WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.799 Please open your Bibles this morning to the Gospel according to John. 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:12.939 If you're just joining us for the first time, we're finishing up chapter 2 of the Gospel according to John this morning. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:18.339 We're going to be walking, Lord willing, through this entire book over the coming weeks and months. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:22.980 And if you're using a few Bibles there in front of you, you can find this on page 834. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:28.500 If you didn't bring your own Bible with you, which we always encourage you to do, but we do provide Bibles for you. 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:31.579 And you can find this on page 834. 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:38.980 We're going to be in chapter 2 this morning, and I will read from verse 12 through the end of the chapter through verse 25. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:41.460 Follow along with me as I read. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:53.240 After this, he went down to Capernaum with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:57.820 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 00:00:58.859 --> 00:01:06.299 In the temple, he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons and the money changers sitting there. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:13.599 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and the oxen. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:17.960 And he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 00:01:17.959 --> 00:01:22.239 And he told those who sold the pigeons, take these things away. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:26.019 Do not make my father's house a house of trade. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:32.319 His disciples remembered that it was written, zeal for your house will consume me. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:37.819 So the Jews said to him, what sign do you show us for doing these things? 00:01:38.699 --> 00:01:45.179 Jesus answered them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:52.680 The Jews then said, it has taken 46 years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days? 00:01:53.500 --> 00:01:56.760 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:02.120 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:06.860 and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 00:02:08.140 --> 00:02:14.480 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:21.859 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people, 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:25.280 and needed no one to bear witness about man. 00:02:25.739 --> 00:02:29.419 For he himself knew what was in man. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:36.759 This is God's holy, inspired word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 00:02:36.799 --> 00:02:39.439 If you would, let's bow once more and let's pray. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:47.699 Father, again we desire to worship you in spirit and in truth. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:50.579 We pray now as your word is preached. 00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:55.979 Father, would you move in power and store us, Father, again to worship you. 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:57.020 We pray in Christ's name. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:02:58.020 Amen. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:07.860 What do you think is the number one most important thing to God? 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:14.740 Last week we saw from the first half of John chapter 2 the story of Jesus at the wedding feast. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:17.060 He was changing water into wine. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.080 And we saw that Jesus alone has this unique ability, this unique power to transform. 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:27.900 He has the power to transform the ages from the old to the new. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:32.180 He has the power to transform material objects from water to wine. 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:38.860 And we saw, of course, that Jesus has the unique power to transform us, you and me, 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:42.080 to transform sorrow into joy. 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:45.740 We got this image of a very joyful Jesus last week. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:55.560 But we shouldn't misunderstand this to mean that joy in and of itself is the most important thing to God. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:04:05.540 We shouldn't misunderstand this to mean that you and me in and of ourselves are the most important things to God. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:13.260 And we shouldn't misunderstand this to mean that our transformation is the most important thing to God. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:20.420 In our passage today, this morning, we get to see a very different side of Jesus. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:24.159 A very serious side of Jesus. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:30.120 And in our passage today, I believe it helps us to see that the most important thing, 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:37.139 the number one main concern of Jesus' heart is not joy in and of itself. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:38.139 It's not you. 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:38.939 It's not me. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:40.480 It's not our personal transformation. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:44.819 It is the glory of God. 00:04:45.900 --> 00:04:50.900 It is that God is worshipped as He deserves. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.980 This, of course, is why we were created. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:56.980 This is the purpose of our lives. 00:04:57.060 --> 00:04:57.819 This is the point. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:00.520 This is the end goal of our transformation. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:05.520 And this is the foundation and the object of our joy. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:13.539 The greatest priority of Jesus' heart is that God be glorified and worshipped. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:19.139 Jesus is zealous for the right worship of God. 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:24.019 As we read this account here this morning of what happened in Jerusalem, 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:29.279 I want us to consider as we see what happens here at the Passover feast, 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:35.639 do we share the same zeal as Jesus does for the glory of God? 00:05:36.559 --> 00:05:39.000 Do we share this same zeal? 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:42.319 Is this the highest priority of our heart? 00:05:43.239 --> 00:05:48.059 This morning, we're going to see this zeal of Jesus Christ in two parts. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:49.579 This is going to be our outline this morning. 00:05:49.579 --> 00:05:52.219 And if you're taking notes, I encourage you to do so. 00:05:52.300 --> 00:05:53.620 It helps us to follow along. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:54.979 Two parts here. 00:05:55.099 --> 00:06:02.620 We'll see that God desires worship that is God fixated and Christ located. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:04.279 Two parts here. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:12.159 God desires worship that is God fixated and that is Christ located. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:22.960 First, we see true worship, the worship that God desires of us is God fixated worship. 00:06:24.140 --> 00:06:27.160 We see this here in verses 13 through 17. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:28.040 Look there with me. 00:06:28.940 --> 00:06:32.140 We see in verse 12 that after the wedding in Cana, 00:06:32.260 --> 00:06:36.940 Jesus went down about 16 miles from Cana to Capernaum for a few days 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:43.199 and then made the journey up, literally up, up the mountain to the capital city of Jerusalem 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:48.899 to join the Jews from all over for the Passover celebration. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:53.920 The Passover, of course, as you know, was a major celebration for the Jewish people. 00:06:54.420 --> 00:06:56.199 At the Passover, it looked backwards. 00:06:56.500 --> 00:07:02.939 It was reflecting, celebrating the great act of deliverance and redemption of the Jews from Egypt 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:07.100 in the Exodus, this great act of redemption in the Old Testament. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:15.579 But also, we know, it looked ahead and was foreshadowing the great act of redemption in the New Testament, 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:19.079 in the cross, the resurrection of Jesus. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:26.259 God rescuing his people from slavery to sin through the death and resurrection of Christ. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:32.300 And you might imagine that just as his coming death and resurrection weighed heavily on Christ 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:40.400 at the wedding feast, especially now, it must have been weighing heavily on him here at the Passover. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:47.460 Jesus knew that in short time he would again return to Jerusalem to die. 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:51.680 This was a major event on the Jewish calendar. 00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:56.160 In fact, a whole month was set aside for preparation for this event. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:08:03.340 And that makes sense because history shows that Jerusalem at this time typically had about 30,000 citizens. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:10.320 But during the week of Passover, over 2 million Jews and Gentiles from all over 00:08:10.320 --> 00:08:14.860 would gather in this little town of Jerusalem for worship. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:22.040 You can imagine just the sense of excitement and bubbling energy as this city was bursting with life 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.840 and energy for seven days. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:31.219 Well, for some, this was also good opportunity for business. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:35.500 They heard 2 million people. 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:38.459 They heard Passover and they saw business. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:40.100 They saw dollar signs. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:41.759 2 million people is a lot of business. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:46.179 And so they had two different operations running side by side. 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:48.279 We see for one, verse 14, look there. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:55.000 For one, it says that they sold animals, oxen and sheep and pigeons. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:09:01.319 So rather than going through the trouble of bringing their own animals with them to Jerusalem, 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:04.559 worshipers could simply buy them there on site. 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:05.740 It was a matter of convenience. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:09.079 They offered animals for sacrifice there on site. 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:16.060 But also on top of this, they knew that foreign currency would not be accepted in the temple. 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:19.520 And so they offered a money exchange service. 00:09:19.520 --> 00:09:22.820 Of course, with a little bump for the profit. 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:29.139 They exchanged foreign coin for Jewish currency that would be accepted there in the temple. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:33.740 Now, this was normal business and it was a good service. 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:36.840 This was not Jesus' issue at all. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:43.860 The issue here was not primarily what they were doing. 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:47.519 It was where they were doing it. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.399 Look there again to verse 14. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.059 What does it say? 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:56.339 He says that these things took place in the temple. 00:09:57.379 --> 00:10:02.739 Meaning not the temple building itself, but within the courts of the temple. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:09.379 There's a structure, the temple building, but outside were various courts meant for the gathering of worshipers. 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:15.159 And this occurrence was happening specifically on the outer court where Gentiles, 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:19.939 God-fearing Gentiles, would gather and worship the Lord. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:26.960 What's happening here is these Jewish businessmen are preventing and distracting from Gentile worship. 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:30.940 I've been to several Christian conferences. 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:33.140 Maybe you've been to some as well. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:37.960 And most of them, it is busy and it is loud. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:41.880 Thousands of people will come and gather at these events. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:48.980 And as you approach the event, you hear the noises of laughter and reunions as friends gather and see each other. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:49.940 They're reunited. 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:50.639 They reconnect. 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:53.080 There's usually places for vendors. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.500 There's different sponsors. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:59.340 Oftentimes people are selling merchandise, ball caps and t-shirts and hoodies. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:02.100 There's always a place to grab a good cup of coffee. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:07.180 But all of that is outside of the worship center. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:27.739 Could you imagine if you came, how distracting it would be if this type of loud business and conversation and exchange and the grinding of coffee and the dropping of money and the selling of merchandise was happening inside the worship center? 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:30.200 While you were trying to worship. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:47.519 Could you imagine if you traveled for miles and miles and miles and miles, spent time and money and resources and energy to come and to worship only to be distracted by those who would use this time as an opportunity for personal gain? 00:11:47.519 --> 00:12:06.419 See, the issue that has Jesus so upset here in Jerusalem, it's not primarily that they're ripping people off, but that they are robbing the Gentiles of an opportunity to worship the Lord and thereby are robbing God of the glory. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:08.039 He's due. 00:12:09.479 --> 00:12:10.620 So Jesus. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:16.339 Gentle, quiet, lowly, meek. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:27.259 Jesus comes politely asks them if it's not too much trouble, if they wouldn't mind picking up their stuff and going along if they don't have any issue with that. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:27.639 No. 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:30.879 In holy anger. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:44.480 He picks up some cords, binds them together and begins to chase these distractions out of the place of worship. 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:47.919 Can you imagine the chaos here of this scene? 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:54.159 These businessmen are being driven out, chased away with the animals. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.080 Doves are flying in the air. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.659 Sheep are running. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:00.019 Cattle are mooing, running away. 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:04.199 Verse 15 says he pours out all the coins all over the tables. 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:07.039 He turns the tables up on their side. 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:10.000 And he says in verse 16, take these things away. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:15.360 Do not make my father's house a house of trade. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:19.120 And the disciples remembered that it was written in Psalm 69. 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:22.679 Zeal for your house will consume me. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.039 Why? 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:29.219 Because his father's house was meant to be a house of worship. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:33.179 Christ was zealous for the glory of God. 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:37.019 He was zealous for the right worship of God the Father. 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:42.059 And any distraction has to be driven away. 00:13:42.719 --> 00:13:50.439 We have to understand here that God fixated worship is not just part of Jesus' mission. 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.900 This was his mission. 00:13:54.160 --> 00:14:01.460 The curse of sin that rules in our hearts, that reigns in the world, that draws us away from honoring the Lord, 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:05.220 from loving the Lord, from worshiping the Lord as we were made to do. 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:15.580 Jesus has come to remove that curse, to destroy the effects of sin, to restore proper worship to God the Father, 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:18.940 even at the price of his own blood. 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:23.060 Anything that stands in the way has to be dealt with. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:32.800 You see, for Jesus, anything that would distract us from God-exalting worship must be driven away with zeal. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:42.899 True worship must be God-fixated, must be God-centered, must be God-glorifying. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:46.699 His glory must be central. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:56.259 Do we share this type of God-fixated zeal for the glory of God in worship? 00:14:56.259 --> 00:15:11.879 We live in a culture where the focus of Christian worship here has shifted. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.799 You may be aware. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:26.519 Instead of focusing on the glory of God, the focus has shifted and become about us. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:36.099 And when that happens, the distractions begin to gather and gather and gather. 00:15:36.479 --> 00:15:37.259 They multiply. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:45.179 Our assessment of a good worship service becomes whether we have had our needs met, 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:50.819 whether we have had our preferences catered to, 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:54.519 whether we have been entertained by what we like, 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:59.500 whether what makes us feel good has happened when we come and when we go. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:02.460 We focus instead on what we can gain. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:04.420 The songs become about us. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.639 The sermons become about us. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.879 Worship is not about us. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.720 And to make it worse, 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:22.259 we often make more of an effort to think and to talk and to complain about what we want, 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.639 whether our needs are being met, 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:27.940 than we ever do to go and to share the gospel with others 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:35.600 that the nations might join in bringing honor and glory to the Lord alongside us. 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:37.700 Church, may this never be. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:46.340 I pray God would clear this out of my heart and out of his church. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.940 Now, some of you may hear this and say, 00:16:48.020 --> 00:16:50.300 oof, that stings. 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:56.799 One of my challenges in preaching the word of God is not just to preach the text, 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:59.620 it's to preach the tone of the text. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.039 Last week was nice and joyful and light. 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.619 This is serious. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:15.319 We need to feel the weight of intensity of how deeply Jesus feels about the worship of God. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:20.579 that he be glorified and all distractions be removed. 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:25.619 Do not rob God of his glory in worship. 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:32.460 So, let me tell you a few ways that we can help fight against this here. 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:36.579 Just very practically, four applications, quick applications for us. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:41.579 Number one, place the word of God above preference and tradition. 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:47.579 Place the word of God above preference and tradition. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.939 We all have preferences. 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:49.679 I got them. 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.500 You got them. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:53.279 Some of us prefer some traditions. 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.059 Some of us prefer others. 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:55.779 That's fine. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:18:00.759 But when these concerns rise above the word of God 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:04.859 and what we insist must be done and must be a part of worship, 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.759 must be a part of church life, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:11.439 then they become distractions rather than aids for worship. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:18.639 Number two, kill any ambition for personal gain when you gather here for worship. 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:26.879 Kill any ambition for personal gain when you gather for worship. 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:30.980 I served at a church where shortly before I arrived, 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:34.319 one of the deacons had to be removed from the church 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:41.359 because he had, over time, taken advantage of several of the older members of the church, 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:45.599 several of the older ladies who had generously, out of the kindness of their hearts, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:49.399 loaned him money, and he never paid back a dime. 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.519 Never intended to. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:57.059 He gathered week in, week out, came week in, week out, 00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:02.619 for manipulation and for personal gain under the guise of worship. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:07.500 There's another man who showed a lot of interest in the church, 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:10.259 wanted to ask me some questions, so he took me out for coffee 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.259 to talk about the church. 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:15.359 When we got there, all he wanted to talk about was money. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:21.619 He said he just so happened to teach a class at churches 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:25.419 to come and to get others to invest with him, 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:30.779 and so he liked to go to churches and recruit others to invest their money with him, 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:33.139 and so I told him he's welcome to come for worship. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.439 Glad to have him, but to be clear, 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:38.439 have no expectation of teaching anytime soon, 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.199 and I never heard from him. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.159 Never saw him again. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:45.519 You tell me, why was he there? 00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:50.480 This time next year, don't be surprised if you turn on the television 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:53.560 and you start to see politicians showing up at church services, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:59.100 even being given a microphone, permitted to speak, 00:19:59.560 --> 00:20:05.980 using worship, using the gospel as a platform for political gain. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:09.300 Church, this is shameful behavior. 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:14.919 I don't think it's a problem here at Seawee Bay right now, 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:20.460 but we need to be aware that people use churches and worship 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:25.039 as a means of personal gain all the time, 00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:28.259 and we all have that tendency in us. 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:32.200 We need to kill it in us and be watchful. 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:38.759 Number three, approach worship with prayer and with seriousness. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:44.900 Approach worship with prayer and with seriousness. 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:50.019 You notice here that our practice every week is to begin our worship service with two things. 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:54.480 It's a moment of silence, which is a time for you to quiet your heart, 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.840 prepare yourself to worship, 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:58.279 and then the very first thing that you hear. 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.779 What is it? 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.500 It's the word of God. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.419 Call you into worship. 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:05.339 And then a prayer for our time in worship. 00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:06.720 We ask the Lord to move. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.439 We ask the gospel to be clear. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:11.079 We ask that God would prepare us for worship. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:15.699 We intentionally try to bake this into our time together as a church when we gather. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:21.640 But are you personally preparing your heart before you come here? 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:25.000 Are you reading through the passage of Scripture, 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:28.880 preparing yourself to hear the preaching of the word? 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:34.000 Are you praying that God would prepare your heart personally for worship when you gather here? 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:37.000 Are you praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:38.940 asking that they might be prepared? 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.580 Are you praying for me, please? 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:44.400 That God's word might be preached faithfully. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.320 Are you praying for others as they come, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:50.259 that they might hear and believe and come to faith in Christ? 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:56.120 Are you approaching this time with the reverence and the seriousness that it deserves? 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.880 Number four. 00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:59.280 Number four. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.840 Remember the mission. 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:05.620 Remember the mission. 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:10.140 You know, one of the main ways that we can protect against distraction 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:14.420 is by keeping our eyes fixed on the mission. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.759 It's not personal game. 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:19.220 It's not personal affirmation. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:23.700 It's not a good time or it's just something to do on Sunday morning church. 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:31.160 Our mission is to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:33.160 As we enjoy God. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.460 We equip the saints. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:39.060 As we evangelize the lost. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:44.640 The minute that we lose sight of that grand overarching mission, 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:48.200 we will see this turn from a house of prayer and worship 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:51.440 to a house of trade and distraction. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:58.059 Jesus is zealous that our worship be God fixated. 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.220 But not only that, 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.460 we see in our second point, 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:06.539 he knows that the only way for sinful men and women like me and you 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:12.799 to come and truly worship the Lord is if we do so in him. 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:16.220 This is our second point this morning. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:21.100 Second, we see that true worship is Christ located. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:26.059 True worship is Christ located. 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.440 Look there to verses 18 through 25. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:33.420 Verse 18 tells us that the Jews, 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:37.559 assuming the ones who remained after just witnessing this chaotic event, 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.080 they asked Jesus, 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:43.519 what sign do you show us for doing these things? 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.940 In other words, who do you think you are? 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.900 Who gives you the authority to come in here 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.660 and do what you've just done? 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:54.940 What authority do you have to come into this temple 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.740 and do these things? 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:58.380 And Jesus, as he often does, 00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:01.400 he doesn't answer them directly, does he? 00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:03.540 He says, 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.960 destroy this temple 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:08.100 and in three days, 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:11.240 I will raise it up. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:13.599 You have to understand, 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:19.700 both parts of that answer were completely ridiculous to the Jews. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.400 Destroy this temple? 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.559 This temple is sacred. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.920 This is God's dwelling place. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.160 This is where we go to worship. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:31.359 This is the central piece of our Jewish worship. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:33.180 Who would destroy this temple 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:35.779 and raise it up in three days? 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.879 You, by yourself? 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:41.599 It's taken 46 years to build this temple 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:45.059 and you would raise it up in just three days? 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:49.899 Now, very briefly here, 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.799 I want to just make note of this 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:53.759 because there is a translation issue here 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:55.859 and not really a translation issue, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:58.220 but a decision that has to be made. 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.259 And without going into the weeds, 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.019 your Bible, if you look at it, 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.839 it probably has a note there 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.920 for an alternative understanding 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:07.599 of the original text. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:10.660 And as anybody who's ever taken a language class 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:13.359 knows, going from one language to another, 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.619 it's not just, 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:17.900 it's not always equal. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.839 There's not always an equal comparison. 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.859 So there has to be decisions that are made. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.879 There may be multiple ways to understand a phrase. 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.660 This is one of those times. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:27.519 And so your note might say there, 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.519 instead of, 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:31.539 it has taken 46 years to build this temple, 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.700 it might say something like, 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:35.740 this temple was built 46 years ago. 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:40.019 I actually prefer that translation. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.500 Without going into the weeds, 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.660 I'm about to go into the weeds. 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:49.980 This temple was constructed under Herod the Great. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:52.299 The work on the building itself, 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.359 not the outer courts, 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:57.839 the building itself was done from 20 or 19 B.C. 00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:01.059 to about 18 or 17 B.C. 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:05.139 If we say that the temple was built 46 years ago, 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:07.099 that would date this conversation here 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.799 at the beginning of Jesus's ministry 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:11.440 around A.D. 29 or 30, 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:13.019 which would then help us date 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:16.619 Jesus's crucifixion around A.D. 33. 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:21.319 I think what they're saying is, 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:24.319 this temple was built 46 years ago. 00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:25.939 It's standing strong, 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.059 serving us well. 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:30.059 It's the centerpiece of all of our worship activity. 00:26:30.239 --> 00:26:32.079 And you think you can destroy it 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:35.779 and build it back up in three days. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:38.660 But as John tells us, 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:41.460 they've completely missed the point. 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.980 Just right over their heads. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:48.920 Jesus wasn't talking about this physical temple at all. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:53.059 They were so fixed on this physical location for worship. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:55.680 It was so central to their religious life, 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:59.059 so central to their experience of worshiping God 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:03.180 that they completely miss what Jesus is saying. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:05.360 Jesus isn't talking about the physical temple. 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:11.860 John tells us he was speaking about the temple of his body. 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:21.080 Don't miss the astounding statement 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:23.400 that Jesus has just made. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:27.299 For one thing, here in the Gospel of John, 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:30.259 this is the first time that we see Jesus predict, 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:33.799 foretell, predict his death and his resurrection. 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:39.940 The cross was not some tragic accident. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:43.220 It was not a mistake. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:47.539 It was the plan of God from the very beginning of time 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:49.480 that the Son of God would come, 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.379 would become man, 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.779 would live in the place of sinners, 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.960 would die in the place of sinners, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:58.420 would rise on behalf of sinners. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:58.920 Why? 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:01.539 Why would Jesus do this? 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:07.640 To secure the eternal worship of the church 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:12.360 for the glory of God for the rest of eternity. 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:17.360 That sinful man, sinful woman like me and you 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:19.920 might rejoice and praise God 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:22.579 for the glory of his grace in him, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.899 in Christ, in the Gospel. 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:29.699 He came that sinners like us can come to him in faith 00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:33.599 and worship the Father in spirit and in truth. 00:28:33.699 --> 00:28:35.519 Do you see what he's claiming about himself here? 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:40.379 Jesus is claiming that he has come 00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:46.699 to be the ultimate, final, true centerpiece 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:49.620 of true and lasting worship. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:54.980 He is claiming to be the fulfillment of the temple. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:29:01.200 What a revelation that must have been for the disciples 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:04.000 when they looked back on his resurrection 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.140 and remembered what he said, 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:07.840 destroy this temple and I will raise it up. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:12.179 And what a comfort 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:15.859 for those who were once dependent 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:19.220 on this one location for worship, 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.459 this physical temple, 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:25.599 to know that true and God-acceptable worship 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:28.579 was now offered in Christ. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:32.519 Now this temple can never be taken away. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:37.259 Some of you probably know in A.D. 70 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:41.779 that this physical temple was eventually destroyed. 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:44.240 In A.D. 70 the Romans came in, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:46.579 they destroyed the temple completely, 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.700 not a stone was left on top of another 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:50.700 just as Jesus predicted 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:53.099 and it was not rebuilt in three days. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:57.460 It has not since been rebuilt. 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.559 Could you imagine 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:04.659 the sense of religious disorientation 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:07.279 that the Jews there must have felt 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.720 with no temple, 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:10.319 no place to go worship, 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.460 to have the very heart, 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:13.679 the very location of their worship 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.879 just destroyed? 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:17.359 Well, the Gospel of John, 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:19.159 it was written, I believe, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:21.299 sometime after this destruction 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:23.099 of the temple in A.D. 70. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:26.659 And I believe that John is addressing 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:30.400 some of that disorientation in his readers 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.420 as if to tell them 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:34.940 that true worship is no longer offered 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.080 in a physical temple. 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:40.940 True worship is offered to God in Christ. 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:42.940 Christ is the temple. 00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:44.940 If you're wondering where to go for worship, 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.640 wherever Christ is, 00:30:47.040 --> 00:30:48.560 you may worship the Lord. 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.120 If you're wondering 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:52.480 where the presence of God dwells, 00:30:52.540 --> 00:30:53.600 it's in Him. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:55.240 In Him, the fullness of God 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.819 was pleased to dwell. 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:58.539 The fullness of deity dwells 00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:00.539 dwells in full in Christ. 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.159 If you're wondering 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:03.299 where sacrifice is offered, 00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:05.740 Christ Jesus is the sacrifice, 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.000 the Lamb of God 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:09.740 who takes away the sin of the world. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.259 If you're wondering 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.919 who will offer it on your behalf, 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.879 Christ Jesus, 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:15.539 He is the great High Priest. 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.179 If you're wondering 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:17.819 where sinful man 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:19.779 can worship a holy God, 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:21.659 it's not a physical place, church. 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:23.140 It's a person. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.960 His name is Jesus. 00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:27.140 He has come 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:29.900 and tabernacled among us. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:32.460 They destroyed the temple of His body, 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:33.660 but on the third day, 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.840 He rose, 00:31:35.540 --> 00:31:38.180 never to be destroyed again. 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:43.060 Some, I know, Christians 00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:45.960 are looking and waiting 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.380 and longing for 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:49.019 a physical temple 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.339 to be rebuilt, 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.859 to be constructed again. 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.619 They believe this 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.359 to be a sign 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.420 of the end of the age. 00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:57.740 I think if we understand 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.720 what Jesus is saying here, 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.980 then we would understand 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:04.539 that the true temple 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:07.119 was established forever 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.940 at the resurrection 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:10.160 of Jesus Christ 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.879 from the dead. 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:15.740 Jesus says this temple, 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.960 this building, 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.059 was just a pointer. 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.180 Something greater 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.980 than the temple 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:22.200 has come. 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.660 If you want to truly 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:25.180 worship God, 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:26.759 you must come 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.480 to Him 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:29.119 in me. 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.200 And when you do, 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:31.879 church, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.720 something incredible 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.400 happens. 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:36.700 Christ comes 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.319 to dwell 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.299 in you. 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.160 Believers aren't 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:42.460 just waiting 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.160 for a temple 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.839 to be built. 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.660 If we are in Christ, 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:48.180 then we are also 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.400 a fulfillment 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:51.080 of the temple. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.000 The spirit 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.560 of the living God 00:32:53.560 --> 00:32:54.340 dwells 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.519 in you. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.400 This building 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:04.060 is a blessing. 00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:06.360 It's wonderful. 00:33:06.560 --> 00:33:07.480 We gather here. 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:08.720 It serves us well. 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:10.440 We love our physical 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:11.320 building, 00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:12.680 but it's not the temple. 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:14.120 And it's not 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.960 the church. 00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:17.039 The spirit 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.519 of God 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.400 does not dwell 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:20.440 here in this place, 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:22.480 in these four walls. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.400 If this building 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.080 were to burn 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:24.880 to the ground 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.519 tomorrow, 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:28.240 we would grieve 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.840 the loss 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:29.740 of this place. 00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:30.480 But you know what? 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.560 Next Sunday, 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.140 Siwe Bay 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:34.720 would gather. 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.680 The church 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:38.019 would gather 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.259 for worship. 00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:40.200 Maybe on the lawn, 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.160 maybe in a home. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.339 The location 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:43.839 doesn't matter. 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.180 Christ 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.460 is in 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.240 you. 00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.720 And where Christ 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.480 is, 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.099 there 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:51.619 may God 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.879 be worshipped. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.420 Paul tells us 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:56.960 in Ephesians 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.740 chapter 2, 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.339 So then 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.759 you, 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.460 church, 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.480 are no longer 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.740 strangers and aliens, 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.460 but you 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.139 are fellow 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:05.779 citizens 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.680 with the saints 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.380 and members 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.180 of the household 00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:08.920 of God, 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.800 built on the 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.340 foundation 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.139 of the apostles 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:12.000 and prophets, 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.559 Christ Jesus 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.480 himself being 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.400 the cornerstone 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.720 in whom the 00:34:16.720 --> 00:34:17.800 whole structure 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.760 being joined 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.500 together 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.920 grows into 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.840 a holy 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.539 temple 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.099 in the Lord. 00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:25.720 In him 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.400 you also 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.380 are being built 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.960 together 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.760 into a dwelling 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:29.960 place for God 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.720 by the Spirit. 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.900 Jesus is telling 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.340 us, 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.200 if you would 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.539 worship God, 00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:39.219 come to me, 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.839 come to Christ, 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.159 believe in 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.299 his name 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.839 and magnify 00:34:45.839 --> 00:34:46.939 the glory 00:34:46.939 --> 00:34:47.699 of God. 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.799 Once again, 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.899 just as he did 00:34:53.899 --> 00:34:54.399 at the end 00:34:54.399 --> 00:34:54.839 of the wedding 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:55.359 account, 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:57.379 John tells us 00:34:57.379 --> 00:34:58.059 the effect 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.099 of these things 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.839 on the disciples 00:34:59.839 --> 00:35:00.799 and on others 00:35:00.799 --> 00:35:02.059 around Jesus. 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:03.039 Verses 22 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.399 through 25 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.280 serve as a 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.180 sort of bridge 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:06.840 between this 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:07.619 account and 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.420 what will 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.119 Lord willing 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:10.400 see next week. 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.180 Verse 22 00:35:11.180 --> 00:35:12.900 tells us, 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.700 when therefore 00:35:13.700 --> 00:35:14.740 he was raised 00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:15.420 from the dead, 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.220 his disciples 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:17.139 remembered that 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.680 he had said 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.139 this, 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.079 and they 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.900 believed 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:21.119 the scripture 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.480 in the word 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.039 that Jesus 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:24.440 had spoken. 00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:26.099 And not only 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:26.460 them, 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.260 verse 23 00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.619 tells us, 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:29.559 many in Jerusalem 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.460 there believed 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.260 in his name 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.740 when they saw 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.060 what was 00:35:32.060 --> 00:35:32.700 happening there 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.500 at the Passover. 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:34.740 But, 00:35:35.680 --> 00:35:36.720 here's where 00:35:36.720 --> 00:35:37.340 we'll close. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.660 There is a 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.600 difference 00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.500 in their 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:41.960 believing, 00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:43.200 isn't there? 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:44.960 Look there 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.900 at verse 23. 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:47.320 Many believed 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.100 in his name 00:35:48.100 --> 00:35:48.720 when they saw 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.300 the signs 00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:50.020 he was doing, 00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:52.200 but Jesus 00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:53.680 on his part 00:35:53.680 --> 00:35:54.880 did not 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.580 entrust 00:35:55.580 --> 00:35:56.160 himself 00:35:56.160 --> 00:35:57.700 to them. 00:35:58.700 --> 00:35:59.180 Why? 00:35:59.180 --> 00:35:59.240 Why? 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:01.720 Because he 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.200 knew all 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.560 people 00:36:02.560 --> 00:36:04.120 and needed 00:36:04.120 --> 00:36:04.640 no one 00:36:04.640 --> 00:36:04.980 to bear 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.380 witness 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.200 about man 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.800 for he 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.360 himself 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:07.900 knew 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.280 what was 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:11.000 in man. 00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:11.680 Here is 00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:12.260 Jesus, 00:36:13.160 --> 00:36:14.020 the Son of 00:36:14.020 --> 00:36:14.440 God, 00:36:14.540 --> 00:36:15.120 the Messiah, 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.720 the light 00:36:15.720 --> 00:36:16.440 of the world 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:17.000 coming, 00:36:17.740 --> 00:36:18.380 manifesting 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.000 his glory, 00:36:19.180 --> 00:36:20.180 proving himself, 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.060 bearing witness 00:36:21.060 --> 00:36:21.960 by his words 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.720 and his works 00:36:22.720 --> 00:36:23.420 that he 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.000 might be 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.720 believed 00:36:24.720 --> 00:36:25.460 and God 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.000 might be 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:26.720 worshipped. 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:27.880 And as 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.580 he does, 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.620 some see 00:36:29.620 --> 00:36:30.400 and believe 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.260 genuinely, 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:32.860 truly, 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:34.700 and yet 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:35.180 others 00:36:35.180 --> 00:36:36.160 believe 00:36:36.160 --> 00:36:37.760 superficially. 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:38.900 How do 00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:39.260 we know? 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:41.000 Because Jesus 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.720 himself 00:36:41.720 --> 00:36:42.720 did not 00:36:42.720 --> 00:36:43.680 entrust 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:44.220 himself 00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:45.539 to them. 00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:48.840 All that 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.280 the Father 00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:49.940 gives me 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.440 will come 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:50.820 to me, 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.139 whoever 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.800 comes to 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:51.980 me, 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.340 I will 00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:52.760 never 00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.559 cast out, 00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:53.820 Jesus 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:54.360 says in 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:54.980 John chapter 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.380 6, 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:55.780 that is, 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:56.700 all that 00:36:56.700 --> 00:36:57.139 the Father 00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:57.780 gives to 00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.220 me will 00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:58.739 come to 00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.239 me in 00:36:59.239 --> 00:36:59.759 genuine 00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.539 faith, 00:37:01.139 --> 00:37:01.739 genuine 00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.759 trust, 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.459 genuine 00:37:03.459 --> 00:37:04.399 worship, 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.000 and I 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.339 will 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:05.919 entrust 00:37:05.919 --> 00:37:06.500 myself 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.439 to them 00:37:07.439 --> 00:37:08.719 in full. 00:37:08.859 --> 00:37:09.099 I will 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.579 never 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.279 cast them 00:37:10.279 --> 00:37:10.559 out, 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:11.980 but those 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:12.559 who come 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.579 believing he 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.000 can work 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:14.599 signs and 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.139 wonders, 00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.879 believing he's 00:37:16.879 --> 00:37:17.879 influential, 00:37:18.259 --> 00:37:18.899 believing that 00:37:18.899 --> 00:37:19.379 he is 00:37:19.379 --> 00:37:20.299 powerful, 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.119 believing he's 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:21.819 worth listening 00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:22.119 to, 00:37:22.279 --> 00:37:23.199 believing he 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:23.819 may do 00:37:23.819 --> 00:37:24.779 something for 00:37:24.779 --> 00:37:25.219 them. 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:28.319 but they 00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:28.799 do not 00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:30.079 believe as 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.599 ones who 00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:31.459 love and 00:37:31.459 --> 00:37:32.739 trust and 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:34.500 worship Jesus 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.659 from the 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.059 heart, 00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:38.119 he will not 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.079 entrust himself 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.959 to you. 00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:43.219 Jesus knows 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:43.839 the difference. 00:37:45.339 --> 00:37:46.379 You can't 00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:47.119 slip it past 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.339 him. 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.439 He needs 00:37:49.439 --> 00:37:50.299 no one to 00:37:50.299 --> 00:37:50.939 bear witness 00:37:50.939 --> 00:37:51.679 about man, 00:37:51.779 --> 00:37:52.139 for he 00:37:52.139 --> 00:37:53.500 himself knows 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.960 what is in 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.360 man. 00:37:57.659 --> 00:37:58.400 Which one 00:37:58.400 --> 00:37:58.760 are we? 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:01.840 Which one 00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:02.199 are you? 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:05.659 Two chapters 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.340 into the 00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:06.880 gospel of 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.219 John, 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.179 having seen 00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:08.599 what we've 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.039 seen, 00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:09.760 heard what 00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:10.280 we've heard, 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.059 do we 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.900 believe in 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.500 his name? 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.199 Truly, 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:17.300 genuinely, 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:17.500 genuinely, 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:19.579 if we do, 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.179 church, 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:22.239 let's lay 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:23.579 aside any 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:25.239 selfish desire 00:38:25.239 --> 00:38:26.819 and worship 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:28.479 him as 00:38:28.479 --> 00:38:29.319 he deserves. 00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:30.859 Let's pray. 00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:35.319 Father God, 00:38:35.439 --> 00:38:36.079 you are 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:37.079 worthy of 00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.559 our worship. 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.319 We worship 00:38:39.319 --> 00:38:39.839 you because 00:38:39.839 --> 00:38:40.899 you are good 00:38:40.899 --> 00:38:41.859 for who you 00:38:41.859 --> 00:38:42.500 are, for what 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:42.979 you've done. 00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:43.839 We praise you 00:38:43.839 --> 00:38:44.599 for the gospel. 00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:45.459 We praise you 00:38:45.459 --> 00:38:45.919 for sending 00:38:45.919 --> 00:38:46.739 Christ to 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:47.699 live and 00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:48.399 to die and 00:38:48.399 --> 00:38:49.119 to rise, 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.539 for undeserving 00:38:50.539 --> 00:38:51.599 sinners like us. 00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:52.360 We pray, 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:53.319 God, 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:53.719 that you 00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:54.860 would move 00:38:54.860 --> 00:38:55.380 us to 00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:56.139 worship you 00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:56.799 in spirit 00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:57.239 and truth. 00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:57.679 We love 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:57.839 you. 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:58.860 We pray 00:38:58.860 --> 00:38:59.119 this in 00:38:59.119 --> 00:38:59.480 Christ's 00:38:59.480 --> 00:38:59.699 name. 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:00.779 Amen. 00:39:00.779 --> 00:39:00.920 Amen. 00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:01.920 Okay?