WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.939 Well morning everyone, what a joyous occasion. Let me just tell you one of the many reasons why it encourages me this morning and I pray that it encourages you. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:24.679 I was reading my own times this morning Psalm 145, wonderful Psalm. Right at the heart of it is one generation telling about the greatness of God to the next generation. 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:29.820 And God raising up a new generation of people to love and to worship him. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:36.420 And one of the amazing things I thought as Beth is standing here, she was two when the Lord brought us to this church. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:40.600 She was two. And yet here's somebody declaring she wants to follow Jesus. 00:00:40.739 --> 00:00:47.700 Isn't that amazing? Just to see the Lord raising up the next generation of folks to love and to worship him. 00:00:48.539 --> 00:00:54.219 So John 14 is where we are this morning. So please do what you can to get that open in front of you. 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:57.420 And track along with me. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.600 I need love. But I don't trust it. 00:01:04.539 --> 00:01:12.200 If I drop my game, my Chandler, and show you who I really am, you might notice me. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:16.039 But worse, you might notice me and leave me. 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:20.680 And I can't have that. I won't survive that. 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:29.200 Now some of you might have got it from the name Chandler, but this is actor Matthew Perry writing in his autobiography. 00:01:29.300 --> 00:01:32.640 I've just finished it. It is as funny as it is tragic. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:35.360 And read it and this is what you'll see. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:41.560 You'll see a man on the outside whose acting career keeps hitting new heights with friends. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:53.480 But you'll also see a man who on the inside keeps hitting new depths as he struggles with addiction and finding his purpose and meaning in life. 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:57.920 And this quote out of the whole book really resonated with me. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:03.120 Because on some level, I reckon all of us know what he's getting at. 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:05.700 Because it's what we do, isn't it? 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:08.240 We default to doing it as human beings. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:14.719 We long to give the impression to the outside world that we have life sussed. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:17.379 We know what we're about. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:18.800 We know where we're going. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:20.120 We know what we believe. 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:21.919 There's no trouble in my life. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:38.340 And yet so often on the inside, we're this ball of insecurities and mistakes and hurts and secrets, sin and shame and worries about what tomorrow might hold. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:42.840 And if truth be told, we don't have a clue what tomorrow is going to hold. 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:48.980 And yet we're caught in this tension between projecting to the outside world that we're sorted and yet inside we don't have the answers. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:52.740 And I guess that's why people today talk about imposter syndrome. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.819 We talk about faking it to make it. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:03:03.840 What's incredible if you look at the history of both of those ideas, concepts, phrases that they aren't about until the 1980s. 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:06.039 It's funny, isn't it? 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:10.920 It's something about the way that we try and lift our lives as modern day people. 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.099 And it can be paralyzing at times, can't it? 00:03:15.299 --> 00:03:22.359 Living with that tension, not knowing what to do to square that circle in our lives. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:33.659 And if that's you here today, then Jesus has, in this passage, some life-alteringly good news for each and every one of us. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:38.960 You know, I used to think Christianity was essentially God congratulating good people. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:46.919 You spend enough time with Jesus and you learn that actually Christianity is God rescuing bad people. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:55.379 Jesus specializes in being a savior to those who know they've got nowhere else to run but to him. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:04:04.939 You look at him in the gospels, he's strengthening weak people, he's lifting up broken people, he's comforting troubled people. 00:04:06.359 --> 00:04:11.519 And Jesus longs and is willing to be a savior to those who will accept him. 00:04:12.359 --> 00:04:14.800 Do you know just how much he loves you today? 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:27.620 See, John 14, it contains within it some theological truths that I take it that we should never scale the, we'll never touch the bottom of. 00:04:28.520 --> 00:04:29.680 It should blow our minds. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:36.400 But at its heart is a really simple invitation that Jesus makes to all those who will read on. 00:04:37.139 --> 00:04:38.840 And it's found at verse 1. 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:41.560 He simply says, believe in me. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:49.780 See, chapter 14 finds its place in this section of John's gospel that runs right through to the end of chapter 17. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:54.540 And this is often called the farewell discourse. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:05:02.420 And this is Jesus preparing his disciples for what life is going to be like for them once he's gone. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:08.500 He's explained, if you look at verse 33 of chapter 13, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:13.680 he's explained that he's leaving them, that he's going. 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:18.259 And you can imagine the questions that are flying about their minds at that point. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:21.839 How will we cope when Jesus isn't physically around? 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:25.160 I mean, what a tag team partner to have in life. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:27.560 Talk about some kind of agony aunt. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:31.560 To be able to tag in when you've got questions in life. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:33.079 How will we cope when he's not around? 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:37.780 How are we going to stand for him when he's not by our side? 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:44.019 How will we experience the joy of knowing him when he's not physically standing right beside us? 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:48.220 And what we've got to see is that in John 14, the disciples are panicking. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:56.600 But Jesus, troubled as he is, he isn't. 00:05:58.080 --> 00:06:05.960 And here he is speaking, verse 1 and verse 27, which kind of bookend this chapter and what it's all about. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:10.740 Here he is saying, do not be troubled. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:16.519 And if you're troubled today, this is for you. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:18.460 Especially this is for you. 00:06:20.100 --> 00:06:22.879 You see, what does Jesus want them to know, troubled hearts? 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:28.139 What does he want us to know as we can eavesdrop in on this years, years later? 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:29.079 What does he want us to know? 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:31.360 We're going to see two things this week, two things next week. 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:35.920 As we think about the future until he returns. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:36.960 Here's the first one. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:43.159 And it's that our mistakes won't jeopardize the future. 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:47.359 So the Bible is the inspired word of God. 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:52.959 But make it clear in your mind that the chapter divisions aren't. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:58.299 Okay, so this is where the big number 14, if you've got it there in your Bible, 00:06:58.419 --> 00:07:00.859 it doesn't really do us any favors here. 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:06.299 Because this really is a continuation of everything that's happened in chapter 13. 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:11.259 And particularly, if you have it there, where we left off in chapter 13. 00:07:12.020 --> 00:07:14.939 Peter's reacting to the Jesus newsflash. 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:19.020 And the adrenaline kicks into his body. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:19.699 Do you see it? 00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:21.720 I'll never deny you. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.879 They might scarper and run, but I'm going to be right here. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:28.340 I'll never deny you, Lord. 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:28.980 That's what he says. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:30.060 I'll never deny you. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:31.439 Why can't I dine with you? 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:32.660 Don't underestimate me. 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:42.300 But Jesus, knowing the mess of things that Peter is about to make, 00:07:42.900 --> 00:07:49.820 and to know that Peter is about to be almost crushed by his own failings and weakness. 00:07:50.200 --> 00:07:52.600 He's saying, Peter, see when that happens. 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:56.300 See when you find yourself in that place of making another mistake. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:08:00.379 Just remember what I said to you in this moment. 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:02.780 Do you know what I love? 00:08:02.840 --> 00:08:05.620 And we reflected on this in small group, growth group this week. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:07.759 Or last week even. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:14.480 That I love that Jesus knows my mistakes before I've even made them. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:23.000 I'm in what social scientists call the midlife years. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:25.920 And do you know what that means? 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:29.360 That means I've got a cracking vantage point to two directions in my life. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:32.360 And I look back the way. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:37.500 And I see all the mistakes that I have made in life. 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:42.580 And I think, that is a weighty, weighty thought. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:45.340 When I see all the mistakes, all the things I should have said, 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.860 all the ways that I should have acted, 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:49.840 all the things that I did and I didn't have a clue what I was doing, 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:52.560 the ways that I was naive to life. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:55.259 And I look back and the weight of those mistakes. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:09:00.240 And then what I also do is I look forward to all the mistakes that I don't, 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:01.460 I haven't even made them yet. 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.980 But Jesus knows them. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:06.059 He knows the mistakes I'm going to make as a parent. 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:09.379 He knows when I'm going to lose my cool. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:12.279 He knows the mistakes I'm going to make as a pastor. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:15.000 He knows the mistakes I'm going to make as a neighbor. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.600 He knows the mistakes I'm going to make as a friend. 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:20.179 And the thought of the sins ahead of me, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:23.240 the mistakes I'm going to make, almost crushes me as well. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:27.200 And that's why, dear friends, you need to take great comfort in the fact 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:29.980 that Jesus knows your mistakes in the past 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:32.180 and he knows your mistakes in the future. 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:35.399 And get this, none of it has changed his mind about you. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:40.220 None of it has changed his mind about you. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:43.240 You see, Chandler's worried about people getting too close 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.440 and seeing the real him. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:49.919 But Jesus knows all of it. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.139 And there are no sweeter words for our souls to hear 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:59.620 than Jesus saying to us, 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.659 don't be troubled. 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:05.000 And Beth, you hear this today. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:05.720 Are you in? 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.299 Is she in? 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:06.840 You're there. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:07.379 Great. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.480 Because I remember getting baptized and thinking, 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.820 you know, my life is going to be plain sailing from here on in. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:16.860 And just hitting the crash of my mistakes. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.379 Come back to these words again, again, again, again. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:21.360 We are saved by grace. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:25.220 And what takes these words and makes them more than just a thinking of you 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:26.919 sympathy card from Clinton's? 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.019 What gives gravity to the words? 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:35.080 Do you see Jesus says that he's going to prepare a place for us? 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.000 And before he's talking about heaven, 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:42.740 Jesus here is talking about going to the cross. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:46.639 And that's the place where he's talking about going. 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:50.159 That is the place where he is going to willingly die, 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:54.799 bearing the punishment that all my mistakes and my sin 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.740 and my rebellion against my creator deserve. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:11:02.759 It's there that he goes willingly to make me right with God. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:07.240 And it's there, that's the place where we become sons and daughters 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:09.759 of the living God because of our faith in him. 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:12.600 In other words, salvation is all of him. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.559 It's all of him. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.840 You ever had that experience when you, 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:19.019 maybe think of it like this, 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:21.819 when you go out with a friend for a meal 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:26.439 and it comes to the end and it's time to pay 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:28.340 and you both have that moment, don't you? 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:31.919 You both want to pay and you come out with that line. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:34.120 What are you going to do with the bill? 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.939 You're going to split the bill, right? 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:39.019 Always love that. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:41.000 My dad still does that when I go out for a meal for him, 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:42.539 gives it the whole thing. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:45.100 She doesn't want your autograph, dad. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.500 It's okay. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.500 But he wants the bill. 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:47.579 That's what he wants, okay? 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:49.679 We always want to split the bill. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:51.179 And here's the thing about salvation. 00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:54.179 We don't split the bill with Jesus. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:56.740 We don't split the bill with him. 00:11:56.939 --> 00:11:57.980 It's all of him. 00:11:58.439 --> 00:11:59.579 Jesus pays it all. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.360 It's why we love singing that song here, 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.259 that old, old hymn. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.819 Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.280 In the words of Sam Albury, 00:12:07.800 --> 00:12:10.340 what is right in him, 00:12:11.140 --> 00:12:11.960 talking to Jesus, 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:14.020 far outweighs what is wrong in you. 00:12:15.520 --> 00:12:17.560 There is more grace in him 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:20.020 than there is guilt in you. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.960 He is better at saving 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:25.059 than you are at sinning. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:30.559 So he says right here as he goes to the cross, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:33.480 he says, don't be troubled. 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:38.539 And because he goes to the cross, 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:39.960 he ascends to heaven. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:43.519 Do you not love the intimate and homely language 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:46.199 that Jesus uses there to speak of heaven? 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:50.060 This is not the father's hotel. 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:54.020 This is not a place where guests check in, 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.960 they stay the night, 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:55.879 they have a breakfast, 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:57.580 they leave a review and trip advisor 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.700 and they check out again. 00:13:00.780 --> 00:13:02.960 This is the father's house. 00:13:04.660 --> 00:13:07.680 Children live there with their father. 00:13:08.020 --> 00:13:08.879 And listen, as I say that, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:11.180 I'm so conscious that for many of us here today, 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:14.200 your home growing up was not a safe place. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:17.759 It causes you to shudder as you think about it. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.860 If that's you here today, 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.520 let me just say, 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.360 I'm so sorry that that was your experience. 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.700 I'm so sorry that was your, 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:26.940 maybe the first place, 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:29.759 the things you think about when you think of home 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.120 aren't positive. 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:32.100 Let me just say, 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:33.040 this will be everything 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:35.900 that you and I could ever hope for in a home. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:38.480 A place of warmth, 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.240 a place of protection, 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.340 a place of communion, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.379 a place of delight. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:42.700 Of course, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.139 it's everything in a Bible story 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:47.059 that Adam and Eve had with God 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:49.460 before sin entered the human equation. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.600 How often we think of heaven 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.559 as a place where our dreams come true, 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.659 like heaven will be some kind of 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.879 never-ending game of golf 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.960 up in St. Andrews, 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.100 or it'll be a week-long shopping trip in Milan. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.779 But what makes heaven heaven? 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.340 Do you see it in the text? 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:08.080 It's what Jesus says at verse 3. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.980 Is that one day he will return 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:14.920 and he will take us to who? 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.519 To himself. 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:20.759 What makes heaven glorious 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.480 is not so much what is there, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.860 it's who is there. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.940 Jesus says, 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:29.620 I will return 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:32.399 and take you to myself. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:37.180 And no longer has that sentence finished 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.440 and Thomas chips in 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:40.200 at verse 5. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.460 And this guy always strikes me 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.940 as a bit of a pragmatist 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:44.220 when you meet him in the Gospels. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:47.120 Just wants stuff to make logical sense. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.560 It's why at the end of this Gospel, 00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:49.259 he's going to say, 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:50.920 unless I see the scars, 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.820 I'm not going to believe, 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:53.820 which is a legitimate thing to say. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.379 Right? 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.040 He's the kind of guy 00:14:56.040 --> 00:14:57.860 who cuts his grass in straight lines. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.680 He's the kind of guy 00:14:58.680 --> 00:14:59.960 who labels different spices 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.840 in his food cupboard. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.740 He's the kind of guy 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.700 that we see here 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.220 won't set out on a journey 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.920 without knowing 00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:06.180 where he's going 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:07.260 and without knowing 00:15:07.260 --> 00:15:08.820 how he's going to get there. 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.360 Do you see? 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:10.760 He says, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.160 how? 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:13.920 How will we get to that place? 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.140 And Jesus says, 00:15:17.260 --> 00:15:19.260 unashamedly and unreservedly, 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.920 that he is the way to God. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.240 And with these words, 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.839 let me just say really quickly in passing, 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:28.939 Jesus poses a real problem to pluralism. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:30.879 You know, 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.139 the belief that all roads 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.139 kind of lead to God, 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.139 that all religions 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.259 are like different paths 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.279 up the same mountain. 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:38.939 One path is called Buddhism, 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.939 another is Islam, 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:41.059 another is Christianity, 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.439 but ultimately, 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.699 whatever path you're on, 00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:44.759 we're kind of all going to reach 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.599 the same summit. 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.360 So we don't have time 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.699 to examine the holes in that claim, 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:52.040 but the next time 00:15:52.040 --> 00:15:52.820 someone tells you 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.560 about a mountain, 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.900 let me encourage you 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:57.180 to listen to love 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.560 and then reply 00:15:58.560 --> 00:16:01.540 respectfully and graciously, 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.400 which is, of course, 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.400 is always the way 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:04.900 that true tolerance should be, 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.759 that I hear what you're saying, 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.720 but I don't think it works. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.940 As I heard someone put it recently, 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:16.000 if everyone is right, 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:18.280 that means Jesus is right. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:20.220 And if Jesus is right, 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.299 not everybody's right, 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.559 only he is right, right? 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.220 Let me do it again. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.919 If everyone is right, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.600 that means Jesus is right. 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.779 And if Jesus is right, 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.299 then only he is right 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.980 and not everyone's right, right? 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.980 That's what Jesus is saying here. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.399 I am the way, 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.659 the truth, 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.500 and the life. 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:46.059 He's the only way to the Father. 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:47.519 Make no mistake 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.979 that that is an exclusive claim, 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:50.000 but also make no mistake 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.679 that that couldn't be 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.939 a more inclusive claim 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:54.179 to anyone who comes to him, 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.659 anyone who believes in him, 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.019 shall not perish, 00:16:57.119 --> 00:16:58.299 but will have eternal life. 00:16:58.719 --> 00:16:59.379 But that said, 00:16:59.479 --> 00:17:00.219 see in the context, 00:17:00.479 --> 00:17:02.119 this is not about apologetics. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.740 We've got to understand 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.099 that this is about assurance. 00:17:08.419 --> 00:17:09.700 Jesus doesn't give Thomas 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.059 a postcode. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:14.099 Neither does Jesus give Thomas 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.299 a personal trainer routine. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.980 Eight steps to follow 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.219 to get the perfect room. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.139 Five rules to follow 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.819 to get to heaven. 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.179 No, no, no, 00:17:22.179 --> 00:17:23.019 he doesn't say that. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.559 Doesn't give him a postcode. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.279 Doesn't give him 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.919 a personal trainer routine. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.419 He gives him a person. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.139 And he says, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.919 look at me. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.079 Look at me. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:36.179 Friends, 00:17:36.219 --> 00:17:37.319 our mistakes will not 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.439 jeopardize the future. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.939 And secondly, 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.319 our limits won't hinder 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:42.859 the mission. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.700 And here's what I love 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.379 about Philip. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.460 As he chips in here, 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:49.559 I love that he gets 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.819 what the greatest privilege 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.720 and joy in life is. 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.099 And we always love 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.740 the God's great story, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.039 guys, 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.919 you will know this quote 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.819 because we start off 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.539 every single session 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.200 that we have 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.019 as we think about 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.799 God's purposes 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:03.619 and the Bible story. 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.740 We always start with this. 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.039 From Augustine, 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.679 to fall in love with God 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:09.019 is the greatest romance. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.779 to seek him 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.960 the greatest adventure, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.039 to find him 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.900 the greatest human achievement. 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.440 So often in the Christian life, 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.379 we lose that, 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.839 don't we? 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.819 But it's so true. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.960 Philip wants to see 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.039 the glory of God. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.779 The privilege that Moses had, 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:31.460 the one that Isaiah had, 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.319 and maybe the one 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.700 with Jesus still around, 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.379 Philip senses 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.900 that he can get in 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:38.160 on the party as well. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.960 So he says, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.319 Jesus, 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.559 almost before you go, 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.599 could you just let us see, 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.240 even a glimpse, 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.819 just let us see 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.759 the glory of the Father. 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:49.160 And Jesus says, 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.019 you have seen him. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.180 In fact, 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.279 whoever has seen me 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.500 has seen the Father. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.180 As Jesus, 00:18:59.339 --> 00:18:59.740 as it were, 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.799 allows us to be 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.779 that little child 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:03.660 who stares in the keyhole 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:05.480 or cup to the wall, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:07.259 whatever your thing was, 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:09.339 at the greatest 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.599 and most joyous relationship 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:14.819 that has ever existed. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.980 The Father is in me 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:20.200 and I am in the Father. 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.619 Which means 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.599 that if you are here today, 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.700 and I know some of you are, 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.400 you're thinking about 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.619 this Christianity stuff. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.519 What's it all about? 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.339 How can I know 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.299 what God is like? 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.960 Right here is your answer. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.960 You want to know 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.680 what God the Father is like. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:37.700 You need look no further 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.900 than to Jesus. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.799 You need to spend your time 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.019 getting to know him 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.180 as you read the Gospels. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.400 And as you do that, 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.640 you will perfectly see 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.720 what the Father is like. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.559 How often we think about God 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.900 like that crazy uncle 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:56.240 who comes to Christmas dinner 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:58.299 with full of non-PC opinions 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.039 and behavior. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.059 And Jesus comes along 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.419 almost as the cool cousin, 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.700 almost apologetically 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:05.799 making up for his misdemeanors. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.240 That couldn't be any further 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.980 from the truth. 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.460 No, Jesus, friends, 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.879 in all his beauty, 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:15.799 in all his captivating glory, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.039 reveals a Father 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:20.639 who is eternally worthy 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:22.039 of our affection 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:23.919 and of our attention. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:26.720 Jesus shows us 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.400 a picture of God 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:31.019 who is far better, 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:33.420 who is far more holy, 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.300 who is far more loving 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:36.640 and kind towards us 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.400 than you and I 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.759 would ever believe possible 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.259 if it wasn't for the fact 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.660 that Jesus said 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:43.140 it was true. 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:45.680 And as we thought about last week, 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:47.440 and if you weren't here last week, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.880 if you haven't listened to this sermon, 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.759 get involved. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:52.140 It just stirred my soul 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.500 for the glory of God. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.400 We thought about last week 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.859 that to gaze at Jesus 00:20:57.859 --> 00:21:00.380 is to be taking in 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:02.180 the greatest view 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.460 in the universe. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.440 You pick up your Bible 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.339 tomorrow morning. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.779 It's cold and wet outside. 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.799 We're almost at December 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.380 in Scotland 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.660 and it's Baltic. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.779 You do that tomorrow 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.859 in all your weaknesses 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.660 and tears 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.799 and all your questions 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.440 and doubts 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.460 with all your fears 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.759 and anxieties 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.420 and niggles 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:23.019 as you look at the day ahead. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:25.720 The call is not 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.000 to tick the box. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:30.019 The call is to still yourself 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:32.259 in all the busyness 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.559 of modern day life 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:37.819 and behold Him. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.680 That to be a Christian 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:43.619 is to be caught up into 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.539 by the power 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.420 and the presence 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.299 of the Spirit 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.960 that we will so wonderfully 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.960 think about next week 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.360 and that's why 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.460 I want you to come back. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.539 It's to be caught up 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:54.140 into the very life 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.720 of the Father, 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.500 the Son 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:58.059 and the Spirit. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.279 What is evangelism 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:04.460 if it's not just 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.519 telling others 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:07.039 about the beauty 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.120 of this God 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:10.180 who longs to save 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.360 and thrill us 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.600 with the person 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.240 of His Son? 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:15.859 Always, 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.539 sorry, 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.259 and I take it 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.000 that's precisely 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.000 the greater works 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.759 that the disciples 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.500 will do 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.059 if you're asking 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.700 that question 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.380 of the text. 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.420 Because Jesus goes, 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.279 this is exactly 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.039 what they will do, 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.779 greater works. 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.220 It's always a wonderful 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.259 question to ask 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.740 with the bits 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.359 of the Bible 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.299 that are more difficult 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.420 to understand 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.559 is to ask of them 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.839 what they can't mean. 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.459 Well, 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.099 this can't be 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.919 Jesus promising 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.879 that His disciples 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.819 will do better miracles 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.899 than He did. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.279 Like we're going 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.539 to be able 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.599 to turn water 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.899 into better wine. 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.599 I can't really 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.759 comprehend 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.619 what that would look like. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.259 Or that we're going 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.720 to be able 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.039 to raise the dead. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.559 I think in the context 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.079 of John, 00:22:59.199 --> 00:22:59.819 the works 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.459 and the words 00:23:00.459 --> 00:23:01.079 of Jesus, 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.619 they work together 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.519 as signs 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.919 to help us see 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.779 that true life 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.660 is to be found 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.359 by believing 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.139 in His name. 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.339 And in the context 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.299 of the story, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.779 after Jesus' death 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.639 and resurrection 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:17.299 and as He ascends, 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.859 the Spirit 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.139 is going to be sent, 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:22.160 the very presence 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.960 of Jesus, 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.720 not being geographically 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.559 tied anymore 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.099 as it was 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.899 when He was physically 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.480 on earth. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.519 And the greater work 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.579 must be tied up 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.200 with the fact 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.839 that people 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.000 the world over 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.599 will come to find life 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:37.139 in Jesus' name 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.800 as they respond 00:23:38.800 --> 00:23:39.800 to the message 00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:40.780 of His life 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:41.300 and work. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.500 Now, 00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:42.640 if that was a mouthful, 00:23:44.300 --> 00:23:44.960 let me just put it 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.540 like this. 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.240 Because Jesus 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.460 goes to the Father, 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.940 people are going 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.960 to become Christians 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.080 and meet God 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.980 and savor Him 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.580 and God is going 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.140 to move 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.759 in ways 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.259 far greater 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.440 than what the disciples 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.080 have seen up 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:02.020 until this point. 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:05.259 Now, 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.680 some of you 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.099 might have seen 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.700 the news 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.240 this week 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.079 about the rising 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.720 migration levels 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.400 in the UK. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.579 Did you see that? 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.660 I'm trying to put this 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:16.039 into context. 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.599 The rising migration 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.579 levels in the UK. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.240 Now, 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.980 let me encourage us 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.420 to put politically 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.639 thinking about that aside 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.900 and to think about that 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.660 theologically. 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.240 As people 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.980 from all over the world 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.500 come to our country, 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.960 find their home here, 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.200 friends, 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.200 what an opportunity. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.480 What an opportunity. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.120 You know, 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:36.259 I was particularly, 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.340 I was taken 00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:38.960 by the fact 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.620 that the majority 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.220 of people 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.220 in that percentage 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.160 rise are now 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.779 coming from 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.960 out with Europe 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:45.079 to settle 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.799 in the UK. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.360 You know, 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.799 I was speaking 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.400 to my friend 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.519 Wayne from Crubbers 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.279 the other day 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.980 who was telling me 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.819 how they have seen 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.340 at Crubbers 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.779 an influx of people 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.539 coming from 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.579 Hong Kong. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.420 Some people 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.220 were already Christians, 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.819 some people 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.539 coming to hear 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.099 about Jesus 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.059 for the first time. 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:01.819 Just had this 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.440 lovely moment 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.940 when I thought 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.460 about this 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.180 enthusiastic pastor 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.079 from New York 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.279 is telling me 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.779 about the church 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.420 that he pastors 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:08.980 in Edinburgh 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.379 and now in his words 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.279 one-tenth of his 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.819 congregation 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.740 are from Hong Kong. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.659 My WhatsApp groups 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.299 with pastors 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.159 up and down 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:18.720 the country 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.180 at the minute 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.920 are filled 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.019 with stories 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.819 about how people 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.619 from Iran 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.700 have been coming 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.960 to churches 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.579 in the UK 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.460 and being introduced 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.279 to Jesus 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.220 and it's been great 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.779 to get to know 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.240 Pedram 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.139 as he's been 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.859 with us recently 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.539 reading the Bible 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.960 together 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.059 and learning so much 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.700 from Pedram. 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.460 There was a stat 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.819 this week, 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.460 did you see it? 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.859 I read it, 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.680 about how the fastest 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.440 growing church 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.079 in the UK 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:42.519 is the Chinese-speaking 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.059 church. 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.000 In fact, 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.019 experts reckon 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.119 that by 2030 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.119 the number of 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.319 Christians in China 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.960 will surpass 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.700 the number of 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.500 Christians in the US. 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.779 Some even put that 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.180 as early as 2025, 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.500 which is barely 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.279 around the corner. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.740 Do you see it? 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.539 The greater works 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.559 that Jesus is talking 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.240 about is he's no longer 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.420 geographically tied 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.059 as the Spirit 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.079 takes the message 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.119 and as it were 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.859 just fans it 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.420 into flame 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.140 around the world. 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.880 People from all 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.640 over the world, 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.000 down the generations, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.920 coming to know 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.720 Jesus for 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.519 themselves. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.000 Friends, 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.599 our mistakes 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.480 won't jeopardize 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.000 the future. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.339 Be so clear 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.000 on that today. 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.839 And our limits 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.579 won't hinder 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.139 the mission. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.500 And that's why 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.500 Jesus ruling 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.059 and reigning 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.480 in heaven 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.519 for us 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.500 is better 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:35.099 than Jesus 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.159 walking and talking 00:26:36.159 --> 00:26:36.740 on earth 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.359 beside us. 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:40.199 What comfort 00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:41.059 and confidence 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.259 that we can take 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.559 from him 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.279 and his 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.699 words today. 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.500 And I take it 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.179 as we finish, 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.500 this should free us 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:51.179 to be faithfully 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:52.319 witnessing 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:54.099 wherever we are. 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.740 and this is 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.299 where I finish 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.119 just as we close 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.139 with my friend Luke. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.899 And I bumped 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.879 into Luke 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.000 at a conference 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.419 I was at 00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:03.159 a few weeks ago. 00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:04.219 I've not seen Luke 00:27:04.219 --> 00:27:05.939 in 10 years 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:08.899 since we did 00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:09.779 the Cornhill course 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.879 together 10 years ago. 00:27:10.959 --> 00:27:11.819 And he was telling me 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.359 just one of those 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:13.980 questions when you 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.619 haven't seen somebody 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.119 in so long. 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.619 You just say, 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.959 what have you been up to? 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.219 You know, 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.919 kind of keep it 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:19.240 really narrow like that. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.659 Yeah, 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.719 what have you been up to? 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.339 And he told me 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.779 about how 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.959 after he graduated 00:27:23.959 --> 00:27:24.919 he spent some time 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.879 working at B&Q 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.519 in Aberdeen. 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:29.259 And in his first week 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:31.659 he accidentally 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.759 sent a brand new 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.199 kitchen 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:34.220 due for a family 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.819 in Oxford 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:36.679 to a family 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.759 in Aberdeen. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.019 Right? 00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:38.939 Big mistake. 00:27:39.179 --> 00:27:39.779 And I texted him 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.279 this week 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.459 and said, 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.279 how did that go? 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.559 And he simply said 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.259 it was a great day 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.039 for all involved. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:47.839 Mistake. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.519 Mistake. 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.579 But he kept on going. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.819 Loving his colleagues, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.099 speaking to them 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:55.759 about Jesus. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.000 But the same questions 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.879 that I know so many 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.639 of us here today 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.400 when you're witnessing 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.440 in your place of work 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.139 wherever you are 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.119 you ask as well. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.359 Do people see? 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:06.559 Does anybody even notice? 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.559 Is anybody listening? 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.319 Is this making 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.420 any kind of difference? 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.240 Eventually God calls 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.799 Luke back 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.139 to church work again 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.759 and it comes to 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.519 his final day 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.160 on the job. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.640 And those questions 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.500 that he's been asking 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.860 well, 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.580 they kind of get answered 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.259 because everybody 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.019 in his workforce 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.580 chips in to get him 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:27.019 a gift. 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.620 And they buy him 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.640 a pastor's key ring. 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.000 They buy him 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.940 a bag of pasta. 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.120 They buy him 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.100 an Amazon voucher. 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.400 And they buy him 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.019 I love the things 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.720 that people buy you 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.060 by the way 00:28:37.060 --> 00:28:37.900 when it's their last day. 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.440 And they buy him 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.240 a really nice 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.019 leather Bible. 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.340 They've all signed it 00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:43.540 with his initials 00:28:43.540 --> 00:28:44.320 stamped on the front. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.400 And it wasn't so much 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:46.820 the gifts 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.700 I think got him. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.599 It was what people 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:50.119 said that meant 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.939 the world to him. 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.819 They just said 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.839 thank you. 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:54.799 Thank you. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.659 And so through Luke 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.220 and his witness 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.039 knowing Jesus 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.039 and walking with him 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.539 personally 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.259 as folks 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:02.519 as he dealt with them 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.039 and he was trying 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.740 to be as honest 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.299 as possible 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.119 about his faults 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.799 and failings 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.579 but as honest 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.159 as possible 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.119 about the forgiveness 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:08.639 and life 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.240 that he's found 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.759 in Jesus. 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:10.899 I love the fact 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.559 that there's a whole 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.299 bunch of folks 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.919 in a warehouse 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:14.539 at B&Q up in Aberdeen 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:16.059 who've heard the gospel. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.200 And let's not 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.759 underestimate 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.339 the things 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.200 that God can do 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.259 as we just 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.200 sow the seed. 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:22.980 Do you know 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.839 and just as we close 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.759 there is no freer 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.899 place for our hearts 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.440 to be 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:28.200 than resting 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.960 in these words 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.420 of Jesus 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.220 right here 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:32.279 when he says 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.220 do not let 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.079 your hearts 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.720 be troubled. 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.259 And just hear 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.819 that today. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.539 Do not let 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:38.960 your hearts 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.440 be troubled. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.299 You believe 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.879 in God 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:43.500 believe also 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.960 in me. 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.400 Let's pray 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:45.740 will we? 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.619 And so 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.180 heavenly father 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.140 I'm so conscious 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.019 that so many 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.319 of us 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.859 will be coming 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.339 at this 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.440 from different 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.420 places today. 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.259 And lord 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.700 I ask that 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.299 your spirit 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.880 that he would 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.500 be at work 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.339 in our hearts 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.740 bringing the 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.240 comfort 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.759 and the 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.559 challenge 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:05.279 the reassurance 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.180 that comes 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.819 from Jesus' 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.799 words as we've 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.519 heard them today. 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.440 We just thank 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:09.900 you for the 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.519 celebration 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.079 that today 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.559 has been. 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:12.980 Father we 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.620 thank you 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.039 for the 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.400 gift 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.400 of new 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:15.860 life. 00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:16.940 We thank 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.319 you for 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.779 the gift 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.259 as it were 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.980 of spiritual 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.539 life. 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:20.860 And father 00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.500 I pray 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.880 that you 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.000 would just 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.539 stir our 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:23.880 hearts 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.180 with a 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.539 greater 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.660 affection 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.160 for the 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.740 Lord Jesus 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.160 as we 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.620 leave here 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.039 today. 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.059 Fully 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.680 confident 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.259 in the 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.680 truth 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.039 of his 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.559 promises 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.640 and the 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.099 beauty 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.519 of his 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.940 person 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.480 and work. 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:35.900 So father 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.460 we thank 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.740 you for 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.440 your commitment 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.920 to us 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.440 your people 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.900 today. 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.299 Be with 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.259 us for 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.680 the rest 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.000 of this 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.240 Sunday 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.720 we pray 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.220 in Jesus 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.039 is worthy 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.519 and in 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:44.680 his 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.160 wonderful 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.420 name 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:45.980 we ask. 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.000 Amen. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.100 Amen.