WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 But I want us to look really at the fantasticness of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:07.339 In Matthew 16 verse 30. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:09.599 Let me read the word of God to you. 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:12.059 Now when Jesus came to the district of Caesarea Philippi. 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:13.120 He asked his disciples. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:16.119 Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:18.579 That's a title that the Lord Jesus uses for himself. 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:19.259 The Son of Man. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:21.219 And they said. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:22.280 Some say John the Baptist. 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:23.480 Others say Elijah. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:24.660 And others Jeremiah. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:25.980 Or one of the prophets. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:28.039 He said to them. 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:29.640 But who do you say that I am? 00:00:31.080 --> 00:00:32.200 Simon Peter replies. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:33.019 You are the Christ. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:36.579 The Son of the living God. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:40.240 Beyonce's album. 00:00:40.400 --> 00:00:42.060 It was released without any publicity. 00:00:42.220 --> 00:00:43.020 I think 12 weeks ago. 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:44.200 And it went straight to number one. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:45.620 It's fantastic isn't it? 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:47.300 Rihanna. 00:00:47.540 --> 00:00:48.080 Do you know her? 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:50.600 She is fantastic isn't it? 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:51.480 I don't know whether you saw. 00:00:52.620 --> 00:00:55.280 Some of the goals that were scored over Christmas. 00:00:56.400 --> 00:00:57.260 Wayne Rooney. 00:00:57.440 --> 00:00:58.680 He is a fantastic popular. 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:00.300 Andy Murray. 00:01:01.300 --> 00:01:03.300 He is fantastic. 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:05.320 James Corden. 00:01:05.820 --> 00:01:06.379 As a comedian. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:07.640 I don't know whether you like him or not. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:10.780 I think he is fantastic. 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:12.420 We are interested. 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:13.420 Are we? 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:15.259 In those people. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:16.819 Well probably you are not interested in Beyonce. 00:01:16.979 --> 00:01:17.420 Rihanna. 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:18.060 And those kind of. 00:01:18.199 --> 00:01:19.500 But you know what I am getting at. 00:01:20.199 --> 00:01:20.859 We are interested. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:22.399 In people who. 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:24.419 We would call fantastic. 00:01:25.419 --> 00:01:26.759 We read about them in newspapers. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:28.439 And in magazines. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:30.579 Sometimes. 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:32.579 If they are really really famous. 00:01:32.679 --> 00:01:33.640 We put a statue up to them. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:34.019 Don't we? 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:35.239 In their memory. 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:37.319 And in these three or four talks. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:37.939 What I want to do. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:39.780 Is talk to you about the most fantastic person. 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:40.439 Who has ever lived. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:41.980 And his name. 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:43.239 Is Jesus Christ. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:44.340 Now. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:44.780 Maybe. 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:46.219 You are a sceptic. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:47.019 It's brilliant. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:47.879 That you are here this morning. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:48.219 If you are. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:49.060 Maybe you are a sceptic. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:49.760 And you think. 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:50.840 How can a Jew. 00:01:51.120 --> 00:01:53.460 Who lived so long ago. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:55.180 Be more fantastic than. 00:01:55.820 --> 00:01:56.180 Beyonce. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:01:57.400 Or something like that. 00:01:57.420 --> 00:01:59.140 How can they be more fantastic than that? 00:01:59.740 --> 00:02:01.439 Well let me throw four facts at you. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:03.020 Here in Europe. 00:02:03.460 --> 00:02:05.300 There were people that started counting the years. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:06.420 From the year of his birth. 00:02:06.520 --> 00:02:07.420 And we still do that. 00:02:07.460 --> 00:02:07.760 Don't we? 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:08.980 Somehow. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:10.280 I doubt. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:11.920 That that is going to happen to Wayne Rooney. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:12.500 Is it? 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:14.620 We are probably not going to count the years from his birth. 00:02:15.640 --> 00:02:16.719 Somehow I don't think that will happen. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:17.879 You may say. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:18.699 He is old hat. 00:02:18.699 --> 00:02:19.679 He is not news anymore. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:19.899 He is not. 00:02:19.899 --> 00:02:21.139 Everybody knows about the Lord Jesus. 00:02:21.519 --> 00:02:22.659 He is a swear word. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:23.759 But do you know. 00:02:24.019 --> 00:02:24.699 Eight percent. 00:02:25.339 --> 00:02:26.139 Of Londoners. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:27.879 Will be in church this morning. 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:30.739 He is still very popular isn't he? 00:02:31.399 --> 00:02:32.280 More people. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:34.079 Go to church on Sunday. 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:36.159 Than go to football. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:37.039 On Saturday. 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:38.099 Did you know that? 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:39.939 So. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:41.239 You may have followers. 00:02:41.359 --> 00:02:41.939 You may be on Twitter. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:43.399 And you might have. 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:44.339 A certain amount of followers. 00:02:44.399 --> 00:02:45.719 I don't know many followers you have got. 00:02:46.799 --> 00:02:47.159 Well. 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:48.459 What is the size of the Lord Jesus? 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:49.180 Is his fan club? 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:50.640 How many followers. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:52.140 Does the Lord Jesus have? 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:54.020 He has hundreds of millions. 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:54.900 Of followers. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:56.379 How many? 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:56.860 Today. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.819 They estimate about 2.1 billion followers. 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:02.080 Of people who would call themselves Christians. 00:03:02.920 --> 00:03:04.360 People who in some form. 00:03:04.920 --> 00:03:05.659 Or another. 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:07.180 Have an allegiance to him. 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:09.159 What about the biographies? 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:10.159 Have you read them? 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:11.219 You know you go to Waterstones. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:13.479 And you go to the biographical section. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:14.199 In our bookshops. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.319 And it is huge. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:17.000 All the actors. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:18.699 All the singers. 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:19.879 Who are slightly past it. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:21.039 And need to revive their career. 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:22.740 They all bring out a book for Christmas. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:23.219 Don't they? 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:25.500 Books written on the story. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:26.579 Of their lives. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:28.199 How many are sold? 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:30.479 But what about the Lord Jesus? 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:31.259 His biography? 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:33.739 Tens of thousands. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:37.219 Hundreds of thousands of biographies are sold every Christmas. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:39.759 Well the book that tells the story of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:39.959 --> 00:03:41.419 Is still the best seller in the world. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.579 2,000 years after the events. 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:49.560 How many buildings have been opened by David Beckham? 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:51.479 Well quite a few probably. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:53.599 Quite a few buildings have been. 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:55.620 There is a plaque on the wall probably. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:56.299 Same isn't there? 00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:58.539 Opened by David Beckham. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:02.199 But how many buildings are there in the world. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:05.159 That are put up in the honour of Jesus Christ. 00:04:05.739 --> 00:04:06.219 Chapels. 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:07.340 Churches. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:08.840 Cathedrals. 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:10.560 Universities. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:12.259 Hospitals. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:14.620 Hundreds of thousands of them. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:15.840 And they are still being built. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.019 And hope to be built. 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:17.819 In West England. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:20.759 Whatever we make about him. 00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:23.039 He is a fantastic person. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:25.500 I quite like sporting heroes. 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:26.539 And film stars. 00:04:26.540 --> 00:04:29.180 But I think you have got to admit. 00:04:30.080 --> 00:04:31.420 I think you have to admit. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:32.379 That when you come. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:34.160 To talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.540 You are moving into a different league. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:36.379 Altogether. 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:39.260 And our subject this morning is going to be. 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:39.780 Who was he? 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:41.300 Who was he? 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:44.759 And there is nothing that is more important than this. 00:04:45.580 --> 00:04:46.640 Those of us who are Christians. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:47.980 Well we are fans aren't we already? 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.340 We are followers. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.259 We are friends of his. 00:04:51.320 --> 00:04:52.320 We are saints already. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:55.099 And it seems to me that there is nothing more important. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:56.000 That we could do. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:57.120 At the start of a new year. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.339 Than to remind ourselves. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:04:59.339 Of the wonder. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:00.980 And the glory. 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:02.560 And the sheer. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:04.439 Fantasticness. 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:06.139 Of Jesus Christ. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:07.779 We have become. 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:08.399 We are so. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:10.360 Secularised. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:13.899 We live in an increasingly materialistic age. 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:16.219 Where boxing day online sales. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:17.199 Are bigger than ever. 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:19.299 We face great pressure isn't it? 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:20.399 As you go back to work tomorrow. 00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:21.939 Or as you went back last week. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:23.139 Great pressure. 00:05:24.299 --> 00:05:26.019 Morally we face great pressure. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:28.519 We live in a pluralistic age. 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:30.139 Where people believe in all sorts of things. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:30.599 And anything. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:32.159 And they have their doubts. 00:05:32.419 --> 00:05:33.539 About our faith. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.759 And we see the icons. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:37.319 Of modern society. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:39.399 Those who dominate the media. 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:42.159 Who gather their fans. 00:05:42.159 --> 00:05:43.739 And gather their followers. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:45.139 Who make their pronouncements. 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:46.659 And it's just so easy isn't it? 00:05:46.679 --> 00:05:47.339 I don't know for you. 00:05:47.419 --> 00:05:48.739 But it's very easy for me. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:49.639 To lose sight. 00:05:50.099 --> 00:05:51.919 Of the fantasticness of Jesus Christ. 00:05:52.979 --> 00:05:54.159 And I wonder whether. 00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:55.699 Our Jesus as a church. 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:57.139 Is a pale shadow. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.259 Of the one that's portrayed. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:05:59.939 In the New Testament. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:01.819 We've lost sight. 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:03.159 Of the fantasticness of Jesus. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:04.679 And that's what I want to try and do. 00:06:04.739 --> 00:06:05.819 For the next two or three weeks. 00:06:06.719 --> 00:06:07.919 What was true of him. 00:06:08.659 --> 00:06:09.899 What is true of him. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:11.819 And what will be true of him. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.219 Now so. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:14.700 Turn with me to Colossians chapter one. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:17.100 And let me just read those words to you again. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:19.000 Colossians chapter one. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:22.500 From page 983. 00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:24.500 It's talking about the Lord Jesus. 00:06:24.640 --> 00:06:25.240 And it says this. 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:27.220 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:29.500 The firstborn of all creation. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:31.080 For by him all things were created. 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:32.480 In heaven and on earth. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.560 Visible and invisible. 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:35.560 Whether thrones or dominions. 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:36.780 Or rulers or authorities. 00:06:36.779 --> 00:06:38.199 All things were created. 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:39.339 Through him and for him. 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:42.000 And Jesus is before all things. 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:43.799 And in him all things hold together. 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:45.679 And he is the head of the body of the church. 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:46.579 He is the beginning. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:47.879 The firstborn from the dead. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.799 That in everything he might be preeminent. 00:06:50.479 --> 00:06:52.019 For in him all the fullness of God. 00:06:52.119 --> 00:06:53.439 Was pleased for death to dwell. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:55.579 And through him to reconcile to himself. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:56.939 All things whether on earth. 00:06:57.059 --> 00:06:57.559 Or in heaven. 00:06:58.099 --> 00:06:59.939 Making peace by the blood of the cross. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.300 Jesus. 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:01.439 Now who was he? 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:03.319 Who was he? 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:05.680 Do you remember the question we read? 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.959 In Matthew chapter 16. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:09.360 And in Mark chapter 8. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:12.019 Jesus Christ poses that same question to his followers. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:13.480 Who do people say that I am? 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.620 Who do people say that I am? 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.680 I want some info. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.740 I want some research. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:22.360 What's the opinion of the general population? 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.920 And the answers are quite bizarre aren't they? 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:28.860 They say well some say you're John the Baptist. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:31.240 What had happened to John the Baptist? 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:32.399 He'd been a Baptist. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:33.639 He'd preached. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:36.439 He'd soaked people in water. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:38.379 He'd preached to King Herod. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:41.079 And yet he'd gone into trouble. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:44.060 And he did his head chopped off just a few weeks ago. 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:46.899 Others say you're Elijah. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:48.680 Another prophet. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.399 It's even more bizarre isn't it? 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:54.100 800 years before Elijah had lived. 00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:56.220 And some people thought he'd reappeared. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:58.579 Still others thought he was Jeremiah. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:07:59.540 Another prophet. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.740 That he was one of the prophets. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.800 One of the people who had been there in the past. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:06.139 And smoked the message of God. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:09.060 And they came up with these answers. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:11.800 And they're strange answers aren't they? 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:13.920 They are very rational. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.560 They're very irrational. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:17.819 They're not very sensible at all. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.139 Who do people say that I am? 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.339 They think you're a guy who was beheaded a number of weeks ago. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:25.759 They think you're a prophet who lived 800 years ago. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.980 They think you're a prophet who lived 400 prophets. 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.839 Or what are the other dead prophets? 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.000 They're not rational. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:36.559 But quite clearly Jesus was an intriguing figure wasn't he? 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:39.679 People were discussing about him. 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:43.779 People, though they were trying to find him. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:46.179 They had these strange, strange, strange answers. 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:48.239 And it's the same thing that is true today. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:52.580 Jesus is still a fascinating character. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.000 How many films have been made about him? 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:57.759 Why does he fascinate so much? 00:08:57.960 --> 00:09:00.060 All those books that have been written about him. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:04.119 Jesus Christ's superstar had a sellout to her last year. 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:08.619 More has been written about the Lord Jesus in the last 20 years 00:09:08.619 --> 00:09:11.739 than has been written in the previous 19 centuries. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:17.159 Why all this writing about this man? 00:09:18.459 --> 00:09:19.059 Why? 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:22.500 Because they're trying to find the answer to who he was. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:26.940 And the answers that people have about who Jesus was. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:29.879 Who do people say that I am the Crestman from Matthew 16? 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:31.440 Well, it's equally as bizarre. 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.480 So this may be obvious. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.919 Some say he was a good man. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:38.480 Some say he was a moral teacher. 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:41.840 Somebody else says he was a guru-like figure. 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:46.279 Somebody else says he was a magician who marries Mary Magdalene. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:48.539 The ideas are endless, aren't they? 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:49.899 And they are strange. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:50.980 And they are bizarre. 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:56.659 Who is this man who has influenced history in such a dramatic fashion? 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:59.460 And then Jesus turns to his disciples and says, 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.240 But what about you? 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:04.060 Who do you say that I am? 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.779 And our passage gives us the answer. 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:09.080 So can you look at just Colossians 1 verse 15? 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:13.940 It says he is the image of the invisible God. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.820 You want to see the invisible God? 00:10:19.820 --> 00:10:20.940 Well, see Jesus. 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:24.240 That's where he puts it to the Colossians. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:27.960 In 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 4 he says something slightly different. 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:29.340 He says, 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:33.759 The glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:37.800 And when you go to Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 3, you have another statement. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:42.159 The Bible says he is the radiance of the glory of God. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:49.419 Do you remember what Peter's reply was? 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:51.319 Peter's reply was, you are the Christ. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.919 You are God's anointed king. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:54.219 You are the Messiah. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:56.219 The son of the living God. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:59.659 Well that answer is the most bizarre of all, isn't it? 00:10:59.719 --> 00:10:59.980 Surely. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:01.519 Isn't it? 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:04.120 What is Peter saying? 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:08.100 He's saying, you are God on earth. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:11.919 You are deity here upon earth. 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:13.039 It's an incredible statement. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:18.720 It is more remarkable than to say, John the Baptist, who was beheaded a number of weeks ago, is back. 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:22.639 And Elijah, who was around 900 years ago, is back. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.300 Or Jeremiah has reappeared. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:27.560 Now to say to the person standing in front of you, 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:32.139 Here is the son of God, walking around in the land of Canaan. 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:33.660 That is what Peter declared. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.720 That is what Paul is telling us in the New Testament. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.660 That is what the writer of the Hebrews is telling you. 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:41.259 What a fantastic idea. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:43.720 Where did he get that idea from? 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:44.980 What was Peter? 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.660 Peter was just a fisherman. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:49.600 A fisherman working on the Sea of Galilee. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:53.339 And he comes up with this idea that Jesus Christ is the son of God. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.919 Now where on earth do you get such an idea? 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:59.519 Those ideas don't just suddenly come to you, do they? 00:12:00.579 --> 00:12:01.559 They don't. 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:04.579 What planted this idea in his mind? 00:12:04.959 --> 00:12:09.379 That Jesus of Nazareth was the son of God walking around on earth. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.500 Where did he get such a remarkable idea? 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.379 Peter was a Jew. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:16.720 He was brought up in the Old Testament Bible. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:19.120 And the Old Testament expects a Messiah. 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:23.639 So you read at Christmas, if you're here at Christmas time or in a church at Christmas time, 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:25.200 His name will be called Emmanuel. 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:26.620 God with us. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.259 Isaiah 9. 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:30.700 He will be called Mighty God. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.539 That's what was predicted. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.879 The Messiah. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:37.039 The one the Jews were looking for would be more than man. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.179 He would be deity. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:41.759 He would be God with us. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.879 And Peter picked that up from the Old Testament teacher. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.059 Lots of Jews hadn't though. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:50.599 But Peter had been confronted in it. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.959 Of that fact. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.699 By the Lord Jesus Christ himself. 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:56.500 Peter had heard him speak. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:59.700 And as he'd listened to Jesus. 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:04.100 He had realised that Jesus was saying fantastic things. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:09.720 Jesus said, I and the Father are one. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:14.960 He was identifying and uniting himself with God the Father. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:19.120 He who has seen me, Jesus said, has seen the Father. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:23.340 If you want to see God, look at me. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.779 It's astounding. 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:29.720 He said, don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:33.299 And all things have been committed to me by my Father. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:35.820 And no one knows the Father except me. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:38.340 And those I choose to reveal him to. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:43.200 Jesus was continually making statements like that. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.080 It was impossible, didn't it? 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:48.259 And it wasn't just Peter that picked it up. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:52.460 So the Jews of Jesus' day, they knew what he was saying as well, didn't they? 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:54.019 They believed in God. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.080 They believed in one God. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:02.720 And here was this guy, this man, Jesus of Nazareth, saying, I and the Father are one. 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:05.279 And the Jews say, no, no, no, no. 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.100 You can't say that. 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:08.139 You cannot say that. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.659 Who do you think? 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.320 You are Jesus. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:12.000 You cannot make yourself one with God. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:14.200 And call yourself the Son of God. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:16.580 The Jews say, we have a law against that. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:18.639 And by that law, this man must die. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.259 Why must he die? 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:23.700 Because he claims to be the Son of God. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:27.120 So it's quite clear what Jesus was doing. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:32.600 He was saying, as you read the New Testament, read it for yourself, the Gospel. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.200 He's saying, I'm different to everybody else. 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:38.480 I'm the Son of God here on earth. 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:44.420 And Peter not only heard, but Peter saw. 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:51.319 And what he saw was that Jesus seemed to be doing the things that were normally the prerogative of God. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.799 So he forgave sins. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:59.519 If we asked the Jews of Jesus' day, who can forgive sins? 00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:01.599 They would say, God alone. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:04.799 Who does Jesus think he is? 00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:07.699 Does he think he is God? 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:12.480 So they say in Luke 5.21, who is this man who speaks blasphemy? 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:15.140 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:17.100 Does he think he is God? 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:18.460 Yes. 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:21.360 Who gives life? 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:24.860 Who gives life, we ask the Jewish people. 00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:28.900 God is the orphan of life, say the Jews. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:36.179 And we find Jesus saying, just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:39.779 And then he walks to the tomb of a dead man. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.740 And he says, Lazarus, come out. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:46.539 And Lazarus gets out of the grave and walks. 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:49.179 Who does he think he is? 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.939 He thinks he's God. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.879 Let's ask them, who teaches truth? 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:57.699 Well, the Jewish God is the author of truth, isn't it? 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:58.399 They would say that. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:01.579 Every Old Testament prophet began. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.000 They began by saying what? 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:06.159 They began by saying, thus says the Lord. 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:09.439 But as you read through the Gospels, Jesus never said that. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.299 He started by saying this. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:15.399 Truly, truly, I say unto you. 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:17.199 Or verily, verily, I say unto you. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.259 He speaks with authority. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:25.419 And so the Lord Jesus says, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.019 Then judgment. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.220 Who is the great judge? 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:33.159 The Jew would say, well, God is the judge, isn't he? 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:40.259 Jesus teaches a parable where he says, I will be the judge and I will divide the followers of God from the non-followers. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:42.299 I will divide the sheep and the goats. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.200 And they think, who does he think he is? 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.439 Who does he think he is? 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:51.139 Now, what do you make of that? 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.679 What do you make of that? 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:56.199 So let's say you're on your way home after this. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.139 You go into Ealing Broadway. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.319 You bump into a man. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:00.699 And you say to the man, who are you? 00:17:00.859 --> 00:17:02.819 Slightly unusual in London to do that, I know. 00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:04.500 But you say, who are you? 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.599 And the person says, well, I am the son of God. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:08.759 What would you do? 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.199 You'd run, wouldn't you? 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.740 Or you'd ring the police. 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:12.799 One of the two. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:18.919 But let's just say, you think, here is a theory that needs to be tested. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.919 Let's just play along with this for a minute. 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:25.039 What could this person who says, I am the son of God. 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:28.240 What could be the options? 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:31.000 Well, number one, he could be talking the truth. 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.740 It's unlikely. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.820 But he could be talking the truth. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.519 Number two, he could be a liar. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.720 He could be a deceiver. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:41.820 Or number three, he could be unwell. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.440 He could be deluded. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:47.900 So how can you decide which option is true? 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.720 Which option is right? 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:52.140 Whether it's true that he's saying that he is the son of God. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.460 Whether he's a liar or a deceiver. 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.100 Or whether he's unwell and deluded. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.440 Well, let's put a few tests there. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.839 You would say, well, I wonder whether he practices what he preaches. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.440 Is he genuine? 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.019 He says he's the son of God. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.579 Is he genuine? 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.279 Is he for real? 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:09.460 You and I can see through the hypocrites, can't you? 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:14.380 A hypocrite is somebody who's different on the inside than they are on the outside. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.700 And is Jesus genuine? 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.920 He claims to be the son of God. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.559 Is he for real? 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.079 Is he up to it? 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:24.480 Peter looked at the life of this Jesus. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:27.519 And that was the first thing that Peter had to confront. 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.240 So Jesus says this, doesn't he? 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:33.180 Can anyone prove me guilty of sin? 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:36.980 Can you imagine David Cameron saying that on the news? 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.400 Can anyone prove me guilty of sin? 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.380 There would be journalists, wouldn't there? 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.539 They would pursue him. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:45.720 They would pursue him just to disprove the fact that he said it. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:48.960 And I have a feeling that there were investigative journalists in Jerusalem as well. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.079 They were called the Pharisees. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:53.640 Can anyone prove me guilty of sin? 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:56.440 And Peter watched him for three years. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:19:02.040 Now my wife has lived with me for nearly 14 years. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.879 And she could tell you I sinned. 00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:08.559 I saw the lads that I used to live with this week before I got married. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:11.440 And they could certainly tell you that I sinned. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.720 You could spend about half an hour with me. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.380 And you would know that I sinned. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.940 I'm not perfect. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:18.880 Neither are you. 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:24.400 But Peter, years after Jesus died, wrote a letter. 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:26.960 And in Peter's letter, he said this. 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:29.100 He committed no sin. 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:32.720 No deceit was found in his mouth. 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:36.380 The Lord Jesus made this claim. 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.759 And Peter says, I've got to give it to him. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.880 I've got to give it to him. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.640 He is genuine. 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.980 There was a purity. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:46.380 And there was a perfection about him. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:50.200 And you might follow around our guy on Elam Broadway. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.980 Who says he's the son of God. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.720 To see whether he is pure. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.380 And whether he is perfect. 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.160 The apostle John. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.579 Who lived with Jesus for three years. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.579 Said this. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:02.599 If we claim to be without sin. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.960 We deceive ourselves. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.660 But in Jesus' case. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.420 In him. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.200 There is no sin. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.259 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 says. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:15.460 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:17.480 But one who in every respect. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:19.400 Has been tempted as we are yet. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.880 Is without sin. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.880 So he passes the first test. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.259 Doesn't he? 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.360 The test of genuineness. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:29.000 And integration between what he says. 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.839 And what he is. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.440 And Peter says. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.259 I'm convinced by that. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.240 I can't get my way around. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.539 I can't see my way around that. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.160 So let's give the second test. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.339 You say to the man on Elam Broadway. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.319 Let's have a miracle. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.299 You are the son of God. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.000 Let's have a miracle. 00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:44.720 Show us some action. 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.140 Show it to us. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.360 Well Peter saw lots of them. 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:48.680 Didn't he? 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.559 Jesus pacified a storm. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.240 He turned water into wine. 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:55.319 He healed the sick. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.559 He fed 5,000. 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.779 With a few bread and a few fish. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.579 Mighty acts. 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:05.640 Acts of grace and compassion. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.579 And love. 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:08.759 But also signs of who he was. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.019 And then finally you have the resurrection. 00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.700 How did they respond to it? 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:17.059 If you have Paul's logic. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.059 The apostle Paul's logic. 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.120 In Romans 9. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:21.000 He speaks of his human nature. 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.080 It says this. 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:25.480 Jesus who was descended from David. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.700 According to the flesh. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.180 With skin and bones like you and I are. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:32.080 And was declared to be the son of God. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.039 In power. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.980 According to the spirit of holiness. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.819 By his resurrection from the dead. 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.160 Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.480 Do you see that? 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.200 Was declared to be the son of God. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.700 In power. 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.960 According to the spirit of holiness. 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.380 By his resurrection from the dead. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.740 Here is phenomenon. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.740 Upon phenomenon. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:50.720 Fantastic. 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.660 Upon fantastic. 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:55.040 You want the clinching argument. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.980 What Paul gives it to you. 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.400 Here it is. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.040 Declared to be the son of God. 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:58.519 With power. 00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.880 By the resurrection from the dead. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.140 So Peter came to this conviction. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:05.880 He heard the strange claims of Jesus. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:08.480 He saw the strange behaviour. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:10.100 Of doing the deeds. 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.279 The works of God. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.180 On earth. 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:14.160 He saw the perfect life. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.460 He saw the miracles. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.140 He witnessed the resurrection. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.259 And said no. 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.340 He is not deluded. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.840 He is not a fraud. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.360 He is the genuine thing. 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.740 He is more remarkable than John the Baptist. 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.560 More remarkable than Elijah. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:29.240 More remarkable than Jeremiah. 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.600 It is amazing. 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.420 That is who he is. 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.040 He is the son of God. 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.860 And that is why the buildings have been built. 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:41.000 And that is why the book is still being read. 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:44.220 And that is why the fan club is so big. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.300 The son of God. 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.420 And as we begin to see this. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:52.019 The word fantastic begins to come into its own. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.420 Doesn't it? 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.400 Wayne Rooney. 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.300 James Corden. 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:58.160 Beyonce. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.720 Tiger Woods. 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:04.940 They pale into insignificance. 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:05.940 Don't they compare to him? 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:08.420 Jesus Christ. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:11.460 He is the only one who truly deserves to be called fantastic. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:17.039 Here is a person who existed before he came to earth. 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:20.400 That's what the books call his pre-existence. 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.920 There's many verses about this. 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:24.720 Jesus who was there before he came to earth. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.820 In the beginning. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.059 John begins his account. 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:29.100 In the beginning was the word. 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:31.119 And the word was with God. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.980 And the word was God. 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:36.000 And the word became flesh. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.099 But he was in the beginning. 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.880 He was pre-existing. 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.400 Before he came to this world. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:50.440 John 17 speaks of the glory that Jesus had before the world began. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:54.140 And so as we speak about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.000 As we think about him. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.600 We are talking about an eternal person. 00:23:58.140 --> 00:24:00.039 We are talking about the second person of the Trinity. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.880 One who was almighty. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.200 One who is all powerful. 00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:06.180 One who is all knowing. 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.360 That is who we are speaking about. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:10.140 So Philippians 1 says. 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:12.980 Who being in very nature God. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.560 He was God. 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:17.200 And being in very nature God. 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:20.900 Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.299 Something to grab hold of. 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:26.799 But he took on the nature of sinful flesh. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.060 And he dwelt among us. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.620 He became our servant. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.460 Glossians 2 verse 9. 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.600 For in Christ. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.039 All the fullness. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:40.759 Of the deity dwells. 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:42.620 In bodily form. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.480 Or read from our passage. 00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:47.140 Colossians chapter 1 and verse 19. 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:48.320 For in him. 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:51.400 All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.680 Now are you taking that in this morning? 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:57.140 You are dealing with the most fantastic truth. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.480 That has ever faced humanity. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.920 The most phenomenal truth. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.100 That Jesus Christ. 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.259 Was the son of God. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.740 As the creeds put it. 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:08.519 Very God. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.080 Of very God. 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.160 Greater. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.480 More fantastic. 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.440 Than any hero will ever be. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:19.820 There is an incident. 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:19.840 There is an incident. 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:19.840 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.059 There is an incident. 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.279 Isn't there? 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.360 Let me close with this. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.720 In the gospels of him being transfigured. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.900 His outer form. 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.580 Was changed. 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:30.439 And God spoke from heaven. 00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:30.879 And said. 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:33.099 This is my son. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:36.159 With whom I am well pleased. 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.740 Listen to him. 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.279 Listen to him. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.199 Listen to him. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:46.500 In another place. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.120 More touchingly. 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.620 In Matthew chapter 11. 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:51.039 Jesus says this. 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.600 He says. 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:53.240 Come to me. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.120 Come to me. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:57.440 All you who are wearied. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.680 And heavy laden. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.259 Come to me. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.500 All you who labour. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.980 And are heavy laden. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:06.680 And I will give you rest. 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:09.039 You're weary this morning. 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.400 Life is low. 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.220 Great shakes. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.740 You're weary of life. 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.720 Jesus says. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.360 Come to me. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.460 Come to me. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.599 All you who are weary. 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.339 And heavy laden. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.559 And I will give you rest. 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.519 And then he says this. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.059 Take my yoke upon you. 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:27.559 And learn from me. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.579 I've always thought of this passage. 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.420 Of the yoke. 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.640 As a kind of farming instrument. 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.120 You know. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.799 That you have a. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.480 A yoke that's put on the cows. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.440 And they plough in the field. 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.819 You have two cows together. 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.059 And I think it is that. 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:40.519 But it can also mean. 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.759 That of a tutor. 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:44.079 So you know a tutor. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.579 Posh. 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.799 Young person. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.940 Let's call him Jono. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:51.660 And his parents get him a tutor. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.420 He's struggling in school. 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.500 And the tutor comes along. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.279 And puts his arm around him. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.500 And says. 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:57.759 Come. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.440 Come and learn. 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.220 Learn with me. 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.299 Come and learn with me. 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.599 The tutor comes alongside him. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.660 And learns from him. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:05.820 It's a picture of a tutor. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.600 With a little boy. 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.460 And he puts his arm around him. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.680 He says. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.480 Let's go to the museum. 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.100 Let's go to the museum. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.060 And let me teach you. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.040 Let's learn something. 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.600 And he puts his arm around him. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.160 And takes him. 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.440 And why don't you. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.680 At the start of this new year. 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:22.240 Let Jesus put his arm around you. 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.960 And teach you. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:26.340 God the Father. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:26.840 God the Father. 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.799 Says to you. 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.840 This is my son. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.120 Listen. 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.539 To him. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.340 And that's what I need to do this year. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.019 And so do you. 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:40.819 I need to rediscover the glory of Jesus. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:44.579 And it seems to me that the son of God. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.940 Here on earth. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:49.279 Is something worth talking about. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.599 Isn't it? 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.740 And that evangelism. 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:54.160 Actually speaking to others. 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.720 About the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:59.899 Begins with being amazed by who he is. 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:01.800 Let's pray.