WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.320 Speaking of the Bible, if you have one with you, you can open it up to John chapter 15. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:15.820 We're continuing on in our journey through the Gospel of John. 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:19.900 Most of you know that, in case you haven't been here. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:24.359 This is the night of Jesus' betrayal. 00:00:25.080 --> 00:00:29.420 And Jesus is with his disciples, the eleven disciples, the twelfth one, Judas. 00:00:29.420 --> 00:00:33.079 He has started to betray Jesus and has left them. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:41.079 And Jesus has been basically just encouraging and challenging and teaching and comforting his disciples. 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:44.380 Preparing them for the difficulty that they're about to go through. 00:00:45.040 --> 00:00:51.120 So last Sunday, we heard Jesus change the subject with his disciples and address some of their fears and concerns. 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.540 They're worried that Jesus is about to leave them. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:58.740 They're worried about all this opposition and disdain. 00:00:58.740 --> 00:01:06.939 From Jesus' opponents, the religious leaders and some of the Jews who were loyal and followed them closely. 00:01:07.740 --> 00:01:15.719 And Jesus confirmed, yes, you will be hated by the world because you do not belong to it anymore. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:21.939 You will be hated by the world because of your association with me, says Jesus. 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:27.239 You will be hated by the world because these people do not know God. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:35.239 Their hatred of me and of you, he said, was totally unjustifiable, without reason. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:41.819 And they will be held guilty for their treatment of me and of you unless they repent. 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:44.399 Well, now we come to the comfort part. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:46.579 I said, am I cutting in and out here? 00:01:47.979 --> 00:01:48.439 No. 00:01:49.539 --> 00:01:55.039 The comforting part, as I said last Sunday, Jesus is going to give comfort. 00:01:55.899 --> 00:01:57.140 And here it comes. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:03.340 So we will pick it up in chapter 15, verse 26. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:06.480 Jesus says, 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:29.439 So encouragement number one to his disciples. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.020 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:32.840 You will not be left alone. 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:36.259 God's Spirit is coming. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:40.280 And we heard Jesus promise this earlier in the evening, 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:41.780 that the Spirit of God would come. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:46.560 If you recall, back in chapter 14, verse 16 and 17. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.900 And there the Spirit was, Jesus called him, 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:55.479 another counselor or another advocate, another helper, guide. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:58.879 There's many different words that the translations have used here. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:05.359 Because the precise translation of this Greek word is difficult into English. 00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:10.000 There's no English word that fully captures the meaning of this word. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:17.159 And so I encouraged us back then to focus on the fact that the Spirit would be another counselor 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.419 or another comforter, another guide to the disciples, 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:25.419 just like Jesus has been for these men. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.460 What Jesus has been for them, 00:03:28.079 --> 00:03:32.180 the Holy Spirit is going to be another of that for them. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:35.139 While Jesus is gone. 00:03:36.259 --> 00:03:40.280 So now, here again, possibly an hour or two later in the evening, 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:44.960 Jesus reminds them that this counselor, this comforter, this guide is coming. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:48.680 And Jesus has a few different things to say about him. 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:53.200 First, Jesus clarifies just who this counselor is. 00:03:53.939 --> 00:03:56.819 He says he is the Spirit of truth. 00:03:58.100 --> 00:04:07.520 Next, we notice this interpersonal relationship between Jesus and the Spirit of truth and the Father. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:15.540 All three persons of God's triune nature are present right here in this verse. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:17.560 Jesus says, 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:23.060 I will send to you the Spirit of truth. 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:27.860 And if you remember back to chapter 14, verse 26, 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:32.139 there Jesus said that the Father will send the Spirit to them. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:37.139 So we might be wondering, well, who is it that sends the Spirit of truth? 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:38.620 Is it Jesus? Is it the Father? 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:40.500 The answer is, it's both. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:44.979 As we heard way back in John chapter 5, 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:49.039 Jesus and the Father, they work together in harmony with one another. 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:55.519 And so, both the Father and the Son will send the Spirit of truth. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:59.219 Next, we notice, where from? 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:04.419 Jesus says that the Spirit goes out from the Father. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:06.060 He will be sent. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:07.459 He will go out from the Father. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:08.959 And why is that? 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:12.199 Well, I don't think we need to make it complicated. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:19.159 I think the simple answer is just that the Spirit of truth is God's own Spirit. 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:29.660 Amazingly, God is the sort of being who is able to send out His Spirit. 00:05:31.080 --> 00:05:32.280 Think about that. 00:05:33.700 --> 00:05:37.300 This is one of the ways in which God is different than us. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:41.840 We can't send our own Spirit anywhere. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:44.420 We often tell people that, 00:05:45.140 --> 00:05:46.100 I'm with you in Spirit. 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:49.840 But actually, we're just thinking about them. 00:05:50.320 --> 00:05:51.060 We're not there. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.740 This is one of the ways that God is different than us. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:57.360 Our own spirits, our inner being, 00:05:58.020 --> 00:06:00.160 they're confined to our bodies. 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:05.720 And until the day we die, our spirits stay there. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:10.280 But God is not like us. 00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:14.300 He is able to have His Spirit go forth from Him. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:20.620 Next, we see to whom the Spirit of truth will go. 00:06:20.760 --> 00:06:21.320 Jesus says, 00:06:21.460 --> 00:06:27.939 I will send the Spirit, the Advocate, to you. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.540 And we notice here in the original language, 00:06:32.700 --> 00:06:33.560 it's a you plural, 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:36.820 referring in immediate context to the disciples. 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:40.140 This is an amazing thing about God. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:44.180 He is able to send His Spirit people. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:47.560 We saw this in the Old Testament. 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:50.459 God sent His own Spirit upon people. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.139 People like Samson, 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:54.379 and Elijah, 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:56.740 and the prophets of old. 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:00.899 And then, three years prior to this conversation 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:03.000 that Jesus is having right now with the disciples, 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:04.939 some of them were likely there 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:07.779 the day that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:10.459 and God's Spirit came down from heaven 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:13.719 and came to rest upon Jesus. 00:07:15.359 --> 00:07:17.659 So Jesus is saying, in a sense, 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:20.119 what happened to me, 00:07:21.099 --> 00:07:25.419 the Spirit coming down from the Father in heaven upon me 00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:27.639 is going to happen to you, 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:29.379 my disciples. 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:34.339 He's going to come down from the Father to you. 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:38.579 Now, we might wonder about this sort of thing. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:41.359 The spiritual realm is not really something 00:07:41.359 --> 00:07:43.239 that we understand very well. 00:07:43.719 --> 00:07:45.759 We are creatures who take in our surroundings 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:48.719 through the faculties of our body, 00:07:48.919 --> 00:07:50.120 our eyes, 00:07:50.539 --> 00:07:51.279 our touch, 00:07:51.679 --> 00:07:52.199 our smell, 00:07:52.359 --> 00:07:52.959 our taste. 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:55.679 We take light into our eyes. 00:07:55.799 --> 00:07:57.839 We take sound waves into our ears. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:01.299 The electrical pulses in our nervous system 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:03.280 let us know when we've made contact 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:04.620 with another object, 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.699 with our skin. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:08.500 But the Spirit 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.520 is immaterial. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.400 Spirits are not made up 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:14.439 of the same sort of stuff 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:15.920 that we're so used to 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:18.180 in this physical and tangible world. 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:21.600 And so there's mystery in these words. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:23.699 Amazingly, 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.139 God is the sort of being 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:26.340 who can envelop 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:28.180 one of his creatures 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:30.519 with his own spirit. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:34.779 He can put his own presence 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:37.159 right into people 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:39.960 and live within them. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.500 I'm kind of getting ahead of myself 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:44.600 because here it just says 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:45.820 send to you. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:47.000 But that's how the story 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.720 is going to continue. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:48.860 It's not just to you. 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:49.879 It's in you 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:51.580 to live with you. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.700 Now, what will the Spirit do 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:56.900 when he comes? 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.000 Jesus says, 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:00.600 and this is the main thought 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.980 of this statement 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.020 Jesus makes, 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:05.300 when he comes 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:08.200 he will testify about me, 00:09:09.140 --> 00:09:09.879 says Jesus. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.960 So this is what the Spirit will do. 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:14.580 He's going to bear witness 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:15.860 to Jesus. 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:17.420 He's going to point to Jesus. 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:18.680 He's going to make the case 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:19.240 for Jesus. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.759 He's going to give evidence 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.620 about Jesus. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:22.820 Jesus. 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:26.399 And we might wonder, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:27.179 well, how? 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.440 Is he just going to 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.320 fly around 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:32.860 and whisper in people's ears 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:33.860 or into their hearts 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.860 or into their minds? 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.679 I think this is so interesting. 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:39.759 The Spirit is coming 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.639 to testify about Jesus 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:44.960 and at the same time 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.379 he's coming to 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:48.399 the disciples, 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.180 the apostles. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:52.180 Where's Jesus going with this? 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.559 Why testify to them? 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:54.639 They already believe. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:56.839 The next verse 00:09:56.839 --> 00:09:58.139 seems to clarify this. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.399 Verse 27. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.419 It says, 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:08.359 and you also 00:10:08.359 --> 00:10:09.459 must testify 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:11.079 for you have been with me 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:12.659 from the beginning. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:14.799 So the Spirit's going to 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:15.899 testify to the world 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:16.759 about Jesus, 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:19.059 but he's being sent 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:20.179 to the apostles. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:20.299 apostles. 00:10:21.199 --> 00:10:22.219 And they also 00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:23.079 must testify. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:25.620 And if you see 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:27.099 the implication here, 00:10:28.719 --> 00:10:29.579 God will send 00:10:29.579 --> 00:10:30.159 the Spirit, 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:31.159 Jesus will send 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:31.639 the Spirit 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:33.719 to his apostles 00:10:33.719 --> 00:10:35.239 and it's through 00:10:35.239 --> 00:10:35.899 them 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:37.579 that he will bear 00:10:37.579 --> 00:10:38.759 witness to Christ 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:40.019 in the world. 00:10:41.719 --> 00:10:42.819 They themselves 00:10:42.819 --> 00:10:43.339 will become 00:10:43.339 --> 00:10:44.059 like the prophets 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:44.419 of old, 00:10:44.479 --> 00:10:45.679 the very mouthpieces 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.459 of God. 00:10:49.739 --> 00:10:50.559 Now imagine 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.159 for a moment 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.799 that you're one 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.339 of the eleven 00:10:52.339 --> 00:10:52.819 apostles 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:54.299 with Jesus 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:55.579 this night 00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:56.279 and he's saying 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.259 these things to you. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:58.599 The world's going 00:10:58.599 --> 00:10:59.379 to hate you 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:01.539 and persecute you, 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:03.419 but you must 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:04.759 testify about me 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:07.859 and my Spirit 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:09.000 is going to come 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.019 to you, 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.539 the Spirit of Truth 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.120 to help you 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.559 with that. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:15.119 this is an assignment 00:11:15.119 --> 00:11:15.839 that no doubt 00:11:15.839 --> 00:11:16.799 will not be easy. 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.519 But if we can get 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.379 our hearts 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.039 and our minds 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:21.559 fixed on this fact 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:22.979 that God himself 00:11:22.979 --> 00:11:24.719 will be there 00:11:24.719 --> 00:11:25.519 with us, 00:11:25.619 --> 00:11:26.279 his Spirit 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.559 with us, 00:11:28.119 --> 00:11:30.039 in us, 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.419 it changes everything. 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:38.059 So this is the 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:38.719 first comfort. 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:41.419 Jesus says, 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.500 you will not be alone 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.839 on this assignment. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.120 I will send 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.579 the Spirit 00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:47.240 and he will come 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:47.699 to you 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:49.519 and he will do 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.099 this work 00:11:50.099 --> 00:11:51.039 of bearing witness 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.139 alongside you 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.759 and as we'll see 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.479 deeper than that, 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.500 he will bear witness 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:58.179 through you. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.699 Jesus goes on, 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:04.300 all this I have told you 00:12:04.300 --> 00:12:05.300 so that you will not 00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:06.300 fall away. 00:12:08.140 --> 00:12:09.100 They will put you 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:09.860 out of the synagogue. 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:11.759 In fact, 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.520 the time is coming 00:12:13.520 --> 00:12:14.120 when anyone 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.040 who kills you 00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:15.820 will think they are 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.759 offering a service 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.379 to God. 00:12:19.020 --> 00:12:19.980 They will do 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.800 such things 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.920 because they have 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:22.820 not known 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.000 the Father 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:26.100 or me. 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:29.180 I have told you 00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:29.740 this so that 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:30.940 when their time 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.340 comes, 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.040 you will remember 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:34.000 that I warned you 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:35.039 about them. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.480 Wow. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:38.860 First, 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:39.480 the comfort, 00:12:40.099 --> 00:12:40.620 the promise 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.259 of the Spirit, 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.439 but then Jesus 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.659 has more to say 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.779 about how things 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.620 are going to get 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.919 difficult for them. 00:12:49.219 --> 00:12:49.699 Earlier, 00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:50.399 he told them 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:50.980 that the world 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.759 would hate them, 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:52.819 verse 18. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.599 Then, 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:55.139 that the world 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.299 would persecute them, 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:57.399 verse 20. 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:58.899 And now, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.919 Jesus tells them 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.399 just how difficult 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.360 it's going to get 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.299 for the disciples 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.759 in the days ahead. 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:07.059 He says in verse 2, 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.079 they will put you 00:13:09.079 --> 00:13:10.240 out of the synagogue. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:12.319 You know, 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:12.939 this is something 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:13.479 that's difficult 00:13:13.479 --> 00:13:14.559 for us to imagine 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:16.279 what it would be like. 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.539 But in Jesus' day, 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.299 there in Israel, 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.339 before the church 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:20.219 became a thing, 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.279 the synagogue 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.620 was at the heart 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.559 of each community. 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:25.899 to be kicked 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:27.579 out of the synagogue 00:13:27.579 --> 00:13:28.799 would signal 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.519 to everyone 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.339 that you are not 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.079 to be trusted. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.639 You're not to be 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.719 associated with. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:35.399 It would be like 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.819 social alienation. 00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:37.519 Your reputation 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.459 would be ruined. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.439 It would make it hard 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.239 for you to go about 00:13:40.239 --> 00:13:41.219 your ordinary affairs 00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:41.819 of life. 00:13:42.939 --> 00:13:44.099 Because anybody 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:45.659 who saw you, 00:13:45.739 --> 00:13:46.159 they wouldn't want 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:46.599 to be seen 00:13:46.599 --> 00:13:47.559 having dealings 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.919 with that guy 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:49.379 who's been 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.519 excommunicated 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:52.500 by the ruling 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.759 council of the Jews. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.840 But then Jesus 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.879 goes on to tell them 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.399 the full extent 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.259 of the persecution 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.120 they will face. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.659 Not just excommunication 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:04.059 and social ostracism, 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.240 but they will hunt 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:05.779 you down 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:08.139 and kill you. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.480 In fact, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.699 the time is coming 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.299 when anyone 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.240 who kills you 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.860 will think 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.659 they are offering 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.360 a service 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.720 to God. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.819 Surely Jesus 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.299 would have had 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:23.139 a tear in his eyes 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.919 as he said this. 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.480 Can you imagine 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:27.360 a service 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.019 to God? 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.379 This is how 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.600 self-deceived 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.460 some of the 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.279 religious leaders 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.079 in Israel 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:36.100 are right now. 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.000 Jesus' opponents, 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:38.779 they think 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.139 they will be 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.000 helping God 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.939 bring justice, 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.879 bring truth, 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.799 bring righteousness 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.779 on the earth 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.539 by hunting 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.579 these men down 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:50.120 and killing them. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:54.000 how could they 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.879 think that way? 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:58.179 Jesus says 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:58.699 they will do 00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.399 such things 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.039 because they 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.819 have not 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.379 known 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.679 the Father 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.439 or me. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.019 And as we 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.819 heard last week, 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.419 this is not 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.100 ignorance, 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.559 it's that they 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.519 do not have 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.500 that close 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.699 favorable 00:15:12.699 --> 00:15:13.860 relationship 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.559 with the one 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.259 true God 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.919 like they should. 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:17.819 They claim 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:18.860 to worship Yahweh, 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.399 they claim 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:19.980 to know 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.820 the God 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.480 of Abraham, 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:22.100 Isaac, 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.740 and Jacob. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.019 But the reality 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.360 is, 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:24.879 says Jesus, 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.580 they don't 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.120 know him 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.800 and they 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:28.279 don't know 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:28.600 me. 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:32.159 Verse 4, 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.919 Jesus says, 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.720 I'm telling you 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.340 all this 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.419 now so that 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.379 when it happens, 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:37.600 you'll know. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.600 You'll know 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.240 because I gave 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.800 you warning. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.340 You'll know 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.019 what's happening 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.500 and you'll 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.100 understand 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.800 some of the 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.120 why. 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:46.379 And if 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.679 you know 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:47.259 the story, 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.960 as the story 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.360 goes, 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.080 none of 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.560 these 11 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:49.960 men will 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.399 be killed 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:51.000 right away. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.440 In fact, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:52.799 some of 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.060 them will 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.360 go on 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:53.919 to testify 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.919 about Jesus 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:56.379 all over 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:56.960 the place 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.960 for decades 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.679 before they 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.100 are finally 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.960 caught and 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.320 killed. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:03.879 You could 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.320 think back 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.820 to the 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.779 stoning 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.919 of Stephen 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.480 in Acts. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.240 He wasn't 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.639 one of the 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:11.960 12, 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.519 but he was 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.180 a spirit-filled 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:13.659 member of 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.000 the early 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.439 church. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.139 He was 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.620 the first 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.559 one that 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:16.939 we know 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.539 of to be 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.379 killed for 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.919 his faith 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.439 in Jesus. 00:16:20.359 --> 00:16:20.679 And then 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.099 later in 00:16:21.099 --> 00:16:21.379 Acts, 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:21.979 we see how 00:16:21.979 --> 00:16:22.319 some of 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:22.839 the Jews 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:24.219 came to 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.319 come up 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.599 with this 00:16:25.599 --> 00:16:26.259 plot to 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.179 assassinate 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.159 Paul, 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.879 another of 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.419 the apostles. 00:16:32.359 --> 00:16:33.019 So if 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.359 you're one 00:16:33.359 --> 00:16:33.879 of the 11 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.359 men with 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:35.039 Jesus this 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.339 night, 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.079 aren't these 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:36.939 difficult words 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.379 to hear? 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.259 Here's the 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.759 Messiah, 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.159 the Savior, 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.279 Savior, 00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:45.559 but he's 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.179 telling you 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.500 that you 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:47.939 are soon 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.339 to be 00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:48.739 hated, 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:51.500 excommunicated, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:54.000 and even 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.500 killed. 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.319 Right about 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.739 now you're 00:16:58.739 --> 00:16:59.059 probably 00:16:59.059 --> 00:16:59.539 wondering, 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.399 why didn't 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:00.879 you tell 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.379 us that it 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.699 was going 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:02.000 to get 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.620 this bad? 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.359 Why didn't 00:17:03.359 --> 00:17:03.819 you let us 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.419 know way 00:17:04.419 --> 00:17:05.139 before that 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.480 this was 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:05.879 coming? 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:09.040 Jesus sort 00:17:09.040 --> 00:17:09.440 of answers 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.040 this question 00:17:10.040 --> 00:17:10.460 here in 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.640 verse 4. 00:17:11.760 --> 00:17:12.000 He says, 00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:12.520 I did not 00:17:12.520 --> 00:17:13.120 tell you this 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.440 from the 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.740 beginning 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.360 because I 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:14.880 was with 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.160 you, 00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:17.000 but now 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.440 I am 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.280 going to 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:19.160 him who 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.680 sent me. 00:17:20.520 --> 00:17:21.000 This is 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.400 sort of the 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.340 last opportunity 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.100 for Jesus 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.800 to warn 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:24.720 them about 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.080 what is 00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:25.440 ahead. 00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:26.340 Before, 00:17:26.520 --> 00:17:26.980 it wasn't 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.340 needed. 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.980 The target 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.440 was on 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:29.820 Jesus' 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.300 back, 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.359 back. 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.359 But now 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:32.839 that Jesus 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.440 is leaving, 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.180 the target 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.599 is about 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.099 to be 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.220 on the 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.659 disciples' 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.180 backs. 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.399 Again, 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.200 Jesus tells 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.460 them, 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:43.419 I am 00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:44.579 going to 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.039 the one 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.960 who sent 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.220 me. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.379 And I 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:48.839 imagine at 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.180 this point 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.379 in the 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:49.960 conversation, 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.579 the disciples 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:50.940 are all 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.319 just kind 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.659 of sitting 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:51.899 there, 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.440 speechless, 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.460 shocked, 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:53.960 trying to 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.359 process 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.919 these words 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.419 of Jesus. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.740 And it 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.460 seems from 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.359 the text 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:01.920 that Jesus 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.359 is kind 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:02.599 of just 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.220 waiting for 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.579 them to 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.120 respond. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.539 He told 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:07.720 them, 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.220 I am 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.740 going to 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.039 the one 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.539 who sent 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:09.819 me. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.180 It seems 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.500 this is 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:12.940 supposed to 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.200 be a 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.599 teachable 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.059 moment 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.620 because 00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:14.940 Jesus 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.460 looks at 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.740 them and 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.180 he says, 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.359 none of 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:18.859 you asks 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.120 me, 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.759 where are 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.220 you going? 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.019 This is 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.400 kind of a 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.200 curious question 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.759 that Jesus 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.380 asks. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.539 It has 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.059 been thoroughly 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.839 debated and 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.559 some point 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:28.880 to this 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.140 as a 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.640 contradiction. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.039 in the 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.359 Bible 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.660 since 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:31.960 Peter 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.319 asked 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.839 back in 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.599 chapter 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.200 13 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.480 verse 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.120 36, 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.140 where are 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.259 you 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.620 going? 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.740 And 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.000 Philip 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.420 kind of 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:38.779 asked the 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:38.960 same 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.220 thing 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.620 back in 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:39.839 chapter 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.359 14 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.099 verse 5. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.480 Lord, 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:42.880 we don't 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.339 know where 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.500 you're 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:43.700 going, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.039 so how 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.319 can we 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.640 know the 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:44.880 way? 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.120 Well, 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.299 there's 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.779 several good 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.480 guesses about 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.799 this. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.299 Most of 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.620 them are 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.460 speculation. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.420 My best 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:51.819 guess is 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.200 that Jesus 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.539 is not 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:52.940 saying that 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.359 they never 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:53.980 asked the 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.299 question 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:54.819 before, 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.180 but that 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.620 now is 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.079 the time 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.599 to ask 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.200 the question. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:00.220 And instead 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:00.759 of asking 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.080 it, 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.680 instead of 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.340 seizing this 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.779 teachable 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.240 moment, 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.819 they're so 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.779 focused right 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.860 now on 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.900 themselves and 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.860 on this 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.759 despair that's 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.640 creeping in over 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.340 the things that 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:13.720 Jesus has just 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.519 told them. 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.400 None of you 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:16.799 asked me, 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.240 where are you 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.580 going? 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:18.580 Rather, 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.220 you are filled 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.900 with grief 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.880 because I 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.259 have said 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.980 these things. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.740 Perhaps the 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.360 grief has 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.740 become something 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.340 so all 00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.060 encompassing, 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.840 so overwhelming 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.240 that they're 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.980 just distracted, 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.460 they're just, 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:33.460 they can't even 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.060 think straight 00:19:34.060 --> 00:19:34.420 anymore. 00:19:35.040 --> 00:19:35.600 Whatever the 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:35.880 case, 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.519 one thing is 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.759 sure, 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.380 the disciples 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.200 were deeply 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:41.200 rocked by 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.759 the warning 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.180 that Jesus 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.660 gave them 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.240 about being 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.660 hated, 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.080 persecuted, 00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.440 and killed. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.380 You are 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.640 filled with 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.080 grief, 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.019 quite literally, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.240 but because I 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.820 have spoken 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.519 these things 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.000 to you, 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.360 grief has 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:59.140 filled your 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.660 hearts. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.160 But very 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.700 truly, 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.660 I tell you, 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.400 it is for 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.940 your good 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.320 that I am 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.039 going away. 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:15.220 Unless I 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.920 go away, 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.700 the advocate 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.340 will not 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:18.840 come to 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.080 you. 00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.300 But if I 00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:21.620 go, 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.120 I will 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.720 send him 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.360 to you. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:26.900 Now, 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.200 I'll be 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.480 honest, 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:27.860 if I'm 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.160 one of the 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.420 eleven 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.279 apostles here 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.180 with Jesus, 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:30.820 I'm thinking, 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:31.860 it's hard 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.460 to imagine 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.420 anything 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:33.900 better 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.860 without 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.279 Jesus 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.660 here. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.500 I'm 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:37.759 thinking, 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.779 how could 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.039 it be 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.580 good for 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:39.900 you to 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.460 leave us? 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.940 But this 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.320 is one of 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:43.880 those moments 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.420 where Jesus 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.120 seems to be 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:45.720 calling them 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.200 to just 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.740 trust, 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.759 to believe 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.059 him. 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.339 Yes, 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.039 somehow, 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.259 it's actually 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.920 for your 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.680 advantage, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.799 it's for 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.620 your benefit 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.600 that I'm 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.240 going away. 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:01.860 Again, 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.299 if I'm 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.579 honest, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.059 I kind of 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.600 scratched my 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.039 head here. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.319 Why can't 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.759 you stay 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.319 here with 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.779 us on 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.140 earth, 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.759 Jesus, 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.200 and send 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.660 the Spirit 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.079 too? 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.559 Why not 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.079 both at 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.420 the same 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.860 time? 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:11.919 them? 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.559 There's 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:14.939 mystery 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:15.299 here. 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:17.699 Whatever 00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:18.379 the reason, 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.039 Jesus 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.839 knows that 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.500 he must 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.919 go, 00:21:21.719 --> 00:21:22.619 he must 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.139 leave, 00:21:23.479 --> 00:21:23.879 he must 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.319 go to 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.839 the Father 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.799 and join 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.259 with him 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.759 in sending 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.240 the Spirit 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.719 to them. 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.240 It's for 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.879 their good, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.459 it's for 00:21:31.459 --> 00:21:32.119 their benefit, 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.240 it's the 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.099 best plan, 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.199 whether we 00:21:35.199 --> 00:21:35.859 understand it 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.279 or not. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:39.359 So let's 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.039 reflect for a 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.460 moment on 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:40.859 what we've 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.259 heard so 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.539 far. 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.940 Jesus has 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.119 told the 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.859 disciples that 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.339 they will be 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:46.940 hated and 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.500 persecuted, 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.859 but Jesus 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.799 is going to 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.079 send the 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.099 Spirit to 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.480 them from 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.000 the Father. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.879 He's going 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.420 to be with 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.980 them, he's 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.279 going to 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.019 counsel them 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.539 and help 00:21:59.539 --> 00:21:59.960 them just 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.559 like Jesus 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.039 has been 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.359 doing. 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.019 He will 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.460 help them 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.839 through the 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.500 trials and 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.019 difficulty 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.519 ahead. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:08.039 And Jesus 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.759 has expanded 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.160 on what 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.700 those trials 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.460 will include, 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.480 excommunication 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:14.259 and even 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.660 death. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.680 But do 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.039 not be 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.460 filled with 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.019 grief, do 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.440 not be 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.319 troubled about 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.000 all this. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.899 My going 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.599 away is 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.480 needed and 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.079 it is for 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.599 your good, 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.259 it is for 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.879 your benefit 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.559 to send 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.139 the Spirit 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:34.700 and he 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.039 will make 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.599 all the 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.079 difference 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.679 in the 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:37.220 difficulties 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.699 ahead. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.779 So that's 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.179 what Jesus 00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:40.639 had to 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.000 say to 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.220 them. 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.259 Hated, 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.480 yes, 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.399 even worse, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.279 killed, 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.059 but you 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.500 will not 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.099 be alone. 00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:52.199 God 00:22:52.199 --> 00:22:53.139 himself 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:55.159 will be 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:55.720 with you 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.139 through all 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.439 of it 00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:59.019 and he 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.559 will help 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.599 you testify 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:02.059 about me. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:05.579 now probably 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.200 most of us 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.599 are wondering 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:06.819 here, 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:07.139 so what 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.359 does this 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.639 have to 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:07.940 do with 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.259 me? 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.619 How does 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.079 this apply 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.519 to my 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.819 life today? 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:12.700 Well, 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.659 this is one 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:13.919 of those 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:14.440 moments where 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.839 I hate to 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.339 break it to 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:15.440 you, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.819 but not 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.379 everything in 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:16.779 the Bible 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.279 is about 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.799 you or 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.399 about me. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.460 me. 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:20.840 This is 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.620 God's story. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.300 This is the 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:23.940 story of his 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.220 son. 00:23:25.280 --> 00:23:25.720 And at this 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.240 point in the 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.780 story, it's 00:23:26.780 --> 00:23:29.080 about the 00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:30.080 father and 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.420 the son and 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:31.940 these eleven 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.880 men with him 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.440 that evening. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.860 But there are 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:36.340 things that we 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:36.960 can take from 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.259 this. 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:39.100 First of all, 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.980 we should care 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.700 deeply about this 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.420 part of the 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:42.759 story. 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.840 We should love 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.680 this part of the 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.600 story because this 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.919 is the story of 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.759 how the church 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.159 got started. 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:51.219 Jesus is 00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:51.879 preparing them 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.599 for the work, 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.799 the testifying 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.179 work that 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:57.179 will see the 00:23:57.179 --> 00:23:57.919 good news of 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:58.559 Jesus and 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.399 salvation go 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:00.959 around the 00:24:00.959 --> 00:24:01.319 globe. 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.759 You and I 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.459 wouldn't be here 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:06.159 today worshiping 00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:06.959 Jesus if it 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.740 wasn't for that. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.500 As Paul says 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.319 in Ephesians 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.099 chapter 2, 00:24:14.219 --> 00:24:15.000 verse 19, 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.959 consequently you 00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:17.679 are no longer 00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.439 foreigners and 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:19.179 strangers but 00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:20.079 fellow citizens 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.919 with God's 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.939 people and 00:24:21.939 --> 00:24:22.859 also members 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.719 of his 00:24:23.719 --> 00:24:24.319 household. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.919 And I 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.839 didn't get the 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.959 second part of 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:29.459 the verse on 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:29.599 there. 00:24:29.719 --> 00:24:30.459 Built on the 00:24:30.459 --> 00:24:31.500 foundation of 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.579 the apostles and 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:34.299 prophets with 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.899 Christ Jesus 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:36.359 himself as the 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:37.339 chief cornerstone 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:39.819 on the foundation 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.919 of the apostles. 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.779 What these men 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.879 would go on to 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.240 do with God's 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.200 help laid the 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.019 foundation for 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.599 us today. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.359 And so we 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.019 should appreciate 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.680 this part of 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.359 the story because 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.579 this right here is 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.299 our spiritual 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.019 heritage. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.380 Another thing we 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:59.180 see here that's 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.120 precious is Jesus' 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.779 truthfulness. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.279 We live in a 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.240 world where all 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.079 too often people 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.799 beat around the 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:07.819 bush or where 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.720 people are trying 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.279 to sell you 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.960 something but 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.920 you're not getting 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.859 the truth with it. 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:13.159 maybe it's a 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.699 car that you 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:14.619 bought that 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.559 just wasn't in 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.359 as good of 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.639 condition as 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:19.759 the dealer or 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.459 owner led you 00:25:20.459 --> 00:25:21.119 to believe. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.619 Maybe it's a 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.179 friend who's 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.939 staring at that 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.719 mustard on your 00:25:24.719 --> 00:25:25.399 face and just 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:26.319 doesn't have the 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.659 love and the 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:29.259 guts to tell you 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.879 about it before 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.459 you embarrass 00:25:30.459 --> 00:25:31.419 yourself all over 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:31.779 town. 00:25:33.219 --> 00:25:33.899 Isn't it 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:35.019 refreshing to see 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.099 and hear Jesus 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.959 speak the truth 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:40.479 in love to his 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.940 disciples? 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.680 He doesn't 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.519 sugarcoat it. 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.180 He tells them 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.059 the full extent 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.220 of what they 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.559 will suffer for 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.120 his sake. 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:49.940 And that's 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.380 hard. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.200 But what a 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.079 comfort to know 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.559 the truth about 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.099 what's really 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.480 coming. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.480 I don't know 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.339 about you but I 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.980 would rather know 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.900 the hard truth 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.720 than be lied to 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.900 and misled. 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.680 I'd rather know 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.400 what's really at 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.500 stake, what the 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.519 consequences will 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:09.039 be, than be led 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.620 to believe that 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.279 everything's just 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.019 going to be fine 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.859 and then find out 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.440 later that it 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.839 wasn't. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.339 Along with the 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.059 truthfulness of 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.759 Jesus we see 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.440 his grace. 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.500 We see his love 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.160 here in this 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.000 conversation with 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.539 the disciples. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.619 His tender care 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.139 for them. 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.639 Yes he tells them 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.559 the hard truth but 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.960 you can hear, you 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.940 can feel his 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.980 tenderness and 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.940 compassion throughout 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.440 this. 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.619 He's deeply 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:34.500 sensitive to how 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.180 they're feeling, 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.859 what's going on in 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.420 their hearts. 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.879 He knows that 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.579 they're troubled by 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:39.980 this. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.639 He knows just 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.619 how hard this 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.539 is going to be 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.039 when it comes. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.319 But verse 1, 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.899 all this I have 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:51.179 told you so 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.799 that you will 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.699 not fall away. 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.319 There is love 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.899 in the heart of 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:56.740 Jesus here. 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.000 Tender, 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.159 compassionate love 00:26:59.159 --> 00:26:59.599 for the 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.039 disciples. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.839 And it comes 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.500 by giving a 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:02.759 warning. 00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:03.460 Sometimes we 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.059 need a warning. 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.439 We need a 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.039 heads up. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:08.399 Jesus doesn't 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.899 want to leave 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.299 them just 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.220 guessing and 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.680 wondering when 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.299 all this stuff 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.180 comes to pass. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.779 He cares about 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.799 the fears in 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.379 their hearts. 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.379 And he brings 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.180 the tender comfort 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.899 that they need. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.740 It's this perfect 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.899 mix of grace 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:24.039 and truth. 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:25.720 Something Jesus 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.740 always got just 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.099 right. 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.819 Yet another 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.420 thing we see 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.039 here which I 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.680 mentioned earlier 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.279 is Jesus' 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.379 deep and 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.840 mysterious 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.500 connection to 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.180 the Spirit 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.560 and to the 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:37.900 Father. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.660 Now this 00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.080 isn't a 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.940 practical thing 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.060 but I love 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:43.640 to learn as 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.200 much about 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.000 Jesus, as 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.540 much about 00:27:45.540 --> 00:27:47.140 God as I 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.480 can. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.200 I love to 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.360 find myself 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.560 put in my 00:27:51.560 --> 00:27:53.740 place thinking 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.760 about how 00:27:54.760 --> 00:27:55.540 God is so 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:56.280 other, so 00:27:56.280 --> 00:27:57.560 different than 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:57.980 I am. 00:27:59.560 --> 00:28:00.320 He doesn't 00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:00.800 have the 00:28:00.800 --> 00:28:01.620 limitations that 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:01.960 I do. 00:28:02.020 --> 00:28:02.620 He's got this 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.240 mysterious 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.799 interconnectedness 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.460 within his 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:08.359 tri-personal 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.920 being. 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.819 It moves me 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.940 to reverence 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.720 and awe 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.500 and worship. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.319 Finally, what 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.180 Jesus lays out 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.500 for the 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.319 apostles here 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:23.160 is a similar 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.259 framework for 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.940 all of us. 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.620 Whenever 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.460 followers of 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.319 Jesus meet 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.880 opposition, 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.319 disdain, 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.859 persecution, 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:33.679 ridicule, 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.759 we are 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.339 reminded by 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.079 these words 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.379 that God 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:37.779 is with 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.119 us. 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.159 The Spirit 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:40.740 of God 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.579 is God's 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.019 gift to 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.179 all of 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:43.479 Jesus' 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.039 followers. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.439 We see 00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:46.299 that clearly 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.919 declared, 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.359 Acts 2, 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.119 verse 38 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.779 and 39. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.779 God's 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.059 God's 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.839 promise to 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.339 us. 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.119 God's 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:56.839 promise to 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.200 us, 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.420 His precious 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.160 promise is 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.500 that we're 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.160 not alone. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.799 We don't 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.220 have to go 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.740 through that 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.500 by ourselves. 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.440 He is 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.019 with us. 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:05.980 His Spirit 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.259 lives in 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.819 us. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.299 Just as 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.819 He did in 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.399 the disciples. 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.740 Now, 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.160 we aren't 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.899 apostles like 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.359 they were. 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:16.479 We haven't 00:29:16.479 --> 00:29:16.859 been given 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.459 the same 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.539 responsibility 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.879 of testifying 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.959 authoritatively 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:21.500 on Jesus' 00:29:21.699 --> 00:29:22.339 behalf like 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.979 they did. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.199 Notice what 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:25.939 Jesus said to 00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.179 them. 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:27.519 He said, 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.059 You also 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.859 must testify 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.539 for you 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.039 have been 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.559 with me 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.979 from the 00:29:30.979 --> 00:29:31.379 beginning. 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:31.979 That's 00:29:31.979 --> 00:29:32.459 something that 00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:33.079 we can't 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.419 say. 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.819 There was a 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.559 uniqueness to 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.179 the role that 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.659 they had been 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:36.959 given. 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:37.719 They would 00:29:37.719 --> 00:29:38.279 go on to 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.879 speak for 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.659 Jesus just 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.039 like the 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.639 prophets of 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.159 old did 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.099 and write 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.719 scripture, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:45.339 inspired 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.880 scripture, 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.740 God breathed 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.200 scripture, 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.640 but each 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.380 one of us 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.200 here today 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.680 has been 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:52.220 gifted and 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.700 given a 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.100 role to 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:54.100 play in 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.500 the body 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.100 of Christ 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:56.339 according to 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.700 God's 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.180 determination 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.240 and His 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.059 Spirit works 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.339 powerfully in 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.079 us as well 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:03.220 for the benefit 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.920 of each other 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:05.079 and to make 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.180 Christ known 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.779 in our 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.140 world. 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.720 So let's 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.440 take encouragement 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.480 from this. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.000 You know, 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.420 as we 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.240 hear about 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.660 the things 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.140 going on 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.400 in our 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.820 world, 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:15.900 it's easy 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.279 to just 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.840 get bent 00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:17.300 out of shape 00:30:17.300 --> 00:30:17.840 by that 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.460 and concerned 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.160 and worried, 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.440 but we are 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.940 not alone 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.300 in this 00:30:21.300 --> 00:30:21.560 world. 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.240 The Spirit 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.980 of truth 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.380 has come. 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:25.880 He is 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.460 with us. 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.500 He is 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:27.980 in us. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.600 And God 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.000 will help 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.340 us through 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.840 whatever 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:32.180 comes our 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.680 way because 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.180 just like 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.620 the eleven 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:34.140 men there, 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.259 we are 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.740 precious 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.740 and dear 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.140 to Him. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.220 Let's 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.460 pray. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:48.100 Lord 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:48.480 Jesus, 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.060 we bow 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.660 before you 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.100 now and 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:52.860 we thank 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.140 you for 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.759 these words 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.160 that you 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.720 spoke to 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:56.279 the eleven 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.460 and through 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.019 them you 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.460 speak them 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:58.980 to us. 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.279 And we 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.700 pray and 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.279 ask that 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.820 they would 00:31:01.820 --> 00:31:03.680 sink deep 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.160 into our 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.519 hearts. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.900 We pray and 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.519 ask that in 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.000 this week 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.820 ahead we 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.160 would be 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.000 more conscious 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.640 of your 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:11.660 presence in 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.140 us and 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.559 with us 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.079 than ever 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:15.019 before and 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.299 that we 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.660 would just 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.259 grow in 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.839 that knowledge 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.680 and understanding. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.619 We pray and 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.200 ask that the 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.140 fears and 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:22.339 anxieties and 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.259 concerns in 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.759 our hearts 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.140 would just 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.960 melt away 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.099 with the 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.119 realization that 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.759 you, the 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.500 creator of 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.119 the universe, 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.079 are with us 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:32.339 and in us. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.119 Go with us 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.579 this week, 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.099 we pray. 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.440 In Jesus' 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.859 name, 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.740 amen. 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:37.880 Amen.