WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:04.139 Thanks, Samuel. Let's pray together, will we, as we come to God's living word this morning. 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:10.660 Heavenly Father, we pray that you would help us, Lord, from time in your living word, 00:00:11.099 --> 00:00:16.179 to leave here with a bigger appreciation of who you are and what you've done for us, Lord. 00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:22.120 Father, we recognize that we come in here today distracted and burdened by many things. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:29.120 And so we come to the one who said, come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.260 And I will give you rest. 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:35.760 So Lord, we come to you this morning desperate for that soul rest. 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:39.200 Lord, lift our eyes to the greatness of Jesus, we pray. 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:42.820 In his precious name we ask. Amen. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:56.420 The older I get, the more sure I am that the real world is even more magical than those imaginary ones. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:59.399 It's one of the reasons I believe in Jesus. 00:01:00.300 --> 00:01:04.359 The voice inside me sings a different song. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:12.439 And I hope just the journey that we take today maybe helps us understand what Rebecca McLaughlin is talking about 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:17.680 when she says the song inside her that sings a different song. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:19.799 You see, here's what I love about Jesus. 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:28.539 Jesus helps me understand the difference between joy and happiness. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:33.679 Happiness, that feeling that's based on my circumstances. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:39.599 Happiness, that feeling that will go up and down with the changing sands of my life. 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:42.939 And yet joy, joy is something completely different. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:50.239 Joy is a state of contentment that's not based on my circumstances. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:57.159 That's based on something completely outside of me that gives me life and joy. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:00.780 And it's something that will be permanently in place in my heart. 00:02:00.899 --> 00:02:02.619 Something that no one can take away. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:07.780 And I wonder if you pine for joy this morning in your life. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:12.620 Let me just give you a wee example of what I mean by that. 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:16.319 We go chasing joy in all sorts of places and yet it seems to elude us. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:22.540 Here is arguably the most celebrated and successful Olympic swimmer that the UK has ever produced. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:24.400 His name is Adam Peaty. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:28.960 He won gold for Team GB at Rio 2016. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:32.520 He went one benter at Tokyo 2020. 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:34.219 He won two gold medals. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:45.000 And in a recent interview where he went really heart on sleeve about both his success and the struggles and the price that he paid to get it since then. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:47.080 This is what he said. 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:48.180 And I find this incredible. 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:51.980 He said an Olympic gold medal is the coldest thing you will ever wear. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.280 Take that in. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:56.460 The coldest thing you will ever wear. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:02:59.820 It feels so warm because you've achieved your goal. 00:03:00.820 --> 00:03:02.460 But at what cost? 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:04.860 Do you hear what he's saying? 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:09.439 He spent his whole life living for that moment. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:14.300 And when he finally got the thing that he wanted that his heart was pursuing. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:20.120 And he reflected in the days after about everything that he sacrificed in order to get it. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:23.640 And the elusive feeling that it brought him. 00:03:24.140 --> 00:03:27.719 He concludes that it wasn't worth it. 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:33.860 It's amazing that Adam Peaty, if you've been keeping up with the swimming news recently, you know he's back in the pool after a bit of absence. 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:35.800 And he's doing his thing again. 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:38.379 What's amazing is that this search led him to God. 00:03:38.480 --> 00:03:39.520 It's led him to church. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:41.700 Which is incredible when you think about it. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:48.219 But what he's saying, it's a real stone in the shoe of the message that the world gives to us every single day. 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:48.680 Doesn't it? 00:03:48.700 --> 00:03:49.460 You think about the army. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:50.660 What's the army's motto? 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:51.520 Be the best. 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:52.840 Be the best you. 00:03:53.820 --> 00:03:55.360 Let nothing hold you back. 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:57.860 You can do anything when you put your mind to it. 00:03:57.920 --> 00:03:59.780 Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:04.560 And that's a crushing pressure that we can live with day after day. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:11.280 Because we know that so many of the reasons that we don't achieve what we want to achieve, so many of them are out with our control. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:19.120 And yet if we live with this pressure on our shoulders, it's crushing when we don't achieve the things that we want to achieve. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:26.879 Here's a guy who lived the dream, who conquered the mountain, who got to the top and he said there ain't no gold at the end of the rainbow. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:31.779 And so the question is, where can we find joy in this life? 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:37.480 We chase joy in all sorts of places and yet it seems to elude us. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:49.100 What if there was a place where we could get deep joy that would both last and that whatever our life circumstances could never be snatched away from us? 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:55.560 And that's what makes what Jesus is talking about in this passage today so brilliant. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:58.100 He's talking about something deep. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:00.780 He's talking about something viscous. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:02.939 He's talking about something in thick. 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:05.579 He's talking about something permanent. 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:11.819 He's telling his disciples about a moment when, in verse 20 if you've got it there, 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:16.100 their sorrow will be turned to joy. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:23.980 And the thing about the kind of joy that Jesus is talking about that the moment that he's talking about will usher in, 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:31.400 verse 21, is that it's of the kind that will never, ever be taken away from him, them. 00:05:32.080 --> 00:05:34.640 No circumstance is going to rob them of it. 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:37.939 No person is going to steal it from them. 00:05:38.280 --> 00:05:43.460 The joy that he is speaking about here is going to have a force field around it in their hearts. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:53.919 In fact, I find it really interesting that the only metaphor that Jesus thinks will work on us to try and get us to grasp it is that of childbirth. 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:57.319 What a morning to have picked for that metaphor. 00:05:57.539 --> 00:05:59.199 Now, I know nothing of that pain. 00:05:59.659 --> 00:06:02.859 Husbands, if you get there, be sure to emphasize that point. 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:14.840 But I have witnessed the experience of the pain and the agony being almost in a moment swallowed up by and eclipsed by the joy of the arrival. 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:23.199 Jesus is talking about a timeline here when their sorrow will give way to permanent joy. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:27.259 He's talking about a timeline, but he's also talking about a process. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:29.420 There's a reason he's picked that metaphor. 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:37.079 Because the way that he wins this joy for his people is going to be through pain and suffering. 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:42.420 And I love that when you think about what Jesus is about to go through on the cross. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.379 I will come to this in a few moments time. 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:50.579 When you read it through this lens, that he goes there to glorify the Father. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:56.759 That he goes to the cross to accomplish the mission since before the foundation of the earth. 00:06:56.919 --> 00:07:04.099 To rescue sinners from their sin and from death and from hell and give them to the Father. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:07.599 And he also goes there, if you think about it like this. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.579 He goes there, he battles. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:15.839 He does an arm wrestle with death and sin so that what? 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:18.579 So that I can know this joy. 00:07:19.239 --> 00:07:21.060 And that you can know this joy. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:25.000 And that this joy will never be taken away from us. 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:31.739 The joy that is knowing the wondrous relationship that is the Father, the Son and the Spirit. 00:07:32.859 --> 00:07:34.639 He goes there for our joy. 00:07:36.359 --> 00:07:40.739 And this moment that Jesus is talking about here will usher in three words for the Christian. 00:07:40.739 --> 00:07:45.179 And just take them in and let these be a salve for your soul today. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:50.100 Verse 27, he's talking about joy. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:54.439 Verse 33, he's talking about love. 00:07:56.139 --> 00:07:57.980 And he's talking about peace. 00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:03.899 Now in our world where we face a hopelessness epidemic, 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:11.620 I can't think of three words that our souls need to hear more than the three words that Jesus talks about here. 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:17.819 So what is this moment that he's talking about that will usher in this kind of lasting joy? 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:23.459 And it's really important that we get this right because I think for years I read this passage really wrong. 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:30.699 Because I assumed that the moment that Jesus is talking about here was the day when he returns at the end of the age. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:36.860 So these things would be mine, but not now, but then. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.860 And that changes how you view this life, doesn't it? 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:43.259 And the journey that is the Christian life. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:48.899 And you can understand how you can so easily slip into a stoic-shaped Christian life. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:55.100 That it's really just about gritting your teeth and bearing in the moment until you get to the end. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.919 Or as you've maybe heard it put, suffering now, glory later. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.439 And of course there's truth to that. 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:07.959 And we want to guard against the other extreme that says follow Jesus and everything will be great for you in this life. 00:09:08.079 --> 00:09:10.759 Everything's going to go marvelously, wonderfully. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:13.960 That is known as the prosperity gospel. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:17.899 No, health and wealth isn't the gospel. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:21.460 But neither is pie in the sky when you die. 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:25.460 Understanding the moment that Jesus is talking about here is crucial. 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:29.740 And the context is the clue to what's going on here. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.980 Here is Jesus speaking to his disciples. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:34.899 Remember the timeline. 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:37.899 He's speaking to them on the Thursday. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:42.439 And he's been telling his disciples that he's about to leave them. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:45.279 If you want to glance your eye to verse 16. 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:48.379 He's saying to them a little while and you will see me no longer. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:51.620 But after a little while you will see me again. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:57.399 Because Thursday will soon turn into Friday. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:02.240 When things will escalate very, very quickly. 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:03.899 Jesus will be arrested. 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:05.720 He will be tried. 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:06.860 He will be condemned. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.919 He will be crucified. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:11.080 And he will have his body laid in a tomb. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:15.139 And on the Friday the disciples having scattered. 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:20.279 Will find themselves in utter emotional turmoil. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:23.060 Because as the world rejoices. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:24.259 As you see it there. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:27.180 The world as they know it. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:30.259 Will have spun completely out of control. 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.159 They will think to themselves. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:34.240 Has God let go of the steering wheel? 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.399 They will think to themselves. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.700 All hope is gone. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:38.220 They will think to themselves. 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.659 We are now the laughing stock of the world. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:43.560 Because we pinned our hopes on this man. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.820 And what he said was true. 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:49.100 And Friday will soon turn to Saturday. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.299 They will be bleak. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:52.820 They will be utterly disillusioned. 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:55.360 I just don't think we can get our heads around. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:58.759 The depths to which the disciples must have sunk. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.580 On those few days. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:02.399 Can we trust anything? 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.960 Can we trust anyone anymore? 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:06.340 What are we going to do? 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:10.899 But Saturday will soon turn to Sunday. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.600 The day of Jesus' resurrection. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:16.840 The day when he walks out of the tomb. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:21.420 In his glorious new resurrection body. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:24.420 And he will greet his disciples again. 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:26.740 On the other side of the grave. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.399 That's the day that Jesus is talking about here. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:34.460 When the light will dawn on a new day. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:38.080 And not just on a new day. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:42.639 But when the light will dawn on an entire new possibility. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:47.899 And that's the day when their sorrow will turn to joy. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:50.600 Now before we get to the how. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.259 We need to understand the why. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.179 You know I remember. 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:56.759 I remember somebody telling me this years ago. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:00.840 And I just found it so helpful for understanding the resurrection. 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:03.019 Jesus walking out of the tomb. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:05.980 Is just like the receipt that you'd get. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:09.679 Having paid by card for something at a card machine. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.340 Right? 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.200 You go to a restaurant. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.059 You pay at the end. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:12.819 You scan your card. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:13.899 You wait for five seconds. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:16.319 And then you get the receipt. 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.979 And what does the receipt tell you? 00:12:18.979 --> 00:12:20.899 The receipt tells you. 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:23.599 That the price has been paid. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:26.699 That's what Sunday is. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.239 The price has been paid. 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:35.519 Because Jesus' life really was the perfect one of worship to God. 00:12:35.599 --> 00:12:37.579 The Bible's word for that is righteousness. 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.420 The one that we should have lived. 00:12:38.420 --> 00:12:40.620 The one that we should have lived. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.120 But the one that we couldn't live. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:46.340 And Jesus' death really was the perfect one. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.320 That we deserve to die. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.600 But we didn't. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:53.019 So the act of him walking out of that tomb. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:55.860 Is not some kind of neat trick. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:13:01.319 It is one that says that your life is totally secured. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.620 And your future is completely sealed. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:10.560 Because it finds its home in the heart of this conquering Christ. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:14.039 And that means that as hard as it gets. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:16.579 And he's talking in the context here, isn't he? 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:19.299 About suffering and persecution that will come our way. 00:13:19.459 --> 00:13:21.079 Because we follow this man. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.819 As hard as it gets. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:28.500 The risen Jesus is the untouchable source of the Christian's joy. 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:33.699 Remember we talked about the twin tracks of the Christian life. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.719 That we will experience here and now. 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:39.040 We will experience suffering for Jesus. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:45.700 The stick that we will take for associating us with him. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.519 But running alongside that. 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.600 Right alongside it. 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:52.060 Is the joy that comes with knowing Jesus. 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:55.019 Suffering and joy. 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:57.940 And if that's the why. 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.980 Here's the how. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:03.700 You see Sunday is the day that says to the believer. 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:06.200 Right now you can come to this God. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.580 Not in fear. 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.220 Not casually. 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:12.500 But boy can you now come confidently. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.660 Because of what I've done. 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.200 Because of Sunday. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.500 The God of the universe. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.240 You will be able to address him. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.920 And both know him. 00:14:22.300 --> 00:14:23.940 And be known by him. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:26.040 In the most intimate of ways. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.560 That were just not possible before. 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:30.080 And that's what Jesus means. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.720 When he speaks about the father. 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.700 At verse 23. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.480 Do you see it? 00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:37.040 You see at the heart of the Christian faith. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:40.840 Is a relationship with the triune God who made us. 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:44.420 Life with the father. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.780 The son. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.440 And the spirit. 00:14:49.900 --> 00:14:51.920 And so here's two wonderful things. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.820 About this father. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.660 Really quickly. 00:14:54.780 --> 00:14:55.600 Here's the first one. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.060 That we will have his ear. 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:58.860 Do you see that? 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.720 Verse 23. 00:15:00.520 --> 00:15:01.640 We will have his ear. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.899 This will not be like the experience. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:07.279 Of ringing a call center. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:09.439 And of being told that you're back of the queue. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.279 They put you on. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.240 The backing track. 00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:13.240 With the noise. 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.120 There. 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.819 And the voice that says. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.639 Your call is really important to us. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.419 And you think really? 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:21.000 Jesus is saying. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.079 Because of my work. 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:23.399 Because of what I've done. 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:26.259 You have now got the father on speed dial. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:29.139 You have got his ear. 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.139 Isn't it just amazing? 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:33.299 If you think about what prayer is. 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:36.199 That we now have as children of God. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:38.259 We now have an audience with the king of kings. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:41.299 That's what prayer is. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:44.939 It is a new privilege that the disciples have never known before. 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:48.559 That they can address this God as father. 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.000 And when we pray. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:53.000 And I take it that's what Jesus is talking about here. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.539 We can trust that our father. 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:58.960 He wants us to come to him with all our burdens and worries and requests. 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:02.879 He wants us to come to him with the people on his heart. 00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:04.540 On our heart. 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:08.080 He wants us to come to him with all the things that are bothering us. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:12.360 And trust that he will answer us in his perfect knowledge. 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:16.019 According to what he knows we perfectly need. 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.600 And that's why if you're wondering. 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:21.780 This is why we say in Jesus name at the end of our prayer. 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:23.759 It's taken straight from here. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:27.300 The Christian can pray at the end of our prayers. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:29.240 In Jesus name. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.319 When we say that. 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:34.019 It is not some spiritual abracadabra. 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:37.539 That is not the divine way of saying open sesame. 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.359 Heavenly father. 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:42.759 I approach you reverently. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.939 Yet confidently. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.779 Because I pray in and through the name of Jesus. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.379 You will have his ear. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.599 And secondly real quick. 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.559 You'll know his love. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:57.279 Verse 27. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.239 The father. 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.219 Loves us. 00:17:01.119 --> 00:17:02.619 We have this father. 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.379 Full heart. 00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:06.399 Why? 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:09.539 Because of our love for his son. 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:12.500 Our desire to want to obey him. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.519 Draws out. 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.240 The father's heart. 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:19.339 So Jesus walking out of that tomb on this day. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:23.019 As he tells his disciples it on the Thursday. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.880 And it's always wonderful isn't it? 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:27.180 When people tell us what's going to happen before it happens. 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:29.579 And I take it it means that in the days to come. 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:34.079 As the world gets turned upside down. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:37.200 That they will understand when they come to the other side of it. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.359 What Jesus is talking about. 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.480 Here is one who is in complete control. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:43.500 But before the event happens. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.620 Here he is saying. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.480 That me walking out of that tomb. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.720 Is going to be your untouchable source. 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:50.880 Of joy. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.420 You know just as we work to a close. 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:57.079 Maybe try and bring this home a little bit. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:01.259 And to draw attention to the very last words of chapter 16. 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.099 If you have them there. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.259 Can I just tell you about the football team I support? 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:09.680 So we were on telly a few weeks ago. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.440 In the semi-final of the cup. 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.339 On BBC Alba. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.740 It's when you know you've made it. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.180 Isn't it? 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.519 In a foreign tongue. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:22.779 And after 10 years of dross. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.140 Watching our football team. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.819 All of a sudden we make it to the final. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.359 And here is. 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:33.099 The words that went around our family WhatsApp group. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.839 Really simply. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.539 Two words. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.500 We won. 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.859 We won. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:43.379 Which is the strangest phrase when you think about it. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.500 Because here's a question for you. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:49.079 What did I contribute to that victory? 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.460 Didn't even go. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.359 I sat there. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.819 From the comfort of my living room on. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.640 A cup of decaf coffee in my hand. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:00.119 And a warm fire on the go. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.119 And yet. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.319 We won. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:06.220 Their victory is my victory. 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.240 I did nothing. 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:10.119 I did absolutely nothing. 00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:11.579 To contribute to that win. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.240 And yet. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.919 That win is my win. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.699 And so when Jesus says. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.599 The very last words of chapter 16. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.439 Take heart. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.419 You think to yourself. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:22.839 Why? 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:28.399 Why should I take heart in this world that seems so scary and the future so unknown? 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.319 Why should I take heart? 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:33.199 Because I have overcome the world, Jesus says. 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:35.659 Notice he doesn't say two things. 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.619 Notice he doesn't say I've overcome the world. 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:39.079 So now it's over to you. 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.799 To do your bit. 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:43.019 Because you could easily read that and think. 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.379 Well that's great for you, Jesus. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.579 That you've overcome the world. 00:19:45.679 --> 00:19:47.779 I couldn't even overcome yesterday. 00:19:48.219 --> 00:19:49.079 Let alone today. 00:19:49.239 --> 00:19:50.059 Let alone the future. 00:19:51.459 --> 00:19:53.500 He doesn't say it's over to you now. 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:56.259 Neither does he say you've overcome the world. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:58.059 Because I know my life. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.839 I know the unimpressive nature of it. 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:01.019 I've overcome nothing. 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.579 He says. 00:20:02.899 --> 00:20:04.359 I have overcome the world. 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.839 And that's exactly what he means. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.799 This victory that I'm going to win. 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.720 Is your victory. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.879 Is your victory. 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:16.179 And so here's the invitation this passage makes to us. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:20.179 Is to come and see the source of the Christian's joy. 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:24.699 Two things just as we close really quickly. 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.359 One was a confession of mine. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:30.899 And one is that I was greatly convicted in studying this passage. 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:33.820 That I so often let my circumstances. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.820 Cloud my understanding of joy. 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.540 And this is an invitation. 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:42.200 To come and see and remind ourselves. 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:43.900 Where true joy is to be found. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.340 And it's to be found in this man. 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.540 Jesus. 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.220 And in light of that. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.300 Here's the second word. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.560 It's journey. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:56.119 Just as we work our way up to Easter. 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:58.740 The invitation is to come. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.200 And this is. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:02.179 Presumably this is why John tells us this. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:05.319 So that we can journey over the next couple of chapters. 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.960 To Easter Sunday. 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:10.639 And understand what Jesus is talking about here. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:13.440 What are you doing to prepare your heart. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:15.019 As we build up to Easter. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.139 Can I just. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:19.119 Just flag another book that we've got going at the minute. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.619 This is a great way to do this. 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:23.799 This is just a set of devotions that will take you up to Easter Sunday. 00:21:24.199 --> 00:21:25.959 Through this gospel of John. 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:29.119 And it's a wonderful way of reminding yourself. 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.279 Who this Jesus is. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.419 And what he's done for us. 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.439 So please grab that if you go. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:33.959 Remember it's just. 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.539 It's a. 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.439 Free to take. 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.419 A pound it cost us to buy it. 00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:39.500 If you can give more than that. 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:41.299 You can donate the car machine. 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.099 And give one away. 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.679 But why don't as a church. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.699 We just enter this story again. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:49.039 And bring us to that place of understanding. 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.000 Where true joy. 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.919 Is to be found. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.019 Here's Glenn Scrivener. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.979 Just as we close. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:58.619 There is a hero who redeems through sacrifice. 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:01.119 Who trades it all for love. 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:02.919 Who slays the dragon of death. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:05.339 Who turns all things to happily ever after. 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.659 For Christians. 00:22:07.739 --> 00:22:10.199 These things are not merely matters of hope. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.439 They are matters of history. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:16.080 So why don't we pray. 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.360 And. 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.039 I'm just going to pray. 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:21.059 That we would understand. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:23.720 Who this Jesus is more this morning. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:32.079 The words of Isaiah 25. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:34.759 On this mountain. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.759 The Lord of hosts. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.359 Will make for all peoples. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.539 A feast of rich food. 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:42.119 A feast of well aged wine. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.740 A rich food. 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.599 Full of marrow. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.639 Of aged wine. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.419 Well refined. 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:49.559 He will swallow up on this mountain. 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:51.899 The covering that is cast over all peoples. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:55.339 The veil that is spread over all nations. 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:58.679 He will swallow up death forever. 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:03.299 And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:06.099 And the reproach of his people. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:09.079 He will take away from all the earth. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.799 For the Lord. 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.519 Has spoken. 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:14.500 And so Lord. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.980 It's our prayer as we think about those words of Isaiah. 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.720 As he looked forward. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.439 In his generation. 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:22.359 To the day. 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:25.059 When death and sin would be reversed. 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:29.699 Father I pray that you would help us to be those who wait for you. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:32.859 That you would help us to be those who are glad. 00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:34.019 And rejoice. 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:36.679 In the salvation that you've won for us. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:39.419 So Lord I just pray particularly for those who are here this morning. 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:41.659 Who maybe don't know this Jesus for themselves. 00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:44.139 Lord I pray that your spirit. 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.799 As we thought about last week. 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.980 Would convict us. 00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:49.339 Of sin and of righteousness. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.240 Lord that we would see. 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.639 And have our eyes open to see. 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:54.759 That there's no one who compares with him. 00:23:55.939 --> 00:24:00.559 And so Father I pray that as we continue to journey towards Easter as a church. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:03.859 Lord that you would fire our hearts. 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:07.019 You would stoke the fires of the affections. 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:11.500 And Lord that we would leave with a greater love for Jesus. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:14.299 That that would grow inside of us. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.599 And so Father be with us. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:18.099 As we finish our time together. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:21.359 Help fix the eyes of our hearts as we were singing earlier. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.660 On him. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:25.000 And it's in his name that we pray. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.279 Amen.