.319 you, Lord, 00:36:44.439 --> 00:36:44.739 for the 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.359 gospel, the 00:36:45.359 --> 00:36:45.799 good news 00:36:45.799 --> 00:36:46.559 that you 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:46.919 have come 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.440 down from 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:47.980 heaven to 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.740 give eternal 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.340 life to 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.700 any who 00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:50.039 look to 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.320 you in 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:50.680 faith. 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.380 We pray, 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.180 God, for 00:36:53.180 --> 00:36:54.659 strength and 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:55.320 encouragement, 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.200 for assurance 00:36:56.200 --> 00:36:56.840 and confidence 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.260 for the 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:57.579 believer. 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.159 We pray for 00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:00.039 conviction and 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:01.059 for drawing for 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.740 the non-believer 00:37:01.740 --> 00:37:02.340 this morning. 00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:03.940 We love you, 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:05.000 and we pray all 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.659 this in Christ's 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:05.820 name. 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:07.059 Amen. 00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.200 Amen. 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:07.240 Amen. 00:37:07.240 --> 00:37:07.260 Amen. 00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:07.280 Amen. 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:07.300 Amen. 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:07.320 Amen. 00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:09.300 Amen. 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:09.320 Amen. 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:09.340 Amen. 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.380 Amen. 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:09.420 Amen. 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:11.380 Amen. 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:11.420 Amen. 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:11.440 Amen. 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:11.940 Amen. 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.380 Amen. 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.380 Amen. 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:13.420 Amen. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:13.440 Amen. 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.980 Amen. 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.019 Amen. 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.059 Amen.