WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:06.740 Would you turn with me to the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verses 25 through 33. 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:11.080 That's where we'll pick up our sermon series. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:16.640 John, chapter 16, verses 25 through 33. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:20.140 That's page 849 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there. 00:00:21.580 --> 00:00:24.699 Well, as we turn there to John 16, let me pray for us. 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:31.919 Father, we ask you this morning for your favor as we come to your word. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:37.240 God, we know that in our own strength, in our own intellect, in our own wisdom, 00:00:37.780 --> 00:00:40.439 God, we can't put all the pieces together. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:44.519 So we need your help now, and we need your spirit to come. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:51.060 Give us ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts to receive what you are telling us about yourself, 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:55.580 about your Son, Father, and about your saving purposes in the world. 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:58.340 We pray all this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:03.100 All right, let me read John 16, 25 through 33 for us. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:04.079 Jesus says this, 00:01:04.540 --> 00:01:07.800 I have said these things to you in figures of speech. 00:01:08.800 --> 00:01:11.939 The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:14.180 but will tell you plainly about the Father. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:17.540 In that day, you will ask in my name. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:21.040 And I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf, 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:23.519 for the Father himself loves you, 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:27.320 because you have loved me, and I believe that I came from God. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:32.460 I've come from the Father, and I've come into the world, 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:35.680 and now I'm leaving the world and going to the Father. 00:01:37.300 --> 00:01:38.420 His disciples said, 00:01:38.740 --> 00:01:43.280 Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech. 00:01:44.020 --> 00:01:47.079 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:49.560 This is why we believe that you came from God. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:51.659 Jesus answered them, 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:53.960 Do you now believe? 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:57.900 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, 00:01:58.180 --> 00:01:59.579 when you will be scattered, 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:01.420 each to his own home, 00:02:02.020 --> 00:02:03.040 and will leave me alone. 00:02:04.320 --> 00:02:04.719 Yet, 00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:06.420 I am not alone, 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:08.460 for the Father is with me. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.199 I have said these things to you, 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:13.520 that in me you may have peace. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:15.460 In the world, 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:17.020 you will have tribulation, 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:18.880 but take heart, 00:02:19.640 --> 00:02:20.980 I have overcome the world. 00:02:24.100 --> 00:02:24.520 So, 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:25.760 when a speaker, 00:02:25.980 --> 00:02:27.840 or when a teacher gets up and says, 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:29.400 In conclusion, 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:31.840 at the end of a lengthy lecture or lesson, 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:33.960 what do you expect to hear next? 00:02:35.260 --> 00:02:36.460 Now you might be thinking to yourself, 00:02:36.580 --> 00:02:38.100 Wow, the preacher's done already, 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:39.420 he just said in conclusion, 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:40.800 this is going to be a short sermon, 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:41.320 all right. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:42.219 No, 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:42.420 well, 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:43.740 when the speaker gets up and says, 00:02:43.860 --> 00:02:44.500 In conclusion, 00:02:45.100 --> 00:02:48.000 usually you're expecting some sort of powerful summary, 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:50.880 some sort of main point of everything that's come before. 00:02:51.320 --> 00:02:52.439 Here comes the big takeaway, 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.300 the parting shot. 00:02:54.040 --> 00:02:55.540 And what we have before us, 00:02:55.580 --> 00:02:58.380 in verses 25 through 33 of John 16, 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:01.220 are Jesus' concluding remarks, 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:04.400 to what we've come to call his farewell discourse. 00:03:05.920 --> 00:03:06.320 Remember, 00:03:06.420 --> 00:03:07.680 these last few chapters of John, 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:10.659 are the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples in the upper room, 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:12.540 right before his arrest and crucifixion. 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:15.219 And these are his sort of concluding, 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:16.319 summarizing remarks. 00:03:16.700 --> 00:03:16.879 Now, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:17.760 what makes us think that, 00:03:17.860 --> 00:03:20.860 what makes us think that these are Jesus' concluding remarks? 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:21.240 Well, 00:03:21.480 --> 00:03:23.560 we see twice in this passage that Jesus says, 00:03:23.980 --> 00:03:25.560 I've said these things to you. 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:27.620 And these things, 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:28.360 as he puts it there, 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:31.620 probably refer to the whole of chapters 14 through 16. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:33.520 This is all of what he's been saying. 00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:35.900 I've been saying all these things to you. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:39.340 And at the heart of this conclusion, 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:40.580 in verse 28, 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:43.820 Jesus gives us a summary of his mission. 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:46.060 Verse 28 says, 00:03:46.160 --> 00:03:47.280 I came from the Father, 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:49.540 and have come into the world, 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:51.860 and now I'm leaving the world, 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:53.340 and going to the Father. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:54.120 Now, 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:56.219 we've seen this kind of language often in John's Gospel, 00:03:56.300 --> 00:03:58.260 most recently at the beginning of chapter 13. 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:02.759 But what Jesus really wants to drive home, 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:04.979 in this conclusion, 00:04:05.239 --> 00:04:07.919 isn't just what his mission is, 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:10.519 but what it achieves. 00:04:12.959 --> 00:04:14.280 Notice in verse 25, 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:14.840 Jesus says, 00:04:14.959 --> 00:04:15.819 the hour's coming. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:17.399 And in verse 26, 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:18.180 in that day, 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:19.259 and then again in verse 32, 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:20.339 the hour's coming, 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:21.219 the day, 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:22.219 the hour. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:23.699 This is how Jesus, 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:24.939 throughout John's Gospel, 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:28.060 has referred to the climax of his earthly mission. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:29.539 The great event, 00:04:29.599 --> 00:04:31.199 that's going to change history forever. 00:04:31.659 --> 00:04:33.019 Something big is coming, 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:33.980 and now it's here. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.360 The hour I've talked about, 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:35.819 Jesus says, 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:37.639 the day you've been waiting for, 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:39.740 all that my mission is meant to achieve, 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.060 it's all impinging right now, 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:42.699 right here. 00:04:44.039 --> 00:04:45.019 So what is it? 00:04:46.659 --> 00:04:47.920 What does it all achieve? 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:49.480 What benefits come to us, 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.779 as a result of Jesus' mission? 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:55.459 What has the finished work of Christ, 00:04:55.579 --> 00:04:56.860 actually accomplished? 00:04:56.860 --> 00:05:00.620 What reality has this new day brought about? 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:04.400 You know, 00:05:04.460 --> 00:05:05.639 I wonder if many of us, 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.759 whether you're new to Christianity, 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.920 or whether you've been a Christian for a long time, 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.840 I wonder if many of us don't really grasp 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:15.180 the fullness of what Christ has achieved. 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:17.160 Now, 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:17.980 if you're new to Christianity, 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:20.420 or if you're here sort of exploring spiritual things, 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:22.319 we're really glad you came out this morning. 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.660 And if you've been around Christianity for a long time, 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:26.780 we're glad you're here too. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:28.700 But you know, 00:05:28.760 --> 00:05:30.740 could it be that all of us 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:33.140 need Jesus once again 00:05:33.140 --> 00:05:34.260 to show us what 00:05:34.260 --> 00:05:36.840 he's actually achieved for us 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:38.120 through his death and resurrection? 00:05:39.880 --> 00:05:41.380 What if we're only getting like 00:05:41.380 --> 00:05:43.700 10 or 20 or 30 percent of it? 00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:45.000 I mean, 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:45.860 wouldn't that be a tragedy 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:46.740 to go through life 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.760 only seeing part of the picture? 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.759 What if the reason Christianity 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:53.180 hasn't really worked for you, 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:54.099 again, 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.519 whether you're totally new to the faith, 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:56.379 or whether you've been in the faith 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:57.159 for a long time, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.319 is because 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.539 you're trying to ride the bicycle 00:06:00.539 --> 00:06:01.620 with only one pedal. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:03.339 Right? 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:05.480 It doesn't seem like a very smooth ride 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:07.039 when you're just sort of going like this. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:08.639 Maybe we're missing something. 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:12.120 So let's look again. 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:13.800 Let's hear how Jesus brings 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:15.720 his discourse to a conclusion. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:16.960 And what we see 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:18.960 is that the finished work of Christ 00:06:18.960 --> 00:06:19.980 brings about 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:21.160 at least the things 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:22.060 that Jesus mentions here. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:23.139 He mentions three things. 00:06:23.460 --> 00:06:24.780 Three massive benefits 00:06:24.780 --> 00:06:25.800 that flow to us 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:27.220 through his finished work. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:28.699 And the first one 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:29.740 we see in verse 25. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:31.139 And it is this. 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:32.580 Jesus says, 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:33.259 the first thing 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:34.319 that my finished work 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:35.420 is going to bring to you 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:37.080 is at last 00:06:37.080 --> 00:06:38.900 clear knowledge 00:06:38.900 --> 00:06:40.199 of God the Father. 00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:41.960 Let me read verse 25. 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:42.840 Jesus says, 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:43.899 I've said these things 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:45.279 to you in figures of speech. 00:06:45.719 --> 00:06:47.259 The hour is coming 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.639 when I will no longer 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:49.139 speak to you 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:50.000 in figures of speech 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.060 but will tell you 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:52.899 plainly about the Father. 00:06:54.219 --> 00:06:55.519 So up to this point, 00:06:55.799 --> 00:06:56.919 Jesus has been trying 00:06:56.919 --> 00:06:57.779 to teach the disciples 00:06:57.779 --> 00:06:58.739 using what he calls 00:06:58.739 --> 00:06:59.539 figures of speech. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.419 Metaphors, 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:01.159 stories, 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:02.059 parables, 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:03.019 hyperbole. 00:07:03.179 --> 00:07:04.120 And at times, 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:05.219 it's all seemed 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:06.979 a little enigmatic. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:08.399 It seemed a little cryptic 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:08.959 at times. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.739 Figures of speech. 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:13.339 You see, 00:07:13.419 --> 00:07:13.959 Jesus knew 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:14.839 that his disciples 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:16.479 wouldn't really understand 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:17.439 all that he had 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.239 to tell them 00:07:18.239 --> 00:07:20.179 until his hour 00:07:20.179 --> 00:07:20.899 had come. 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.039 And again, 00:07:23.119 --> 00:07:23.919 in John's gospel, 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:24.979 Jesus' hour 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:26.879 is the hour 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:27.759 of the cross 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:28.899 and the resurrection. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.439 But once Jesus 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:33.000 accomplishes that work, 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:34.779 the figures of speech 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:35.479 will finally 00:07:35.479 --> 00:07:36.339 become clear. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:38.839 And Jesus himself 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:39.519 will then 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.839 be able to speak 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:41.899 to them plainly 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:42.719 about the Father. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:44.899 We read in the book 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:45.239 of Acts 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:46.139 that after his resurrection, 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:47.479 Jesus spent 40 days 00:07:47.479 --> 00:07:48.199 with the apostles 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:49.719 and with those early disciples 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:50.299 teaching them 00:07:50.299 --> 00:07:51.259 about the kingdom of God. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:53.239 And one of those times, 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:54.479 one of the first happened 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:55.719 on the road to Emmaus. 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:56.500 You remember that story 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:57.279 from Luke 24 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:58.079 when Jesus met 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:59.719 two downcast disciples 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:00.279 who were heading 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:01.060 out of Jerusalem. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.500 They thought that 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:03.459 Jesus was the Christ, 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:04.339 but then they had 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:05.639 watched him get crucified 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:07.599 and who had ever heard 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:08.719 of a crucified Messiah? 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:10.780 So they were discouraged 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:11.600 and downcast. 00:08:11.700 --> 00:08:12.160 But Jesus, 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:12.940 the risen Jesus, 00:08:13.140 --> 00:08:13.940 meets these men 00:08:13.940 --> 00:08:15.400 and walks with them. 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.800 And they don't recognize 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.520 him at first. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.400 And as they're walking along 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:20.460 and they share with him 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:21.440 what they've been thinking 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:22.520 and what they've been feeling, 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.260 the risen Jesus says to them, 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:25.000 don't you see, 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:27.480 was it not necessary 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:29.200 for the Christ to suffer 00:08:29.200 --> 00:08:30.460 and then to enter 00:08:30.460 --> 00:08:31.220 into his glory? 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:34.120 And then the gospel of Luke 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:34.320 says, 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.240 beginning with Moses 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.220 and all the prophets, 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:37.639 Jesus began to interpret 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.160 to them in all the scriptures 00:08:39.160 --> 00:08:40.700 the things concerning himself. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.180 In other words, 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.200 after his death 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:43.720 and resurrection, 00:08:43.920 --> 00:08:45.379 Jesus starts teaching them 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:47.600 plainly about the Father 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.259 and about the Father's plan 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:51.200 and how it has all been achieved 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.120 through his own death 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:52.720 and resurrection. 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:55.560 Because now that he had died 00:08:55.560 --> 00:08:56.300 and risen again, 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.680 the full knowledge of God 00:08:58.680 --> 00:08:59.360 could be had. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.620 So let me put this another way. 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:07.159 You and I can't really have 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.320 a clear knowledge of God 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:12.539 apart from the cross. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:16.240 Jesus could have tried to tell them. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.200 In fact, at times 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:18.440 he did try to tell them. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:19.679 But until the disciples 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:20.580 saw the cross 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.980 and met the resurrected Jesus, 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.700 only then did it all make sense. 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.100 Only then could Jesus' 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:26.740 plain words finally hit home. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:27.980 And it's the same for us. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.899 You and I can't really have 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.980 a knowledge of God 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:34.139 apart from the cross of Christ. 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.659 Do you want to know 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.159 the wisdom of God? 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:41.860 Do you want to know 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.039 the mercy of God? 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:45.620 Do you want to see 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:46.439 and understand 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.720 the justice of God? 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:50.539 Do you want to grasp 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:52.100 the goodness of God? 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:54.919 Then friends, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.360 you have to look 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.659 at the cross. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.039 John Stott, 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.539 the 20th century English 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.559 pastor and writer, 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.139 once said, 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.319 and I'm paraphrasing here, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:06.659 he said, 00:10:06.699 --> 00:10:06.879 you know, 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:08.659 in a world of so much suffering, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:09.860 he said, 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:11.019 I wouldn't even believe 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.559 in the existence of God 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:14.319 if it weren't for the cross. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:17.379 But in light of the cross, 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:18.459 in light of the fact 00:10:18.459 --> 00:10:19.199 that God enters 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:20.340 into human suffering 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:22.059 and doesn't remain distant 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:23.240 or uninvolved 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.559 or unaffected 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.100 by the world's suffering, 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:27.639 in light of the cross, 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:28.699 John Stott says, 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:31.379 now I can actually believe 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.820 in a God at all 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.360 because we see 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.180 that God is there 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.860 and that he is merciful 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:38.200 and that he is just 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.460 and that he is wise 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.560 and that he is good. 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:45.020 The Old Testament 00:10:45.020 --> 00:10:47.020 is filled with prophets 00:10:47.020 --> 00:10:49.259 through whom God spoke 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:50.800 and through whom God showed us 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:51.480 what he was like. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.320 But the crucified 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.900 and risen Jesus 00:10:53.900 --> 00:10:55.580 is the true 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.720 and better 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.180 and best prophet 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.980 who is able 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:00.940 through his own person 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:01.420 and work 00:11:01.420 --> 00:11:03.019 to speak to us 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.240 plainly 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.980 and openly 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.740 and clearly 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:06.800 about who God is. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.620 No one else could do that 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.800 the way Jesus can. 00:11:11.160 --> 00:11:12.860 We don't need to guess 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.800 or to grope 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:14.840 or to hope 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:16.279 that maybe one day 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.740 we could possibly figure out 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.580 what God is like. 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:20.840 Jesus has come 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:22.820 and he speaks to us 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:23.940 plainly. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.540 Isn't that good news? 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:30.040 Now by a way 00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:30.820 of quick application 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.860 where do we find 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:33.200 this plain speech 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.080 of Jesus today? 00:11:35.160 --> 00:11:35.920 Where do we go 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:36.379 and get it 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.000 if we're interested 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:37.680 in reading it 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:38.639 or understanding it 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.379 or hearing it? 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.460 Is there any record 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.220 of what Jesus taught 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:41.720 the apostles 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.720 after his resurrection? 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:43.680 Or has it been 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.280 sort of lost 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:45.160 in the hands of history? 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.799 Well friends 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.559 this is the good news. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.620 The apostles 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.600 didn't just teach 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.100 and preach 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:52.559 the message 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:53.480 that Jesus gave them. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.740 They actually 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.559 wrote it down. 00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:57.679 When you read 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.439 the New Testament 00:11:58.439 --> 00:12:00.120 you aren't reading 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:00.699 a document 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:01.419 that was written 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:02.799 like hundreds of years 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.899 after the fact 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:04.939 in some sort of 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.679 long historical game 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.839 of whisper down the alley. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.500 No. 00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:09.379 You're reading 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.120 the accounts 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.220 of the eyewitnesses. 00:12:11.339 --> 00:12:11.899 You're reading 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.439 the letters 00:12:12.439 --> 00:12:13.819 of the apostles themselves. 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.139 And as we saw 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:16.839 a few weeks ago 00:12:16.839 --> 00:12:18.120 in verses 15 through 16 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.079 of chapter 16 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:20.559 Jesus himself promised 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.419 that the Holy Spirit 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:22.079 would be at work 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:22.799 in those apostles 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:23.879 making sure 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.799 that they taught 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:25.799 clearly and truthfully 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.379 all that Jesus 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.039 had taught them. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.839 So friends 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:29.579 whether you're new 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:30.079 to the faith 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:30.740 or whether you've been 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.120 in the faith 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.100 for a long time 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.659 if you want to hear 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.779 the plain words 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.219 of Jesus 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.439 about who God is 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.620 and what God's plan 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.240 is like 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:41.279 read the apostolic witness 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.720 that is the New Testament. 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.559 There it is. 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:46.039 The plain speech 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.479 of Jesus 00:12:46.479 --> 00:12:47.259 given through 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.859 the apostles 00:12:47.859 --> 00:12:48.659 for us. 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.659 Read the New Testament. 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.979 Read it with others. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.919 Wrestle with it together. 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.519 Ask the Holy Spirit 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.199 for help. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:59.659 And always read 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.479 with the cross 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:01.359 before you. 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:04.000 And then we can enjoy 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.099 this first great blessing 00:13:05.099 --> 00:13:06.279 that Jesus has won for us. 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:08.159 A clear knowledge 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:08.819 of God. 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:11.639 But that's not all. 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.219 The finished work 00:13:12.219 --> 00:13:12.539 of Christ 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.240 doesn't just bring 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.219 the clear knowledge 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:14.620 of God. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.639 It also brings 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.500 the direct love 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.740 of God the Father. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.980 And we see this 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:21.339 in verses 26 and 27. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.719 Let me read those verses again 00:13:22.719 --> 00:13:23.399 and let's look 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.240 at those verses again. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.500 Jesus says, 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.199 In that day, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.419 that is after Jesus' 00:13:27.579 --> 00:13:28.259 death and resurrection, 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.299 in that day 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.599 you will ask in my name 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:32.360 and I do not say to you 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:32.919 that I will ask 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:34.039 the Father on your behalf 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:35.319 for the Father 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.919 himself loves you 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.559 because you have loved me 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.519 and I believe 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.480 that I came from God. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.539 Now multiple times 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.600 in the last three chapters 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.279 and if you've been here 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:44.659 this summer, 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.800 you know as we've been 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.440 walking through 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.720 John 13 through 16, 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.940 multiple times 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.000 in the last three chapters 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.899 Jesus has spoken 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.680 to the disciples 00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:52.379 about prayer. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.639 And the next chapter, 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.360 chapter 17, 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.300 actually is Jesus' prayer 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:58.519 for his apostles 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.460 and for us. 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.139 And we're going to get to that 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:00.980 in the next few weeks. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.139 So Jesus has talked a lot 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.180 about prayer in this section. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.340 And in particular, 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.899 he's talked about praying 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.120 in his name. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.299 That is on the basis 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.799 of all that he's done. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.919 But here, 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:14.100 Jesus wants to clarify something. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.639 He wants to clarify 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:18.779 that asking in his name 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.220 does not mean 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.460 that Jesus has to sort of 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.659 go to the Father 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.779 on our behalf 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.519 as a sort of go-between 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.879 in our prayers. 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:29.980 Jesus is saying, 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.360 no, it's not like sort of 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.779 asking your manager 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.620 to talk to their boss 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.899 to see if you might 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.120 maybe get that new computer 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.199 you need at your desk. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.600 No, as a result 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.919 of what Jesus has done, 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.659 Jesus himself says 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:48.159 we now have direct access 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:49.240 to the Father. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.620 Why? 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.279 Jesus says, 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.159 because the Father himself 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.539 loves you. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.679 Do you see, friends, 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:03.539 because of the cross, 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.419 because of how 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:06.739 simply, 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:07.979 the simple, 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.639 sheer magnitude 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.459 of the cross, 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.339 you don't need 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:14.439 a go-between. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.339 You don't need 00:15:17.339 --> 00:15:18.539 Mary 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:20.039 to take your request 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:20.500 to God. 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.919 And you don't need 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.279 saints 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.279 to take your request 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:23.599 to God. 00:15:23.719 --> 00:15:23.959 Listen, 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.459 Jesus says, 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.579 you don't even need 00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.259 Jesus now 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.059 to take your request 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:28.500 to the Father 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.099 on your behalf. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.519 He has so fully 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.180 and utterly 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.720 forgiven all of your sins. 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:33.519 Jesus says, 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.600 so fully and utterly 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.920 turned away 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:37.080 the wrath of God 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:37.500 from you 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:39.120 that you are free 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.300 and welcomed 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:41.100 and loved 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.480 to bring your request 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.940 directly to the Father. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.240 When we come, 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.040 as the end of verse 27 says, 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:51.899 to love Jesus 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:53.120 and believe that 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.060 He came from God, 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.879 we have 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.960 the love of the Father. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.980 loving Jesus 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.500 and believing 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:00.900 that Jesus 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:01.620 came from God, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.700 this ushers us 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.540 into the unmediated 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.420 love of God the Father. 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:08.080 Now, of course, 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.800 it's also true 00:16:08.800 --> 00:16:09.500 that the love 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.019 of the Father 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.180 precedes, 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.000 comes before 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.960 our love of Jesus 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.759 as well, right? 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.700 John 3.16 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.300 has made that 00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:15.920 abundantly clear 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:16.700 to us in our series 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.300 of John, right? 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.780 God's love comes 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:19.680 before 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.340 our ever-loving Him. 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:22.519 We love 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:22.980 because He 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.220 first loved us, 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.700 but when we embrace 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.420 the love of God 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.539 in Christ by faith, 00:16:27.979 --> 00:16:28.759 it's as if then 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.500 the love of the Father 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.620 doubles back again, 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.559 wave upon wave 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.079 of love. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.319 God loves us 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.299 first in Christ. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.639 We respond 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.740 by loving Christ 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.379 and then the love 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:38.919 of the Father 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.459 washes back over us. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.879 And this is a love 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.479 that welcomes 00:16:44.479 --> 00:16:45.719 all of our requests. 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.259 You know, 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:49.659 the priests 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.339 in the Old Testament 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:51.120 would mediate 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.319 for the people of God. 00:16:52.839 --> 00:16:53.299 The priests 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.459 would bring their sacrifices 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:56.160 and bring their requests 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.000 to God 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.019 on the people's behalf. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.379 But don't you see 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.100 that the crucified 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.960 and risen Jesus 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.940 is the true 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:04.340 and better priest, 00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:05.559 the priest 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.840 to end all priests. 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:08.819 He has accomplished 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.700 a reconciliation 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.799 so full 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.220 and so final 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.340 that we can come 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.940 to the Father 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.160 with utter liberty 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.740 and make all our desires 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.799 and all our requests 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.100 known. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.840 And the Father listens, 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.619 and the Father delights 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.000 in you 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.259 and you have 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.199 his full approval 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:25.799 because of what 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.500 Jesus has done. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.500 Isn't it true 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.439 that so many of us 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:32.199 are living, 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.019 whether consciously 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.220 or unconsciously, 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.339 for some kind 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:35.919 of approval? 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:39.199 We're so anxious 00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:40.059 to be liked 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.099 and accepted. 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.699 Often we end up 00:17:43.699 --> 00:17:44.919 saying or doing things 00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:46.119 that we don't even 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.000 necessarily maybe 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.179 agree with at the time 00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:49.199 because we want 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.440 to really be accepted 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:50.980 and we want 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.100 to really be liked. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.120 But friends, 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.299 look at the new day 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:59.000 that Christ has opened up 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.460 for you 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.180 and for me. 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:03.059 You don't have to live 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:05.220 for the world's approval 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.680 anymore. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.140 You can lay that down 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.799 and you can rest 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.380 in the only approval 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.640 that really matters, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.559 the love of God 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.059 the Father. 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.539 And here's the thing, 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.700 when we stop 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.500 needing the world's 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:21.879 approval, 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:24.119 then we can actually 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.539 begin truly loving 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.680 the world 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.960 in grace and truth. 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:31.559 No longer are we worried 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.180 whether people like us, 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.519 now we can be concerned 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.519 about how we can truly 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.240 be salt and light 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.599 in the world 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.559 for the world's sake, 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.519 that they might see 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.159 the love of the Father 00:18:39.159 --> 00:18:39.960 through us. 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.659 So the finished work 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:45.440 of Jesus brings 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.359 a clear knowledge 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.079 of God the Father 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.379 and the direct love 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.139 of God the Father. 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.579 But the third thing 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.220 Jesus mentions 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.799 and the last one 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.460 we'll talk about 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:55.159 is that it brings 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:57.079 the victorious peace 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.759 of Jesus' Son. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.039 And this is verses 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.879 28 through 33. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.779 Let me read this paragraph 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.639 again and let me invite 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.419 you to follow along. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.220 Jesus says, 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.159 I came from the Father 00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:06.279 and have come into the world 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.779 and now I'm leaving the world 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.859 and going to the Father. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.419 His disciples said, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:13.200 Ah, now you are speaking plainly 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.700 and not using figurative speech. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.800 Now we know 00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:16.660 that you know all things 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.480 and do not need anyone 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.140 to question you. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.320 This is why we believe 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:20.300 that you came from God. 00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:23.019 Jesus answered them, 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.160 Do you now believe? 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.039 Behold, the hour is coming, 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.000 indeed it has come, 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.400 when you will be scattered, 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.720 each to his own home, 00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:30.980 and will leave me alone. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.840 Yet I am not alone, 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.279 for the Father is with me. 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.320 I've said these things to you, 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.720 that in me you may have peace. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:41.220 In the world you will have tribulation, 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.880 but take heart, 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.160 I have overcome the world. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.720 So in verses 29 and 30, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:50.200 the disciples sort of mistakenly think 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.960 that now they've got it all figured out. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.860 Oh, Jesus, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.920 you said you weren't going to speak 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.880 in figurative speech. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.940 Oh, we're here now, right? 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.480 We get it. 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.420 We know it all. 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.220 We've made it. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.019 We've got it. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:02.960 And yet this is one of those 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.539 many moments in the Gospels 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:06.559 where the disciples are putting 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.799 their foot in their mouth, right? 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.819 Jesus knows they don't quite get it yet. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.680 In a few short hours, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.779 they would all be scattered. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.120 Judas would betray him. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.819 The disciples would abandon him. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.880 Peter would deny him. 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:25.339 And they would all fail him. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.600 Every single one. 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:31.299 They would all fail him. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:34.059 And friends, 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:37.119 so have we. 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.299 So far, 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.519 Jesus has been talking about 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.480 the knowledge of God 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.339 and the love of God, 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:45.460 but how does this knowledge 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.440 and love hit home 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.819 when our souls are troubled 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.819 and tossed 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:51.680 by our own failures? 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:51.840 others. 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.680 This month, 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.779 this week, 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.539 this weekend, 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:01.180 have we, 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.759 like the disciples here, 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:04.000 made a very good show 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.120 of professing 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.019 to believe in Jesus 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.120 only to turn around 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:08.820 and when the pressure comes, 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.039 fail him. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.220 And at times, 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.259 fail him miserably. 00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:16.580 Jesus says, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.360 in this world, 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:19.420 you will have tribulation. 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.580 And yes, 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.400 that word tribulation 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.300 means persecution 00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:23.000 or oppression, 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.400 but you know, 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.140 the root word 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.580 of that word tribulation 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.519 means pressure. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.440 Pressure. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.000 Jesus is saying, 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:32.720 in this world, 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.460 the pressure's gonna come. 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.160 The world's gonna pressure you 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.640 to perform, 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:42.279 to act in all the right ways, 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.519 to measure up, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.720 to meet the standard, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.880 to prove yourself 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.880 through your own ability 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.940 and through your own wisdom 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.960 and your own strength 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.039 and your own good deeds. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.299 And the world's not just 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.880 gonna pressure you 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:53.460 to perform, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.779 the world's gonna pressure you 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.539 to conform, 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.700 to say and do things 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.360 that everyone else 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.019 is saying and doing, 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.000 to fall in line, 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.299 to go with the flow. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.660 In this world, 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.779 you will have 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.740 tribulation, 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.600 trouble, 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.420 pressure. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.420 Brothers and sisters, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.299 is your soul 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.079 troubled today? 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:17.839 Do you feel the pressure, 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.059 not just of the world, 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:21.319 but of your own sin, 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.319 of your own failure 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.019 to withstand 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.199 the pressure of the world, 00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.619 your own failure 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.859 to follow and obey him 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.000 when that pressure comes? 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.939 But listen to what 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.779 Jesus says here. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.639 He says, 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:34.919 Behold, 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.699 the hour is coming, 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.899 indeed it has come, 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.179 when you will be scattered, 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.199 each to his own home, 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.119 and leave me alone, 00:22:40.439 --> 00:22:40.899 yet, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.539 I'm not alone, 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:45.059 for the Father's with me. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.379 Do you see what 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.279 Jesus is saying here? 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.899 He's saying that 00:22:49.899 --> 00:22:51.599 even though the disciples 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.920 have abandoned him, 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.680 Jesus' mission 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.819 still goes ahead. 00:22:58.119 --> 00:23:00.399 The Father is still with him. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.940 The triune God 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:04.299 marches forth 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.019 utterly alone, 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.920 without any human help, 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.980 without any human contribution. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.480 The Father and the Son 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.819 go forth together, 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:14.019 and accomplish 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.120 the redemption 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:17.360 of all who believe. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.039 And the disciples 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.940 contribute nothing 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:22.360 to the saving work 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.000 of the Messiah. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.420 They bring nothing 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.559 but their own failure 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:28.180 and their own abandonment. 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.759 And yet, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.839 God does all the work. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.480 And friends, 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.579 what do you and I contribute? 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.799 Nothing but the same. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.720 We bring our failures 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.900 and our faults 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:42.100 and our sins. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.620 And what does Jesus 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.500 give us in return? 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:47.680 Here's the great wonder 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.420 of the gospel. 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.460 What does Jesus 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.319 give us in return? 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.960 He gives us peace. 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.120 Peace. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.819 Jesus offers peace 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.940 to troubled souls 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.519 utterly 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.940 and completely 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.480 free of charge. 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.620 Do you remember 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.299 the first thing 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.079 that the risen Jesus 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.559 said 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:10.740 to his disciples 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.980 when they were 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:14.159 huddled in the upper room, 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.159 afraid 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.339 and scared 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.659 and feeling 00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.720 probably all sorts 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.539 of guilt and shame? 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.639 Jesus shows up 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.379 and he says to them, 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.680 peace. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.059 Now, peace 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.500 was a sort of 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.599 typical Hebrew greeting 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.099 in the day. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:29.059 But can you imagine 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.940 how it would have rung 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.639 on the ears 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.819 of those apostles 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.419 when they heard it 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:33.259 for the first time? 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.419 The risen Lord Jesus 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.539 with nail marks 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.080 in his hands 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.680 coming to them 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.160 and saying, 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.460 peace. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.779 Why does Jesus 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.580 offer peace 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:46.060 to our troubled souls 00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:47.320 utterly 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:47.980 and completely 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.980 free of charge? 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.039 Because although 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.720 the world 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.259 may do its worst, 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.120 Jesus says, 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.160 I've overcome 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.700 the world. 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.320 Literally, 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.800 I've conquered it. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:02.340 I have reigned 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:03.500 victorious 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.519 over it. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.119 The Old Testament 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.920 is filled 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:08.019 with kings. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.079 Some of them are good. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.440 Some of them are not so good. 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.160 But Jesus, friends, 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.859 is the true 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:14.660 and better king. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.880 The king 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.920 of all kings 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.940 who once 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.619 and for all, 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.880 hanging from 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.740 a Roman cross, 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.500 raised on the third day, 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.900 ascended on high 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.200 above every principality 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.819 and power 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.160 at God's right hand, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.759 Jesus 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.099 has overcome 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.299 the world. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.799 All of its evil, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.380 all of its violence, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.799 all of its hatred, 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.259 and all of our evil, 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:39.380 and all of our violence, 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.299 and all of our hatred, 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.220 all of it 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.900 has been dealt with 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.960 at the cross. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.000 And now, 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.279 there's peace. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.980 A peace that passes 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.720 understanding 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:53.299 because it rests 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.980 not on our own 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.660 performance, 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.019 but on the work 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.440 of the triune God, 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.519 the Father 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.619 and the Son 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.659 and the Spirit 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:02.619 working out 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.459 in history 00:26:03.459 --> 00:26:04.819 what they had planned 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.539 from eternity, 00:26:06.239 --> 00:26:07.019 the peace 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.119 of God 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.339 for all 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.399 who are in Christ 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:10.979 through faith. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.539 Now, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.159 it's worth asking 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.739 ourselves, 00:26:16.719 --> 00:26:18.079 whatever is it, 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.359 whatever it is 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.459 that we happen 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.079 to cling to 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.899 from time to time 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.500 for peace, 00:26:23.239 --> 00:26:24.079 can you think of that 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.619 in your mind 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.599 when you're feeling 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:25.959 troubled? 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.739 Where do you go? 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.639 Where do you run? 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:29.340 What do you seek? 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.620 It's worth asking yourself, 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:33.460 is it working? 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.500 Could it be 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.540 that our troubled souls 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:40.860 need something deeper 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.759 than the surface 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.700 distractions 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.120 and entertainments 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:46.440 and exercises 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.700 that this world 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:49.520 so often offers 00:26:49.520 --> 00:26:50.460 as the key 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.500 to lasting peace? 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:55.220 Our souls are troubled 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.060 because we need 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:56.640 to be reconciled 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:58.360 to our Creator. 00:26:59.280 --> 00:27:00.480 But here's the good news, 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.160 in Him, 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.000 in Christ, 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.520 peace, 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.380 reconciliation 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.280 has been made. 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:07.200 If you are troubled 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.440 in conscience, 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.800 Jesus offers 00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:11.040 lasting peace, 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:12.180 the forgiveness 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.340 of all your sins, 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.020 the indwelling presence 00:27:15.020 --> 00:27:16.259 of God the Holy Spirit, 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.580 the certain hope 00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:18.500 of eternal life, 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.580 and for all your earthly days, 00:27:20.780 --> 00:27:21.560 a purpose, 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:22.460 a mission 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.920 to live for His glory 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:25.180 and for His kingdom, 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.480 to live at peace 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.900 and to be a peacemaker 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.060 wherever you go. 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.960 So friends, 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.779 in conclusion, 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:39.700 this is how Jesus concludes. 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:42.019 This is what His finished work 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.580 has accomplished, 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.600 the knowledge of God, 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.400 the love of God, 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.340 and greatest of all, 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.340 the peace of God. 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:49.099 So brothers and sisters, 00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:50.119 as our Lord says here, 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.679 take heart, 00:27:51.199 --> 00:27:52.359 have courage, 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.059 and let's keep our eyes 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.899 fixed on Jesus, 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.559 our prophet, 00:27:55.959 --> 00:27:56.500 our priest, 00:27:56.699 --> 00:27:57.379 and our king, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.919 and let's live in all 00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.699 the fullness of all 00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.299 that He's accomplished 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.919 for us. 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:01.659 Amen? 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.659 Amen. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.180 Let's pray. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.019 Our Father, 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.820 by Your Holy Spirit, 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:10.759 we pray that You would 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.940 help us to grasp 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.519 how wide 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.980 and long 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.680 and high 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.380 and deep 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:18.080 is Your love for us. 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:22.040 By Your Holy Spirit, 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.279 enlarge our minds 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.840 and our hearts 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.840 to grasp all 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.360 that You've won 00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.279 for us on the cross 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:28.200 and help us 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.299 to live the lives 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.899 of freedom 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.899 and humility 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.379 and courage 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.099 and peace 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.319 that You have won 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.779 for us. 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.920 We ask this in Jesus' name, 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.240 Father. 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:37.759 Amen.