WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:04.139 Okay, good morning everyone. It's lovely to see you here today. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:07.600 Lovely to meet some new faces as well. You are so welcome here today. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:11.919 My name is Graham and I'm the pastor of the church here. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:16.280 So what I'd love you to do is to open your Bible and come back to John chapter 8 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:20.019 and this is where we're going to be in these verses today. Wonderful 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:24.039 verses that have so much to teach us this morning and I've 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:27.560 just been so thrilled and challenged to get into this today. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:31.219 But let's pray, will we, before we begin and then we'll get in. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:35.899 Father, I think of the words of Romans chapter 12 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:40.340 and what Paul would write, the plea to his readers 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:44.399 to be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:48.359 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world. 00:00:49.259 --> 00:00:53.379 Father, we're so aware of the many things that we bring in here today. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:00:58.320 the worries, the concerns, the doubts, the questions, 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:02.540 the grievances, the heartaches. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:06.280 Father, we pray that you would help fix our eyes 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:09.159 on the one who's right at the centre of this passage, 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:13.079 who holds out the offer of eternal life to us this morning. 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:17.140 Father, we pray in your spirit's power 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:20.159 and in the wonderful name of your son. 00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:21.219 Amen. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:22.840 Amen. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.159 So, with John chapter 8 open in front of you, 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:28.579 whoever you are here today, 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:32.359 here is the central admission 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:36.599 that this passage, as Jesus speaks, 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:40.719 he invites us all to embrace today. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:43.640 And it's an admission that, 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:47.239 according to research done by British car insurance company, 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:48.060 Sheila's Wheels, 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:49.239 remember them? 00:01:50.099 --> 00:01:51.539 Bonds are car insurance deals. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:54.079 According to them, 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:58.920 the male of the species is less likely to make than the female. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:02.780 And it's an admission that our refusal to admit 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:04.799 means that the average driver in the UK 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:06.680 drives and get this, 00:02:06.680 --> 00:02:10.879 it's 276 miles more than they need to every single year. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:12.300 You with me? 00:02:12.379 --> 00:02:13.140 What's the admission? 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:16.920 I don't know where I'm going. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:17.860 Okay? 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.460 Asking for directions. 00:02:19.819 --> 00:02:20.520 You click it on, guys. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:22.980 I don't know where I'm going. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:23.800 Now, here's the question. 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:26.140 When was the last time you put up your hands 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:27.040 and admitted that? 00:02:28.100 --> 00:02:28.439 Yeah? 00:02:28.640 --> 00:02:29.460 You're lost. 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:31.400 I don't know where I'm going. 00:02:31.480 --> 00:02:32.480 It's not a phrase, is it, 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:35.100 that comes naturally to any of us. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:37.299 Because I think we live in a world 00:02:37.299 --> 00:02:38.620 where we're taught 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:41.060 that we should know where we're going. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:41.759 Yeah? 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:45.419 We love to think that we know where we're going. 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:49.359 And the cultural air that we breathe in and out every day 00:02:49.359 --> 00:02:51.120 trains us to think that today, 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:53.900 with all the opportunities that our generation enjoys, 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:56.060 that we've got this. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:02:57.780 Okay? 00:02:57.840 --> 00:02:59.759 It's the first song you hear when you go into Disneyland. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:02.840 That lovely lullaby from Cinderella. 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:05.659 No matter how your heart is grieving, 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:07.659 if you keep on believing, 00:03:08.420 --> 00:03:11.000 the dream that you wish will come true. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:14.219 And that sounds very nice, doesn't it? 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:14.740 It's lovely. 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:17.819 But I don't think it's true for the vast majority of people 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:19.020 who live in this world. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:20.000 Right? 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:21.840 We drove in there past Sainsbury's, 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:23.960 just at the Grange, 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:25.960 and there's the lady sitting begging for money. 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:27.539 I don't think that's coming true for her. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:31.099 And yet I wonder if you're convinced this morning 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:32.120 if it's true for you. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:35.319 Let me give you two figures that I learned of this week 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:36.819 that maybe will help us think 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:39.699 on whether the things that the world tells us 00:03:39.699 --> 00:03:41.019 where life is to be found 00:03:41.019 --> 00:03:42.599 are actually where life is to be found. 00:03:42.899 --> 00:03:43.799 Here's the first one. 00:03:43.899 --> 00:03:44.579 Here's the number. 00:03:45.639 --> 00:03:46.120 400. 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:47.799 Any idea what that is? 00:03:47.959 --> 00:03:48.479 You won't? 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.259 Let me tell you. 00:03:49.699 --> 00:03:52.539 That's the number of hours worth of video content 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:54.780 that are uploaded to YouTube 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:56.900 every single minute of every single day. 00:03:57.219 --> 00:03:57.719 Loving that? 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:00.959 400 hours worth of content. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.099 Podcasts, music, opinions, debates. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.759 We are a generation who is rich on information. 00:04:07.899 --> 00:04:09.459 In fact, I read a statistic this week 00:04:09.459 --> 00:04:11.659 that in the year 2018, 00:04:12.399 --> 00:04:15.099 90% of the information we had as a species 00:04:15.099 --> 00:04:17.920 was ours only in the last two years. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:19.759 You got that? 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.879 So 2016 to 2018, 00:04:22.039 --> 00:04:23.719 90% of the information that we have 00:04:23.719 --> 00:04:25.719 as a species came in those two years. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:28.620 We are a generation that is rich on information. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:31.599 And yet here's the other figure for you. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.779 It's 9.4. 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:37.420 So according to my friend 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:39.519 that works with young people up and down the country 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:42.240 as part of the Keswick Ministries team, 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:44.740 that's the percentage of children 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:47.099 aged between 3 and 17 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:48.520 in our nation 00:04:48.520 --> 00:04:50.760 who were clinically diagnosed 00:04:50.760 --> 00:04:52.220 with anxiety 00:04:52.220 --> 00:04:54.980 between 2016 and 2019. 00:04:56.140 --> 00:04:57.500 That's heartbreaking, isn't it? 00:04:57.520 --> 00:04:58.100 If you think about it, 00:04:58.100 --> 00:04:58.939 with three little girls. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:00.420 That's heartbreaking. 00:05:01.520 --> 00:05:02.740 And a bit of the numbers now, 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:03.860 since 2019, 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:05.560 will be well higher than that. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.580 So overwhelmed 00:05:07.580 --> 00:05:09.260 are an emerging generation 00:05:09.260 --> 00:05:11.260 with reasons to be nervous 00:05:11.260 --> 00:05:12.200 about the future 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:14.039 and burdened 00:05:14.039 --> 00:05:15.759 by that crushing pressure 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:17.079 to make their life 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:18.519 mean something. 00:05:18.659 --> 00:05:19.740 As M people sing away 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:20.379 in the background, 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:21.699 what have you done today 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:23.379 to make you feel proud? 00:05:24.599 --> 00:05:25.639 Now we know 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:27.360 that it's not quite a straight line 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.680 between the first statistic 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:31.319 and the second statistic, okay? 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:32.879 It's way more complicated than that. 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:34.759 But we have to say 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:35.579 that those statistics 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:37.680 are hugely revealing. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:40.400 And perhaps they suggest 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:41.060 that the answers 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:42.139 that we think we have 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:43.199 in the world today 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.860 from both within 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:46.759 and without ourselves 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:48.879 aren't quite as freeing 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:51.360 as we perhaps think they are. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:52.500 Friends, 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:53.439 when was the last time 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.720 that you said to yourself, 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:57.120 I don't know where I'm going? 00:05:59.460 --> 00:06:01.040 And here's why I want you to know 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:03.019 that according to the Bible, 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:05.579 to embrace that confession, 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.639 to embrace that admission 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:10.300 is not a sign of failure. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:12.419 On the contrary, 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.740 that that is actually 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:16.859 the beginning of wisdom. 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:18.099 Why? 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:20.279 Well, because when we begin 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:21.939 that journey down the road 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:22.459 that says, 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:24.879 I don't know where I am going, 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:27.959 standing at the other end 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:29.219 of that road 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:33.379 is an open-armed Jesus Christ 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:36.120 whose words offer 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:39.759 such deep refreshment 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:42.680 and wonderful liberation 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:44.939 for our thirsty 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:49.139 and our weary human souls. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.839 Now, this is the claim here 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:52.639 he makes today. 00:06:52.719 --> 00:06:54.959 That isn't a complicated claim. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.459 But boy, if we're up 00:06:57.459 --> 00:06:58.439 for seeing it today, 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.759 it is a life-giving claim. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:02.240 And here it is, 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:03.519 verse 12 of chapter 8, 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:04.500 Jesus says, 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:06.079 I am, 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.939 taking the divine name of God there, 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:08.779 we'll come back to that 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:09.639 in a few weeks' time, 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.319 I am the light of the world. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:16.159 And what will turn that 00:07:16.159 --> 00:07:18.360 from being a 2D black and white claim 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:22.180 into a 3D color one 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:25.259 is if we grasp the fact 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:27.719 that Jesus doesn't make that claim 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:29.580 at a random time 00:07:29.580 --> 00:07:33.200 and in an unspecified location, right? 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:33.760 In other words, 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:34.840 put it in modern terms, 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.020 it's not like, 00:07:36.080 --> 00:07:37.600 if I can say reverently, 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:39.380 that Jesus is sitting 00:07:39.380 --> 00:07:40.980 in his living room on Facebook, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:42.700 staring at that screen 00:07:42.700 --> 00:07:43.180 that says, 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:44.600 what's on your mind today? 00:07:45.440 --> 00:07:46.900 And thinking to himself, 00:07:47.140 --> 00:07:48.100 do you know what? 00:07:48.640 --> 00:07:49.840 I am the light of the world, 00:07:49.960 --> 00:07:50.560 post-send. 00:07:53.260 --> 00:07:54.460 When and where Jesus 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:55.440 makes this statement 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:58.000 is hugely significant 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.680 and it explains 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:00.860 why it was so explosive. 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:03.680 But before we get there, 00:08:03.719 --> 00:08:04.399 you might be asking, 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:05.920 well, that's very good, 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.879 but what happened 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:08.079 to the first 11 verses 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:09.199 of chapter 8, right? 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:10.439 Some of you might have clocked that. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:11.899 What's happening 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:13.040 to the first 11 verses 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:13.779 of chapter 8? 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.060 We kind of jumped over that here. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:17.540 Now, it's worth saying 00:08:17.540 --> 00:08:18.480 that your Bible might have 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.399 that section in italics 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.779 or with an asterisk 00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:22.560 at the bottom. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.939 Now, while there is 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:26.180 no reason to doubt 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:26.939 that that event 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:27.680 between Jesus 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:28.420 and the woman 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:29.379 caught in adultery 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:29.920 happened, 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:32.139 and evidence 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:33.279 from the early church fathers 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.759 would strongly suggest that, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.779 it seems likely 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:37.879 that someone added 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.860 that event in 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.860 to some of the early 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.779 Greek manuscripts. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.200 So because it's unlikely 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:43.620 to have been 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.340 in John's original, 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.159 we're going to skip 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:45.940 over it for now, 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:46.860 but let me just suggest 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.460 two reasons 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:48.639 why that should be comforting 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:49.320 and good news 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:50.100 for us today. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.420 Here's the first one. 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:54.360 It should give us confidence 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.420 that the words we have 00:08:55.420 --> 00:08:56.120 in our Bibles 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.379 are trustworthy. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:08:59.420 Okay? 00:08:59.540 --> 00:09:00.840 That this isn't fables, 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:01.560 we're not dealing 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:02.540 in myths here. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.899 What we're dealing in 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:04.740 is carefully 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:05.820 and accurately 00:09:05.820 --> 00:09:07.840 translated history. 00:09:08.560 --> 00:09:09.519 And the fact 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.879 that a discrepancy 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.779 like that 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:13.320 can be flagged 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.639 only goes to show 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:16.800 just how many 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:17.540 original and 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:18.700 identical copies 00:09:18.700 --> 00:09:19.620 of John's Gospel 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.420 that we have. 00:09:21.180 --> 00:09:22.340 So it's good news 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:22.860 that the Bible 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.759 doesn't shy away 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:24.379 from that little 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.480 asterisk in your Bible. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:26.940 It's good news for us. 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.980 Actually, it's astonishing 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:28.700 when you look at 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.800 the amount of 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:30.600 early manuscripts 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.200 of the New Testament 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.080 that we have. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.000 Let me just say, 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:34.700 if you want to think 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.500 a little bit more 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.020 about that, 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.480 can I highly recommend 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.540 two things. 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.240 One is a book 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.680 by this lady 00:09:41.680 --> 00:09:43.300 called Amy R. Ewing. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:44.120 She's a wonderful 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:44.680 apologist 00:09:44.680 --> 00:09:45.500 who's based down 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.160 south in Oxford, 00:09:46.300 --> 00:09:46.720 I think. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:48.000 And she's written 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.700 a wonderful book 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.800 called Why Trust 00:09:49.800 --> 00:09:50.440 the Bible? 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:51.700 One of the best 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.420 things I've read 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:53.279 on this topic. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.800 And the QR code 00:09:54.800 --> 00:09:55.740 if you want to scan it 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.279 will take you 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:57.540 to a little conversation, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:58.720 a little interview 00:09:58.720 --> 00:09:59.720 between her 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:01.340 and Andy Bannister 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:02.300 who works for 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:03.600 the Solas Public 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.560 Centre of Christianity 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:05.440 up in Dundee. 00:10:05.540 --> 00:10:06.259 It's just half an hour 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.040 you can listen to it 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:07.980 on your commute to work. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:08.700 And they just 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:09.560 back that around 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:10.279 what it means 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:11.259 for people in our world 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:11.820 today 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:13.700 that the Bible 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:14.360 is trustworthy. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:15.620 She's fantastic 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.700 on this kind of stuff, 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:17.600 Amy or Ewing. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:19.179 That's the first reason. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:21.379 But the second reason 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.379 why that's important 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.019 to see 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.519 is that it means 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.120 that verse, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.480 and track with me here, 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:28.960 verse 12 of chapter 8 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:31.080 flows directly 00:10:31.080 --> 00:10:32.840 from verse 52 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.000 of chapter 7. 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:34.919 Okay, just have a look 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:35.600 in the Bibles there. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.799 Verse 12 of chapter 8 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.919 flows directly on 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:40.360 from verse 52 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.299 of chapter 7. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.899 So, when Jesus says 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:43.620 I am the light 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.259 of the world, 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:46.939 he's still speaking 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:48.759 during this thing 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.399 that we thought about 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:50.219 last week, 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:53.439 this Feast of Tabernacles. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.699 Okay, one of the 00:10:55.699 --> 00:10:57.120 great Jewish festivals 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.620 that took place 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.519 every year 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.479 in Jerusalem. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.939 And here's why 00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:03.039 that is significant. 00:11:03.979 --> 00:11:04.899 Every year 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:05.959 as part of this festival, 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.779 four enormous lights 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.419 are lit up. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.939 And they're lit up 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:12.079 to commemorate 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:14.099 the 40 years 00:11:14.099 --> 00:11:15.699 that Israel had spent 00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:17.419 wandering in the wilderness. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:18.899 Now, you can read about that 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.120 in the book of Exodus 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.979 if you want to 00:11:20.979 --> 00:11:22.439 catch up with that. 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:23.959 And so, when the people 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:25.019 light these four 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:27.179 huge lights, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:28.839 they were remembering 00:11:28.839 --> 00:11:29.919 the fact that God 00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:30.860 had led them 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.099 in the wilderness 00:11:32.099 --> 00:11:33.240 to the land 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.559 that he had promised them. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:35.879 He had led them 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.459 by light. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:39.840 Okay, more specifically, 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:40.580 he'd led them 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:41.960 by a pillar of fire 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:42.860 at night. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.460 And he'd led them 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:46.060 by a lighted cloud 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:47.320 during the day. 00:11:47.400 --> 00:11:48.560 So, these four lights 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:49.220 are going 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.259 and this is the picture, 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.019 this is the scene, 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:52.980 this is the history 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.800 that's in the minds 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:54.440 of God's people 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:55.280 as they watch this 00:11:55.280 --> 00:11:55.960 and celebrate. 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:57.320 So, these four lights 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.759 are lit all night. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.740 Lighting up the sky. 00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:02.680 Okay, picture the scene. 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.200 This is something like 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.000 Edinburgh Castle 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.780 at New Year. 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.500 Right? 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:06.939 You just, 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:07.679 wherever you are 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:08.100 in the cities, 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.179 you cannot miss 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:10.519 that light. 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:13.419 Some historians 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:14.240 describe the scene 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.339 with these four 00:12:15.339 --> 00:12:15.919 huge lights 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.699 blazing away 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:17.639 that it was like 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.939 a spectacular diamond 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:19.639 that's glowing 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.679 in the night sky. 00:12:21.699 --> 00:12:22.299 So, bright 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:23.279 was this spectacle. 00:12:25.319 --> 00:12:26.159 This wasn't just 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:26.620 a festival 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.579 that looked back though. 00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:30.039 This was a festival 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.819 that looked forward. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.659 Isaiah had spoken 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.240 about how God 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.779 would one day 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.779 visit his people 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:37.779 and he would act 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.580 to save them 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:40.440 and he would lead 00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:41.379 them by light. 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:44.120 This suffering servant 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.019 who would come 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.980 to make good 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.899 on God's promises 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.560 to bring them 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.240 to fulfillment, 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.060 he would not just 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:49.779 be a light 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.879 to Israel. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.060 He would be a light 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:56.259 to the nations. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.980 And his Messiah, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.919 the one through whom 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.680 he would do that, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.460 he would be a light 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.700 to the world. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.980 Now this is clicking, 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.360 isn't it, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.100 for where we've been 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:06.820 in John's Gospel 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.620 thus far. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.680 And so it's in this moment, 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:11.180 in the most public place 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:11.900 in the temple, 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:13.379 in the Old Testament 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:15.440 charged and filled 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.280 night air, 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:18.639 that Jesus chooses 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.340 to declare to all 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:21.240 who would have ears 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.180 to hear him, 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.400 he says, 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:24.440 I am 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:26.680 the light of the world. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:29.899 You don't know 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.479 where you're going 00:13:30.479 --> 00:13:30.959 in life? 00:13:31.099 --> 00:13:31.799 I am 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:33.120 the light 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.759 of the world. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.419 You don't know 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.879 what tomorrow holds? 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.620 I am the light 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.199 of the world. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:39.839 You don't have 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:41.019 the answers in life? 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.559 I am the light 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.179 of the world. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:44.519 You're nervous 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.419 about the future? 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.539 I am the light 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.259 of the world. 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:49.779 Follow me. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:52.740 Follow me. 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:54.740 That's his invitation 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.120 to all who would 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.799 listen to him. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.519 I am 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.940 the light of the world. 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.779 And maybe just to help 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.740 us feel the pointy 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.139 contours 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.879 of Jesus' claim, 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.460 all I want to do 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.220 is just help us 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.320 as a community 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.860 this morning, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.100 ask two questions 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.980 of ourselves 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:13.159 as we think 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.779 about his claim. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:14.500 You up for this? 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.259 Okay, I'll take that. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.080 Helen says yes. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.379 Here's the first one. 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.460 Okay, ask ourselves, 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:23.040 are we in denial 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:24.820 about our darkness? 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:26.540 You see, 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.759 Jesus lovingly says, 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.480 would you see 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.600 that without me 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.420 you are lost 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:33.060 in darkness? 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.240 And he says 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.240 to the Pharisees 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.160 and you will die 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:38.000 in your sin. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.420 And presumably 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:39.280 that is a reference 00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:40.300 to those who wandered 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:40.900 in the wilderness 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:42.360 and who perished 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.420 for their lack of belief 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:43.980 in where God 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:45.519 was taking them. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.620 You are in 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.019 the darkness. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.040 And if you think about it, 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.839 it's kind of what makes 00:14:50.839 --> 00:14:51.599 light, light, 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.299 isn't it? 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.879 Okay, I've never met 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.819 a fireworks company 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.860 whose business model 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:58.079 is to put on displays 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.919 during the day. 00:14:59.839 --> 00:15:00.459 It wouldn't last 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:01.259 very long, would they? 00:15:02.699 --> 00:15:03.459 You see, the Pharisees 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.319 in this context, 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.240 they know exactly 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.259 what Jesus is saying. 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.379 They are offended 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.620 by what he's implying, 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:10.799 not just because 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.740 of what he's saying 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.759 about him, 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.000 but because of what 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.919 he is implying 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.459 about them. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:19.840 And I have to say 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:21.080 this is one of the things 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:22.100 that I love most 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.680 about Jesus. 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.980 And there's a lot of things. 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.200 But this is one of the things 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.879 I love most. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.940 Do you spend enough time 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.320 with him 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:30.160 and you'll soon 00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:31.040 come to see 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.800 that so unlike 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.139 our politicians 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.540 who pick their words 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.320 based on whether 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.060 they're going to attract 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.000 voters or not, 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.940 that one of the most 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:40.879 refreshing things 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.160 about Jesus of Nazareth 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.720 is that he's never 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.740 interested in winning 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.460 popularity contests. 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:49.700 There's something 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.320 deeply endearing 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:53.820 about his heart here 00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:56.420 and that means 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.139 that we can trust 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.700 his words. 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.620 It means that 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.759 we should be deeply 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:01.000 sobered by what 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.440 picture he's painting 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.180 here of the human 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:03.740 condition. 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.960 Maybe three quick 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.620 pit stops here 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.060 if we're up for 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.639 taking notes. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.540 Here's the first one. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.080 His origin should 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:10.840 humble us. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:12.920 You see, Jesus says 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:13.720 verse 23 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.800 to the Pharisees, 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.160 you are of this world. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.440 You see, 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.160 I am not of this world. 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.080 He's contrasting 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.160 the two origins. 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.379 He is from above. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.259 They, on the other hand, 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.560 are of the flesh. 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:30.700 You think in worldly terms 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.500 and judge things 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:33.139 by worldly standards. 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.440 Jesus says, 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.540 when you hear me speaking, 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:37.180 you're hearing the very voice 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:39.100 of your creator. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.620 And that should deeply 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.360 humble us, I think, 00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:44.220 when we recognize 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.019 his origin. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.940 And maybe secondly, 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:49.420 his cross should convince 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:49.759 us. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.600 Verse 28. 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.960 Jesus says to the Pharisees, 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:54.879 when you've lifted up 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.680 the Son of Man 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.800 to see it, 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.040 and by lifting up there 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.620 he's talking about 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.220 his death, 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.540 there's going to be 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.740 something verifying 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.820 about that event. 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:06.220 For it proves 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.000 that what he's saying 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.700 is true 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:09.940 about the darkness 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.980 of our hearts 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.059 and of our world 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.080 that he's come 00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:15.700 to save us from. 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.700 And he's saying 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.320 that the cross 00:17:19.320 --> 00:17:19.960 is a place 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.680 where we see 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.580 that our sin 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:23.680 is a much bigger 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.960 problem in our lives 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.240 than we think it is. 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.620 It's a much bigger 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.519 problem than we think 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.059 it is. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.860 So often what happens 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.720 when you put your car 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.460 in for an MOT, 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.019 isn't it? 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.220 You get that dreaded 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.360 phone call from the garage. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.660 It's never a good sign 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.579 when often happens 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:40.980 with me 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.559 that the voice 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.240 on the other end 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.420 starts with the word 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.319 right. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.980 Which is code for, 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:48.380 isn't it? 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.360 There's a lot more 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.519 wrong under the bonnet 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.380 than I think you 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.380 thought there was. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.420 And life teaches you 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.039 that, doesn't it, 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.100 as you go on in life? 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:57.779 Actually, 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.740 you realize 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.680 sin in my heart 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.000 is a much bigger deal. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.700 There's tentacles 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.500 in much 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.599 further places 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.700 than I ever thought 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.519 was true. 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.960 And here's what I love. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.640 I told you about that 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.539 section in the bit 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.140 before, 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.319 about how we're 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.920 skipping over it. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.380 Well, let me just 00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.119 skip into it 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:16.319 just for a few seconds. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.200 Let me just show you 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.019 something I had never 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.619 seen before 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.440 until this week. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.519 Come with me, 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:20.799 okay? 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.059 Verse 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.900 nine. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:27.600 So when the Pharisees 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:28.720 throw this adulterous 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.560 woman into the middle 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:30.220 of the circle 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.759 and they say, 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:31.080 Jesus, 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.840 what are you going 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.480 to do? 00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:33.560 Right? 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.040 She deserves to die. 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.200 She's got it wrong. 00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:37.360 She's messed it up. 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:38.680 Jesus replies, 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:39.440 verse seven. 00:18:39.560 --> 00:18:40.480 Do you see this reply? 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:42.320 Let he who is without 00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:44.820 sin cast the first stone. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.440 I thought it was 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.080 brilliant. 00:18:48.280 --> 00:18:48.500 Again, 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.060 it's so, 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.420 the thing that so often 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.280 convinces me 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.319 that he is from 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:52.899 above, 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.259 that his wisdom 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.819 is unparalleled. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.200 Again, 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.579 as we see politicians 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:00.019 floundering when doing 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.759 TV and radio interviews, 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.619 tongue-tied, 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.799 the PR teams in the 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.759 background doing all 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.599 sorts of charades 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.119 trying to get them 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.139 to stop talking. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.960 When Jesus is up 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.700 against questions 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.359 that put him in 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.940 between a rock 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.899 and a hard place, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.160 his answers are 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.379 stunningly good. 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:20.039 He is superbly 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.259 unpredictable. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:23.599 And isn't it 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.079 interesting, 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.779 here's where we kick 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.579 in with verse nine, 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.980 isn't it interesting 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:29.440 that as one by one 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.299 they begin to drift 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.119 away having felt 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.779 the challenge of 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.700 Jesus' call, 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.420 who is it that 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.240 leads the way? 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.039 Look at it. 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.740 Who is it that 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.319 leads the way? 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.200 Verse nine there. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.519 It's the older ones. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.500 Here is the strange 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.039 thing about the 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.779 Christian life, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.619 that as we grow 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:51.099 and follow Jesus 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:54.139 more, we become 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:56.159 not less aware 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:56.919 of our sin. 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:00.619 We become more 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:02.099 of the sin, 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.639 more aware of the 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.679 sin of the depth 00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.599 of it that resides 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.659 in our human 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.179 hearts. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.879 Is that not true? 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.439 You're not more 00:20:09.439 --> 00:20:10.839 aware of the things, 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.619 the ways that you 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.619 get stuff wrong, 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:15.240 as you think about 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.559 who Jesus is, 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:19.319 and yet at the 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.099 same time running 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.980 like a speed train 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.419 on a parallel track 00:20:22.419 --> 00:20:24.000 to the sin train, 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.960 is your awareness 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.480 of the depths 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.720 of the mercy 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:32.579 and the love 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.399 of Jesus Christ. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.159 Some of us will 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.599 have grown up 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.879 with the words 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.879 of that old hymn, 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.820 O the deep, 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.260 deep love 00:20:41.260 --> 00:20:41.880 of Jesus, 00:20:42.760 --> 00:20:43.500 vast, 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.540 unmeasured, 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.240 boundless, 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:46.940 free, 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.280 rolling as 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:49.560 a mighty ocean 00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:51.100 in its fullness 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.780 over me. 00:20:55.040 --> 00:20:56.440 The gospel says 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.120 that the Christian 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.080 life is one 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:59.200 where you realize 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.240 you need Jesus 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.940 more as you 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.260 grow, 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.760 not less. 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.960 The gospel is not 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.299 the stabilizers 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.680 on the bike 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.360 of the Christian 00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.100 life, right? 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.539 We had that 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.240 wonderful experience 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.940 three weeks ago 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.079 where a little girl, 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.380 Grace, 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.279 she cracked cycling, 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.000 she cracked it. 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.960 No need for stabilizers 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.420 anymore. 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:18.059 The world is yours. 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.279 But it doesn't 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.000 work like that 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.039 in the Christian life, 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.059 thinking that stabilizers 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.559 are something 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.319 we will eventually 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.200 go out of. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:25.819 No friends, 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.120 the grace of Jesus, 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.779 we never graduate 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.079 from it. 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.200 We never graduate 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.840 from it. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:36.279 And I always remember 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.959 going to a men's 00:21:36.959 --> 00:21:37.539 Bible study 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.039 when I used to 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.799 live down in Bristol. 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.599 And there was a man 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.839 called Marcus there. 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.019 Marcus holding down 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.899 a full-time job. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.379 Marcus, 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.179 three kids 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.259 at home. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.819 Marcus trying to 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.599 do his best. 00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:51.419 And there I was 00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:52.539 as an impressionable 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.939 25-year-old 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.639 who thought he had 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.599 the world sussed. 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.740 And the conversation 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.939 comes around to 00:21:58.939 --> 00:22:00.019 what is some of 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.619 the insights 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.299 that you're learning 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.980 about parenting 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.679 right now. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:04.220 And I'm fully 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.180 expecting Marcus 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.019 to say something 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.259 like, 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:06.900 here's the three 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.799 top books. 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:09.039 Here's the routine 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.580 that we have 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:10.100 on the fridge 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.600 at home. 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:11.940 And do you know 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.480 what he said? 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.160 He just said, 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.140 I've come to see 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.560 what was a 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:17.320 throwaway line. 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.299 All I want 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.019 for my kids, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.700 the best thing 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.420 I can give them 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.340 is not a college 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.000 education. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.120 The best thing 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.640 that I can do 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.160 for them 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.519 is show them 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.259 that I need 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.660 Jesus 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:29.100 just as much 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.700 as they do. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:32.840 And it's so true. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:34.740 And I know 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.360 some of you here, 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.200 you're in that place 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.920 and you're struggling 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.640 with the fact 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.420 that you cannot 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.720 serve here 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:41.160 as much as you 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.220 can because 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.100 home life is 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.660 full on. 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.600 And I just want 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.160 you to know, 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.460 do not underestimate 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.660 the example that we 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.380 can set for our 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.720 children. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.420 That's what we want 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.920 them to see, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.299 isn't it? 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.580 Do not underestimate 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:54.460 your volunteering 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.299 time for Kids 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.500 Church upstairs 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:58.180 because we need 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.140 to model to them, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.099 we need to example 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.200 to them the fact 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.240 that we need Jesus. 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.180 We've never graduated 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.900 from him. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:06.000 We've never diminished 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.279 in our desire 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.180 to seek him. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.720 It's the best thing 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.319 that we can give 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.019 our children. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.960 Is it not true 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.839 in the Christian life 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.460 that we are meant 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.460 to be spiritual 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.940 Benjamin Buttons? 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.680 Now think about that 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.180 for a second. 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:21.099 Spiritual Benjamin Buttons. 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.480 I've not seen that film, 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.099 this will mean nothing 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.480 to you, 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.180 but go with me. 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.980 That the older we get, 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.400 the more like 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:32.279 dependent little children 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:34.180 we should look. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.859 We are more sinful 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.000 than we dared imagine, 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.660 but equally, 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.160 the cross 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:44.019 is where we see 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.819 that we are more 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.500 loved 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.140 than we ever 00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.079 dared 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.980 to think 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.200 was possible. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.000 And in John 3, 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.700 in the context, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.660 looking on Jesus, 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:57.100 being lifted up. 00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:58.680 Oh yes, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.120 loved it, 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.360 amen. 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.019 Being lifted up 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.920 is the place 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.600 where we look 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.480 and we will find 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.620 life. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.300 His cross 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.300 should convince us, 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:08.820 dear friends, 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.519 about the darkness 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.440 in our hearts 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.820 and his motives 00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:12.820 should expose us. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.640 Do you see what he says, 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.400 verse 29? 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.080 They are those 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.759 who do things 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.440 that are pleasing 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.100 to them, 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.320 the Pharisees here. 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:23.319 But Jesus says, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.359 in contrast, 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.839 I always do 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.559 the things 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.939 that are pleasing 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:29.679 to the Father. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.200 And so as we gaze 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.939 upon the light 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.579 of the world, 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.919 we need to ask 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.619 ourselves, 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.339 honestly, 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.779 with the Spirit's help, 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:41.039 are we in denial 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:43.599 about the darkness? 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:43.779 forgiveness. 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:47.099 And secondly, 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:47.519 and this will be 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.639 a lot more quick, 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.899 flip it round. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.099 Are we, 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:53.719 and as a community 00:24:53.719 --> 00:24:54.159 today, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.199 are we in pursuit 00:24:55.199 --> 00:24:56.539 of his light? 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.419 And I take it 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.240 that as God's Word 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.319 has come at us today 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.899 and as the Spirit 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.719 has taken it 00:25:02.719 --> 00:25:03.480 and done his 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:05.199 shining and exposing 00:25:05.199 --> 00:25:07.779 work in our hearts, 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.480 that we are going 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:11.619 to be challenged. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:14.119 And if you are here 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.059 today and you do 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.539 not know this Jesus, 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.660 that he is just 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:19.779 a voice in the world, 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.139 his invitation 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:21.899 is for you 00:25:21.899 --> 00:25:22.940 to come to him today 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.779 and see that he is 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.660 the light of the world. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.339 Just some of us here 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.359 need to come 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.220 to the light. 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:30.980 We'll think about this 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.779 next week, 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.619 that that is the place 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.660 for true freedom 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.759 is to be found. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.899 The call is to turn 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.800 from the darkness 00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:38.720 that you're in. 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:39.940 It's what the word 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.880 repentance means. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.660 It's right at the heart 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.080 of that word. 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.120 It means to turn. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.860 Turn from the darkness. 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:46.060 Turn to the light. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.440 Turn from your sin. 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.780 Acknowledge Jesus' 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.820 righteousness. 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.420 Turn from the darkness 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.980 you're in 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.420 and run to his 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.960 gracious light. 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.180 And I guess 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.519 for others here today, 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.300 the question is, 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.040 are we walking 00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:04.660 in the light? 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:07.460 As we bring ourselves 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.519 to his words. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.220 I love it. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.300 The psalmist talks about 00:26:11.300 --> 00:26:12.100 Psalm 119, 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.860 God's word being 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.100 a light to our path. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.060 Talking about his word 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.759 being a lamp 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.620 to our feet. 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:19.620 And the way 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.840 that we pursue Jesus 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:23.440 is to submit ourselves 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.640 to his lordship 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.220 as we 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:28.100 allow him 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.680 to lead us 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.480 through his words. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.740 Now some of us 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.460 I know here today 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:32.960 as we think about 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.820 the application of this 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.419 are making some 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.419 really big decisions 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.279 about our futures. 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:37.759 Right? 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.539 Students, 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.220 you're coming to the end 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.019 of your degrees. 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:42.899 Others of us 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.659 are coming to the end 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.419 of our working life 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:45.679 thinking about retirement. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.839 All sorts of other things, 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.399 big decisions 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.039 that we're making 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.839 in our lives. 00:26:50.679 --> 00:26:51.379 Let me ask us, 00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:52.159 are we making 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.980 these decisions, 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.460 bringing them 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.119 to the light 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.759 of the world? 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:59.039 There's a wonderful 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.740 lady in America 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.919 called Jen Wilkin 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.980 and I should have 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.640 put her quote up 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.240 but I forgot 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.900 to put it up. 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.039 Just finished 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.779 a wonderful book 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.500 of hers recently 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.480 and here's what she says 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.580 about decision making. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.120 She says, 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:10.880 what if the primary 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.980 question we asked 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.539 ourselves 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.600 wasn't what should 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.160 I do? 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.120 But above that 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.900 was the question 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.840 as we gazed 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.539 at God's word 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.060 and gazed 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:19.860 at the Lord Jesus, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.680 who should I be? 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.539 Who should I be? 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.720 And to be honest, 00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:27.800 there's tons of decisions 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.279 that we make 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.779 in our lives. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.259 There's tons 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.379 of different options 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.919 but in that decision 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:32.940 making process, 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.399 who should we be? 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.339 People of grace, 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.500 people of patience, 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.220 people of love, 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:42.119 the fruit of the spirit 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.619 pouring out of our lives, 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.799 decisions in life. 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.599 How often is it 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.099 the default 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.859 that we run 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.759 to our own ability 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.399 to navigate 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:50.339 our way through life? 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.220 Actually, 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.139 the call here 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:54.119 is to show yourself 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.759 just dependent 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.859 on your heavenly father. 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.079 That he is the light 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.599 of the world. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.619 He is where 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.059 the place 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.839 I need to follow. 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.460 And friends, 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.440 our words and actions 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.000 as well, 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.940 the way that we treat 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.559 and we speak 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.259 of one another, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.079 are they driven 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.700 by the light 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.240 of the world? 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:10.839 You know, 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.639 when was the last time 00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:12.759 that because we looked 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.319 at the light, 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.599 we saw that we got 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:16.200 something deeply wrong? 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.220 I always love 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.899 that the word 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.779 is described, 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.359 God's word is described 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.339 as something 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.639 that pierces the soul, 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.359 it's a sharp 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.359 double-edged sword. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.319 When was the question, 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.599 when was the last time 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:30.299 that word pierced 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.319 our intentions 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.339 and our motives? 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.159 You see how this works? 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:36.859 Are we deliberate 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.919 in our pursuit 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:39.659 of the light? 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.279 In the words 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.199 of Matthew Roberts, 00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:43.059 who's a pastor 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:43.899 down in York, 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.699 in his wonderful 00:28:44.699 --> 00:28:45.299 little book 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.059 called Pride 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.000 and Idolatry, 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.779 he says, 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.799 abandoning sin 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.480 is not part 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.460 of the cost 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:55.819 but of the blessing 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:58.039 of discipleship. 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.399 It's almost 00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:00.799 Jesus rips us out 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.500 of the darkness 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.420 that we are in 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.099 and puts us 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.059 on the right track 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.539 and says, 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.399 follow me. 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:06.899 It's the reason 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.440 that you and I 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:07.940 were made, 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.680 to worship 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.680 and to glorify 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.759 and to know 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.940 our maker. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.899 Jesus saves us 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.379 out of it 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.319 and puts us 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.879 on track. 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.200 Do you see 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.740 what he's saying? 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.420 Abandoning sin 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.920 is not part 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.680 of the cost 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:21.440 but of the blessing 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:23.539 of discipleship. 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.539 And so as we close 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.019 and maybe just 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.480 with the aim 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.120 of trying to bring 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.500 us back 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.299 to that central 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.880 admission, 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:33.140 let me tell you 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.759 about one of my 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.380 favorite all-time 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:37.559 comeback lines. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.980 Ready for this? 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.880 My friend Carl 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:43.079 had this comeback line 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.839 and I loved it 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:45.160 and he used it 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.779 all the time. 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.160 We've got this 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.660 saying in our 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.940 culture that 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.920 so-and-so is a 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.879 self-made man. 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.359 You heard that 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:51.700 before? 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.200 So-and-so is a 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.119 self-made woman. 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.740 Normally appearing 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.480 in Dragon's Den 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.139 or something like 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:57.420 that. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.700 People who we 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.460 look at and we 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.119 think that they've 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:00.839 done it all 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.379 themselves. 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.619 So my friend 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.399 Carl, when he 00:30:04.399 --> 00:30:06.000 used to hear 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.940 somebody use this 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.859 line of themselves 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.599 and someone else, 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.420 he used to reply 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.940 and he used to 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.220 say, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.000 huh, 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.559 that's interesting. 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.839 Tell me, 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.740 what part of 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.519 yourself did you 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:16.839 make? 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.700 Think about it. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.419 What part of 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.159 yourself did you 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:22.460 make? 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.279 I love it. 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:25.899 Probably not a 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.919 conversation starter, 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.240 probably a conversation 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.119 ender, okay, 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.639 but it makes the 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:30.940 point, 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.619 is it not true 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.679 that 90% of the 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.419 stuff that happens 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:33.940 in our life, 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.519 to be honest, 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.480 was well beyond 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.179 our control? 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:38.860 What part of 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:39.519 yourself did you 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:39.840 make? 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.720 We love our 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.860 rags to riches 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.620 story in our 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.220 world, someone 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.860 who's lived the 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.660 American dream, 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:47.960 and yet Jesus, 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:48.860 the invitation he 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.779 makes here to us 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.180 today is to 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.140 embrace the 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.820 admission that we 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.340 don't know where 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:54.779 we're going. 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.279 Jesus says, 00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:58.799 without me, 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.460 you are in the 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.799 darkness. 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.140 And his 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.519 gracious call, 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:06.000 the center of 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.639 it this morning 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:08.000 is a call to 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.259 renounce all 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.960 self-reliance 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:13.220 and follow him, 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:15.099 the one who 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.700 said that he 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.420 is the light 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.019 of the world. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.200 Let's pray, 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.500 will we? 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.579 Lord Jesus, 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.500 we thank you so 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.379 much today that 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:33.200 you are the 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.320 one who came 00:31:34.320 --> 00:31:36.080 to, as we 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.920 sang in that 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:39.000 song, lead us 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.780 out of darkness, 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.460 lead us out of 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:41.900 death. 00:31:43.780 --> 00:31:44.740 Lord, I'll be 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.200 honest, I don't 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.080 have a clue where 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:46.820 this is landing in 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.380 people's lives 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:49.400 today, but I 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:50.120 thank you that 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:51.920 your spirit is at 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.320 work in our 00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:54.200 hearts and in 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.760 our lives. 00:31:55.280 --> 00:31:56.140 Lord, we long 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:56.700 that we would be 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.860 a community who 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:59.340 denounces all 00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:00.600 self-reliance, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:03.519 stakes it all in 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.500 pursuing you, the 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.980 light of the 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.299 world. 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.579 Father, help us 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.079 even in our 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:09.179 prayer life as a 00:32:09.179 --> 00:32:09.759 church to 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:11.179 declare in 00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:13.179 words, express 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:14.219 on our tongues 00:32:14.219 --> 00:32:15.639 our utter reliance 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.719 on who you are. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.539 And Lord, as your 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.579 spirit takes your 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.799 word, as he 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.899 pierces our 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.480 pride, as he 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.599 binds our 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.859 wounds, 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.000 love us. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.599 Lord, thank you 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.079 that you're the 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.559 one who knows 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.219 exactly where 00:32:31.219 --> 00:32:31.719 we're at. 00:32:33.459 --> 00:32:34.319 Help us to 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.879 own that 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.599 confession. 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.319 Help us to 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.959 embrace that 00:32:37.959 --> 00:32:40.719 admission that 00:32:40.719 --> 00:32:41.599 where else will 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.139 we go? 00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.919 For you have the 00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:47.000 words of eternal 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.479 life. 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:49.699 Father, thank you 00:32:49.699 --> 00:32:50.419 for your love for 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:52.019 us and we just 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.000 commit ourselves 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.879 and the rest of 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.559 our time together 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:56.279 today to you in 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.440 Jesus' wonderful name 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:57.859 we pray. 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:58.759 Amen.