WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.060 Let me begin by letting you know that I think, Pastor Saul, we have about 100 Gospel of John's that I want to encourage you along with our study in the book of John that you carefully and prayerfully consider adding to your pocket wear. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.260 Pardon? 00:00:33.780 --> 00:00:35.480 They're at the visitor center. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:53.019 Now what we're going to do when we were working our way through the book of Ephesians, one of the blessings that we enjoyed was that periodically we relied on different ones of you to recite one of the chapters in the book of Ephesians. 00:00:54.019 --> 00:00:58.900 And we are not going to do the same thing with John necessarily. 00:00:58.899 --> 00:01:04.900 There are going to be different times perhaps where we may have some recitations from the book of John. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:21.719 But one of the things that I want to encourage you to do is I want you to prayerfully consider taking one of these Gospels and putting it in your pocket and carrying it with you and praying about the Lord giving you an opportunity to share the Gospel and encourage someone. 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:25.340 Hey, by the way, why don't you read this book? 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:41.980 And periodically, every couple months or so, we are going to have various ones of you that have been praying and looking for the opportunities as God gives that opportunity for you to share that and say, hey, here's how God answered that prayer. 00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:42.380 Okay? 00:01:43.380 --> 00:01:51.460 I don't want you to go out there and grab nine or ten Gospels at one shot unless you are anticipating using all ten of them here in short order. 00:01:51.459 --> 00:02:02.039 But you prayerfully consider if I take one, then I am making a commitment that I am going to pray and ask God to give me opportunity. 00:02:02.839 --> 00:02:11.879 And I will be one of those that God uses as He answers prayer and gives people opportunity to use you to kind of touch them with the Gospel. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:12.280 Okay? 00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:18.140 Let's keep that in mind as we work our way through the Gospel of John and you continue being in prayer. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:19.460 Lord, give me the opportunity. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:22.819 Use me to draw attention to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:27.199 Let's take a moment and pray. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:34.080 Our Father God, this morning as we come 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:41.960 with a glad dependence upon your sufficiency and your word, 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:44.699 we're mindful 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:50.840 that the word that we have and will handle this morning is that which you have declared 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:53.240 from all eternity, 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:55.979 true, settled, 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:58.400 unchanging, sufficient, 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:01.780 all that we need for life and godliness. 00:03:03.920 --> 00:03:07.240 And we are thankful that not only have you given to us the word, 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:10.420 but you have also given to us the indwelling spirit 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:12.419 spirit. 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:14.639 And those of us that are here this morning 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:18.979 may rely upon the ministry of the Spirit of God 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:20.560 to give us hearts to hear 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:21.779 and apply 00:03:21.779 --> 00:03:22.519 and enjoy 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:25.099 and delight in the sweetness of the truth 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:26.979 that is found in these verses. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:31.719 And that as it says in 2 Corinthians 3, 00:03:31.839 --> 00:03:32.500 verse 18, 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:34.500 we beholding as in a mirror 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:36.620 the glory of the Lord are being changed 00:03:36.620 --> 00:03:38.199 from glory to glory. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:41.960 And we're reminded that that is the work of the Spirit of God. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:44.719 And so this morning we, 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:47.639 without hesitation, 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:51.060 call upon you to work in us 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:52.099 as a fellowship 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:53.080 and in me 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:55.199 as a preacher of the gospel 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:56.639 to make the word clear 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:59.419 and to allow it to impact our lives 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:00.619 for the glory of Christ. 00:04:02.059 --> 00:04:03.719 And we ask this in Jesus' name 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:04.979 and because of His glory. 00:04:06.299 --> 00:04:06.639 Amen. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:09.479 I want you to take your Bible. 00:04:09.619 --> 00:04:11.359 If you haven't already turned to the book of John, 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:11.959 there was a, 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:14.859 it was interesting to listen to Tom in Sunday school 00:04:14.859 --> 00:04:17.379 give us a great overview of salvation. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.300 And I have to tell you 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:20.560 that Tom did a great, 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:22.319 a great ministry 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:23.159 of laying out 00:04:23.159 --> 00:04:24.540 the broad scope 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:25.540 of what comes 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:27.040 when a person comes to faith 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.240 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:29.379 And in that flow, 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:31.459 Tom alluded to the fact 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:32.980 that we're probably going to be 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:34.219 in the book of John for, 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:36.420 I think he used the word forever. 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:39.159 That is not true at all. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:40.019 Okay. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:42.240 And then John Kroll, 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.159 I can't believe you did that. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:45.579 He made a very similar, 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:48.120 did you guys kind of collude together 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:48.519 and say, 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:48.860 all right, 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:50.360 we're going to ding pastor with this. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:51.279 Hey, listen, 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:52.500 I want to tell you something 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:53.779 in the evening sermon. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:56.619 I am going to take Deuteronomy 00:04:56.619 --> 00:04:57.559 and I'm going to cover 00:04:57.559 --> 00:04:58.779 in a broad flow 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:00.799 from chapter one to 31. 00:05:00.979 --> 00:05:01.799 And it can be done. 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:02.719 You're going to see it happen. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:04.439 So show up 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:05.819 and see how it actually happens. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:06.379 There's going to be 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:07.639 a broad overview. 00:05:07.799 --> 00:05:08.039 In fact, 00:05:08.119 --> 00:05:09.059 listening to you guys, 00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:09.659 I'm thinking 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:10.799 one of these days 00:05:10.799 --> 00:05:11.500 I'm going to preach 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:13.439 all 66 books of the Bible 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.539 in one sermon. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:16.619 And you guys will walk out of there 00:05:16.619 --> 00:05:16.879 and say, 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:18.319 if he could do that once, 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:19.659 why doesn't he do it twice? 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:21.759 Now, 00:05:22.019 --> 00:05:22.679 listen, 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:25.299 there is a beauty 00:05:25.299 --> 00:05:26.319 and there's a satisfaction 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:27.199 in the word, 00:05:27.239 --> 00:05:27.679 isn't there? 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:30.039 And every time we open it up, 00:05:30.099 --> 00:05:30.939 we see the glory 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:32.239 and the significance 00:05:32.239 --> 00:05:34.379 and the supremacy of Christ. 00:05:35.679 --> 00:05:36.919 And if that is true 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:37.679 in any place, 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:39.199 it is particularly true 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:41.139 in the book we're in right now. 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:43.539 And I want you to listen, 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:45.439 follow along 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:46.919 as I read to you 00:05:46.919 --> 00:05:48.860 verses one through five 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:49.919 to kind of just set 00:05:49.919 --> 00:05:50.919 in your mind 00:05:50.919 --> 00:05:52.159 the glory 00:05:52.159 --> 00:05:53.680 of the introduction 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:54.860 of John 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:55.719 to us. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:57.740 In the beginning 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:58.519 was the word 00:05:58.519 --> 00:05:59.000 and the word 00:05:59.000 --> 00:05:59.779 was with God 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:00.240 and the word 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:01.019 was God. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:03.680 He was in the beginning 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:04.339 with God. 00:06:05.219 --> 00:06:06.099 All things 00:06:06.099 --> 00:06:06.659 were made 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:07.339 through him 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:08.159 and without him 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:09.279 was not anything 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:10.039 made 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:10.960 that was made. 00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:12.780 In him 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:13.480 was life 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:14.960 and the life 00:06:14.960 --> 00:06:15.540 was the light 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:16.000 of men. 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:17.400 The light 00:06:17.400 --> 00:06:18.760 shines in the darkness 00:06:18.760 --> 00:06:19.660 and the darkness 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:21.020 has not 00:06:21.020 --> 00:06:22.520 overcome it. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:28.379 I remind you 00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:30.819 that John 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:32.060 explained to us 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:32.819 when we began 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:34.019 our study 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:34.740 in this book 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.219 that his objective 00:06:36.219 --> 00:06:38.159 is to give us 00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:39.299 a clear picture 00:06:39.299 --> 00:06:40.379 of who the Lord 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.259 Jesus Christ 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:41.799 is. 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:43.620 In John 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:44.339 chapter 20 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:44.939 verse 30 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:45.439 and 31 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:46.159 he talked about 00:06:46.159 --> 00:06:46.759 the fact that 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.219 there was an awful lot 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:49.319 that could have been written 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:50.399 but the things 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.199 that he chose 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:52.360 to write about 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.740 all focused in 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:54.620 on giving us 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:55.719 information 00:06:55.719 --> 00:06:57.379 to bring us 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.139 to faith 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:59.360 to bring us 00:06:59.360 --> 00:06:59.939 to life. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.159 And as we begin 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:03.159 the book 00:07:03.159 --> 00:07:04.060 of John 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:04.579 the thing 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.259 that John 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:06.899 the apostle 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.339 wants us to understand 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:09.480 very clearly 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:10.519 about Christ 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:11.639 is that he 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:12.219 indeed 00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:13.279 is God. 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.199 He is 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.079 God 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:16.959 the son 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:18.060 the second 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:18.620 person 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:19.519 in the trinity 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:20.759 and he 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:21.579 in his 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:22.479 entire 00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:23.819 capacity 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:24.659 as God 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:25.199 the son 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.579 is supremely 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:27.839 important 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:29.500 and supremely 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.120 equipped 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.279 to be the one 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:32.079 who makes 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:32.680 God 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:33.339 known 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:34.579 to us. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:37.899 As we look 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:38.439 at this 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:40.120 second lesson 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.620 I want you 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.139 to pick up 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:42.799 with me there 00:07:42.799 --> 00:07:44.139 in verse 2 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:44.979 when John 00:07:44.979 --> 00:07:45.719 says this 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.039 he was in 00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:47.740 the beginning 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:48.660 with God. 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:50.000 We can 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:50.400 understand 00:07:50.400 --> 00:07:51.180 from that 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.480 that he 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:53.040 is making 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.560 a statement 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:54.040 about the 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:54.560 fact that 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.620 Jesus Christ 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:56.600 is face 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:57.259 to face 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.079 with God. 00:07:58.840 --> 00:07:59.800 His opening 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:00.259 statement 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:00.620 that we 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:01.060 looked at 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:01.780 last week 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:03.960 reminded us 00:08:03.960 --> 00:08:04.519 that for 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:04.879 one 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:06.000 the word 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.639 was eternal 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.980 from the 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:09.319 beginning 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.879 the word 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.420 was secondly 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:12.280 with God 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:13.900 or face 00:08:13.900 --> 00:08:14.319 to face 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:14.740 with him 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.300 as I've 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:15.660 referenced 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.200 already 00:08:16.200 --> 00:08:17.540 and he 00:08:17.540 --> 00:08:18.140 is equal 00:08:18.140 --> 00:08:18.760 to God 00:08:18.760 --> 00:08:19.480 in communion 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.520 and person 00:08:20.520 --> 00:08:21.380 and he 00:08:21.380 --> 00:08:22.180 is entirely 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:23.200 equal 00:08:23.200 --> 00:08:23.860 in all 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:24.640 aspects. 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:25.439 Furthermore 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.380 as we 00:08:26.380 --> 00:08:26.820 see at the 00:08:26.820 --> 00:08:27.600 last part 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:28.240 of chapter 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.040 1 verse 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:29.420 1 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:30.340 it says 00:08:30.340 --> 00:08:31.580 that Jesus 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:32.220 Christ 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.120 is God 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:33.700 he is 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.259 divine. 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:35.779 So in 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.300 one sense 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:36.600 what we 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:37.160 find in 00:08:37.160 --> 00:08:37.960 chapter 1 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:38.660 verse 2 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:39.779 is a 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:40.440 repetition 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:41.879 of what's 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:42.440 already been 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:42.740 said. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:43.220 Now why 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:43.899 do we 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:44.200 repeat 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:44.700 things? 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:46.379 Why do 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:46.740 you repeat 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.200 things as 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:47.680 parents? 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:49.340 Or why 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:49.600 do you 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:49.860 repeat 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:50.639 things when 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:52.019 you sense 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:52.560 that there's 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:52.899 a need 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:53.440 to do so? 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:53.840 It's not 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:54.340 just to hear 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.160 yourself talk 00:08:55.160 --> 00:08:55.899 it is to 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:56.399 hammer the 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.019 point home 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:57.899 and make 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.840 it clear. 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:00.259 Sometimes 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:00.980 I remember 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.540 I think 00:09:01.540 --> 00:09:02.660 about some 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:02.960 of the 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:03.639 experiences 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:04.220 of raising 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:04.700 children 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:05.460 and there 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:05.920 were some 00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:06.399 things that 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:06.860 you thought 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:07.500 were fairly 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.300 important and 00:09:08.300 --> 00:09:08.620 you would 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.379 emphasize it 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:09.940 again and 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:10.279 again. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:11.340 And so here 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:11.920 is John 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:12.179 at the 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:12.399 very 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:12.819 beginning 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:13.860 at the 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:14.219 outset 00:09:14.219 --> 00:09:14.699 he says 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:15.419 listen if 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:15.620 there's 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.079 anything I 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:16.379 want you 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:16.899 to understand 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.620 I want 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:17.899 you to 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:18.799 grab the 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.659 reality of 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:19.939 who the 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:20.459 Lord Jesus 00:09:20.459 --> 00:09:21.219 Christ is 00:09:21.219 --> 00:09:22.000 and the 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.919 Holy Spirit 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:24.479 instructs 00:09:24.479 --> 00:09:25.879 John and 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:26.620 John writes 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.219 this verse 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:27.879 and blesses 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:28.319 us with a 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:28.639 repeated 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.899 reminder of 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.620 who our 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.399 Savior the 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:31.899 Lord Jesus 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:32.620 Christ really 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.139 is. 00:09:33.979 --> 00:09:34.539 I want 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:34.740 you to 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.500 understand that 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.839 Jesus deserves 00:09:36.839 --> 00:09:37.539 more than a 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:38.439 glance or a 00:09:38.439 --> 00:09:39.159 hurried nod. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:40.759 He came to 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:41.159 be the 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.059 Lamb of 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:42.360 God. 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:42.879 He came to 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.220 be our 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:43.559 Savior. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:44.120 He came to 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:44.720 die for our 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.159 sins. 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:47.120 And at the 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.500 very outset as 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:49.179 we begin to 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:49.899 think about who 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:50.720 Jesus is and 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:51.139 what he has 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:51.840 done for us 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.819 it's appropriate 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:53.500 for us to 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.439 recognize the 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:55.519 magnificence of 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.139 his person. 00:09:56.819 --> 00:09:57.340 You know to 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:58.080 kind of stop and 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:58.720 think about so 00:09:58.720 --> 00:09:59.360 he died. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.240 That really 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:01.980 doesn't have any 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.840 resonance or any 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.019 significance unless 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:04.840 you stop and 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:06.200 realize who he 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.539 is and why he 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.039 did it. 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:09.700 And so as John 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:10.660 starts out here 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:12.080 and presents his 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.400 gospel to us he 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:14.200 wants us to get 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:15.520 this idea firmly 00:10:15.520 --> 00:10:16.240 fixed in our 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.300 mind that the 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.440 Lord Jesus Christ 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.840 our Savior is 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.940 God and 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:22.740 eternal and 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:23.379 with the 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.379 Father face to 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.280 face and 00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:28.400 entirely equal 00:10:28.400 --> 00:10:28.960 to the 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.300 Father. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.740 And I want to 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:32.320 tell you something 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.100 if you are not 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:33.680 gripped this 00:10:33.680 --> 00:10:34.400 morning by the 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:35.280 reality of who 00:10:35.280 --> 00:10:36.960 Christ is it is 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.240 an indication of 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.120 one of several 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:40.000 things to consider 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:40.480 carefully. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:41.860 For one you may 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.220 be sitting here and 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:43.759 the truth of the 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.519 matter is the 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.379 Holy Spirit has 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.220 never touched your 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.379 life drawn you to 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.740 the cross and you 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.320 are by nature at 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.820 this point dead in 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.940 trespasses and sin. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:53.940 And who the Lord 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:55.039 Jesus Christ is to 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.120 you is maybe a 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:56.779 word that you've 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:57.860 heard used or you've 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.960 used it yourself but 00:10:58.960 --> 00:10:59.820 he's not significant 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.419 to you. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.639 It may be that you're 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.440 here and you know 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.500 Christ as your Savior 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.019 but the reality of it 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:07.000 is as it says in 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.360 the book of 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.519 Revelation your 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.379 love has grown 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:09.819 cold. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.639 You've lost your 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.220 first love. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.259 He's no longer 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.379 significant to you 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.039 and I want to 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.079 remind you that 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:16.759 that love is to be 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.779 rekindled by an 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.720 understanding of who 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.360 he is and what he 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:19.819 does. 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:21.960 And so as you look 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:22.840 at this verse you're 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:24.779 reminded he was in 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.679 the beginning with 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:26.039 God. 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.399 The one that you 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:28.340 have a relationship 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.819 with is not just 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:31.019 some kind of person 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:32.079 who came along and 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:33.460 is moderately 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:34.399 significant for the 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:34.600 moment. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.579 He is God the 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:37.620 Son eternal and 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.180 significant. 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:39.280 There's one other 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:40.080 little piece that I 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.820 want us to recognize 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.200 here. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.580 Verse 2 doesn't 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.040 silence the heretic. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.180 Many of us here at 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:47.020 one point or another 00:11:47.020 --> 00:11:48.340 have either had a 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:49.920 Jehovah's Witness or 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:51.420 perhaps maybe a 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:52.379 Mormon or somebody 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:54.060 else show up at our 00:11:54.060 --> 00:11:55.280 door and talk to us 00:11:55.280 --> 00:11:56.639 about Jesus and 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.580 they've been willing 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.460 to say well he's a 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.580 pretty important person 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.960 but he's not God. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.400 You cannot get through 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:05.000 the two verses in 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:06.159 John without coming 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:06.860 to grips with the 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.860 fact that the 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.939 Bible if we are to 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.860 rely upon it to 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.840 speak accurately and 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:12.980 honestly the Bible 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:13.860 makes it clear that 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.720 Jesus is God. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:15.860 He's not some kind of 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:17.100 special person alone. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:17.980 He's God. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.220 So I want you to 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:22.079 understand that at the 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:24.759 very outset at the 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:27.139 beginning the 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:28.240 scripture wants you to 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.199 understand that the 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:30.139 one we are dealing 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:31.899 with and all that 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:32.960 John is going to 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:35.980 write about is God 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.740 the Son who came to 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.379 be our Savior. 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.720 There's another fact 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.460 that we want to pick 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.620 up there in verse 3 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.399 and let me read it to 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.480 you. 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:44.220 It says all things 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:44.860 were made through 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.379 him and without him 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:48.100 was not anything made 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.960 that was made. 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:49.919 Let's stop just for a 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:50.879 moment and do a 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.600 little bit of a mental 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.100 exercise. 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:53.120 So why is it there? 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.179 That's a fair question. 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.779 And when you are doing 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.779 your own reading of the 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.500 scripture when you're 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.360 studying at home by 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:03.300 yourself one of the 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.539 things that will help 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:07.060 you is asking yourself 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:08.399 the question over and 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.740 over again as you're 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.500 reading as you're 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:10.720 studying. 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:11.600 So why is that there? 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:12.279 What's it saying? 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.080 What's its value? 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.659 Why did the Holy Spirit 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.680 choose to put that 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.820 information there? 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:18.539 Well I want you to 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.240 understand that the 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.000 statement that we are 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.840 looking at here in 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.899 verse 3 is that Jesus 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.740 is the creator. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.519 John moves from that 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.759 statement about the 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.779 glory and transcendent 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.559 beauty of the Lord 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:30.679 Jesus Christ being God 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:31.120 the Son. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.299 He kind of comes down 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.419 into a more practical 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:35.199 relationship with us as 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:36.379 created beings. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.600 And he announces in 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:40.059 essence that we owe our 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:41.439 existence to him. 00:13:42.439 --> 00:13:44.620 Everything was made by 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.220 Jesus. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.139 Look at that statement 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:46.519 again. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.339 All things were made 00:13:48.339 --> 00:13:49.139 through him. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.439 It's interesting if you 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.559 kind of skip down the 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:55.059 page just a little bit to 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:56.039 come to verse 10. 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:57.779 He was in the world and 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.819 the world was made 00:13:58.819 --> 00:13:59.579 through him. 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:02.439 How is it that we enjoy 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.639 the creation that we 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.279 exist in and that is all 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.879 around us? 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:07.719 It is not because it came 00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:09.500 about kind of some you 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:09.819 know. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.719 Yeah evolution. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.219 Thank you. 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.559 It wasn't a matter of 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:14.899 chance. 00:14:14.959 --> 00:14:15.620 It was a matter of 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.099 creation. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.439 I love the fact. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.419 I'm trying to think of 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:19.939 the name of the 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:20.799 missionary who can help 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:20.939 me. 00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:22.459 The last missionary we 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.379 had is going to be a 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.399 missionary in Toronto, 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.919 Canada. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.379 Who can give me the 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:26.919 name of them? 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:28.679 Kruger. 00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:29.259 Kruger. 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:29.980 Ben Kruger. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.720 He shared when he was 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.980 here with us he shared 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.439 the fact that he has had 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.419 this ministry with 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:38.459 Chinese up there in 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:40.620 Toronto and one of the 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.779 Chinese students that 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.019 they had been ministering 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.819 to said that they came 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:46.500 to realize that if they 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.600 could look at an artist 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.259 picture they had to 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.179 realize that there was an 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.419 artist who did that. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:53.419 And they had to 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:55.159 recognize the reality 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.360 that somebody else 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.259 made that. 00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:59.299 And this Chinese 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:02.360 student came to 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.879 Christ by recognizing 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.219 that when they looked 00:15:05.219 --> 00:15:06.240 out at the creation 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.240 they had to admit 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:09.139 somebody else brought 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.120 that into being. 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.579 It just didn't happen. 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.059 The Bible is 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.360 undeniably clear about 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.500 the fact that Christ is 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.120 the creator. 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.879 I want you to look at a 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.740 couple other passages 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.600 kind of solidify this 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.180 in your thinking. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.220 Turn if you will to 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.799 Colossians chapter 1. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.639 Colossians chapter 1 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.480 and we're going to look 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:32.379 at verse 15 through 17. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.799 Very interesting to find 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:36.259 how often this issue of 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.440 Christ being the creator 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.159 comes forward and is 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.180 presented for our 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.060 attention and our 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.460 thought. 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.659 Colossians chapter 1 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.299 verse 15. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:46.039 He is the image of the 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.539 invisible God the 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:48.580 firstborn of all 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.180 creation. 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:53.019 For by him all 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.240 things were created in 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.120 heaven and on earth 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.200 visible and invisible 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.700 whether thrones or 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:59.200 dominions or rulers or 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.720 authorities all things 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.940 were created through him 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.960 and for him and he is 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:05.779 before all things and in 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.879 him all things hold 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.680 together. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.560 Let me draw attention to 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:13.039 yet another text that I 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.519 want you to mark and it 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.399 might be one of those that 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.700 I you might find benefit 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.680 in underlining in your 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.000 Bible. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.419 Turn if you will the 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.479 first Corinthians chapter 00:16:20.479 --> 00:16:21.459 8 verse 6. 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.319 You have people who come 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.099 to you and say well 00:16:23.099 --> 00:16:24.859 Jesus is a very very 00:16:24.859 --> 00:16:26.019 important person but he's 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.719 not God. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:31.699 If A equals B and B 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.339 equals A are they the 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.099 same essentially? 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:36.739 Okay let's look at 8 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:40.820 1 Corinthians 8 verse 6. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:45.279 Yet for us there is one 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.980 God the Father. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.799 Stop. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.299 That's monotheism isn't it? 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.419 Agreed? 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:54.620 One God the Father. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.560 And it goes on. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:59.039 From whom are all things and 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.899 for whom we exist. 00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:03.240 Stop right there for a 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.480 second. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:06.259 Good declaration that 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:08.120 sounds very much like what 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:09.460 we have in Genesis chapter 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.339 1 verse 1. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:13.299 In the beginning God 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:15.720 created the heavens and 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.160 the earth. 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.700 Now let's go forward with 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.779 the remainder of what the 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.640 apostle has to tell us in 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.279 verse 6. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:26.200 And one Jesus the Lord 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:28.240 Jesus Christ through whom 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.140 are all things and through 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:32.040 whom we exist. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.380 What's it saying? 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.580 How is it that I exist? 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.540 I exist because of the 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:40.060 Lord Jesus Christ who is the 00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:42.320 creator of the universe. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.200 Furthermore as you go back to 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.980 John we see it stated first of 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:48.860 all positively that he is the 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:50.740 creator of all that exists. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:53.680 But in order to emphasize it 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:55.720 John turns around what he has 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.640 already said positively and he 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:59.220 says it in a negative way not 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.460 negative in terms of he is not 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:02.660 the creator but he reverses the 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:04.620 logic a little bit to force us 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.180 to think deeper about the 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:08.380 reality of Christ and his 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.900 significance in creation. 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.880 Let me read it to you back 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.140 there in John chapter 1. 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.100 And without him was not 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:17.019 anything made that was made. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:18.779 Whoa. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.740 He made it all. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:24.600 In fact there is nothing that 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:27.160 exists that he didn't make. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:29.980 The apostle wants us to 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:32.480 understand very clearly the 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.540 reality of the fact that the 00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:37.720 entire creation that we enjoy 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.500 that we marvel at that we are in 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.759 wonder when we consider all of 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.580 that came into being because God 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:47.460 the son created it and made it 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:49.740 exactly the way he made it. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:53.160 The diversity of the universe the 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:56.000 the diversity of each of us 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.900 individually we are the express 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:01.480 creative power of the Lord Jesus 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.640 Christ who made us for his 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:05.380 pleasure and for his glory. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:08.320 I want you to stop and recognize 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:09.680 another little piece in that 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.120 verse. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:13.160 It says that he made all that was 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.420 made out of nothing. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:18.160 He made all that was made out of 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.720 nothing. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:22.240 The other day we're in the 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.319 process of doing a little bit of 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.819 cooking in our home and if you're 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.180 going to cook guess what you have 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.620 to have. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:31.059 You have to have the stuff to 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.120 cook with is that right. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.759 And so if you're going to make 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.380 macaroni and cheese guess what. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:39.039 You can't start with hamburgers and 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.480 rice. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.839 You have to have macaroni you have 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.839 to have cheese and and for us what 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.480 does it mean. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:46.180 If we don't have it in the pantry 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.160 what do we have to do. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.400 We have to make a list we have to 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.680 go to the store we have to buy it 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.819 we bring it home we do something 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.240 with it. 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:54.360 But when we make something in 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:56.140 essence what we are doing is 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:58.599 relying upon various pieces that 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:00.360 are already in place and putting 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.059 it together. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.319 And we can make something a little 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.759 different. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:06.140 It's not just dry old macaroni 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.839 noodles and it's not just old 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.059 plain old cheese it's mixed 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.559 together and a little bit of 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.420 spices and it comes out pretty 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.740 good. 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:14.859 That's not what happened with 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.240 Christ. 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:18.240 I want you to recognize that when 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:20.359 God created the universe when 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:23.900 Christ created all that we see he 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:26.440 made it out of nothing. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:29.440 He made it out of nothing. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.960 I want you to stop just for a 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.980 moment and ask yourself that 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.220 question as I did earlier. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.240 So why is this here. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.440 What's the significant of the 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.079 fact that Christ is the creator of 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.660 the universe. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:43.660 Well because he is our creator he 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.080 owns us and he has the right to 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.040 determine our purpose. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.820 Do you follow that. 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:51.460 As I was thinking about a way to 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:53.420 illustrate that I thought of maybe 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:56.300 taking a balloon and blowing it up 00:20:56.300 --> 00:20:58.360 fairly large and then letting it go. 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.180 And you know what would have done 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.800 around here and so landed in one of 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:04.700 your laps and you think well okay 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.360 pastor blew it up he can let it go 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.320 and go where it wants to. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.200 And so another thing I could have 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.599 done is I've blown that balloon up 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.819 and then taken my pen out and 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:14.399 popped it because I blew it up. 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:17.159 It was my right to do with it as I 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:17.720 chose. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:20.460 I want you to understand that God is 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.059 the one who made you and he made you 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:24.779 for his glory and Christ intends for 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:28.159 you who he created to be a value and 00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:29.819 bring glory to him. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.059 I want you to turn back if you will 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:34.099 just for a moment to a passage in 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.980 Psalm 8. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:39.139 Go back to Psalm 8 and listen to 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:40.459 what the psalmist has to say in 00:21:40.459 --> 00:21:42.219 relationship to the issue of 00:21:42.219 --> 00:21:42.719 creation. 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:49.919 Psalm 8 verse 3 and 4 it says when I 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:51.399 look at your heavens the work of your 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:53.719 fingers the moon and the stars which 00:21:53.719 --> 00:21:56.679 you have set in place what is man that 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:59.859 you are mindful of him and the son of 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.979 man that you care for him. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.240 You know sometimes we get overwhelmed 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:06.139 with our own significance and it's an 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.559 entirely deceitful thought. 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:10.000 What I mean by that is we kind of 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.359 obsess about who we are. 00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:13.819 We get all bent out of shape about what 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.259 other people think about us. 00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:17.679 We're kind of all wigged out about how 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:19.199 it's working out for us and the truth 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:21.599 of the matter is is that in the scope of 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:24.439 the glory of God and the person of 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:26.819 Christ we are really pretty relatively 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:29.720 insignificant and the psalmist says what 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:32.359 in the world are we that he actually 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:35.240 cares for me personally and for you 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.759 personally. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:40.139 The majesty of that equation lies in his 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:42.919 significance and the absolute stunning 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:45.879 reality that we who are nothing we're 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:48.079 just a breath we're just a moment. 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:51.839 He thinks about us and cares about us and 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:54.759 has chosen to become our Lord and our 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.220 Savior. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.279 Have you look at another passage if you 00:22:58.279 --> 00:23:00.079 will over in Psalm 19. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.319 Psalm 19. 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:07.480 The heavens declare the glory of God and 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:10.079 the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:13.379 When you look at what you see around you 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:15.900 and you really take some time to look at 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:18.180 it fairly carefully you have to admit it's 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.259 pretty stunning isn't it. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:23.259 I remember looking at my neighbor's oak 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:25.200 tree and there it kind of stands and it has 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:28.619 these massive limbs that are stretched out 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:31.460 into just all over the yard and I think 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:34.039 to myself that is amazing how that's all 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.440 done. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:38.900 The root system underneath supports this 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:42.420 gargantuan tree and the weight that is 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:45.319 there and it all is held together because 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.779 he designed it that way. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:50.940 You look at the stars and we sang this 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:53.580 morning about the creating God that we 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:56.160 worship and enjoy and we remind ourselves 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.840 he's the one who did all that. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:01.799 I want you to recognize that the one who is 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:06.059 the creator is the one who designed creation to 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.660 point attention to God. 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:10.360 Turn over in your Bible if you will we are 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:14.440 there in Psalm 19 but I want you to go if you 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.440 would to Romans chapter 1. 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:18.039 Romans chapter 1. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:31.080 I want you to listen if you would to what we 00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:34.720 find there in verse 20 it says for his 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:37.840 invisible attributes namely his eternal power 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:41.080 and divine nature have been clearly perceived 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:44.019 ever since the creation of the world in the 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:46.119 things that have been made. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.399 You know what it's saying? 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:55.559 It's saying that that which has been created 00:24:55.559 --> 00:25:00.139 is an undeniable signpost pointing to the 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:04.939 reality of Christ as the creator and because he 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:08.879 is the creator we are without excuse to listen to 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:11.900 the other things that he has to say and that's 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:15.380 the argument that the apostle makes in Romans 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:18.620 where Paul says let me tell you something he 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:22.360 who created us is someone to be listened to and 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.040 attended to. 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:26.720 And so I want you to recognize this morning as 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.800 you look at this passage going back to John 00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:32.020 chapter 1 verse 3 it says all things were made 00:25:32.020 --> 00:25:32.520 by him. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:37.340 He's our creator and because he is our creator he 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:40.819 has a right to tell us what to do and how to live and 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.519 he has a right to the outcome and glory from our 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:43.939 life. 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:47.599 I want you to look now if you will also at verse 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:50.759 3 and 4 or 4 and 5. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:55.119 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 00:25:56.359 --> 00:26:01.240 That little statement in him was life is kind of a 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:05.639 very interesting declaration of the reality that is 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:08.980 in Christ Jesus and in particular was in Christ Jesus 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.420 at the beginning of recorded history. 00:26:13.020 --> 00:26:19.920 In the garden when mankind enjoyed communion with the 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:23.720 father with the son we have to understand that that that 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.540 was a blessed state to be in. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:29.220 And as you look at the Lord Jesus Christ being light and 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:32.580 life I want you to understand that through his creation he 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:36.779 granted to us an existence that allowed us to have communion 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.500 with him. 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:40.980 And we are given understanding particular that this 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:45.119 business of life and light is not just physical existence but 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:50.720 also a spiritual relationship and a spiritual communion with 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.019 him. 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:56.179 And in the garden you'll remember that as the day unfolded and 00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:59.579 man and woman had been involved in whatever they were involved in in 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:03.000 that in that Edenic state in the evening what did they do? 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:06.819 They enjoyed fellowship with the father with the Lord Jesus and in 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:09.419 the cool of the evening he would walk with them and be in communion. 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:13.899 It says and in with him was life and light. 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:18.879 I want you to turn if you would again back to Psalm 36 verse 9. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:25.000 Psalm 36 verse 9 as we think about the relationship we have with God the 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.539 father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:28.240 Psalm 36 verse 9. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:39.180 For with you for with you 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:47.759 is the fountain of life in your life we do see light. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:53.400 For with you is the fountain of life in your light we do see light. 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:57.980 So what is it that we enjoy apart from Christ? 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.440 Not life. 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:02.360 We enjoy hardship and difficulty. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.960 We enjoy no lasting purpose. 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:11.880 We suffer under the the delusion of our brief state and we are deceived to 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:14.580 think that we are far more significant than we really are. 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:18.360 And the fact of the matter is that apart from the Lord Jesus we live in 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.540 darkness and suffer. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:26.619 In John chapter 1 verse 4 it says the light is in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:30.039 The life is in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:34.339 Now I want you to recognize also one other little piece of information that we 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:38.099 find here and we mark it in particular there in verse 5 it says the light 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:41.639 shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.720 What's this world like? 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:47.920 How many of you find yourself on occasion as you listen to the news getting a 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.620 little depressed? 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.000 A little discouraged? 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:56.279 Whether it is what is going on in Iraq or what is going on in Israel or what it 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:59.039 is going on or whatever is going on in Washington. 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:02.360 Whatever it is that's going on in your community around you. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.200 The lives of people that you know. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:07.340 Some of the messes that you're involved in and aware of. 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:12.380 You look at these things and say man this is a dark dismal world. 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:15.540 John says this. 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:19.240 The light shines in darkness. 00:29:20.560 --> 00:29:23.440 And the light will not be overcome by the darkness. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:27.040 You know we live in a very dark world. 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:29.100 This is a dark world. 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:32.780 It's filled with the blackness of sin and that is a terrible reality. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:37.960 When you stop and realize it you look around and you recognize this world is a 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:44.680 poor poor place because of what sin has brought in to the lives of people. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:52.200 I want you to recognize that not only is the world a dark place but people choose that 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.559 darkness and they prefer it. 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:58.380 Darkness as we are looking at here in the scripture is not just talking about the 00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:02.360 absence of the lights being on but it's really talking about the spiritual condition 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.599 of man's heart. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:09.979 And one of the sad sad realities is that the world is in a dark position but the world 00:30:09.979 --> 00:30:11.719 also chooses to stay there. 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:15.259 I want you to turn your Bible if you would to John chapter 3. 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:17.079 We're there just a chapter or two away. 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:20.219 But look at John chapter 3 verse 19 and 20. 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:23.779 And this is the judgment. 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:37.660 Let me go over that again slowly and just listen as you hear it. 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.960 This is the judgment. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:48.099 The light has come into the world and people have loved the darkness rather than the light 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:50.039 because their works were evil. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:56.879 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light lest his 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.319 work should be exposed. 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:01.139 Let me give you an illustration. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:06.879 I love the fact that every politician in the early going promises that they are going to 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:09.299 do a better job than the previous administration. 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:13.779 And when election time comes around we're going to hear another set of promises. 00:31:13.899 --> 00:31:14.440 Isn't that right? 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:21.279 This will be the most illuminating administration that we have ever had in the history of mankind. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:24.539 And what happens after individuals get into place? 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:30.200 Not just on one side of the aisle but on every side of the aisle darkness descends. 00:31:30.320 --> 00:31:31.340 Do you know why it descends? 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:35.759 Because of the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:40.880 And here in John the apostle says let me tell you something. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:45.880 Then the characteristic of the heart of the unregenerate man is that he prefers the darkness 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:49.100 because he doesn't want to have his sin exposed. 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:55.720 Romans chapter 1 verse 21. 00:31:57.100 --> 00:32:01.760 Not only do men choose the darkness but there is a consequence that comes with choosing the 00:32:01.760 --> 00:32:02.120 darkness. 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:07.839 And it says this for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:13.699 to him but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:17.439 Now that's a pretty frightening thought. 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.739 I want you to think with me about it. 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:24.279 It's saying that when men choose darkness it gets darker. 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.559 Think about that. 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:36.299 When you refuse the light you're given things get worse. 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:42.740 And going back to John chapter 1 it says this. 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:46.899 The light shines in the darkness. 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:51.220 The light shines in the midst of that. 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.079 Men who want to suppress the truth. 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:58.079 Men who want to deny the goodness and glory of God. 00:32:58.179 --> 00:33:04.539 Who want to turn their back on all that is part of God's blessing and his character for us. 00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.720 It says this. 00:33:05.939 --> 00:33:08.859 Men choose the darkness because that's the way they want to be. 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:14.099 Does that mean that the world is shut out then from the light? 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.619 No. 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.599 That's not what it says. 00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:19.759 Because what it says there in the latter part and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:24.819 I want you to recognize this morning that the reality of it is this. 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:26.779 Is that despite the world that we live in. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:30.740 The light of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sweetness of his gospel. 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:35.660 Is something that will outshine the darkness of the world that we live in. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:37.839 And it will not be suppressed. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:42.859 Wherever it is that darkness exists. 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:49.959 We can count upon Christ to bring light through the gospel and the truth of his salvation. 00:33:50.679 --> 00:33:53.679 And I want you to understand that we who have received the light. 00:33:54.459 --> 00:33:57.599 Who have had our sins forgiven through the blood of Christ. 00:33:58.879 --> 00:34:05.039 Live to make the light known to those who are in the condition that we once were. 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.879 Do you recognize that? 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:12.340 One of the things that you and I carry with us is we remember what it was to be in the darkened room. 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:15.640 Of our own sinfulness and the blackness of our heart. 00:34:16.140 --> 00:34:17.900 And we have received the light. 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.480 The blessing. 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.640 The forgiveness of Christ. 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:24.519 And we know the sweet privilege it is to be delivered from the burden of our sin. 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:27.099 And it is our privilege. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:29.740 To lift up the light and say listen. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:33.280 I want you to know that there is hope for you. 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:35.780 In the darkness of the moment of your life. 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:38.840 The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. 00:34:40.100 --> 00:34:42.380 He came to pay the penalty for sin. 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:46.040 And the scriptures make it clear. 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:49.420 Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be what? 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.900 Shall be saved. 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:55.220 So as you look this morning at this passage. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.180 I want you to understand. 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.120 Here's the sweet truth. 00:34:57.720 --> 00:35:00.620 God in his mercy sent his son the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:05.079 He who was the creator of the universe. 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:08.619 And that is the absolute baffling reality. 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:15.279 That God himself was willing to step into our brutal and ugly mess. 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:17.599 For the sake of redemption and for us. 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:22.000 He invaded our darkness. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:25.460 And he came here to invade the darkness. 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.880 To rescue sinners from the pit. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.480 And that's me. 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.559 And that's you. 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:31.300 And I want to encourage you to recognize. 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.840 That if you are sitting here this morning. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:34.940 And you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:38.559 There is hope in the corner of darkness that you are. 00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:41.719 And that hope is in coming to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.739 Who is the light. 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.860 And the truth. 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.900 And the life. 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:48.840 And you may have deliverance from the darkness of your sin. 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:52.700 Through one simple fact. 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:56.599 Through the fact of coming to grips. 00:35:56.780 --> 00:36:01.380 I am a sinner who stand justly condemned before a holy God. 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:03.920 I would deserve eternity in hell. 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:06.160 Because of the darkness of my heart. 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:11.539 But God sent his son the Lord Jesus Christ to die in my place. 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:14.039 And the scripture says. 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:17.099 Whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:18.619 Shall not perish. 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.639 But have everlasting life. 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:23.380 And let me encourage you to understand this morning. 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.440 That we who know the light. 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.659 Guess what our business is. 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:29.000 It is to be pointing our finger towards the one who is the light. 00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:30.900 And letting other people know. 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:34.039 He is the one who can bring light into the darkness of their life. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:37.119 And those who sit here today who do not know Christ. 00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.500 Today is the day. 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:40.019 Let me make it clear to you. 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:42.719 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.940 And you're one of them. 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:48.579 Let's close our eyes as we pray. 00:36:52.779 --> 00:36:54.360 Our precious Father in God. 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:56.739 This morning we rejoice in the beauty of the scripture. 00:36:56.900 --> 00:36:59.320 And the reminder that the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:01.059 The creator of the universe. 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:05.519 The one through whom and by whom all things exist. 00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:08.139 And by whom all things are sustained. 00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:10.839 Is also the one who came into the world. 00:37:10.839 --> 00:37:13.539 To bring light into darkness. 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.779 And to bring salvation. 00:37:15.339 --> 00:37:16.920 Where there was brokenness and sin. 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:19.960 And Father my prayer would be this. 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:21.859 That if there are those who are sitting here today. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:24.179 Who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:37:24.339 --> 00:37:26.779 That today by the power of the spirit of God. 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.839 They would be drawn to recognize. 00:37:29.279 --> 00:37:31.199 That the despair of their soul. 00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:34.219 The burden. 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.699 The shame. 00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:36.759 The guilt. 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.879 May be relieved. 00:37:39.319 --> 00:37:40.899 By confessing their sin. 00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:42.960 And believing on what Jesus Christ. 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.519 Has done to save them. 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:47.259 Thank you for the sweetness of the gospel. 00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:48.239 That reminds us. 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:51.159 That our salvation is not a matter of our own works. 00:37:51.419 --> 00:37:52.579 But the work of Christ. 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:54.819 Who came to die and rise again. 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.119 And to be our savior. 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.419 To all who trust in him. 00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:59.460 And that's our prayer this morning. 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.960 We ask in your precious name. 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:01.680 Amen.