WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.879 Gracious Father, this morning we who are your children purchased by the blood of your Son 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:18.879 ! 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:36.000 We're here together to worship you, not in our own capacity and not because of our own 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:42.960 simplistic grasp of who you are or what you've done. 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:52.640 We're gathered here because of the work of grace that found us in our sin and brokenness 00:00:52.640 --> 00:01:02.980 and gave to us everlasting life and blessed us with the indwelling Spirit who is actively 00:01:02.980 --> 00:01:11.879 engaged this morning in lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:22.319 Help us to be prayerful and dependent on your work as we take the Word of God in hand with 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:30.819 the desire that our hearts would grow in our affection for the Lord Jesus Christ and our 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:38.000 passion to see people come to know Him as God and Savior. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:39.900 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:41.700 Amen. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:47.340 I want you to turn in your Bibles this morning to John chapter 5. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:51.540 We're going to be looking at John chapter 5, verse 30 through 39. 00:01:51.540 --> 00:02:01.219 And by way of introduction, let me say, having made a commitment to preach larger portions 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:07.939 of the passage, and any of you who have survived my many years here know that I used to be able 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:14.300 to spend three weeks on one verse, and I have conscientiously tried to kind of get away from 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:14.620 that. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:19.800 And there are moments where I kind of look at a passage and say, oh, Lord, there's just 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:20.640 too much here. 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:25.280 So I say that at the beginning, but I will be done in verse 39 when we get there. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:31.020 So with that in mind, I want you to write something on your notes. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:32.939 I want you to write it on your hand. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:38.599 I want it to be kind of fixed somewhere in the central part of your thinking this morning 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:42.340 because it's very important for us to start out at the right place. 00:02:43.359 --> 00:02:44.639 And here's what I want you to hear me say. 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:46.900 Not original with me. 00:02:48.519 --> 00:02:54.019 I think Paul David Tripp was one who, commenting on maybe something Martin Luther or Calvin said, 00:02:54.359 --> 00:02:57.719 made the comment that our hearts are idol factories. 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:02.639 Our hearts are idol factories. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:06.840 That's true for you. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:09.639 That's true for me. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:21.259 And what we are going to be looking at this morning in verses 30 through 39 is Jesus coming 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:27.359 into a cosmic conflict between two systems of faith. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:35.919 And we who sit here struggle periodically with being on one side or the other of those two 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:36.299 systems. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:39.300 Here are the two systems that are butting heads. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.380 A performance-based faith. 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:49.340 Or a grace-based faith. 00:03:51.960 --> 00:04:00.820 In this passage, what we have is Jesus coming direct, into direct conflict with the purveyors 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:04.159 or the salesman for the performance-based faith. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:10.159 What had happened is in John chapter 5, you'll remember that after he had come back to Jerusalem, 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:16.379 he had gone down to the pool of Bethesda, and he'd healed a man on the Sabbath of all days. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:20.819 And along with healing the guy, he said, hey, pick up your bed and walk. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:26.879 And the guy figured, if this guy can make me well, he probably has the right of telling me what to do. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:29.500 And so he packed up his little kit and he took off. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:37.180 And as soon as the Pharisees and scribes saw him hustling across the street, you know, zippity-doo-dah, you can just kind of imagine him. 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:40.920 I mean, he's full of enthusiasm at having his bed no longer. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:43.399 He's fired up and he's walking through town. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:44.180 What are you doing? 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:45.120 What are you doing? 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:49.100 They're all fired up and they said, who told you to carry your bed? 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:51.220 Well, the guy who healed me. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:57.519 Jesus then comes in direct conflict with these scribes and Pharisees. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.319 And by the way, they are the salesmen for the what? 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:01.600 Say it with me. 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:04.319 Performance-based faith. 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:08.579 Hey, do we ever get caught up in kind of being performance-based? 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:10.100 Smile at me. 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:11.079 You. 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:11.759 Yeah. 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:12.819 We do. 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:13.439 Right? 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.420 How come I'm a good person? 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.420 Well, it's because I did all these four things, right? 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.639 I showed up at a church workday. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:21.040 I'm going to help with VBS. 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:22.360 I've got to be good. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:25.100 Performance-based faith. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:34.120 Well, here were people that were selling the idea real seriously and Jesus ends up in conflict with them and there's a lot of tension in this situation. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:40.600 Jesus steps into the scene and he makes it clear, listen, it's not just that I can heal this guy, 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:46.800 but I want you to understand that I alone have the right to save or the power to save and the right to judge. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:50.420 That's what he's already said earlier in the passage in John chapter 5. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:58.120 And so now we end up with this direct conflict between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:06.040 And in what we find here, Jesus makes it clear that he has the right not only to save but to be the one that they listen to 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:11.600 and the one who has the authority to command their respect and their worship. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:14.780 John chapter 5, verse 30, 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:16.320 I can do nothing on my own. 00:06:16.760 --> 00:06:24.240 As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:30.360 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:39.199 As we pick up this passage, we find Jesus coming face to face with his objectors. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:43.780 And instead of kind of being passive and kind of backing away from this confrontation, 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:46.020 he steps right into it and he says, 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:47.040 Let me know who I am. 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:50.960 Let me tell you who I am and explain the reality of my person. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:55.720 He answers the question of, 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:59.280 So what right do you have of telling this guy to carry his bed? 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:02.600 Or what right do you have to tell us of how to get to heaven? 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:04.100 Jesus said, 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:05.520 Well, let me make it clear to you. 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:09.100 I'm not here advertising myself. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:17.000 And what we find in the remaining passage is clear indication of the authority and the supremacy of Christ. 00:07:17.260 --> 00:07:18.300 He explains it this way. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:21.200 The Father's three proofs are what we're going to be looking at this morning. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.080 I love the opening lines of this passage. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:29.759 He makes it clear that he was not on his own mission and validating his own supremacy. 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:36.479 Jesus explained that he wasn't there to do his own thing or to draw attention to himself. 00:07:36.919 --> 00:07:39.519 Furthermore, as we see in the last part of verse 30, 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:45.399 here's Jesus saying that his one passion, his one desire was to please his Father. 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:46.199 Look at the verse. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:51.000 I came not to seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:56.860 I am here to accomplish what my Father wants. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.360 What an example that we find here. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:04.120 Jesus was absolutely consumed with pleasing his Father. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.379 And I questioned that in my own life. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:10.399 How often am I really interested in pleasing the one who appointed me 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:13.920 and called me to the mission and task that he made me for? 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:24.160 Here's Jesus making it clear that the sole ambition that he had in his public ministry 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:28.400 was bringing attention to the purposes and the plan of the Father. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:33.700 I stop and think about many of the things that kind of get me sideways in the road, 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:38.259 little things that I can obsess on, issues that aren't going my way, 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.060 and how I get distracted by those things. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:43.079 And here was Jesus saying, listen, none of those affect me. 00:08:43.359 --> 00:08:47.199 I am focused singularly on what is my Father's will. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:49.479 And incidentally, what was the Father's will? 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:52.519 It was that he be the Savior of the world. 00:08:52.619 --> 00:08:55.179 And how was he going to become the Savior of the world? 00:08:55.399 --> 00:09:00.699 It was by marching resolutely to the cross and dying in my place and in your place. 00:09:00.859 --> 00:09:04.279 Is there anything that you and I face in this present life 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:08.779 that is anywhere near that same significance and challenge? 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:09.240 No. 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:15.779 And here is Jesus saying, my desire, my ambition, 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:22.740 my affection is focused in on what the Father has directed me to do. 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:27.100 It's pretty interesting to see there in verse 31. 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:32.379 It says, if I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:37.179 I reviewed all my emails. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.120 They're entirely private. 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:41.019 And I disposed of them. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:45.839 Now, if what we do is take what Jesus had to say, 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:50.360 an individual that bears testimony exclusively to themself is what? 00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:54.959 Now, it's not politically correct to say, but I'll tell you right now, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.220 that person's a liar. 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:01.419 Jesus makes it clear, if I am here bearing testimony about myself, 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:05.719 and I'm kind of posing the issue of, well, hey, this is who I am, 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:08.939 and this is where I'm at, and this is what I've done, and et cetera, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 00:10:09.199 --> 00:10:18.519 This self, this self-uplifting is something that by virtue of it being the sole testimony, 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:20.259 we know that person's a liar. 00:10:21.339 --> 00:10:24.699 So here's Jesus saying, if I'm the only one talking about myself, 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:27.559 then you can call me a liar from the start, and it's true. 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:35.139 Now, having said that, Jesus then gives three witnesses that the Father gives to His deity 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:39.079 and to His mission, and I'm going to spell those three out for you in advance. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:43.439 One is John, two are the miracles, and three is Scripture. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.839 One is John, second is the miracles, and three is Scripture. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.739 Now, I'm going to ask you a little side question. 00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:53.759 Whether you play rook or whether you play cards, 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:57.080 and I'm not going to get all wigged out about that in case you're wondering, 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.939 what is that game, euchre? 00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.879 How many of you play euchre? 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:02.799 Don't raise your hands and give yourself away, but here's a, okay. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:07.460 When you win the bid and you get to call Trump, 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:11.500 how many of you have ever had a hand where all the cards worked exactly, 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.279 you were in total control of the game? 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.299 Have you ever been there? 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.919 Very rarely, you know. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:20.959 I mean, you have the ace, you have the king, you have the jack, you have the ten. 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:23.879 You know, it's just, it's all good, right? 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:29.259 And you get to call, let's just call it Trump. 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:34.860 And as you play the cards, how many of you like to drop your low Trump first? 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:38.539 Drop the low, how many of you like to drop the low Trump first? 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:39.159 Come on, tell me. 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:41.019 I like to drop the low Trump first. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:44.079 It's because it kind of leads people to have a little bit of ambition 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:46.319 that somewhere along the line it might work out for them. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:51.159 Hey, you put down the little card and the guy, 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:54.360 well, we didn't win this hand, but there's another one out there. 00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:57.120 And I'm sitting there with ace, king, queen, jack, you know how, 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.980 and so you put the low one out. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.679 Here's what Jesus did, so you know ahead of time, 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:04.039 and you can leave now if you want to, 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:08.319 but it's like, you know, Jesus, he dropped small Trump first. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:15.500 He said, well, here are the proofs that I am the one to be listening to. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.779 Number one, listen to what John had to say. 00:12:19.199 --> 00:12:25.519 So we recognize the witness of John in the passage here. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:32.399 It says there is another, verse 32, who bears witness about me, 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:35.579 and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:39.700 You sent to John, and he is born witness to the truth. 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:46.720 Now stop and realize that John the Baptist had burst on the religious scene 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:50.759 there in Israel in a rather spectacular fashion. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:54.639 It's interesting when you stop and think about John 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:59.800 that he had come out of the wilderness dressed in a rather rugged form, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:08.039 and there was nothing that he did that drew people to him other than preaching. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.659 Do you realize that? 00:13:11.839 --> 00:13:15.299 He came out of the wilderness, and his message was pretty simple. 00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:18.179 It was, repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:20.620 Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:25.459 And the preaching of John the Baptist was marked by the enabling of the Spirit, 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:29.379 and it led to profound conviction in the nation of Israel, 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:36.980 so much so that the scribes and Pharisees, they sent people to John and said, 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:37.720 hey, who are you? 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.080 What's going on here? 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:45.120 And John, from the very beginning, made it very clear that he was not the main man. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.120 I want you to turn back. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:50.379 You're in John chapter 5, so just go back just a little bit to John chapter 1, 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:53.300 verse 19. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:59.339 And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.039 who are you? 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:04.879 He confessed and did not deny, but confessed, I am not the Christ. 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.419 And they asked him, what then? 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:08.159 Are you Elijah? 00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:12.059 Yeah, they anticipated that Elijah would come before the great day of the Lord. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:13.159 He said, I'm not. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.959 Are you the prophet? 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.179 He answered, no. 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:21.000 By the way, the word the prophet in this passage is referring to the statement that is made in the book of Exodus 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:25.679 where I will send a prophet like unto me, talking about the coming of the Messiah. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.480 And in each case, he says, I'm not that one. 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:29.279 I'm not that one. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.000 I'm not that one. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:32.500 Verse 23 says, I'm the voice. 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.179 Just nobody special. 00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:35.460 I'm crying in the wilderness. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:39.919 Make straight the way of the Lord as the prophet Isaiah said. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:46.299 Then when you skip over to verse 29, you hear him say this. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:51.000 He sees Jesus the next day coming towards him, and he says, behold, there he is. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:55.259 That's the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:58.759 The one who takes away the sin of the world. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.539 Now we go forward a little bit to verse 34. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:06.360 And here's what John the Baptist says with absolute clarity. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:14.779 He says, I have seen and have borne witness that this, pointing to Jesus, is the Son of God. 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:22.720 It's very interesting that going back to the passage in John chapter 5, and turn back, if you will, there, 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:29.519 Jesus says, hey, listen, you sent to John, and he bore witness about the truth. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:35.559 Not that the testimony that I received is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:44.939 At the heart of Jesus' interaction with these religious leaders was not just a belligerent combativeness, 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:48.059 and sometimes I think we get caught up in being that way, 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:53.419 but the underlying concern that Jesus had, even with these people, was their salvation. 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:55.100 He was interested in their soul. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:16:04.659 And he says this, he was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:10.399 I love the model that we find in John's ministry. 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:14.960 And I think it's important for us, as we sit here this morning, 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:19.620 to understand that as Jesus is making this issue clear of, 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.680 so why should you listen to me? 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:25.459 He says, first of all, it's because John talked about me. 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:27.659 You respected John. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.639 John talked about me. 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:34.059 And I want you to understand that the characteristic of John's ministry 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:40.279 was that he was consumed with lifting Jesus up, even at his own expense. 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:44.679 Remember when John said, he must increase and I must decrease? 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.500 Let me say it again. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:51.179 John was consumed with lifting Jesus up, even at his own expense. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.959 So stop and ask yourself this question. 00:16:54.979 --> 00:16:58.079 Think for a moment back through the last week that has passed. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.659 Replay some of the clips of your conversations and ask yourself this question. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:09.659 How often in the last week that has passed were my conversations and my affections 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:15.299 focused on Christ to the point that underlying the things that I was engaged in 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:19.379 was this unrelenting interest of seeing him lifted up 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:21.420 and Christ made plain. 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:33.120 Jesus, supremely important, worthy of all of our glory. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:41.300 And we can sit here this morning and understand it was reasonable for John the Baptist 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:46.259 to focus his life on making Christ supreme and significant. 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:46.579 Amen? 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.000 Right? 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:51.419 Here's a point I want you to get. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.419 John's gone. 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.839 I'm in his place. 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.359 John's gone. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.319 I'm in his place. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.559 Can you say it with me out loud? 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:01.960 Go ahead. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.559 I want to see your lips moving. 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.779 And you're a good group of people to sing. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:10.099 I was sitting over here watching all the instrumentalists up here this morning. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.659 And I love the fact. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:15.500 We are not a church in which music is a performance. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:17.960 It is something we participate in together. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.039 And I'm watching the instrumentalists. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.559 If they're not blowing on something, they're singing. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:22.639 Okay. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.779 Say it with me. 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.519 John's gone. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.200 I'm here. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:31.059 Is that true? 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.740 It is. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.759 John's gone. 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:36.799 I'm here. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:43.400 And if John's significance and value was to make Christ clear, then that's the same thing 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:44.500 I ought to be doing. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:49.680 Well, there's another witness to Christ. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:54.519 The sign miracles, if you look there in verse 36. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:59.480 But the testimony I have is greater than that of John. 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.980 We're playing Trump, right? 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.799 We're moving up the ladder. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:04.980 We dropped the 10, cleaned out all the other Trumps. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:10.440 So now we're going to play the rook or the jack and drop that on the pile and rook. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:10.879 Okay. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:11.720 Jack. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.720 We're going to drop the jack. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.039 And he says, there's somebody better. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.559 What is it? 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.359 It's sign miracles. 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.740 Verse 36. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:23.380 For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish the very works that I am doing 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:26.420 bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:40.059 Now, I want you to understand that Jesus performed miracles that were unbelievable, undeniable. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:52.279 And the thing that really irritated his enemies was that his miracles were absolutely irrefutable. 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:59.359 You couldn't discount or discredit them, and you couldn't diminish the significance of what 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:01.220 they meant to his message. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:09.400 Now, I think it's important for us to take a little bit of time here and think about some 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.440 background information. 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:15.440 For one, sign miracles were always done for an eternal reason. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:18.160 They had nothing to do with fundraising. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:21.240 They had nothing to do with popularity. 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:28.319 And given the long history of God's redemptive work to our fallen race, it is noteworthy to 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:35.480 recognize that in the record of Scripture we find very few little pockets of time in which 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:37.099 sign miracles were done. 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:38.740 Do I believe that God heals today? 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.740 I do. 00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.000 I do. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:44.319 Do I believe that miracles happen today? 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:49.139 Hey, you who are dead in trespasses and sin, have you been brought to life? 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:54.039 Is there anything more spectacular than eternal life? 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.299 Nothing. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.579 Nothing. 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.839 I believe in miracles. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:07.079 Sign miracles, however, happened in particular times to validate and to affirm a message given 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:10.359 at a moment, at a turning point in history. 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:12.559 Namely, let's try Moses. 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:18.159 Remember Moses kind of out there leading sheep around, tapping him with a cane, getting him 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:19.319 to go left or right or whatever? 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:21.299 And God says, burning bush time. 00:21:21.439 --> 00:21:21.879 Pah-chum. 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:24.259 And Moses is scared to death. 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.779 And he says, well, how come they're going to believe me? 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.099 And God says, well, try this. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.900 Throw your staff down. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.740 Turn it into a snake. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.279 It's pretty spectacular. 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.960 But that wasn't the end of his miracles. 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.519 Remember one miracle after another? 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:39.940 All happened during Moses' time in ministry. 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:58.640 Elijah and Elijah, two others, significant as they were at the breaking point in a sense of God's 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:01.060 careful ministry to the nation of Israel. 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:06.940 And then we come to the ministry in the time of Christ and the apostles. 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:16.200 Apart from that, we have no instance in Scripture of the recurring and consistent miracles like you find during these times. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.799 And so let me say this so you get it. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:22.660 Signed miracles were done to validate the appointed messenger of God in the message. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:36.759 And while we recognize the power of God at work today, it is undeniably true that we do not have any clear undeniable evidence of anybody today raising people from the dead. 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:45.460 I mean, hey, if Jesus were around today, he could walk through Children's Hospital and flush it out. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:23:05.779 You wouldn't have to hire security guards to control the crowd in a specialized auditorium where you kind of gave voluntary donations to find seats closer to the front so you had an opportunity to get a shot at being healed. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.940 Jesus just bang, it happened. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:20.139 And by the way, when he fed the 5,000, when he raised Lazarus from the dead, I mean, one thing after another, undeniable evidence of his power. 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.759 And so let's make this clear. 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:25.160 Christ's miracles were undeniable proof of his deity. 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:30.200 And it was a reason to believe that he was who he said. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:36.680 None of his miracles were ever contradicted or discovered to be tricks. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:50.480 There is not a supposed miracle worker today that has not ended up one time or another being interviewed and discovered that there's a little bit of chicanery going on behind the scenes. 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:56.900 He didn't have an earpiece that allowed his disciples to feed him some information that he could use in a public venue. 00:23:56.900 --> 00:24:01.500 He didn't just heal a few selected individuals and let the rest go. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.960 It's interesting. 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:06.480 You look at Matthew chapter 5, verse 23 and 24. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.860 It says he healed a bunch of them. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:14.019 And I like John chapter 10. 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.940 Turn there if you will. 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.320 You're in John, so stay there. 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:20.060 But go over to John chapter 10, verse 38 and 39. 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:29.980 Here's Jesus dealing with his detractors again. 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.759 He says, hey, listen. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.299 Verse 37. 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:35.919 If I'm not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:44.159 If I'm not showing dramatic, dynamic, undeniable evidence of the power of God working in me, don't believe me. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:47.740 And then I'll look at verse 38. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:55.900 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am the Father. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.000 What's he saying? 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:01.900 Look at the facts right here. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:10.700 Miracles performed that are undeniable and they bear irrefutable testimony to the fact that I am the Son of God. 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:14.580 The first witness was John. 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:17.059 The second witness was miracles. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:25.180 Now remember, when you're playing cards, if you're like me, you want to drop the biggest number at the end. 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.980 Why is that? 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.700 It's just kind of like, boom! 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.500 Right? 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.580 I mean, that's right. 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.860 That's what Jesus does now. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.440 Follow with me. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.960 The witness of the Scriptures. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:40.580 Go back to John chapter 5. 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:45.600 Verse 37 through 39. 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:51.340 The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.620 Now what's he talking about? 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:57.500 The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. 00:25:57.559 --> 00:26:02.600 Well, one thing that we do know, though I do not think it is a reference that bears directly on this. 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.080 Remember when Jesus was baptized? 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:07.360 There's a voice from heaven that said what? 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.120 Does anybody remember? 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.920 How many of you know? 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:12.539 Now, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:15.620 Now there's a little bit that shows up in one of the three synoptics. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.900 It says, listen to him. 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.380 I love that part. 00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:21.000 This is my Son. 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.279 Listen to him. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:32.399 Before we dig into this last point, I want you to recognize and I want you to have this clearly fixed in your mind. 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:34.200 Don't miss this. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.580 Christ assigns the Word of God. 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:46.000 Christ assigns the Word of God the supreme priority in by making it last in his argument for his own deity. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:48.359 And why is that true? 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:56.319 Why does the Word of God end up being the most significant proof of the reality of the deity of Christ? 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:58.160 Let me have you think about this very clearly. 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.279 Where's John today? 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:03.599 Where's John today? 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.000 He's awaiting the resurrection. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.799 Do you follow that? 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.859 Isn't that true? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:10.940 He's in heaven, but he's also, his body is awaiting the resurrection. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:13.619 And so, is John around today to talk to us? 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.299 No, he's not. 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:18.319 And the people who had miracles performed on them. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:23.039 Where's the guy who had the privilege of being raised from the dead? 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.859 Is Lazarus around? 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.719 No, they're not around. 00:27:24.959 --> 00:27:26.939 But what is still here with us? 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.000 We have the Word of God. 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:31.639 We have the testimony of the Word of God. 00:27:32.719 --> 00:27:42.659 And I want you to understand that the Bible makes it undeniably clear that the Word of God is the supreme testimony to the supremacy of Christ and to his deity. 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:47.539 Let me have you think about the importance of the Word in the life of the believer. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:56.659 However, turn to Luke chapter 16 where Jesus hammers the issue of the supremacy and importance of the Scriptures. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:59.940 Luke chapter 16, verse 27. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:05.099 By the way, the account that we have there is a rich man and Lazarus. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.399 And the rich man ends up where? 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.039 Where does the rich man end up? 00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:10.720 Does anybody know the story without looking at it? 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.519 He ends up in hell. 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:18.639 And in hell, he's pretty concerned that his brothers don't come there with him. 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:22.660 So what does he ask as a privilege? 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.480 All right, all right. 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.460 I have to stay here. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.160 I understand that. 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:28.319 I can't leave here and go tell my brothers not to arrive here. 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:32.579 But would you send somebody back from the dead to tell them not to come? 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:37.059 Look at what we find there in verse 27. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.000 Verse 28. 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:40.940 29. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.360 And Abraham said, 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.700 They have Moses and the prophets. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.680 Let them hear them. 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.380 And he said, 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.660 No, Father Abraham. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:50.539 But if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.640 He said to him, 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:54.360 If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:59.539 neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.759 I want you to understand this. 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:10.200 What the Bible tells us is supremely powerful. 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:15.259 And is the most important convicting power that there is. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:27.799 As a result of the supremacy of Scripture, in dealing with spiritual issues, one of the things that I would encourage you to do, 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:47.039 is make it a characteristic and habit in your life that when you think thoughts, when you have emotions, when you have affections, that you always govern them and balance them with the Scriptures. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:52.500 And by the way, the easiest place to do that is here. 00:29:52.500 --> 00:30:00.500 When we are singing, as an example, this morning we were singing, Where Shall I Go? 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.900 Or, how's that go, John? 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.420 Help me here. 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.400 I forget the words. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.519 Where else can I go? 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.779 Where else can I go? 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:12.200 And then the song recites John chapter 6. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.839 And we'll get there someday, Lord willing. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.019 Remember? 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:17.259 Remember the disciples, everybody else? 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:19.440 Jesus does the feeding of the 5,000. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.839 People really tickled with Him. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.119 They want to make Him king. 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:24.720 And then He preaches this wingdinger of a sermon. 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.160 And everybody leaves. 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.899 The crowd goes. 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:32.560 And Jesus turns to His disciples and says, Are you packing up and leaving too? 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.340 And what do they say? 00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:36.600 Where are we going? 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:38.220 You got the words of life. 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.140 Now, here's the point I want to make. 00:30:44.040 --> 00:30:49.920 The Holy Spirit is not obligated to honor anybody's poetic license. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.700 Do you understand that? 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:54.700 The Holy Spirit is obligated to honor the Word of God. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.580 It abides forever. 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.720 It's settled in the heavens. 00:30:58.119 --> 00:31:02.500 When we get to heaven, we will still delight in the Word of God. 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:06.759 And so when we are together, it is the Word that is supreme. 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:11.740 It is the Word that is the center of who we are and what we rely upon. 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:24.819 My heart is broken when I see people whose lives are frustrated and broken 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:28.419 because of their neglect for the Word of God. 00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:34.720 And Paul, Jesus says, Hey, listen. 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.700 John's out there, yeah. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:41.240 And the miracles, they bear testimony. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.519 But let's get this straight. 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:45.799 The thing that really hammers the issue of who I am is the Scriptures. 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:48.620 Are the Scriptures important? 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:54.840 In Luke chapter 16, we find that they're important enough to get the matter of heaven and hell clear. 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:57.579 But then over in Acts chapter 15, verse 12 through 15. 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:59.779 And I'm just going to recite this because of time. 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:09.079 But in Acts chapter 15, you have the early church arguing about whether or not Gentiles should be added to the church without becoming Jews. 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:12.639 And we find the same pattern of argument. 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.879 There's personal testimony. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:19.299 There's pretty spectacular evidence of God being at work. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:21.259 And then Simon. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.659 And what's Simon's other name? 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:23.139 Help me here. 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.259 Peter. 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:28.179 Peter says, And to this the Scriptures agree. 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.980 I like that. 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:31.639 That is like a bang. 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:34.779 It's the Bible that settles the question about what we believe. 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:39.639 Now, why does Tim Knoyer believe what he does about monogamy? 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:43.299 Why do I believe that murder is wrong? 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:49.940 Why do I believe that the unborn are to be allowed to live freely in the womb until God brings them forth? 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:53.480 Why do I believe that homosexuality is a sin against God? 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:55.399 Only because the Word of God tells me. 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.440 No other reason. 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:59.399 It's because God's Word says it. 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:06.320 So I want you to understand this morning that the Word is the greatest testimony to Christ. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:12.400 And it's very interesting that the people that Jesus was talking to didn't get it. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:15.759 Now, look at the passage. 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:17.120 Go back to John chapter 5. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.800 Verse 38. 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:30.980 Stop just for a moment. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:40.180 How many of you are aware that Islam puts a great deal of attention on reciting the Koran in Arabic? 00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.700 How many of you know that? 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:53.539 There are hundreds of thousands of people in this world that recite the Koran by memory from chapter 1 to the end of it. 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.900 It's a fairly robust book. 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.779 I have a copy of it. 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:59.819 And they recite it in Arabic and they don't know a single word. 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:07.900 It is part of their religion to memorize the Koran. 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:10.679 If you want to be a religious and spiritual person. 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:25.879 During Jesus' day, the way in which you kind of earned your way up the food chain of religious approval was you learned the Torah by memory. 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.460 You could recite it. 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:33.940 That's the reason one of the stinging slaps that Jesus gave to His enemies was He'd say, 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.019 Have you never read? 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.599 I mean, it's like, duh. 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:40.259 It's like, of course I've read. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.839 But you don't get it. 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.899 And here's Jesus saying, you know what? 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.799 You don't get it. 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.819 Look at verse 38. 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:51.119 You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one He has sent. 00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:52.539 Okay? 00:34:52.859 --> 00:34:54.599 Go back to verse 37 just for a moment. 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:57.679 His voice you have never heard. 00:34:59.399 --> 00:35:01.960 His form you have never seen. 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:06.500 You do not have His word abiding in you. 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.400 Now, why is it? 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:19.699 Why is it that Jesus could correctly say these people didn't get it even though they could recite? 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:26.799 So, start in Genesis 1, 1, and I want you to carry on to Genesis 2. 00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:28.679 How many of you here could do that? 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:32.559 I mean, we're all good with John 3, 16, but we're kind of stuck after that. 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.559 Why is it that? 00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:40.579 The Pharisee could recite the entire Torah, five books of Moses with his eyes closed. 00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:45.219 Jesus said, you don't get it. 00:35:45.719 --> 00:35:46.500 It's not in you. 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.320 Why is that? 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.119 Why is that? 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.940 Look at what He says here. 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:53.119 Look at the end of verse 38 and the last part of verse 39. 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:56.039 You do not believe the one He has sent. 00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:57.719 Why don't you understand the Scriptures? 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:02.319 Because you're refusing what the Scriptures are about. 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.519 Verse 39. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:10.799 It is they that bear witness about me. 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:19.179 So, when anyone says no to Christ, they shut down their ability to understand the Bible 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:22.460 or to grasp the central message of the Scriptures. 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:25.639 Why is that true? 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:31.699 Because Jesus is the person that the Bible is all about. 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:34.719 Every part points to Him. 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:40.960 And learning to look for Him and to love Him unlocks your grasp of the sweetness and the 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.579 significance of the Word of God. 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:49.359 When you get caught up in any other piece in the puzzle, the supremacy of Christ can become 00:36:49.359 --> 00:36:51.339 diminished and you lose sight of Him. 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:55.340 And so, I would encourage you this morning, as you think about the Scriptures, always ask 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:58.280 yourself the question, where is Jesus in all of this? 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:01.019 A little sidebar advertisement. 00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:04.940 This evening, as we are preaching, or I'm going to be preaching in the book of Proverbs, 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:10.360 one of the things that is the core of the lesson this evening is this, is that when we are in the 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:18.220 process of gathering Proverbs for the sake of wisdom and living, we never can forget that Jesus is the 00:37:18.220 --> 00:37:22.880 center, the very perfect part of the picture that we're looking for. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:25.480 Always, always, where's Jesus in this? 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:38.740 And so, this morning, my question to you is this, is as you think about the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:43.820 is He the center in your life and the picture that you have focused on? 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:50.940 Do you recognize that He is the one about whom all the Scriptures bear testimony? 00:37:52.620 --> 00:37:58.019 And so, when you read the Scriptures, is it a desire to be able to check off on your list and 00:37:58.019 --> 00:38:02.120 be able to say in the lobby, hey, I'm one of those people who does my devotions? 00:38:03.080 --> 00:38:08.080 Or is it that you have an ambition and a desire to grow to love the one who is the lover of your soul? 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:15.139 As you read the Scriptures, do you want to grow to know Him more that will be the consuming affection 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:16.599 and passion of all of eternity? 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:21.259 Or is it just something to kind of laboriously do so you can say you've done it? 00:38:22.259 --> 00:38:24.579 That's the way the Pharisees went about that business. 00:38:26.079 --> 00:38:35.000 Are you here this morning as one who sees Jesus as the center of the story and the one that you desire to know? 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:41.119 Or is He just something that's added on the side that you tag in occasionally? 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:45.519 I wonder if you're here today and you don't know Christ. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:51.880 And if you are here this morning and you find the prompting of the Spirit working at you and you're saying, 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:54.280 man, there is this emptiness in my heart. 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:56.000 There is this void. 00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:58.860 There's this hollow part. 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:01.760 And nothing can satisfy my soul. 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:04.019 I want you to know that Jesus is the answer. 00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:12.980 He came into this world to die for your sins and to remove the offense between you and God 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:16.239 so that you could come by faith and brokenness and say, 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:22.000 I am a sinner who deserves the judgment of God, but I realize that Jesus died in my place. 00:39:23.579 --> 00:39:26.519 And I trust Him to save me and change my life. 00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.719 And can I tell you something? 00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:32.980 One of the beauties of the gospel is that not only do we have everlasting life, but when we come to faith, 00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:34.639 we don't have to stay the way we are. 00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:35.719 How many of you are happy where you are? 00:39:36.459 --> 00:39:36.539 Huh? 00:39:38.679 --> 00:39:41.079 When we come to faith, we don't have to stay where we are. 00:39:42.399 --> 00:39:45.359 The Spirit of God comes into the believer and helps us grow in grace. 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:50.480 And by the way, does He help us grow in grace by just kind of dropping breadcrumbs and doing nice things and everything sweet and easy? 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:51.380 What's the answer? 00:39:52.280 --> 00:39:52.719 Hello. 00:39:53.780 --> 00:39:55.920 It's going to be uphill all the way. 00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:59.079 But does it get better as you move down the road? 00:39:59.139 --> 00:39:59.719 What's the answer? 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.719 Speak to me. 00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:01.460 Yes. 00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:02.780 Yes. 00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:04.079 Yes. 00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:11.460 And so I would plead with you this morning as you sit here, I want you to challenge your heart to say, 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:14.579 How important is Jesus in my thinking? 00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:17.239 Is He my Savior? 00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:23.319 And am I conscious and deliberate in my desire to grow to love Him and know Him? 00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:27.539 Or do I need Christ as my Savior this morning, 00:40:27.539 --> 00:40:30.320 and I set aside the arrogance of my heart, 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:35.719 and I confess with humility my brokenness and the judgment that I justly deserve, 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:37.380 and yet Jesus took for me. 00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:40.579 Let's close in prayer. 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:48.079 Holy Father, this morning we look at the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:51.539 and we recognize that He is the center, 00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:57.239 the very person with whom we have to do. 00:40:58.039 --> 00:41:00.279 The one who is the Savior and the judge. 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:03.860 And this morning, as we rejoice in the sweetness of the gospel, 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:10.079 we recognize that there's no reason for us to be uncertain about the Savior that we worship. 00:41:12.219 --> 00:41:16.039 There are some of us here this morning who have taken our eyes off the Lord Jesus Christ 00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:17.079 and off of Your Word, 00:41:17.179 --> 00:41:21.699 and as a result, our lives are complex, far beyond our ability to handle. 00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:26.500 And I would pray that this morning we would humble ourselves enough to say, 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.360 I need Jesus. 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:36.800 I need to release my own idolatrous heart from this baggage of my self-centered thinking, 00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:38.340 and I need to make Him supreme. 00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:42.659 There are some of us here today that do not know Christ, 00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:44.460 and today is the hour of salvation. 00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:51.099 And Lord, we who know Christ plead with You that You would bring about conviction that leads to repentance 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.380 and salvation today. 00:41:53.880 --> 00:41:55.539 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:56.460 Amen. 00:41:57.099 --> 00:41:59.920 Let's stand together as John leads us in our closing song, 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:00.980 and let me encourage you. 00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:04.139 If you're here today and you need Christ as your Savior, 00:42:04.799 --> 00:42:07.599 I want you to know that you can be saved right where you sit. 00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:10.440 You don't have to come to the front to come to know Christ. 00:42:10.440 --> 00:42:16.619 But it isn't a bad idea to humble yourself and go on record and say, 00:42:16.760 --> 00:42:19.800 I need Jesus, and I'm willing to step forward and let that be known. 00:42:20.380 --> 00:42:22.639 And if you're here today and do not know Christ, 00:42:22.740 --> 00:42:26.119 I plead with you, don't walk out those doors saying no to God. 00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:27.400 That's a dangerous thing to do. 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:31.960 I would encourage you, if you are here today as a believer and you know Christ, 00:42:32.240 --> 00:42:38.179 but you have allowed the issues of life to fog your picture of the sweetness of the Savior, 00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:40.799 I would plead with you right where you sit, say, listen, 00:42:40.919 --> 00:42:44.500 I rededicate my heart and my life to be centered on Jesus 00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:49.199 and make his word the thing that is my comfort and my encouragement. 00:42:50.259 --> 00:42:54.319 There might be some of you here today that need to be obedient to the matter of baptism 00:42:54.319 --> 00:42:55.519 or being part of this fellowship. 00:42:55.739 --> 00:42:59.819 As God leads you, you respond to that as we sing this closing song. 00:43:08.179 --> 00:43:34.679 Precious cornerstone, sure foundation, 00:43:34.679 --> 00:43:42.759 you are faithful to the end. 00:43:42.759 --> 00:43:49.259 We are waiting on you, Jesus. 00:43:50.399 --> 00:43:58.399 We believe you're all to us. 00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:07.400 Precious cornerstone, sure foundation, 00:44:07.400 --> 00:44:15.639 you are faithful to the end. 00:44:15.639 --> 00:44:22.180 We are waiting on you, Jesus. 00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:31.179 We believe you're all to us. 00:44:31.179 --> 00:44:41.719 Let the glory of your name be the passion of the church. 00:44:42.179 --> 00:44:49.059 Let the righteousness of God be the only thing that burns. 00:44:49.059 --> 00:44:56.460 that the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. 00:44:56.860 --> 00:45:02.299 We believe you're all to us. 00:45:02.300 --> 00:45:20.700 Only Son of God sent from heaven, 00:45:20.700 --> 00:45:27.300 hope and mercy at the cross. 00:45:27.300 --> 00:45:29.300 Let the righteousness of God be the only thing that burns. 00:45:29.300 --> 00:45:31.300 You are everything. 00:45:31.300 --> 00:45:34.300 You're the promise. 00:45:34.300 --> 00:45:35.300 You are everything. 00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:36.300 You're the promise. 00:45:36.300 --> 00:45:41.300 Jesus, you are all to us. 00:45:41.300 --> 00:45:42.300 You are everything. 00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:43.300 You're the promise. 00:45:43.300 --> 00:45:47.300 Jesus, you are all to us. 00:45:47.300 --> 00:45:54.300 Let the glory of your name be the passion of the church. 00:45:54.300 --> 00:46:01.300 Let the righteousness of God be the holy flame that burns. 00:46:01.300 --> 00:46:09.300 Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. 00:46:09.300 --> 00:46:11.300 Jesus, you are all to us. 00:46:11.300 --> 00:46:12.300 Jesus, you are all to us. 00:46:12.300 --> 00:46:16.300 Let the glory of your name be the passion of the church. 00:46:16.300 --> 00:46:17.300 Let the righteousness of God be the holy flame and burning. 00:46:17.300 --> 00:46:27.300 Let the glory of your name be the holy flame and burning. 00:46:27.300 --> 00:46:33.300 Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. 00:46:33.300 --> 00:46:38.300 Let the glory of Christ be the measure of our lives. 00:46:38.300 --> 00:46:46.300 Let the glory of your love. 00:46:46.300 --> 00:46:48.300 Let this past. 00:46:48.300 --> 00:46:51.300 Let this past. 00:46:51.300 --> 00:46:52.300 Let this past. 00:46:52.300 --> 00:46:53.300 Let this past. 00:46:53.300 --> 00:46:53.300 00:46:53.300 --> 00:46:54.300 Let this past. 00:46:54.300 --> 00:46:56.300 Let this past. 00:46:56.300 --> 00:46:57.300 Let this past. 00:46:57.300 --> 00:46:59.300 Let this past. 00:46:59.300 --> 00:46:59.300 00:46:59.300 --> 00:47:01.400 Let this past. 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:01.400 00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:18.099 And forever we will worship Jesus, you are all to us. 00:47:19.099 --> 00:47:26.420 Jesus, you are all to us. 00:47:26.420 --> 00:47:34.460 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, 00:47:36.159 --> 00:47:41.079 the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 00:47:42.420 --> 00:47:46.740 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, 00:47:47.820 --> 00:47:50.619 working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, 00:47:50.619 --> 00:47:55.200 through Jesus Christ, to him be glory forever and ever. 00:47:55.920 --> 00:47:56.220 Amen. 00:47:56.860 --> 00:47:58.820 Amen. 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.820 00:48:26.420 --> 00:48:56.400 Thank you. 00:48:56.420 --> 00:49:26.400 Thank you. 00:49:26.420 --> 00:49:56.400 Thank you. 00:49:56.420 --> 00:50:26.400 Thank you. 00:50:26.420 --> 00:50:56.400 Thank you. 00:50:56.420 --> 00:51:26.400 Thank you. 00:51:26.420 --> 00:51:56.400 Thank you. 00:51:56.420 --> 00:52:26.400 Thank you. 00:52:26.420 --> 00:52:56.400 Thank you. 00:52:56.420 --> 00:53:26.400 Thank you. 00:53:26.420 --> 00:53:56.400 Thank you.