WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:07.360 My name is Keith Knowlton. 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:08.880 It's a pleasure to be with you this morning. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:13.179 If we haven't met, I'd love to have the opportunity to do so after the service today. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:18.400 Well, this morning we are continuing our series in the Gospel of John, looking at the I Am 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:20.080 statements of Jesus. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:24.740 Today we're going to be looking specifically in John 11, the first 27 verses. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:27.199 If you have a Bible, you can open there now. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:30.039 The text will also be on the screen behind me. 00:00:31.379 --> 00:00:36.840 Now, as we approach the Christmas season, there may be some of you, if you're like my family, 00:00:36.879 --> 00:00:38.399 you enjoy watching Christmas movies. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:43.259 Of course, most of these movies that we watch really have nothing to do with the Christmas 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:46.480 story, but are usually enjoyable to watch. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:52.579 They're warm-hearted with themes of hope and joy and love in a very generic sense, right? 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:58.640 Perhaps you've seen the music, the Polar Express, about the boy who's lost his Christmas spirit. 00:00:58.739 --> 00:01:03.339 He goes to bed on Christmas Eve, and the train comes out his window and takes him to the North 00:01:03.339 --> 00:01:04.879 Pole where he sees Santa Claus. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:11.039 And he's given the first gift of Christmas, which is this little bell that he thinks is 00:01:11.039 --> 00:01:13.620 broken at the time because it's not making any noise. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:19.280 And he realizes it's not until he actually has belief, some sort of faith, that this bell 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:24.140 actually rings, and from then on, it rings in his ear and those who hear and believe 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:26.000 of this Christmas story. 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:31.500 So, in fact, this movie was obviously a book beforehand, if you knew that, and it was a 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.879 pretty popular soundtrack that went along with it. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:38.260 And I actually looked up some of the lyrics to the song because there was a main song, 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:43.439 which I didn't realize until this week that actually won a Grammy for being the song of 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:46.179 a soundtrack, whatever category that was. 00:01:46.420 --> 00:01:50.700 But there's this line that's repeated in the song that I'll read to you. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:51.000 It says, 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:56.359 Believe in what you feel inside, and give your dream the wings to fly. 00:01:56.459 --> 00:01:59.359 You have everything you need if you just believe. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:05.120 Now, I hate to rain on anyone's parade if this is a favorite movie of yours, but that's 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.879 really just a bunch of mushy nonsense, right? 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:11.020 I mean, we don't have to pick on this movie. 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:15.719 It's really much of what we see in the Christmas season around us in the secular world, this 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:21.240 idea of the sentiment that we have, that we have to have faith, this believing, not anything 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:26.880 particular, just kind of this generic, ambiguous feeling that we're encouraged to have. 00:02:28.040 --> 00:02:34.480 Well, in our passage today, we see this call to believe, but it's a very different call 00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:34.920 to believe. 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:39.219 It's not in this generic sense, just so we have some warm, fuzzy Christmas feelings. 00:02:39.219 --> 00:02:46.139 It's revealed in this passage, the object of what our belief is, the object of our faith. 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:49.139 Jesus asked in this passage, do you believe me? 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:52.300 Do you believe I am who I say I am? 00:02:53.219 --> 00:02:57.219 And so it's this idea of belief that we're going to be looking at our passage today. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.360 So let's look at it together. 00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:01.020 John 11, starting in verse 1. 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:04.060 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:07.760 He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 00:03:08.380 --> 00:03:13.840 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:15.439 Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.620 So the sister sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one you love is sick. 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:23.900 When he heard this, Jesus said, this sickness will not end in death. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:28.500 No, it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:32.419 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:37.560 And when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:41.259 And then he said to his disciples, let's go back to Judea. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:47.420 But Rabbi, they said, a short while ago, the Jews were trying to stone you and yet you are 00:03:47.420 --> 00:03:48.020 going back? 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:51.699 Jesus answered, are there not 12 hours of daylight? 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:55.860 Anyone who walks in the daylight will not stumble, for they see this world's light. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:59.980 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:06.420 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:07.700 but I am going to wake him up. 00:04:08.380 --> 00:04:10.920 His disciples replied, Lord, if he sleeps, he'll get better. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:15.540 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:18.939 And so then he told them more plainly, Lazarus is dead. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.740 And for your sake, I am glad I was not there so that you may believe. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:24.660 But let us go to him. 00:04:24.660 --> 00:04:29.840 Then Thomas, also known as Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, let us also go 00:04:29.840 --> 00:04:31.080 that we may die with him. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:35.840 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:41.660 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:43.220 comfort them in the loss of their brother. 00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:47.260 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. 00:04:47.780 --> 00:04:48.800 But Mary stayed at home. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:53.520 Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:57.340 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:05:00.460 Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:05.939 Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:10.000 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.639 The one who believes in me will live even though they die. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:17.160 And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:18.860 Do you believe this? 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:21.120 Yes, Lord, she replied. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:25.639 I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:27.920 This is the word of God. 00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:28.899 Will you pray with me? 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:36.959 Lord, as we now turn to consider your word, we ask that you grant us your wisdom and understanding. 00:05:39.159 --> 00:05:42.439 Lord, please remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. 00:05:42.539 --> 00:05:45.699 We ask that you awaken our attention to the truth of the gospel. 00:05:46.919 --> 00:05:49.479 That the truth of your word may go out in power. 00:05:49.479 --> 00:05:54.060 That it may refresh us and convict us and encourage us. 00:05:54.679 --> 00:05:56.419 This we pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:57.359 Amen. 00:05:59.299 --> 00:06:03.239 Now, as I mentioned, we're looking at these I am statements of Jesus. 00:06:03.419 --> 00:06:07.179 If you've been with us for the last few weeks, we know that we've considered some of these where Jesus says, 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:08.439 I am the bread of life. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.259 I am the light of the world. 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:11.159 I am the door. 00:06:11.299 --> 00:06:12.279 I am the good shepherd. 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:17.199 And now in this passage, we see that Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:23.159 Now, if you remember back further into the autumn, you remember James would have preached on this similar passage, 00:06:23.539 --> 00:06:27.439 the whole chapter actually, where Jesus actually raises Lazarus from the dead. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:36.480 We're not going to focus so much on the miracle today, so much as these verses from 17 to 23 that focus on Jesus' interaction with Martha. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:41.420 This conversation that Jesus has with Martha as he approaches Bethany. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.220 And so as we consider that, there's really two points I want us to think about today. 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:46.779 One is the revelation. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:49.539 One is the revelation and two, the response. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:51.279 The revelation and the response. 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:54.439 So let's first look at the revelation in this passage. 00:06:54.919 --> 00:06:59.959 Now, if you're familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus, if you're familiar with the Gospel of John, 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:01.819 you might have heard of the name Martha before. 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:04.359 This isn't the first time she comes onto the scene. 00:07:04.739 --> 00:07:09.819 Back in Luke 10, Luke describes Jesus going to the house of Mary and Martha. 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:15.219 And it's Martha who's busy doing all the work and all the hospitality as Mary sits at Jesus' feet. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:17.879 And Martha comes to Jesus and complains, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.219 My sister is not helping me. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:21.199 Will you tell her to come and help me? 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:24.740 And Jesus points out to Martha that she's the one that's being anxious, 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:27.259 and it's her sister Mary that has chosen the good portion. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:32.019 And so now we see in John 11, this relationship has obviously blossomed. 00:07:32.159 --> 00:07:35.459 Jesus is friends with Mary and Martha and with Lazarus. 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:38.099 It says that in verse 5 that he'd love them. 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:45.319 And so naturally, when Lazarus is sick, it makes sense that Mary and Martha would send word to Jesus, 00:07:45.479 --> 00:07:48.799 Come, our brother is sick, come so that you may heal him. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:52.919 They know that he has performed miracles in the past, that he has healed the sick. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:55.879 Certainly, they would want him to come to heal their brother. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:59.740 But we see here that Jesus doesn't comply with their request. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:03.939 In fact, he waits a couple days before he goes to Bethany to see them. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:10.740 And so when Jesus arrives, it says in this passage that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:15.519 And this is significant because the fact that four days indicated that he was really, truly dead. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:23.060 There was an idea at the time that a person's soul would kind of hover above their body for three days before departing. 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:30.060 So the idea that Jesus was coming after four days indicates that Lazarus was truly dead. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:35.799 If you're familiar with the movie Princess Bride, it's that cult classic from the 80s. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:42.159 The hero of the movie is trying to find his true love to rescue her, and he himself is killed. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:44.919 So his friends take him to this miracle worker, right? 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:48.980 And they want him to revive their friends so he can rescue his true love. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:52.899 The miracle worker says, well, your friend is only mostly dead. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.860 And there's a big difference between being mostly dead and all dead. 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:00.039 Mostly dead is still slightly alive, right? 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:04.240 Because he's slightly alive, then the miracle worker is able to bring him back to life. 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.879 Well, this is not the case here. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.799 Lazarus is not only mostly dead. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:10.679 He is completely dead, most certainly all dead. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.240 And of course, this is part of God's plan. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:18.480 Jesus recognized that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the miracle. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:26.399 And so he says in verse 3, in allowing this, he allows this for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it. 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:28.980 And so this is the backdrop of the story. 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:33.720 As Jesus approaches Bethany, we know that Lazarus has been dead for a number of days, 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:37.180 and it's his sister, Martha, who goes out and approaches him. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:41.180 And so we see this very honest and open conversation. 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:44.840 She doesn't waste any time expressing her feelings or her emotions. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:52.800 We see this really delicate balance of faith and disappointment, of belief and grief at the same time. 00:09:54.060 --> 00:09:58.040 And so she says to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:02.240 And so to her credit, we see that she had faith. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:06.940 She recognized that Jesus was a miracle worker, that he had healed people in the past. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.399 Why not heal Lazarus? 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:13.840 So it's a reasonable question that she would have, a reasonable anticipation that Jesus should come. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.980 You've saved all these people in the past that were practically strangers. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.320 Why in the world did you not come and save the person that you love? 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:26.220 Well, we see that this faith that she exhibits is actually an imperfect faith of sorts, 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:30.500 because we recognize that even though she sees Jesus to be a miracle worker, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:37.580 she believes that his power is brought about by his bodily presence. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:41.759 And so we don't know whether she had heard of miracles in the past, 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:47.340 where Jesus had healed people at a distance when he went and healed the centurion's servant with only a word. 00:10:47.400 --> 00:10:51.360 How he healed the official's son simply by the power of his word. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:54.540 And so she follows up with another statement, 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:57.420 I know even now God will give you whatever you ask. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:00.780 Again, it's another statement of faith. 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:04.579 She's recognizing the relationship that Jesus has with the Father. 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:08.240 But we don't really know what she means by the statement. 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:09.159 It's still rather vague. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:10.459 What are her expectations? 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:16.899 So we see here this really, her faith is being challenged by her own expectations, right? 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.480 Her brother is sick. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.459 She calls to Jesus to help. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:23.319 She expects that Jesus will come to heal her brother, 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.100 except the fact that he dies. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:28.300 And so now she's conflicted. 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:30.240 Is Jesus really in control? 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:33.519 Is Jesus really willing to do what I ask him to do? 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:37.240 And so while this isn't the main point of the sermon, 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:39.700 I think it's worth pausing here just to think about. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:44.620 Put ourselves in the situation when things go poorly in our mind, 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:48.000 when we experience trouble and strife and hardship, 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:48.960 how do we respond? 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.740 Do we respond with disappointment? 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:55.639 Do we question God's timing or his sovereignty? 00:11:57.180 --> 00:12:00.039 Are we willing to continue trusting in God's will, 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.980 even when God's will is different than ours? 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:09.820 Nowhere in the Bible does God promise us health and wealth and safety and comfort, right? 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:14.240 In fact, he says when you believe, most likely we'll experience just the opposite. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:16.080 If we go back to verse 5, it says this, 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:19.480 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:23.740 And when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed for two more days. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:28.080 I mean, at first glance, that kind of seems counterintuitive, right? 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.639 Kind of ironic. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.860 I love Lazarus, so I'm going to stay here until he's dead. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:38.440 Well, it's not counterintuitive when we realize that God's chief concern is not our comfort, 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.920 but his own glory. 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:45.120 We need to remember that the things that happen in our lives, 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:51.039 sickness and death and depression, financial hardship, loneliness, whatever it may be, 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:54.179 all occur so that Christ may be exalted. 00:12:55.479 --> 00:12:59.139 So if we see in this passage that Jesus' goal is his own glory, 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:02.019 then that needs to be our goal when we face hardship in our lives. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:08.699 Not seeking our own comfort, but being confident in God's plan, 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:12.559 that we see God's glory, and knowing that that will ultimately end in our good. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:16.939 And so how does Jesus respond to Martha's initial comment? 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.500 He says very simply, 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:24.399 Now, he doesn't directly respond to her comment. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:30.360 We see at the beginning of the chapter that he explains to his disciples why he's delaying his coming, right? 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.199 He could have said the same thing to her here. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:32.600 He could have said, 00:13:32.699 --> 00:13:35.340 Look, I'm concerned with my own glory here. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.000 I'm going to do a miracle here. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:37.879 He doesn't say that. 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:41.019 We see him trying to draw Martha slowly in. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:44.419 He wants her to focus her attention on him, 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.340 not on her own expectations, 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.919 but on the reality of who he is. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.059 He really wants her faith to be exercised 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:55.479 so that she can see who he is and what he's about to do. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:59.139 And unfortunately, Martha, it seems in this passage, 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.379 she perceives his comment a little differently, right? 00:14:02.979 --> 00:14:06.199 It kind of seems like she receives his comment 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:09.119 as if it's just a poor attempt at consoling her. 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:11.619 We might have experienced this ourselves. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.239 Maybe we've had a family member die, 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:15.319 and we've had people come to us, 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.939 very well-intentioned, 00:14:16.979 --> 00:14:17.839 they're trying to be loving, 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:20.219 but say things that just really aren't helpful to us, right? 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.820 They say, well, you know, remember, God's in control. 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:25.899 Everything works out for the good. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.560 You know, and statements like that, 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.460 they're not inaccurate. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.960 People are trying to be, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:33.519 to say things that will be encouraging to us, 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:36.259 but the thing is that truisms do very little 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:37.860 to care for our heart. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.779 And so it is in this case, 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:43.540 the heart of Martha is hurting. 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:47.820 She perceives Jesus' words to just be head knowledge to her, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:49.780 so it doesn't really take root. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.420 So because of her misinterpretation, 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.780 she responds with a rather half-hearted response. 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:57.379 I know he will rise again in the resurrection of the last day. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:01.440 Seems like kind of a rather disappointed tone. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:05.620 As if Jesus is telling her something that she already knows, 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:08.760 that she doesn't really find pertinent to the situation here. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.520 Jesus, I know. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.440 I know Jewish tradition. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.640 I know Jewish teaching. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:16.480 We're told that we will rise again on the last day. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.460 Well, on the one hand, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.360 we can give her credit for having good theology 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.419 because there were Jews at the time 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.879 that didn't believe in the resurrection. 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.059 In fact, the Sadducees taught that, 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:28.399 that there was no resurrection at the last day. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:31.419 So the fact that she is professing that is to her credit. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:34.399 She recognized that God's people will rise again. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:37.299 However, this really isn't the point that Jesus is making here. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:40.419 The point that Jesus makes really escapes her. 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.759 He's really not testing her theology here. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:46.879 He wants her to focus in, not on the future resurrection, 00:15:47.099 --> 00:15:48.979 but wants her to focus in on the here and now 00:15:48.979 --> 00:15:52.139 to understand the true object of her faith. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.799 And so Jesus responds in a very powerful way 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:00.799 with some of the most powerful, clear words in the whole gospel. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:03.799 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:09.359 He's telling her to not focus on things that are far off, 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:13.639 to recognize the hope that she can have right now in him, 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.059 that he is the source of life, 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.919 that he is the one who conquers death. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.559 He is the one who saves. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:25.899 And so the thing about this profession of Christ right here, 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:30.019 he is truly saying that he is the incarnate God. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:34.399 So it's worth just marveling at how bold this statement really is. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:38.840 It's not the language of a teacher or a prophet. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:41.460 This is the language of the Savior. 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:44.059 And so he goes on to say, 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:48.039 the one who believes in me will live even though they die. 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:52.480 So we see he's speaking directly to Martha's situation here. 00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:54.199 Even though your brother has died, 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:56.439 even though he has been in a tomb for three days, 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:59.980 because of his belief, he will be raised by my power. 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:04.359 This is the language of a Savior. 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.879 This is death. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:10.220 He's announcing death will not be the victor. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.319 He continues in verse 26, 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.480 and whoever believes, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:17.240 whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:21.759 So we see that from the moment of our first belief, 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.920 we have life eternal. 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:27.400 The death, the sting of death is gone forever. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:32.880 And so what Jesus is emphasizing is the hope that he brings. 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:33.960 Don't look to the future. 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:38.460 Look to me as the source of your hope and your life. 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:41.100 We recognize that throughout the history of the Bible, 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.320 they have the history of God's people. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:44.400 They were anticipating a rescuer. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.680 From the time of Adam, a rescuer had been promised. 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.800 The patriarchs were anticipating this. 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:50.460 The prophets spoke of this. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.799 The people of Israel were longing for their Savior. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.200 And now he had come. 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:58.220 John 5, 25, Jesus says this, 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.600 Very truly I tell you, 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.759 a time is coming and has now come 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.340 when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God 00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:06.799 and those who hear will live. 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:13.120 We see that Martha had great faith in God's future work. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:18.099 But Jesus is making clear that he is the true object of her faith. 00:18:18.699 --> 00:18:20.119 Not to wait for a future resurrection. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.599 He is the resurrection. 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:23.179 He is the one that provides life, 00:18:23.459 --> 00:18:24.679 not in the future but now, 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:27.239 more fully than she could ever imagine. 00:18:28.479 --> 00:18:32.059 And so this is the wonderful revelation that we see in this passage. 00:18:32.239 --> 00:18:34.919 This is the truth upon which all eternity hinges. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:39.080 And so then we can turn to the response. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:44.880 Now I'm sure if you've had conversations with people in the past 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:47.060 and someone's describing something to you 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.640 maybe that you're not familiar with, 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:51.960 they may describe it kind of in a means of a dichotomy, right? 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.519 You either love it or you hate it. 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:55.440 You're either for it or against it. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:58.019 This happens a lot in politics, right? 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.220 People's positions. 00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:02.400 Maybe you think of Brexit when that was an issue years ago, right? 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.039 You're either for it or you're against it. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:06.640 We think about sports teams. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.580 Either you love them or you hate them. 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.060 At least from an American's perspective, 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:12.080 it's like the New York Yankees were that team. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:14.000 You either love them or you hate them. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:19.320 When I arrived in Scotland last year, 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:23.759 someone was describing to me what Marmite is. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.420 And they said to me, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.940 you either love it or you hate it. 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.519 And I can assure you that I hate it. 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:33.060 It doesn't, I don't, how is it a food? 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.539 I don't know. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:35.680 Why would anyone ever want to put this on toast? 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:38.740 It's, it's, I'm in the hate category for that one. 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.220 But we see here in this passage, 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.420 after revealing his identity, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:46.159 that Jesus is taking a similar stance here. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:48.180 He's asking Martha very directly, 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.920 the central question in this passage, 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.659 do you believe this? 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.819 And so Jesus is saying that the reality of his identity, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:59.399 it requires that you take a stance, 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.220 that you take a position. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:02.980 Do you believe me or do you reject me? 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:06.160 There's really no neutral position here. 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:09.460 And so we see Martha's response in verse 27. 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.019 Yes, Lord, 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:11.519 I believe that you are the Messiah, 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:13.360 the son of God who has come into the world. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:19.380 Now it's interesting here because Martha doesn't respond in the way that we may 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.240 think she responds. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:23.579 She doesn't respond directly to using the same language that Jesus does. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.039 She doesn't say, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.259 yes, 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.720 I believe you're the resurrection life. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.140 She says, 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.420 no, 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:28.160 I believe you are the Messiah, 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:28.779 son of God, 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.680 who's come into the world. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.640 And because of this, 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:34.900 there's some varying opinions as to what she was really professing here. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.519 Was she just, 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:35.839 again, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:39.039 kind of reciting theology that she had been taught in the past? 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:45.380 Or was this really personal expression of faith on her behalf? 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:50.180 Was this just kind of a vague response to Jesus' question? 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.880 Or is she, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:54.660 she looking and focusing in on something a little deeper? 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.480 Well, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.640 obviously we can't know her mind, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.460 but I think there's, 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:01.120 there's something that we can say for her faith in this passage, 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.600 even though it's not a perfect faith, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:07.580 even though we see that she was disappointed by Jesus' delay in arriving. 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:10.860 If we go further into down to verse 39, 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:13.460 when Jesus is ready to perform this miracle, 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:15.759 he asked that the stone be rolled away from the grave. 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.400 And she objects. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.779 She says, 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.320 Jesus, 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.820 it's really going to stink. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:22.519 And so we see this faith isn't perfect, 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:29.740 but her statement here is truly one of the most complete confessions of Jesus' divinity 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:32.700 that we see anywhere else in the gospel of John up to this point. 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.960 And so by calling him first Messiah, 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.720 she's admitting, 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:39.880 she's understanding that he is the Christ. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.400 He is the one who will save his people. 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:44.860 We see this language used when, 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.400 back in John one, 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.560 where Jesus is calling his disciples to himself and he calls Andrew. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:54.039 Andrew has this meeting with Jesus and he goes and runs and tells his brother, 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.359 Peter, 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:54.919 he says, 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:57.000 we have found the Messiah. 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:01.859 She then calls him the son of God. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.279 She's recognizing that, 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:10.519 that the son of God is this term that really points to the intimacy and the unity that Jesus had with the father. 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:12.839 It's a word also that comes up in John one, 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:15.440 when Jesus calls Nathaniel to be his disciple, 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.860 he tells Nathaniel, 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.059 he says, 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.660 I saw you sitting under the fig tree. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:21.279 And how does Nathaniel respond? 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:21.680 Rabbi, 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:23.320 you are the son of God. 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.100 Thirdly, 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.580 Martha calls him. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.960 She says that he is the one who has come into the world. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:34.519 It's this language that's really repeats the theme that we see throughout the gospel of John. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.080 In John one, 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:35.340 nine, 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:35.680 it says, 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.340 the true light, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:39.240 which gives light to everyone has come into the world. 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:43.880 When Jesus feeds the 5,000 in John six, 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:48.620 and everyone witnesses the fact that they have been fed by a few loaves and fishes, 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.220 they proclaim, 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:53.720 this is indeed the prophet who has come into the world. 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:56.779 And so we see here that Martha, 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:59.539 it seems like she's connecting the dots here. 00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:05.660 She's linking together these partial professions that have been made in the past, 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:10.660 and she's making this into one complete foundational confession. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.519 Jesus is the Messiah. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:20.100 He is the son of God who has come into the world to save sinners like me and to give life. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:24.579 And so this question that Jesus asks of Martha, 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:28.059 it's the same question that he asks every single one of us. 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:30.319 Do you believe? 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:35.579 It's the most important question that any of us will ever answer in our lifetimes. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:39.259 And so it's important to understand what is he asking by belief? 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.819 What does belief actually mean? 00:23:41.219 --> 00:23:42.879 There's a few ways to think about belief. 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:45.859 You can think about it just as a form of knowledge, right? 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.919 The possessing knowledge. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.299 Yes, 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:48.859 I know what the Bible says. 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:50.159 I know who Jesus is. 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:53.299 I know what the gospel is. 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:57.039 But that's not what Jesus is requesting right now. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:59.319 That's not what he's asking of Martha. 00:23:59.459 --> 00:24:00.719 He's going further than that. 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:03.259 Even further than intellectual ascent. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.799 It's not just, 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.039 yes, 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:06.059 I know and I believe what the Bible says. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:08.919 I believe that Jesus is the son of God. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.439 He's going deeper still. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:18.019 This third and really essential element of faith is this personal trust. 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:26.200 It's this deep affection that we have for Jesus that not only is brought about by our minds, 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.359 but more importantly, 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.180 by our hearts. 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:32.000 Some of you know that Rachel and I, 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.460 my wife, 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:34.920 we spent some time in China a number of years ago. 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:43.720 And one of the most memorable trips we were able to take when we were there was actually to go to some very remote portions of the Great Wall and hike them. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:46.900 So usually what you see close to Beijing, 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.299 at least, 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:52.180 is this very restored parts of the wall where you see all the tourists shoulder to shoulder. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.200 We didn't want to do that. 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.259 We hired our own guide, 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:59.539 went hours out from the city to these very remote areas where we hiked on the wall for a couple of days. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.559 And so we got up and hiked there. 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.100 And then at night, 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:06.319 we went into this little village and caught our fish that we ate for dinner that night, 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.779 slept in these little villagers' house, 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:10.740 and then back up to the wall the next day. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.099 And at the very end of our hike, 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:15.240 as we needed to get back to the car to take us back home, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.519 there was only two options. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.339 We're at the top of this, 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.940 top of the wall, 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:23.759 which we kind of overlooked this ravine into this big gorge and river at the bottom. 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.940 And our guide said, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.120 okay, 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.099 we can do one of two things. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:30.839 We can either take a couple more hours and hike down the gorge and back up the other side to where the car is, 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.220 or there's this zip line, 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.880 and we can take the zip line across the gorge. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:35.819 Now, 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.099 to me, 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:38.259 that sounded pretty exciting to be able to take the zip line. 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.559 We said, 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:38.700 yeah, 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.359 let's do it. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:42.419 And in my benevolence, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:42.740 I said, 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:42.979 Rachel, 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.859 why don't you go first? 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:48.740 And it wasn't because I wanted to see you tested out on her, 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.199 but I thought, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.399 you know, 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:50.219 if I go first, 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:52.579 she's the one that's a little hesitant to do this. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.479 I may get across the other side, 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.359 and she gets cold feet, 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:57.079 and I'm not going to see her again for a few more hours. 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.919 So I said, 00:25:57.979 --> 00:25:58.699 you go first. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.879 You make sure you can get across, 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:00.519 and I'll follow. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:03.900 And so by agreeing to do this, 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:07.799 we had the knowledge that this was a reliable form of transportation. 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:11.079 We'd actually just seen someone go across on it, 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:15.240 so we believe that it was able to hold the weight of a human going across the zip line. 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:20.799 But it was that level of personal trust that was the hardest part to muster up, 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.420 because Rachel, 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:24.720 when she put on that harness and got linked into that zip line, 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:28.140 she was told to step back off the platform. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:31.579 That was going to take her several hundred feet across this river, 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.559 several thousand feet to the other side, 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:35.679 and she hesitated. 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.339 Understandably, right? 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:40.399 It took some time to coax her and to encourage her 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:43.059 before she finally got across to the other side. 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:48.220 And so when we see her faith, 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:53.539 this is the personal trust that Jesus is requesting of Martha here. 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.359 He's asking for, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.859 is this the kind of faith that you have in me? 00:26:56.859 --> 00:27:00.399 Personal trust that you have in me. 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:06.859 You know, it's important to repeat that this faith, 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.480 even though it is a level of personal trust, 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:12.159 it's not always going to be a perfect faith. 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:15.679 Martha, in this passage, she didn't exhibit perfect faith. 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:18.159 She questioned why Jesus didn't come sooner. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.980 Rachel, stepping off that platform, 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:23.319 didn't have perfect faith that she was, 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:25.159 because it took her some time to do it, right? 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.759 But the thing is, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:30.419 it wasn't her faith that held her up from falling into the river a hundred feet below. 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:33.179 It was the object of her faith. 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.140 It was the equipment. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.960 It was the harness. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:37.580 It was the rope that kept her safe. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:42.019 And likewise, it is Christ who is the object of our faith. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:45.500 When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:47.740 this is actually only a sign. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.960 This points forward, 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.660 not to the fact that he can raise other people, 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.279 but that he himself is a resurrection. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:57.220 He is the one who raised himself from the dead. 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:58.900 He was crucified on the cross. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.620 He spent three days in the tomb, 00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:02.539 and he is the one that rose again. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:04.639 1 Corinthians 15, 21 says this, 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.359 For since death came through a man, 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:09.379 the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.619 For as in Adam all die, 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.779 so in Christ all will be made alive. 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:18.700 And so we see that this resurrection is not something that Jesus keeps to himself. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:20.379 Through his death and resurrection, 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:22.819 we are offered resurrection life. 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:27.379 And it's important to note what this offer actually is. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.899 This is not an offer of healing. 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.960 Jesus doesn't say, 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:34.059 I am the great medicine. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.200 He says, 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:37.700 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.879 Ephesians 2, 4 says, 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:41.500 But because of his great love for us, 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:42.840 God, who is rich in mercy, 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:47.840 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.240 And so it's important to note, 00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:51.200 without Christ, 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:53.780 we are totally dead. 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.200 Spiritually speaking, 00:28:56.340 --> 00:29:00.060 we are the same kind of dead as Lazarus was. 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:02.200 There is no way that as a dead man, 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:05.220 we can rise from the dead on our own. 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:07.140 We require the power of Christ. 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.319 And so I said earlier, 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.920 this truth, 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:16.259 the reason that Jesus asked this question to Martha, 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.059 do you believe, 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.680 is because it demands a response. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.740 So the same for us. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.140 It demands a response. 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:24.700 This offer of life has been extended to us. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:26.019 Do you believe? 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:29.319 Jesus says in John 6, 40, 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:32.220 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.940 and believes in him 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.080 shall have eternal life 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:37.779 and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:41.700 And so for those of us who are believers, 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:44.220 this is the hope that we have. 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.039 Not hope in the future. 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:46.640 This is the hope that we have now. 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:50.019 This is what motivates us in life, 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:51.820 to recognize that we have 00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:54.200 the hope of the resurrection life 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:56.380 that is with us now. 00:29:56.380 --> 00:30:02.360 May we desire that this affects every aspect of our lives, 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:05.080 that others may see the life of Christ in us. 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:10.780 But maybe there's some here that are familiar with this passage, 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:12.600 or maybe you've been around the church a while, 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.460 you know a little bit about Jesus, 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:16.320 but you're still kind of sitting on the fence. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:19.500 Maybe this is all new to you. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.619 Maybe you've not heard the gospel message before. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:26.659 Know this, that there is no neutral position. 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:30.779 We either believe that Jesus is the Son of God, 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:33.179 believe that he is the one who gives us life, 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:36.779 or we face eternal judgment by rejecting him. 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:43.599 And so this, though it sounds harsh, 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:47.099 this is a reality that can bring us great joy. 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:49.779 Today can be the day of salvation. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:52.099 Place your trust in Christ 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:54.899 to recognize that you can be brought from death 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:57.500 to the life that we experience 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:59.759 through the resurrection of our Lord. 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.700 Let's pray. 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:12.139 God, we marvel at the fact that you would become incarnate, 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:17.619 that you would be crucified, dead, and buried, 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.960 and raised from the dead. 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:22.500 And so it may be our profession today 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.940 that you are the resurrection and the life. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:29.019 God, we ask that you grant us genuine faith 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:30.500 that we may believe in you. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:35.139 May we be willing to die 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:37.140 just as you die 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:38.940 that we may be raised to new life. 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:42.600 And so for those of us that do know you, Lord, 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:44.880 may we live in resurrection life 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:46.440 more and more every day. 00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:47.540 May it rule us. 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:49.000 May we walk in its power. 00:31:50.020 --> 00:31:52.120 May we be strengthened through its influence. 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.860 Lord, those that don't know you, 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:58.100 we ask that you grant them faith, 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.280 a personal trust 00:31:59.280 --> 00:32:00.259 that they may recognize 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:03.500 that you are the resurrection and the life. 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.460 Not a future hope, 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:07.079 but hope for us now and forever. 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:10.200 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.299 Amen. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.720 And now, if you'll stand, 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:18.240 we have our last hymn of the morning. 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.400 Musicians can come forward, 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.200 and we'll be singing together, 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:23.220 And Can It Be.