WEBVTT 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:10.919 Amen. Well, it is a joy to open up God's Word with you this morning as we begin a new series in the Gospel of John. 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:16.300 And I hope that many of you grabbed one of those scripture journals on your way in. That's not just for today. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:20.740 Lord willing, we're going to walk through this entire gospel together over the coming months. 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:27.519 And our hope is that you will fill those things up with notes and observations and applications to your life 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:30.079 as we study this gospel together. 00:00:30.219 --> 00:00:35.100 So let's open up our Bibles now to the book of John. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:39.640 The book of John. If you are using the Bible in the pew back in front of you, 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:43.140 if you didn't bring your own Bible, there's a Bible under your seat. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:48.439 And you can find this passage on page 833 of that Bible there. 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:51.840 We always tell everyone who comes that you're going to need your Bible open. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:54.840 We're going to be talking from the Word of God this morning. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:57.260 So have your Bibles open to page 833. 00:00:57.880 --> 00:01:03.200 And we'll begin this morning with John chapter 1 verses 1 through 5. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:04.540 Follow with me as I read. 00:01:09.340 --> 00:01:12.240 In the beginning was the Word. 00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:15.740 And the Word was with God. 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:18.719 And the Word was God. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:21.980 He was in the beginning with God. 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:25.620 All things were made through Him. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:28.920 And without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:30.859 In Him was life. 00:01:30.960 --> 00:01:33.079 And the life was the light of men. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:35.540 The light shines in the darkness. 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:39.060 And the darkness has not overcome it. 00:01:39.240 --> 00:01:40.280 Would you please pray with me? 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:46.480 Lord, as we open up this gospel this morning, 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:47.640 as we open up Your Word, 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:51.719 we pray simply again that You would speak through the preaching of Your Word, 00:01:51.819 --> 00:01:55.099 that it would land on fertile soil this morning as we look to Christ. 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:57.000 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:01:58.200 Amen. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:03.719 Well, a proper introduction goes a long way. 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:07.579 I grew up just south of the city of Atlanta, Georgia. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:12.699 And so naturally, Chick-fil-A was just a normal part of life for us. 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:18.339 But in my hometown, we had the extra blessing of being able to be a part of some of Truett Cathy's 00:02:18.339 --> 00:02:21.019 additional unique food experiments. 00:02:21.739 --> 00:02:24.079 So there was, of course, Chick-fil-A's everywhere. 00:02:24.299 --> 00:02:26.859 But we also had the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. 00:02:27.359 --> 00:02:28.439 I don't know if you've ever heard of this. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:30.039 You can get a breakfast buffet. 00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:35.319 You can even order a hamburger or a steak, believe it or not, at the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:39.219 There was a restaurant called Truett's Luau. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:41.239 Only one in the entire world. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:44.439 Well, Truett's Luau, where you can go get Hawaiian-themed dishes. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:47.820 You can get waffle fries and fish tacos at Truett's Luau. 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:55.180 But I will never forget when Truett Cathy opened up his pizza restaurant in my hometown. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.620 It's called Upscale Pizza. 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:03.939 So just dream with me for a minute at the prospect of getting a pepperoni pizza with Chick-fil-A service 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:07.500 and then finishing it off with a Chick-fil-A milkshake. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:08.960 It was absolutely incredible. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:15.480 Well, I was going to meet some of my friends for the grand opening of Upscale Pizza, 00:03:15.640 --> 00:03:18.520 and it just so happened that I had had Chick-fil-A for lunch. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:24.360 And so I emptied the trash out from my car, gathered it up, walked up to the front door, 00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:26.680 threw my bag in the trash can. 00:03:27.140 --> 00:03:31.319 There was an elderly man there holding the door open for us as we went in, 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.519 and we locked eyes, and he complimented me on my trash. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:39.560 He said, a Chick-fil-A man. 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:41.579 I like to see that. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:43.879 And of course, I was polite enough. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.039 I thanked him for opening the door for me, but I didn't think much of it. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.579 Went inside, sat down, ordered my food. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:55.920 And it wasn't until after we finished, after we had sat for about an hour having a good time together, 00:03:55.920 --> 00:03:58.900 after the old man at the door had long gone, 00:03:59.160 --> 00:04:05.580 before the waitress came and cleared our table and asked us if we had had a chance to meet Mr. Truett Cathy. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:09.320 I said, no, I don't think so. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:11.319 Where was he? 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:19.240 And she said, well, he was at the door, holding the door open as new customers came into his new restaurant. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:22.620 And as you can imagine, my heart just sank. 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:26.379 I had passed right by him and not even noticed. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:31.519 The man who had perfected the chicken sandwich didn't invent it, only perfected it. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:34.219 He was a celebrity in my hometown. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:43.280 And at that moment, I just wished that someone would have given me a proper introduction. 00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:49.700 I wish that somebody, anybody would have prepared me beforehand, told me who he was, 00:04:49.760 --> 00:04:57.660 that someone would have prepared me for that encounter so that I could respond to him appropriately 00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:04.240 and give him the respect and the admiration and the gratitude that he deserved. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:09.760 Well, as we begin our time in the Gospel of John this morning, 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:13.600 the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:20.120 he wants to make sure that all of us are given a proper introduction to Jesus. 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:30.340 He doesn't want us to do as so many people do and just pass right by him without recognizing who he really is. 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:40.100 He wants us to know and to consider who Jesus is so that we might respond to him appropriately. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.600 In fact, that's exactly why he wrote this book. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:47.340 John tells us in chapter 20, verse 31 of the book of John. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:51.779 In chapter 20, verse 31, this is his purpose statement for the book. 00:05:51.859 --> 00:05:55.379 He says in chapter 20, verse 31, he's written this book, 00:05:55.579 --> 00:06:01.299 so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 00:06:01.739 --> 00:06:06.500 and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:10.539 See, he wants to introduce us this morning to Jesus. 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:16.079 And what we're going to see in verses 1 through 5 of this introduction this morning 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:20.060 is that Christ Jesus is before all. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:24.019 Christ is before all. 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:28.120 And because he is who he is, because he is before all, 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:31.199 we owe him everything. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:37.180 So what we're going to see this morning is three ways Christ is before all. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.339 If you're a note taker, we always encourage our people to take notes. 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:43.939 This helps us to follow along with the sermon this morning if you have a pen and paper. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:48.360 There are three ways that Christ is before all. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:53.300 First, you see, Christ is before all in time. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:57.160 He is before all in time. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:59.139 He's before all temporally. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:01.959 So there's four gospel accounts in the Bible. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:06.019 There's Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:09.120 And out of the four, John is the weird one. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.199 He's kind of the oddball. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:14.099 The first three, they call them the synoptic gospels. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:17.219 And that's because although they do have their own unique flavors, 00:07:17.219 --> 00:07:22.139 they often tell similar stories in similar order in similar ways. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:27.939 But then you get to this oddball John, and his gospel account is totally unique. 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:32.240 But his gospel is often called the spiritual gospel. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:37.519 Kent Hughes, he says that Matthew emphasizes his kingship. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:40.079 Mark emphasizes his servanthood. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.939 Luke emphasizes his manhood. 00:07:42.159 --> 00:07:46.759 And John emphasizes his godhood. 00:07:47.479 --> 00:07:53.359 And we see some of that spiritual bent to the gospel of John here in the beginning, 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:56.839 where Matthew and Luke both generally start with the birth of Christ. 00:07:57.599 --> 00:08:00.599 And Mark starts at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:06.240 John goes all the way back to the beginning of the beginning. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:12.720 And he says, as far back as you can imagine, as far back as we can trace the origin of all things, 00:08:12.960 --> 00:08:18.160 this person that I'm introducing you to here, he was there. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:27.180 So right off the bat, we're seeing that this man, Jesus, is not like anything else or anyone else in all of creation. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:29.980 He is before all of it. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.080 He is utterly unique. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:37.840 And he points us to that uniqueness of Jesus by calling him the Word. 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:40.540 Look there to verse 1 with me. 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:44.040 John says here in verse 1, he says, 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:47.460 In the beginning was the Word. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:54.820 John is cluing us in here to the identity, the unique identity of Jesus. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:56.580 He calls him the Word. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:09:00.020 What does this tell us about who Jesus is? 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:05.060 Well, the Word, we see here, does not have a beginning. 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:07.460 He was there in the beginning. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:10.500 He's not a part of creation. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:14.460 Verse 3 tells us everything that was made was made through him. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:17.020 He was there in the beginning. 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:19.940 And as you hear this, if you're familiar with the Bible, 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:25.900 your mind ought to immediately jump back to the beginning of the Bible in Genesis. 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:29.460 Genesis chapter 1, it starts the exact same way. 00:09:29.540 --> 00:09:30.900 If you're familiar with this, it says, 00:09:31.400 --> 00:09:36.380 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:39.940 And as the story goes on, we see that the way God creates all things, 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:43.160 it's not with tools or materials. 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:45.200 He creates all things. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.580 He says, how? 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:48.259 With his Word. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.660 That he speaks and it comes into existence. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:55.640 He says, let there be fish and animals and creeping things, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.560 and there they are. 00:09:57.420 --> 00:10:01.300 He says, let there be trees and flowers and plants and shrubs and bushes, 00:10:01.520 --> 00:10:02.759 and there they are. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:07.400 He created all things by his Word. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:12.379 The Word of God is his creative instrument. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:16.120 It's his vehicle for creating all things. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:20.519 And so John is intentionally drawing our minds there back to Genesis 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:25.959 to say that this Word, this life-giving Word of God has a name, 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:28.079 and his name is Jesus. 00:10:29.319 --> 00:10:31.399 All things were made through him. 00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:35.360 Isn't this what we saw last Sunday evening from the book of Colossians? 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:41.100 For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:45.960 visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:50.600 All things were created through him and for him. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:56.419 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:11:01.519 See, the eternal Word of God creates all things. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:03.360 He is before all things. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.279 But you know what else it does? 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:09.360 The Word of God also reveals. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:14.580 The Word of God creates, and the Word of God reveals. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:17.680 And really, this is how all words work, isn't it? 00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:24.240 When you and I speak in a very real way, we are communicating who we are. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:28.519 And so if you want to know what I think, what I feel, what I'm like, 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:32.799 if you want to know who I am, just spend some time listening to me speak, 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:36.000 listening to my words, and I'll tell you. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:39.720 And of course, you and I do this imperfectly. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:41.679 We often speak without thinking. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.740 We misspeak. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:48.860 We say things that we don't really mean, but not so with God. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:54.180 God's Word perfectly communicates God's heart. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.539 God does not misspeak. 00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:59.340 God's Word perfectly communicates God's will. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:02.860 God's Word perfectly communicates who God is. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:06.680 And ever since he spoke the world into existence, 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:11.940 God has been sending forth his Word from heaven down to earth 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:15.600 through prophets, through angels, through visions, 00:12:16.040 --> 00:12:19.700 through this inspired Word of God that we hold in our hands this morning 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.960 to communicate who he is. 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:25.760 But John says something unique here, doesn't he? 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:30.380 He says that this man, Jesus, 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:33.580 who I'm introducing you to this morning, 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:37.060 is the Word of God. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:41.540 In other words, he says that he has been with Jesus, 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:45.339 and he's convinced that this man is the perfect, 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:49.419 the ultimate communication of who God is. 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:52.919 Everything about him, not just what he says, 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:55.319 but who he is. 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:58.599 He is the eternal Word of God, 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:02.000 sent forth from heaven down to earth. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:06.919 And he and he alone perfectly communicates who God is 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:08.699 in a way that can be heard, yes, 00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:11.059 but now also seen. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:15.319 And touched and known and believed. 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:19.699 He's telling us the one who was before all in time, 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:24.039 stepped into time and into history, 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:29.959 the creator of all entered into creation to reveal God. 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:32.019 So if you want to know what God is like, 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:33.839 look to Jesus. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:37.379 You look to the Word. 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:40.259 The author of Hebrews, he says something similar. 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:43.320 We read this passage this morning in Hebrews chapter 1. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:43.700 He says, 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:46.220 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:48.879 God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:50.679 but in these last days, 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:53.779 he has spoken to us by his Son, 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:57.139 whom he appointed the heir of all things, 00:13:57.320 --> 00:14:00.179 through whom also he created the world. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:04.099 He is the radiance of the glory of God 00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:07.000 and the exact imprint of his nature. 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:12.279 And he upholds the universe by the Word of his power. 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:18.779 See, Jesus, John wants us to know he's unlike anyone you've ever met before. 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:22.360 This is the eternal Word of God. 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:24.559 When you trace all things back to their beginning, 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.100 Jesus was there. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.819 All things are from him, 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:31.620 so he deserves the credit and the glory. 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:35.220 When you wonder how all things got here, 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:37.519 it is through Jesus. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.740 All things were made through him, 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:42.500 so he deserves the wonder and the admiration 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:44.259 and the praise of your heart. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:47.600 When you wonder why all things exist, 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:50.620 it is all for Jesus. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:53.480 All things in heaven and on earth, 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:57.819 even you and me were made for him. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:00.519 So he deserves your entire self. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:03.299 For from him and through him and to him 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.919 are all things. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:08.340 To him be the glory forever. 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.319 But he's not just before all things in time. 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:14.820 Second, we see he is before all things in being. 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:20.900 He is before all things in being. 00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:22.060 Look there again to verse 1. 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.120 And brace yourself, 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.180 because this is going to get maybe a little confusing, 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.680 but we're going to do this together, I promise. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.560 Verse 1, John says, 00:15:29.760 --> 00:15:31.480 In the beginning was the Word, 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:34.200 and the Word was with God, 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.800 and the Word was God. 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:40.080 He was in the beginning with God. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.980 So we're talking about Jesus here. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.759 So John says, 00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:44.320 In the beginning was Jesus. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:46.160 Jesus was with God. 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:47.360 Jesus was God. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:50.060 Jesus was in the beginning with God. 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:53.480 Not only was Jesus before all things in time, 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:56.840 he is before all things in being. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:16:01.580 This passage is some of the richest language 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:04.660 that we have concerning what we call the Godhead, 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.220 the Trinity. 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:10.759 And it is also a theological minefield. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:14.980 And the early church often would go back 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:17.899 and refer to this passage over and over and over and over again 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:22.440 to refute several heretical teachings about who God is. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.100 We sing the song often, 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.440 Holy, Holy, Holy. 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.540 I know you know this song. 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:27.740 What does it say? 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.860 God in what? 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.700 God in three persons. 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.620 Blessed Trinity. 00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:35.600 That's correct theology. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.120 Not three gods, 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.860 one God. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:39.180 Not one person, 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.020 three persons. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.740 Not one God showing up in three different ways 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.680 at three different times 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:44.620 in three different modes. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.940 It's one holy God 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:49.520 in three distinct persons. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.379 God the Father, 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.840 God the Son, 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.580 God the Holy Spirit. 00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:57.259 And you may not think that this matters too much for you. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.080 Let me tell you something. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:01.020 This matters more than you can possibly imagine. 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:05.620 It matters how you think about God, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.860 how you think about the person of Jesus, 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:11.059 because right understanding of God 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.420 breeds right response to God. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:17.259 If we're going to rightly respond to who God is, 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:21.019 we have to understand correctly who he is. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.900 So John here, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.400 he says, 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.639 this Jesus, 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:25.379 who I'm introducing you to, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.400 is before all things 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:30.839 because he is before all things in being. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:34.639 He is God in the flesh. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:39.259 I see at least three essential facts 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.759 about the Trinity here 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:42.059 that we need to get. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:45.319 Three essential facts about the Trinity. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.400 From the beginning, 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:49.259 the Godhead has been clearly distinct, 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.900 perfectly one, 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:54.280 and happily together. 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.340 I'll say that again. 00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:58.000 From the very beginning, 00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:00.720 the Godhead has been clearly distinct, 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.540 perfectly one, 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:06.700 and happily together. 00:18:06.800 --> 00:18:08.320 All of this in just two verses 00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:11.340 packed into John's introduction here. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.800 We see the persons of the Godhead 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:15.660 are clearly distinct. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.340 What does he say? 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:18.000 In the beginning was the Word, 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:18.960 that's Jesus, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:22.000 and Jesus was with God. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:24.380 There are two distinct persons 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.700 represented here. 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:27.080 The Word, who is Jesus, 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.980 and God, 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:29.600 meaning God the Father. 00:18:29.800 --> 00:18:31.480 They are distinct. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.620 And so they do different things. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.700 God the Father did not come 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.500 into the world as a baby. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.360 Jesus did that. 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:43.100 God the Father did not die on the cross. 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.740 Jesus, the Son of God, 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.579 did that. 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:48.640 God the Father did not rise up from the grave. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.160 Jesus did that. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:53.519 So we see they are clearly distinct. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.859 But then he goes on to say 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:57.740 that they are perfectly one. 00:18:57.940 --> 00:19:01.920 And here's where our minds can't totally comprehend. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:05.460 The Word was God. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:08.960 God, they are distinct in person, 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:11.980 yet in some way that goes beyond our comprehension, 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:17.259 these distinct persons are perfectly one in essence. 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.180 And we need to try to track here 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.880 because John is telling us 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:25.700 what is probably the most important thing to know 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.840 about who Jesus is. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:29.900 That he's not just another teacher, 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:33.180 not just another religious figure, 00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:35.680 he's not just a good moral example, 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.580 he's not just another leader, 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.019 he's not just another prophet, 00:19:39.280 --> 00:19:41.680 he is God. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:45.940 I wonder if any of you have ever had a Jehovah's Witness 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:48.000 come knock on your door. 00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:52.860 Most normal people either politely tell them 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.600 they're not interested 00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:55.360 or pretend like they're not home. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.980 I am not a normal person. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.620 So I love when they come to my door 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:03.039 and it's my goal when they come knocking on my door 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:05.539 to show them what John is showing us 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.440 right here, 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.259 that Jesus, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.240 this man Jesus, 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.599 is God. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.900 The Jehovah's Witnesses, 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.220 of course, 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.900 they disagree strongly 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.519 with what I'm saying here. 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.339 They do not believe 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:19.660 that Jesus is equal with God the Father. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:22.420 They believe that God created Jesus. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:25.599 And so in their false translation of the Bible, 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.460 you can look this up, 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.500 they have a false translation 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:29.819 that throws everything off 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:31.500 with just one letter. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:35.240 Their version of John chapter 1, 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.319 it goes like this. 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:36.660 It says, 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:38.240 in the beginning was the Word, 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.740 the Word was with God, 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:45.100 and the Word was a God. 00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:47.080 You see the difference? 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:51.519 That one additional letter 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:55.920 is an eternity of difference. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:58.880 when I was in seminary, 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.580 we had to learn the basics 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:02.039 of biblical translation, 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:04.240 learn how to read and understand 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:06.060 and translate biblical Greek, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:08.360 and I knew just enough to be dangerous. 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:12.240 And in God's wise providence, 00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:13.840 we lived in an apartment complex 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:15.279 right next door 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.340 to the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:20.220 And as you can imagine, 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:22.319 they came knocking on our door, 00:21:22.459 --> 00:21:24.659 and immediately I sprung up off the couch 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.740 and ran to the door, 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.500 opened it up, 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.279 invite them in. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.679 Come on, 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.639 let's sit down and talk. 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.299 And they were excited, 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.639 surprised, 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.699 excited, 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.319 but not for long. 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:37.259 Because I was prepared 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:39.139 to show them 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:40.460 and to make this 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.419 the main piece 00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:42.279 of our conversation, 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.700 to not let them get around 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.439 this fact 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:47.099 that the Word was not a God, 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:49.319 the Word was God. 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:52.240 This is John's whole point here. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.000 If you miss this, 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:55.119 you miss the entire gospel. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.659 He doesn't just speak 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.679 the words of God. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.279 He doesn't just look like God. 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.839 He doesn't just sound like God. 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:03.359 He doesn't just remind us of God. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:05.839 He is God in the flesh. 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:07.139 And if He's not God, 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.679 take Him or leave Him. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.479 Who cares? 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:11.959 But if He is who John says He is, 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:13.599 we had better pay attention. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.959 And unless you know Him as He is, 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:21.299 and love Him as He is, 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:23.519 and trust Him as He is, 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:26.559 you cannot know God. 00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.939 John says in verse 18, 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:32.299 if you look down on your page, 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.039 no one has ever seen God, 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.399 but the only God 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:37.460 who is at the Father's side, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:40.859 He has made Him known. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.599 See, if this man, Jesus, 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:46.440 is just another teacher, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.700 we might listen to Him, 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:49.480 we might reject Him, 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.879 we might appreciate Him, 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.720 we might not. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.139 But if He is God, 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:57.620 we'd better pay attention. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.840 There's a third essential fact 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:04.020 about the Trinity that we see here, 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:06.300 and it's that from the beginning, 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:09.880 they have been happily together. 00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:13.480 Happily together. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.360 Twice here, 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.200 John tells us that Christ, 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:19.240 the Word was with God. 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:21.259 He was in the beginning with God, 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.779 and the Word here in English, 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:24.379 it can't really do it justice, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.940 but it communicates a sort of movement 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.859 towards one another. 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:32.299 So from the beginning of all eternity, 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:35.460 God has existed within Himself 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:39.940 in perfect, all-satisfying community. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.240 Have you ever thought about this? 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:45.279 That God the Father has always enjoyed 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:48.559 the infinite depth of perfect, 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:50.960 all-satisfying relationship 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.720 with God the Son, 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:55.279 and God the Spirit, 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.339 which tells us 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:59.660 that for whatever reason, 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:02.240 God chose to create the world, 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.599 whatever reason He chose to create me, 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.519 and to create you, 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:11.559 it was not because He needed us 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:13.799 in order to be satisfied. 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:17.460 He did not create all things 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:20.240 in order to fill a void in Himself. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:22.420 He doesn't seek out relationship 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:24.259 in order to fill a need 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.299 from all time. 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.619 He has been totally, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.619 perfectly satisfied 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:31.299 in community within Himself. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:33.299 So why did He make you? 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.359 Why did He make me? 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:39.099 Why did He make anything at all? 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.619 Many reasons. 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.839 Here's one. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:48.920 One reason God made you 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:53.379 is so that He might draw you in, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:56.180 that He might share 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:59.720 in this perfect, limitless, 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:02.500 all-satisfying relationship 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:05.339 that can only be found in God, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:08.099 that He might share that with you 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:10.859 for the rest of eternity. 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:13.579 You know, that's why Christ came. 00:25:15.219 --> 00:25:17.879 The Word of God became flesh 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:20.179 and dwelt among us, 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:22.459 stepped into His own creation 00:25:22.459 --> 00:25:24.279 in order to redeem it, 00:25:24.959 --> 00:25:26.799 in order to bring us 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:29.339 into fellowship with God Himself 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.939 through His blood, 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.719 in order to share with you 00:25:33.719 --> 00:25:34.839 and with me 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:36.399 the limitless depth 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:38.559 of intimate knowledge of God 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.359 for the rest of eternity, 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:42.059 that He would share with us 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:45.299 His unending goodness. 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:48.379 Which, church, is the third 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.639 and final way. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.039 Christ is above 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:53.740 and before all. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.740 Christ is before all, 00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.200 third, 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.879 in goodness. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:26:01.060 Look there to verse 4. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.780 John says, 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.580 In Him was life, 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:09.480 and the life was the light of men. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:11.180 The light shines in the darkness, 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:14.880 and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.980 R.C. Sproul rightly, I think, 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.980 observes that 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:22.560 this is the exact opposite description 00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:24.800 of the world in which we live, 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.220 isn't it? 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:28.920 And when you look around the world 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:32.259 at all the wickedness all around us, 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.400 it's obvious, isn't it? 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.299 I don't have to tell you, 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:36.600 our world is not characterized 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:38.600 by life and light. 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.960 It is characterized by death 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.880 and darkness. 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:46.519 Things are not as they should be. 00:26:46.600 --> 00:26:47.360 You read the news, 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.579 you see the headlines, 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.380 you see the stories. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.700 This world is a mess. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:54.100 This world is in darkness. 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:56.779 But it's not just darkness out there. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.839 We need to realize 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.599 that there is darkness 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.879 in you 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:03.619 and in me 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:05.159 that ought to tell us 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:07.319 that something is not quite right 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.819 with us. 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.659 Things are not the way 00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:13.939 they should be with us. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.439 Every one of us says things 00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:16.159 and does things 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:17.559 we ought not to say and do. 00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:19.559 If our thoughts were made visible, 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.379 we'd be ashamed. 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:23.760 All of this, 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.600 the Bible tells us, 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.960 is the disastrous result of sin. 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.840 It is sin. 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.680 It's that rebellion against God 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:35.300 that brings the curse of death. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.380 And it is sin 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.120 that corrupts 00:27:37.760 --> 00:27:38.820 and stains 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:40.120 and darkens everything. 00:27:41.080 --> 00:27:41.760 And it is sin 00:27:41.760 --> 00:27:43.040 that blinds us 00:27:43.040 --> 00:27:43.900 to the truth 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:45.280 and the glory of God. 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:46.920 And until this sin problem 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.840 is dealt with 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.980 in each one of us, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.660 none of us can enter 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.660 into fellowship 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:53.120 with God. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.980 So where do we turn? 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.360 John tells us 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.700 we must turn 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.720 to the one 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.059 in whom there is 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.640 life 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:03.079 and light. 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.559 To the word 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.860 who creates 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:08.559 and who 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.720 reveals. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.579 To the one 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.380 who is before 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.200 all 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.559 in goodness. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.019 What does 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.019 Jesus say 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.079 in John chapter 8? 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.539 He says, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.079 I am the light 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.359 of the world. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.740 Whoever follows me 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.419 will not walk 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:23.980 in darkness 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.799 but will have 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.539 the light 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.759 of life. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.419 Think back again 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.199 to Genesis 1. 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.699 In the beginning 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.639 God created 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.259 the heavens 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.399 and the earth 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:33.819 and the earth 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.939 was without form 00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:35.599 and void 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.939 and darkness 00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:38.819 was over the face 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.079 of the deep 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.099 and the spirit of God 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.659 was hovering 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.500 over the face 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.119 of the waters 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.099 and God said what? 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.939 Let there be 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:46.899 light. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.139 And there was light. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.899 And God saw 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:51.480 that the light 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.099 was good 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.059 and separated 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.679 the light 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.960 from the darkness 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.500 and Paul picks up 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.199 on this theme 00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:58.159 in 2 Corinthians 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:58.980 and he says 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.919 for God 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.559 who said 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.839 let light shine 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.879 out of darkness 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:04.339 has shown 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.599 in our hearts 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.419 to give us 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.039 the light 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.240 of the knowledge 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.259 of the glory 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.159 of God 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:11.159 in the face 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.419 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.259 Are you tracking 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.839 here? 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.299 He says 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.159 that same 00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:17.799 light 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.599 shining 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.359 darkness 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.079 defeating 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.779 life giving 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.259 power 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.939 of God 00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:22.459 that we see 00:29:22.459 --> 00:29:22.980 in the beginning 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.079 of all things 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.659 in Genesis 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:26.339 happens in you 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.799 and happens in me 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.899 when we are 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.799 given eyes 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.740 to see 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.439 the goodness 00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:32.419 of God 00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:33.659 in the person 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.879 of Jesus Christ 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.579 and love him 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:37.500 for who he is 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.679 and know him 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:39.899 and worship him 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.779 for who he is. 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.200 the light's 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.960 come on 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.899 and we are 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:44.259 able to see 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.599 we are made 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.279 alive 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.099 to the goodness 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.759 of Christ 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.220 we are brought 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.160 out of darkness 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.039 and into his 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.519 marvelous light 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:52.299 out of spiritual 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.759 death 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.879 and into his 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.700 perfect 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:56.399 eternal life 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:56.980 that is what it 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.480 means to be 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.119 a Christian 00:29:58.119 --> 00:30:00.579 is that by the 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.420 grace of God 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.799 we see 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.440 by the light 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:03.920 of Christ 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.799 that he is 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.440 good 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.440 that he alone 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.440 is God 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.299 and that he alone 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.099 is worthy 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.619 of your worship 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.719 it's to enjoy 00:30:11.719 --> 00:30:12.779 fellowship 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.619 with God 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.980 through faith 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.199 in his life 00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:17.799 giving word 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:21.279 you want to know 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.779 why Christians 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.719 worship Jesus 00:30:22.719 --> 00:30:25.099 not just 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.559 respect him 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.299 or 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.899 admire him 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.139 but 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:30.679 worship him 00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:33.339 it's because 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.259 we have tasted 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:34.959 and seen 00:30:34.959 --> 00:30:35.859 that he is good 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:38.959 by the grace 00:30:38.959 --> 00:30:39.639 of God 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.179 we have 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:40.979 realized 00:30:40.979 --> 00:30:41.919 that in him 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:43.000 and in him 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.539 alone 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.679 there is life 00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:46.079 and there is 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.139 light 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:51.099 well even as 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.119 John introduces 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.639 us 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.359 this morning 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.799 to the most 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.659 glorious man 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.299 in the history 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.379 of the world 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:57.159 he can't help 00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.979 but give the ending 00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:58.439 away 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:59.000 can he 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:01.019 he says 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.479 the light 00:31:01.479 --> 00:31:01.939 has come 00:31:01.939 --> 00:31:02.740 into the world 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.940 and the darkness 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.240 has not 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:07.120 overcome it 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:10.460 the darkness 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.099 cannot 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.740 overcome it 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.420 not for a lack 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.980 of trying 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:17.259 when Christ 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.819 was born 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.259 the enemy 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.839 raged 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.259 and sought 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.940 to destroy 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.240 him 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.599 he sent 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.019 Herod 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.400 and his 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.099 minions 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.700 to kill 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:22.920 him 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.200 but the 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.579 darkness 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.279 could not 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.799 overcome 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.539 him 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:27.779 and Christ 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.740 was tempted 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.400 and tried 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.099 in every way 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.900 as we are 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.940 yet without 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.780 sin 00:31:32.780 --> 00:31:33.340 the darkness 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:33.980 could not 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.720 overcome 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.460 him 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:35.880 he never 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.420 sinned 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:38.420 when Christ 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.420 suffered 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.060 and died 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:40.860 upon the cross 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.280 it looked 00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:41.880 for a moment 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.400 as if 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.040 the darkness 00:31:43.040 --> 00:31:43.620 had won 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.560 you remember 00:31:44.560 --> 00:31:45.000 the story 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.580 what happened 00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.140 the whole 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.900 the whole 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:47.259 earth 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.780 for three 00:31:47.780 --> 00:31:48.200 hours 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.640 the land 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.180 was covered 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.700 with 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.640 darkness 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.800 but we know 00:31:52.800 --> 00:31:53.140 the end 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.800 of that story 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:54.259 don't we 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.820 Christ 00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:56.259 didn't 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.920 remain 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:58.200 in the grave 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.860 the darkness 00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.440 did not 00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.980 overcome 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.860 he rose 00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:01.640 up from 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.480 the grave 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.380 and he 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.860 conquered 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.519 sin 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.720 and death 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.839 and darkness 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.620 for any 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.039 who would 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.480 come to 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.819 him 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.099 in faith 00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:12.579 and as we 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.140 look around 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.759 the world 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.000 and see 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.700 the effects 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.279 of sin 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.360 all around 00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:17.740 us 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.259 know this 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.819 for certain 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.200 it may 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:19.559 look 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.319 for a 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.640 moment 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.440 as if 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.839 darkness 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.339 has 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.940 prevailed 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.440 but one 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:23.720 day 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.400 he's promised 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:24.860 he will 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.319 come 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.940 again 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:27.759 and finally 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.480 put an end 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.099 to all the 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.519 sin 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.959 all the 00:32:30.959 --> 00:32:31.439 death 00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:32.619 all the 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.119 darkness 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:33.919 in all 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:35.219 the universe 00:32:35.219 --> 00:32:36.679 and Christ 00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:37.379 will triumph 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.759 over the 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.379 darkness 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:44.279 but church 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.599 the good 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.259 news is 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.659 if you 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.539 know this 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:46.919 man 00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:47.559 Jesus 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.959 we don't 00:32:48.959 --> 00:32:49.240 have to 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.459 wait 00:32:49.459 --> 00:32:52.219 if you 00:32:52.219 --> 00:32:52.799 know this 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.199 man 00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:56.519 if you've 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:56.879 met 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.920 Jesus 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.780 he can 00:32:59.780 --> 00:33:00.080 put an 00:33:00.080 --> 00:33:00.400 end to 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.960 your sin 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.580 right now 00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:03.940 there is 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.660 no darkness 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.520 in this 00:33:05.520 --> 00:33:06.100 room 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.600 there's no 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.020 darkness 00:33:07.020 --> 00:33:07.740 in your 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.340 heart 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:08.760 there's no 00:33:08.760 --> 00:33:09.160 darkness 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.420 in all 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.340 the universe 00:33:11.340 --> 00:33:11.900 that can 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.420 triumph 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.660 over the 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.080 goodness 00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:15.660 of Christ 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:17.840 so as we 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.620 close the 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.580 application 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.600 for us 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:21.260 here in 00:33:21.260 --> 00:33:21.500 this 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.420 introduction 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.360 to this 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.040 man 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.559 Jesus 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.180 Christ 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:25.420 is 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:25.839 would you 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.480 turn to 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.799 him 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.819 would you 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.279 look to 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.700 him 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.799 for the 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.559 first time 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.139 or for the 00:33:33.139 --> 00:33:33.859 thousandth 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.460 time 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:34.899 would you 00:33:34.899 --> 00:33:36.200 turn to 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.879 him 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.559 what sin 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.059 is there 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.339 in your 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.639 heart 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:38.940 that needs 00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:39.180 to be 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.500 brought 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.200 into the 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.500 light 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.139 this morning 00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:42.659 what are 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:42.899 you 00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:44.099 turning to 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:44.519 to give 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:44.799 you the 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.299 life 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:45.960 and the 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.259 light 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.059 that only 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.619 Christ 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.079 Jesus 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.680 can 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.700 provide 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.059 would you 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:50.619 turn to 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:50.859 him 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.399 again 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.679 and again 00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:53.819 and again 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.879 and again 00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:55.699 and taste 00:33:55.699 --> 00:33:56.319 and see 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.000 that he 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.639 is 00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:58.759 good 00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:03.379 church a 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:03.659 proper 00:34:03.659 --> 00:34:04.299 introduction 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:04.779 makes all 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.419 the difference 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:05.899 doesn't 00:34:05.899 --> 00:34:06.159 it 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:08.559 John 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.239 knew 00:34:09.239 --> 00:34:09.900 Jesus 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.500 Christ 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.380 personally 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.880 he was 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.679 an eyewitness 00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.039 to the 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.420 things that 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:13.940 we'll study 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.599 about 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.079 through this 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.519 gospel 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.099 he was 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:17.079 was eating 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.779 with Jesus 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.500 sitting with 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:18.839 Jesus 00:34:18.839 --> 00:34:19.400 he was there 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.059 at the cross 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.500 and there 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.900 at the 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.280 empty 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:21.980 tomb 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:24.159 if this 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.019 man is 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.300 who 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.719 John 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.199 claims 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.940 he is 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:28.880 he 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.300 deserves 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:29.659 much 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.059 more 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.519 than just 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.699 our 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.119 passing 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.780 attention 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:34.539 and when 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:34.880 you come 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.420 face to 00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:35.739 face 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.039 with 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.380 with 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.659 who 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.000 this 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.400 man 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:37.820 is 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:37.960 we 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.219 have 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.360 to 00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:38.840 recognize 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:39.280 Christ 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:39.780 Jesus 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.260 demands 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:40.559 not 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:40.940 only 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.260 your 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:41.860 respect 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.400 but 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.079 your 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.559 life 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:45.260 and not 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.420 just 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:45.579 your 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.059 casual 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.699 acknowledgement 00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:47.019 but 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.219 your 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:47.760 deepest 00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.840 sincerest 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.820 devotion 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.200 he 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.640 deserves 00:34:50.640 --> 00:34:50.980 not 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.539 only 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.200 your 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:52.760 attention 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:54.320 but 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.519 your 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.039 worship 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.660 let's 00:34:56.660 --> 00:34:56.920 pray 00:34:56.920 --> 00:35:01.600 Lord 00:35:01.600 --> 00:35:02.000 Jesus 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:05.640 you are 00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:06.039 good 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.760 above all 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:09.420 and you've 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:09.820 shown us 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.039 in your 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.300 word 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:10.600 today 00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:11.039 that in 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.300 you 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.580 and in 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:11.740 you 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.059 alone 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.280 there 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.500 is 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:12.960 life 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.200 and 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:13.460 there 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:13.960 is 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.780 light 00:35:14.780 --> 00:35:15.500 we pray 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.500 father 00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:16.519 father 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:16.840 if there 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:16.980 are 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.239 any 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:17.559 here 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:17.840 who 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.159 have 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:18.400 not 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:18.980 received 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.239 the 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:19.619 life 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:19.880 of 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.360 Christ 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:20.579 would 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:20.739 you 00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:21.099 now 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.519 open 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.760 their 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.079 eyes 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.260 to 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:22.519 see 00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:24.260 and 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:24.420 Lord 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:24.679 if there 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:24.820 are 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.000 any 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.239 here 00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:25.420 who 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:25.619 are 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.199 struggling 00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:26.539 with 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.000 sin 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.920 discouraged 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.920 feels 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.239 like the 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:29.619 darkness 00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:29.980 is 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.980 overcoming 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.079 father 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.280 would 00:35:32.280 --> 00:35:32.440 they 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:32.780 turn 00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:32.980 to 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.440 Christ 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:33.639 and 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:33.920 know 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.119 that 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.260 the 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.619 darkness 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:35.000 can 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.320 never 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:35.880 prevail 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.559 against 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:36.840 him 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:38.280 Lord 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:38.480 we 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:38.840 ask 00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.239 now 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.599 in 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:39.800 all 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.139 things 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.280 that 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:40.400 you 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.559 would 00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:40.719 be 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.199 exalted 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.420 and 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:41.559 that 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:41.719 we 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:41.900 would 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.059 be 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.820 changed 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.659 further 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:43.900 and 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.159 further 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.539 into 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:44.739 your 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.219 likeness 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.400 we 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:45.559 pray 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:45.719 this 00:35:45.719 --> 00:35:45.840 in 00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:46.079 Jesus 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.400 name 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.699 amen