WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.000 Would you pray with me? 00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:13.280 Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:17.800 Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your word, 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:24.480 and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom. 00:00:25.080 --> 00:00:28.000 Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.140 Well, Athanasius sat looking out a small window over that busy Egyptian marketplace on the port city, 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:46.200 the Mediterranean coast called Alexandria in Egypt. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:52.640 And I picture Athanasius unrolling this letter that a messenger had delivered to him. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:57.960 On this letter was the seal of the emperor of the entire Roman Empire. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:02.420 At the time it was Constantine stamped onto the wax. 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:05.200 And there's Athanasius. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:12.340 Every line of this letter that his eyes are scanning tightens the knot inside his stomach. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:20.000 I urge you, Emperor Constantine wrote, receive this priest Arius back into the church. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.739 His writings have been misrepresented. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:30.920 Well, as we saw with the Nicene Creed, Arius had refused to agree with those statements. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:38.099 He had refused to sign the Nicene Creed because he wanted to bring Jesus Christ down just a notch. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:43.579 Christ, he said, was created by God. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:46.119 He taught this wrongly. 00:01:46.619 --> 00:01:51.759 He was saying, therefore, that Christ was not of the same substance, not the same essence of God, 00:01:51.819 --> 00:01:54.259 therefore not the same degree of divinity. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:55.959 God is divine. 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:59.319 Jesus Christ was not the same degree of divinity. 00:01:59.699 --> 00:02:01.000 That's what Arius was teaching. 00:02:02.139 --> 00:02:05.879 And Athanasius said, you have no place in the church of Jesus Christ. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:09.479 You're bringing Christ down a notch. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:13.299 So what should Arius do? 00:02:13.359 --> 00:02:15.659 He's got the pressure of the entire Roman Empire, 00:02:15.859 --> 00:02:18.560 Constantine with a handwritten letter to him, 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:23.120 commanding him to let this priest back in who won't sign the Nicene Creed. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:25.079 What should Athanasius do? 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:30.140 What should you do when you feel that pressure? 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:32.280 Spring Christ down a notch. 00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:36.780 Make it a little bit more palatable to sinful man. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:43.740 Well, in today's text, Christ calls out those who were also perverting his word. 00:02:44.820 --> 00:02:47.680 Look in John chapter 5, verse 39. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:53.400 Jesus tells these Judaizers, these masters of the law, 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.560 he says, you search the scriptures. 00:02:56.420 --> 00:02:58.300 You have master's degrees, 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:01.140 PhDs, and the word of God, 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:03.599 because you think that in them, 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:05.420 you have eternal life. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:07.719 You think you love Moses, 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:09.360 because by keeping the law of Moses, 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:11.480 you can earn your own salvation. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:13.719 Jesus calls them out on that. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:18.099 They were trying to live their life under the principle of works. 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:20.819 Well, they were right about one thing. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:24.379 They are responsible to obey God's law. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:30.879 Every single person who is made by God the creator is responsible to keep God's law perfectly. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:31.859 He is your creator. 00:03:32.419 --> 00:03:33.439 You are his creature. 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:35.359 So they got that part right. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:37.840 But look at the rest of verse 39. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:43.280 They were using the law for a purpose that was incomplete. 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:46.140 Yes, the law exposes their sin. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:47.260 But look what Jesus says. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:51.300 He says, the scriptures bear witness about me. 00:03:52.200 --> 00:03:54.480 Jesus came to reveal the gospel to them. 00:03:55.380 --> 00:03:57.800 The point in searching all of the word of God 00:03:57.800 --> 00:04:02.580 is so that you will find the one these scriptures are intending to reveal. 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:05.640 As you're reading your Bible, keep that in mind. 00:04:06.480 --> 00:04:09.480 If you're back in Nehemiah, or if you're in the Psalms, 00:04:09.600 --> 00:04:12.300 the purpose of the scriptures, according to Christ himself, 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:15.100 is to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:15.580 --> 00:04:17.939 So all of the Bible, Old and New Testaments, 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:21.920 are given to reveal to you, church, Jesus Christ. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:25.319 That's how we rightly use God's word. 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:28.439 And we sang just a moment ago of this same gospel. 00:04:29.020 --> 00:04:29.540 We said, 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:35.060 By thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:36.439 Love that. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:37.640 What a wonderful line. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:38.600 What a great lyric. 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:42.660 What is the all-sufficient merit of Christ that can do that? 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:46.540 How can Christ, how can it be so meritorious 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:50.759 to raise sinners like us all the way to his glorious throne? 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:51.320 How? 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:56.120 My sermon text for today is Christ's all-sufficient merit. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:56.280 Merit. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:04:59.920 What is merit, you might be thinking. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:03.139 So children, merit are the qualities and actions 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:07.639 that determine whether or not you get what you deserve. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.660 So to merit something means that your character or conduct 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:15.860 is deserving of that great reward, high esteem, or honor. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:19.100 And that's the purpose of this entire gospel. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:20.759 John 20, 31. 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.980 I'll remind you, this was written so that you may believe 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:27.960 that Jesus is the Christ, Son of God, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.819 and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:33.080 That's why we have this gospel. 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:36.920 So my proposition for you this morning is simple. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.220 It's this. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:43.180 The merit of Christ is all-sufficient for you. 00:05:44.380 --> 00:05:51.280 God saves all and only those who trust fully in Christ. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:54.440 I want to try to argue this with two main points. 00:05:54.580 --> 00:05:58.700 Number one, why is Christ's merit all-sufficient for you? 00:05:59.020 --> 00:06:03.240 And number two, why you must trust Christ fully? 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:08.040 So number one, why is Jesus Christ's merit all-sufficient for you? 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:10.680 I want to show you three reasons why. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:14.460 Number one, because Jesus is equal with God. 00:06:15.900 --> 00:06:20.019 Jesus, we read in verse 18, he spoke of God as his own father. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:21.100 Look at verse 18. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:25.360 This is why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:28.240 because not only was he breaking the Sabbath. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:32.100 See, isn't it interesting how most of Christ's miracles, 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:34.540 he loved to perform them on his day. 00:06:35.320 --> 00:06:36.640 He said, this is the Lord's day. 00:06:37.140 --> 00:06:39.439 This is the day where I love to be at work. 00:06:40.460 --> 00:06:43.020 And God can regenerate a sinner any day of the week. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:44.920 But isn't it interesting? 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:48.480 He loves to heal the lame, to give sight to the blind, 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:52.420 to bring the dead to life spiritually on the Lord's day. 00:06:52.760 --> 00:06:55.360 And he's working in that same way now. 00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:57.920 But that was according to the law of Moses. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.460 They're trying to use that against him. 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:04.180 In verse 18, we read that they wanted to kill him, 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:05.419 not for breaking the Sabbath. 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:06.099 That happened. 00:07:06.799 --> 00:07:10.299 They wanted to kill him because he was even calling God, 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:14.620 his own father, making himself equal with God. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:17.459 Now, in verse 44, 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:20.560 how can you believe, Jesus said, 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:22.840 when you receive glory from one another 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:27.540 and do not seek the glory that comes from God? 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.420 How can you believe if you're seeking glory of man, 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:32.840 where Jesus Christ is in your midst? 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:35.360 If you're truly seeking the glory of the creator, 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:38.759 the lawgiver, you would recognize this is God, 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:41.500 very God of very God, equal with God. 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:44.660 So that's why you can trust Christ's all sufficient merit 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.959 is because he is equal with God. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:47.819 That's number one. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:49.920 Now, I just want to warn you. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:53.839 We're going to be wading out in the ocean 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.120 into some really deep waters here. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:59.220 And I'm just going to do my best to proclaim 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:01.360 what is in the scripture, no more, no less. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:02.720 So please pray for me. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:03.819 Pray for clarity. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.439 I'm reminded Augustine, 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:09.240 he described this of this gospel of John. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.480 John's gospel is deep enough 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:14.900 that an elephant can swim in it. 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:17.439 Yet, it's also shallow enough 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:20.240 for a child not to drown. 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:22.040 So no matter where you are 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.980 in your walk with the Lord and the faith, 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:25.579 I think it's going to feel like 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:27.019 you're out with the elephants. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:29.139 And even the elephants can't touch the bottom. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:32.759 And yet, I hope that even if the Lord is regenerating you 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:35.399 and there's that new seedling of a faith in you, 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.440 I pray that even then you won't drown 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:40.020 and that you'll instead be overwhelmed 00:08:40.020 --> 00:08:41.940 with wonder at God's glory. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.800 So how can Jesus Christ, 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:46.460 you can understand why the Pharisees 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:47.680 were having a hard time with this. 00:08:48.160 --> 00:08:49.620 We know you grew up in Nazareth. 00:08:49.880 --> 00:08:51.260 We know you work construction. 00:08:51.880 --> 00:08:54.880 We know you need deodorant under your armpits 00:08:54.880 --> 00:08:56.200 just as much as the next guy. 00:08:56.280 --> 00:08:57.100 We can see you. 00:08:57.540 --> 00:08:58.160 You're flesh. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.700 You took on flesh. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:00.920 You're a man. 00:09:01.400 --> 00:09:02.860 You're clearly fully a man. 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:05.539 And yet you're claiming to be the son of God, 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:07.580 claiming to be equal with God. 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:09.500 We need to kill such a man. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.560 And you can see why it would take the church, 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.800 you know, the global invisible church, 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:16.759 a few decades to work this out. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.659 We just read the Nicene Creed. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:20.199 We believe in one God, 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:22.159 maker of all things, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.159 visible and invisible, 00:09:23.459 --> 00:09:24.559 and in one Lord, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:25.419 Jesus Christ, 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:26.579 the son of God. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:27.679 That's who he claims to be. 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:29.539 Begotten of the father, 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:30.919 only begotten, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.379 that is, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.000 of the substance of God. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:33.980 See, 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:35.339 this is refuting Ares. 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:37.059 He was not created by God. 00:09:37.719 --> 00:09:38.240 Jesus says, 00:09:38.339 --> 00:09:39.100 I was sent. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:40.659 I was eternally begotten. 00:09:41.459 --> 00:09:41.919 As you know, 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.839 John 3, 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:43.240 16, 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:43.819 we read that. 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:45.159 So Jesus was sent. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.860 He's proceeding from the father on the mission, 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.159 the son accomplishing what father, 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:50.419 son, 00:09:50.459 --> 00:09:53.219 and spirit have decreed from eternity past, 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:59.459 taking on flesh in human time and space to fulfill that very mission to save 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:00.139 sinners. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:02.879 That's why we use the language of eternally begotten, 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:07.860 but not created of the same substance of the father, 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:09.120 God of God, 00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:10.039 light of light, 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:11.539 true God of true God, 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:12.120 begotten, 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:14.579 not made of one substance with the father. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:14.919 Again, 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.399 through whom all things were made, 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:21.319 both those in heaven and those on earth. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:22.939 God is spirit. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:26.059 His worshipers will worship him in spirit and in truth. 00:10:26.339 --> 00:10:27.539 Those are the heavenly things, 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:28.519 the spiritual realm. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:29.759 Yet God, 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:30.860 who is spirit, 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:32.379 took on flesh. 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:38.120 He came to the earthly earth to save you and me out of this earth. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:39.699 In his incarnation, 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:41.139 he took on a body. 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:43.199 And through that body, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:45.140 now he marries his church, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.220 his people for all eternity, 00:10:48.020 --> 00:10:52.820 preparing the heavens and the new earth for his glory and his rule. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:56.160 These are deep waters. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:11:00.180 How did Athanasius handle it in his generation? 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:01.300 Well, 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:06.840 he refused to readmit Arius and his followers on the grounds that there could be no fellowship. 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:07.700 This is a quote. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:12.360 There could be no fellowship between the church and one who denies the divinity, 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.720 the godness of Christ. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:16.919 What happened, 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.200 though, 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:19.180 within Athanasius' own lifetime, 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:24.960 is that Arius and his powerful followers used their politics and took over the church. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:28.300 And once they were now in power of the church, 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:30.960 they had Athanasius arrested. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:33.879 And then they exiled him out of the Roman Empire. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:37.660 This happened in 335. 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:44.740 But Athanasius continued to defend how the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.419 And as such, 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:48.460 God saves sinners. 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.500 He insisted on this point, 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:53.039 that in order for God to save sinners, 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:57.460 it is necessary for our Savior to be both fully human. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.180 Yes, 00:11:58.220 --> 00:12:00.060 so he can be your mediator and representative, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.820 the second and greater Adam, 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:03.919 and that this Jesus Christ, 00:12:04.440 --> 00:12:06.259 he did so being fully God. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.659 One person, 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.820 two natures. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:12.000 Athanasius would not give this up. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.659 The scripture is too clear. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:16.079 And Athanasius was right, too, 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:18.719 about the purity of God's true church. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:26.219 When those with whom we have fellowship depart from one of the fundamentals of the faith, 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:30.860 they are the ones causing division within the true church. 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:34.939 Those are the ones who are perverting law and gospel. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.699 They are the ones causing division. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:42.980 And it's wrong to allow such false teaching to cause division in the body of Christ. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:46.820 It is they who are destroying the true fellowship of believers. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:49.720 This is what Jude says in Jude 1-3. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.200 He says, 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.379 I appeal to you, 00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:52.240 writing to the church, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:57.560 contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:01.519 You see how important it is that Christ is equal with God? 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:07.559 God saves all and only those who fully trust in Christ. 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:11.220 And his merit is all sufficient for you. 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.899 Reason number one, 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.860 he's equal with God. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.699 Reason number two, 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:17.679 why else is his merit all sufficient? 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:24.039 Number two is because Jesus Christ was sent to accomplish God's work for you. 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.000 See, 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:26.219 according to his human nature, 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:31.559 Jesus Christ had to learn obedience on behalf of a sinful people, 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.740 those he would ransom. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.819 Look at verse 19. 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.879 So Jesus said to them, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.219 truly, 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:36.599 truly, 00:13:36.719 --> 00:13:37.360 I say to you, 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:39.659 the son can do nothing of his own accord, 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:42.500 but only what he sees the father doing. 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:45.279 For whatever the father does, 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:47.919 that the son does likewise. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:58.439 What this means is that the son who is equal with God was sent to take on flesh and to accomplish God's mission. 00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:02.839 And the mission he was sent on required perfect obedience. 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:05.899 This is what the people of Israel understood correctly. 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.279 God requires of you, 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.079 people of God, 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.740 perfect obedience. 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:12.939 In order to have life with God, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:15.339 you must not live in sin. 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:20.500 But the principle under the old covenant was do this and live. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:25.100 What Christ was introducing to them is that I have done this for you. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.580 You live in me. 00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:29.040 Live first. 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:29.639 Live. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.860 I'm going to regenerate you. 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:32.139 And as a result, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:35.080 I will put my love in your heart and you will do this. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.280 But first you live. 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.879 You get his life freely. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.080 You don't merit it. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:42.980 He merited it fully for you on your behalf. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:48.080 And Jesus tells us here that he had to learn obedience. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.659 He had to, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.100 according to his human nature, 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.420 see what his father, 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:55.240 the heavenly father is doing on earth. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.320 And he, 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:56.940 as, 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.000 as God incarnate, 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.180 according to his human nature, 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:03.460 chose to limit his human nature to fulfill that mission, 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.639 to learn faith. 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.480 Even you could say, 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.360 to learn, 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.700 to watch on earth, 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.159 how the father is working. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:11.100 And that he did in perfect, 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.179 perpetual, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.159 personal obedience. 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:17.120 Remember 39, 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:19.659 you search the scriptures because you think that in them, 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:21.899 you have eternal life. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:22.659 Well, 00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:25.199 Paul calls this the law of works. 00:15:25.439 --> 00:15:26.939 He calls it that in Romans 3, 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.579 27. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:33.720 You are under the law of works when you are trying to work to fulfill God's law for yourself, 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.379 because you cannot do it. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:37.659 The law will expose your sin. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.600 You're under the law of works. 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:43.339 You cannot merit righteousness by your own life. 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.699 This is tricky. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.199 We can err on so many, 00:15:47.339 --> 00:15:48.279 so many sides. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.899 I'm getting the law and the gospel to be biblical, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.039 to be what Christ taught. 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.139 Martin Luther, 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.480 this is so comforting to me. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.360 Martin Luther said, 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:59.000 if any man is able to discern between law and gospel, 00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.799 let him thank God. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:03.299 He is a master of theology. 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:06.439 I myself often confuse the two. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:13.680 But we're told here that Jesus was sent to accomplish God's work for you. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.500 According to his human nature, 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:21.640 the Holy Spirit would show Jesus the father's work so that he would do look likewise. 00:16:21.760 --> 00:16:22.560 Look at verse 20. 00:16:23.520 --> 00:16:27.600 The father shows the son all that he himself is doing. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.180 Verse 30. 00:16:29.540 --> 00:16:29.960 Jesus said, 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:33.360 I can do nothing of my own according to his human nature. 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.340 As I hear, 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.779 I judge and my judgment is just. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.700 I seek not my own will, 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:41.100 but the will of him who sent me. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.720 Do you see at every turn, 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:44.879 Christ is seeking that perfect, 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:47.639 perpetual obedience to his father, 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.320 according to his human nature. 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:54.440 And he's doing this after he's already made it very clear that he is equal with God. 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.180 It's the Nicene Creed. 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:57.340 He is very God, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.100 the same essence, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.600 not one degree less of divinity. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.120 And being very God, 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.080 taking on flesh, 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.880 perfect obedience on behalf of fallen humans, 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.120 at every turn, 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.000 trusting in his father. 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:12.700 He is the fullness of God's glory. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:16.940 God's triune love is Christ's motivation. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.580 Look at verse 41, 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.360 just briefly. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:23.400 Why was Christ working to accomplish the work his father required? 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.960 Verse 41 says, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:27.980 I do not receive glory from people. 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:32.779 There is nothing that creation can give him that God lacks. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.640 He lacks nothing. 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.500 Yes, 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:39.340 every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:42.320 The glory that is due him is coming to him, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:45.259 but he doesn't do it for that motivation. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.640 He lacks nothing. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:50.620 His motivation is the love of God. 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.740 He is love. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:57.100 That's why he is obeying to fulfill all love. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:01.000 He who is God took on flesh and learned obedience. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:02.559 Look back at verse 21 again. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:06.500 As the father raises the dead and gives them life, 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:09.680 he's trusting now by that same authority, 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.320 will he accomplish this work? 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:15.700 So even the faith that Jesus had to have according to his human nature, 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:18.359 that his father would raise the dead. 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.700 Yes, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:22.659 his father will reward the man, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.740 the God man who fulfills his law perfectly. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.480 And going to the cross, 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:30.559 Jesus had to trust that according to his human nature. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:39.539 I laid down my life willingly in faith that my father raises the dead who have merited eternal life. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:44.359 What faith our Lord Jesus had to have according to his human nature. 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:47.979 What faith and motivated by love. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:51.360 So not only was his life keeping the law perfectly, 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:55.380 his heart was full of the love that God requires in the heart. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:58.039 And his faith in the heavenly realm, 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:00.519 the reality of the kingdom of God in heaven, 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.980 his faith was perfect as well. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.500 So in all these ways, 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:07.700 Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of God, 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.180 the father. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:12.559 This is called the active obedience of Christ. 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:16.079 So when you picture Christ in his passion, 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.460 you hear that same root word, 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:20.039 the passion of God or the passive obedience, 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:21.059 suffering, 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:21.640 you know, 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.460 taking it, 00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.240 enduring it. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.579 Those are passive verbs. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.880 But before he gave his life passively on the cross, 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.519 which he did, 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:31.599 and even passively to humble himself, 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.360 Philippians two, 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.599 to take on flesh. 00:19:34.219 --> 00:19:38.719 He also obeyed positively and actively on your behalf, 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:43.259 the righteousness that you could never muster up on your own. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.159 He had perfect faith. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:48.319 Isn't that the very thing Adam and Eve lacked? 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:50.799 Faith to trust God fully. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:54.399 I know I lack that faith every day, 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.159 every hour, 00:19:55.479 --> 00:19:57.479 but Christ had the faith that you lack. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.639 And it's not the strength of your faith now, 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:02.119 it's the one in whom you put your faith. 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.219 Jesus Christ, 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:08.819 his faith is strong enough to carry you and all of his bride all the way home. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:13.039 Why was this active obedience of Jesus necessary? 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:18.220 I'm going to share an illustration in the lyrics of Shilin. 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:22.039 Here's the thing that you must pay attention to. 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.799 He says, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.200 although you weren't there, 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.700 Adam represented you. 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:28.220 Think logically before you criticize. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.519 One player commits a foul. 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.960 The whole team gets penalized. 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:35.740 We need a substitute in our place to be killed. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.859 Plus, 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:39.960 we need the broken law to be obeyed and fulfilled. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.700 We need both. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.279 And Jeremiah prophesied of this, 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:47.599 that the Lord himself would be our righteousness. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:50.660 Shilin's quoting Jeremiah 23, 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.220 6. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.940 The days are coming, 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.800 declares the Lord, 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:58.259 when the righteous branch of David will reign over as king. 00:20:58.820 --> 00:21:01.620 And he will deal wisely and execute justice. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.380 And his righteousness will prevail in the land. 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:06.519 And his people will be saved. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.259 They will dwell securely. 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:12.200 And this is the name by which he will be called, 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:14.500 Jehovah Sidkenu, 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.900 the Lord, 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.640 our righteousness. 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:22.080 So why is Jesus Christ's merit all sufficient? 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:24.420 Because he is equal with God. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:27.779 Because he was sent to accomplish God's work. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.539 And number three, 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:32.600 because he has all of God's authority. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:35.460 He has authority to give life. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.660 Look at verse 21. 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:40.759 The son gives life to whom he will. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:43.059 It is Jesus Christ, 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:45.619 whose will regenerates a sinner. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.519 Those who the father predestined, 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:51.759 the Lord Jesus Christ wills that they be saved. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.720 And the spirit applies the salvation he accomplished. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:01.220 See, the decree of God, 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.619 father, 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:01.980 son, 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.339 and spirit is one. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:06.240 The will of God is one. 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.019 It's unified. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.920 Throughout every generation, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.640 this has been another way in which Jesus, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.720 Christ has tried to be brought down a notch. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:14.799 Pelagius, 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.140 in the time of Augustine, 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:18.519 he was trying to bring Christ down to say, 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:18.700 well, 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.980 Christ didn't, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:23.599 didn't share in the eternal decree of God to save sinners. 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.220 Now, 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.420 Jesus Christ came later, 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.299 more responding, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:26.960 you know, 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.920 kind of a, 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.740 a way to, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.859 to kind of fix up what man had broken. 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.940 And Jesus is very clear. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.759 Look at verse 21. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.079 Again, 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:38.019 the son gives life to whom he wills. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.579 According to his divine nature, 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.779 he shares in the will of God, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:47.720 the father outside of time and came on earth to fulfill this mission. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:51.059 We're in these deep waters again, 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.400 aren't we? 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.579 Well, 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:59.000 I want to comfort you and myself with the final paragraph from chapter three of the second London confession of faith. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.660 It reads this, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:16.900 that the doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care that men attending to the will of God revealed in his word and yielding obedience there unto may, 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:19.580 from the certainty of their effectual vocation, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:22.400 be assured of their eternal election. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.680 We have this high mystery, 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:26.580 not to make you panic, 00:23:27.040 --> 00:23:28.660 but to find comfort, 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:32.259 to find confidence that Christ gave his life for you. 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.259 How do you know? 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:37.920 And are you one that is chosen unto life in Christ? 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:40.220 Did Jesus will that you be saved? 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:41.920 Well, 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.780 then you repent, 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.660 you repent of your sin. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:49.980 You believe fully in Christ and you confirm your assurance in him. 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:54.420 And in responding to Christ with faith and repentance, 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:56.680 he will bear fruit in your life. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:24:02.480 You will work with him and you will have that comfort more and more and more as you walk with him. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:12.660 God saves all and only those who trust fully in Christ and his merit is all sufficient for you. 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:14.080 Well, 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:17.000 not only does he have authority to give eternal life, 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:22.420 he also has authority to execute judgment on those who dishonor God. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.759 Think about that. 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:31.300 If Christ's motivation is that God is love and God is holy and God, 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:34.640 Christ lived every moment in obedience to please the father, 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:44.380 how would it be obedient and how would it be pleasing to the father if he allowed those dishonoring his father's name to go unpunished when he has all authority? 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:49.420 Jesus is appointed by the father as the high king over all the earth. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.980 Wasn't that Adam's role? 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:56.780 All of the earth was to be subdued and he was to name the animals rule over them, 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:59.880 show God's governance over all creation. 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:02.800 Now Christ comes having received all authority. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.140 Look at verse 22. 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.640 My father judges no one, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:09.040 but has given all judgment to the son. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:11.940 Then in verse 27, 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:17.480 he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the son of man. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.640 He is the second Adam, 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:21.400 the beginning of the new creation. 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:25.160 He will rule and his kingdom will come on earth. 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:29.860 That's why he took on flesh was to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. 00:25:30.540 --> 00:25:34.600 And his kingdom extends and it goes out through his word, 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.080 through his church. 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:38.360 As we proclaim the gospel, 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.640 he has all authority. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.500 And this is, 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:43.640 this is included in the Nicene confession. 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:46.160 Because of who Jesus Christ is, 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:48.240 our one Lord Jesus Christ, 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:49.540 who came for us, 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.420 for our salvation. 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:55.160 He was made flesh and entered humanity and suffered and rose on the third day. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:59.420 The confession says he ascended to heaven and is coming. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:02.960 To judge the living and the dead. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:08.880 Christ has all authority as God's appointed king and the judge of the world. 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:10.440 Look at verse 23. 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:18.080 He's proclaiming this truth that all may honor the son just as they honor the father. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:24.060 Whoever does not honor the son does not honor the father who sent him. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:28.700 So how is all of this relevant to you? 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.240 How can this be a source of comfort? 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.799 Well, 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:35.240 in 1937, 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:39.140 a pastor and theologian named J. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:41.920 Gresham Machen on his deathbed, 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:47.299 one of the few men in his time who had refuted liberalism within the church, 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.079 similar to what Athanasius had done. 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:56.099 He woke from a glorious dream about heaven in the comfort of being with Christ. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:59.199 And his lungs were tightening from pneumonia. 00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:01.759 And with his final breaths, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:06.179 he dictated a telegram that said, 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:25.720 God saves all and only those who trust fully in Christ. 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:29.420 And his merit is all sufficient for you. 00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:33.000 You must fully trust in him. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:39.980 I think I'm going to have to do this one in part one, part two again. 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.319 What I want to, 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.720 what I want you to think about, 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:44.619 and for next week, 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.200 it'll be this, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:47.640 why you must trust fully in Christ. 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:50.539 What we saw today is who is Christ. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.740 His sermon does not stop here. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:58.039 And you need to understand his promises, 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.559 his warnings, 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:02.500 and his invitation to you. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:06.000 It goes out as an invitation to put your trust fully in him. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:08.319 By refusing Christ, 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.480 you are dishonoring Christ. 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:12.559 It also goes out as a command. 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.559 He is the King of Kings. 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:17.200 He is the Lord of Lords. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.740 Do you believe this is who he is? 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.519 And if so, 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.920 you must trust him fully. 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:28.619 There is no hope of salvation apart from Christ. 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:31.099 Next week will part two, 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:34.399 and I promise to not leave you hanging with Athanasius as well. 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:37.619 But let's close with a word of prayer for today. 00:28:38.719 --> 00:28:40.479 From an Orthodox Catechism, 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.939 questions 29 and 30. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:46.539 We praise you, 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.460 our three in one God. 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:53.039 Salvation cannot be found in anyone else. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:56.860 The Lord Jesus Christ is our high priest. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:29:02.279 It is he who has set us free by his one sacrifice of his body. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:08.079 Our Lord Jesus continually pleads our cause with the Father. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:11.519 He came that we could have eternal life. 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:15.139 He came that he would proclaim the gospel, 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:18.040 that all would repent and believe in him, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:20.280 that none would dishonor him 00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:22.900 and refuse him in their heart any longer. 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:28.759 Lord, we confess Jesus Christ is our eternal King, 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:32.380 and he governs us by his word and by his spirit. 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:36.040 And it's our Lord Jesus Christ who guards us 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:38.940 and keeps us in the freedom from sin 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:41.900 that he has won for us. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:47.160 We praise you that his merit is all sufficient 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:49.400 to save a sinner such as I 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:51.560 and anyone who will believe in him. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:55.180 And now, Lord, to you be all glory, 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:57.600 all honor, and all praise, 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.660 both now and forevermore. 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.100 Amen.