WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.700 If I may, could I ask that we sing that, not what your hands have done again, at the end. 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:07.700 ! Thank you. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:22.199 I don't, every week, change the order of the service, but I don't think I do, do I? 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:24.199 No, I don't. 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:25.199 I don't. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:33.240 But I got to tell you, the words to that song just fit perfectly with the text. 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:43.159 I want you to understand that it's the text that drives our music, and it's the text that drives our singing. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:48.120 So we come to the text. 00:00:48.119 --> 00:00:56.199 In John chapter 3, we're going to look at verses 17 through 21. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:01:11.240 And as we take up this passage this morning, I would be remiss if I didn't labor for a moment to plead with you to do that, 00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:23.500 which is probably my most common request, and that is that you pray as the preaching of the Word of God goes on. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:33.799 I am fully persuaded that prayer is a vital part of preaching, in that it is the work of the Spirit of God, 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:38.019 both to declare the truth and then to have the truth strike hearts and make a difference. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:43.960 And I can tell you that Tim Knoyer has, on many occasions, sat through sermons, 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:51.019 the start of which I thought, well, I've got to last for another 40 minutes or whatever, 00:01:51.339 --> 00:01:54.439 and then the Spirit of God has tapped me on the shoulder. 00:01:54.519 --> 00:01:56.639 How many of you know what the Spirit's tap is like? 00:01:57.579 --> 00:01:59.280 It's not a physical tap. 00:01:59.339 --> 00:02:00.500 It's just like, hey, Bubba. 00:02:01.679 --> 00:02:03.299 And it's like, okay, I got this. 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:06.280 I'm supposed to pray now and ask you to work in my heart. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:08.879 Yes, and the Spirit does. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:13.520 So I'm going to ask that you join me as we pray and that as I preach, you pray. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:15.280 And I don't mind if your eyes are closed. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:16.479 I won't have any suspicion. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:21.520 I mean, after all, you didn't have to come to Sunday school, so I know you're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:25.300 And so if your eyes are closed, I'm assuming that you're thinking, oh, Lord, help him. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:26.020 I'm there. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:27.379 I buy it. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:28.979 Let's pray. 00:02:28.979 --> 00:02:58.959 Let's pray. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:03.319 Even as it does today, the frailty of mankind. 00:03:05.079 --> 00:03:15.259 And you had these words penned for our edification, not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:21.639 And so this morning, as we take this sacred passage in hand, 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:33.000 we are mindful that we are coming to a text that is for our profit and for the glory of Christ. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:44.280 And it is our humble desire and our confessed dependence on you that you would be exalted. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:47.139 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:49.020 Amen. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:59.719 Well, as we look at John 3, verse 17 through 21, we are continuing the study of the book of John. 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:12.200 And I want to remind you that John is not like the other synoptic gospels in that it is not a gospel that gives us a great deal of detail about Christ's life here on earth. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:17.199 It is fundamentally a theological discourse. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:21.420 And I don't want to use the word theological to cast it in this heavy, gloomy light. 00:04:21.539 --> 00:04:26.219 But it is instruction about the nature and character of Christ. 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:33.220 If you were actually looking for one verse that would give you a summary of why the book was written, 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:39.020 you would find it in John chapter 20, verse 31, where the apostle says, 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:45.620 Hey, listen, all these things that I've gathered, and he only tells us about eight different incidents about Christ in the early flow. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.340 He says, 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:56.060 These things are gathered so that you may have the information on which to rest your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.719 who is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.519 And that believing, you might have eternal life. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:14.659 And so as we work our way through this passage, one of the things that we're going to see is this recurring theme of John's gospel is profoundly evangelistic. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:19.100 And John's gospel is profoundly edifying for the believer. 00:05:19.380 --> 00:05:21.000 And the two pieces come together. 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:26.060 There's another thing that we are going to find in particular today. 00:05:26.320 --> 00:05:38.920 And that is that we are going to be challenged by the doctrines of the responsibility of mankind for his rejection of the sweetness of the offer of salvation. 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:43.520 And on the other side, by the reminder that really salvation is a work of God. 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:50.279 And when we try to put these together in a perfect and symmetrical way where we've got it all figured out, 00:05:50.359 --> 00:05:53.959 the truth of the matter is that our minds kind of short out. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:57.680 I'm reminded of Isaiah chapter 55, verse 8. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:00.620 You probably know it by recitation and not by the text. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:00.939 It says, 00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:04.859 My thoughts are not your thoughts. 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:08.740 My ways are not your ways. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:11.960 You see, we have a tendency of being rather singular. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:13.019 We can pick up on, 00:06:13.400 --> 00:06:15.040 All right, all right, that's what I'm supposed to do. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:15.199 Or, 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:17.400 All right, all right, that's what God does. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:25.439 And being able to put the two together requires a broader scope and grasp of truth than our little pea brain can handle. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:29.220 And so we kind of have a tendency to get wigged out on one side or the other. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:31.939 How many of you understand where I'm talking about so far? 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:32.379 Okay? 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:39.439 The truth of the matter is, is that often in Scripture, in order to help our frailty, we find that, 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.660 I just don't want to trip on this and embarrass myself, 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:45.800 kick, kick, kick, kick. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:46.439 There we go. 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:46.819 Okay. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:52.079 In order to help us with our frailty, remember, we see one thing or the other, right? 00:06:52.079 --> 00:07:00.879 Often in Scripture, you find that when God explains something about His sovereign work in a situation, 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:05.519 He also helps us understand the dynamic of our own responsibility. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:07.959 We're going to see that today. 00:07:11.299 --> 00:07:18.099 I want you to look this morning at Christ's mission and the gospel's division. 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:22.800 And in essence, what we are going to do this morning is answer two questions. 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:25.460 Number one, why did God send Jesus? 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.340 Why did God send Jesus? 00:07:28.100 --> 00:07:31.920 I do love that as my go-to Christmas question. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:37.060 You know, whenever I'm involved in a conversation with people in the proximity of Christmas, 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:42.840 and we get into this business of salvation, and after all, that's where some of our conversations should go, 00:07:43.080 --> 00:07:47.400 I don't think you can force them, but hey, you ought to be praying and looking for opportunities 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:48.979 to talk about why Jesus came. 00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:52.959 And in the course of conversation, when I come up with this issue, 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:57.000 I always like to ask that real trick question, why did Jesus come? 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:03.099 I mean, if salvation is just a matter of a little bit of self-improvement, 00:08:04.239 --> 00:08:08.699 or, you know, helping at SPCA or something like that, 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.639 I mean, hey, Jesus wouldn't have had to come for that. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:15.060 And the truth of the matter is, is that we're going to answer, 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:18.939 we're going to find the Bible answer to the question, okay, why did God send his son? 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:25.300 The second one is this, and if Christ came to save men, why aren't all men saved? 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:29.860 So we're going to look at those two pieces this morning and put these together 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.579 and have a good Bible understanding of it. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.259 So let's begin by looking there in verse 17, 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:39.600 for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:44.279 but in order that the world might be saved through him. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:52.480 I have to tell you, as I began praying and meditating about this verse, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:56.819 earlier in the week, and just so you understand, 00:08:56.939 --> 00:08:59.059 generally what happens is when I go home on Sunday, 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:01.099 guess what I'm already beginning to do? 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:04.459 I'm beginning to pray and meditate and think about it. 00:09:04.459 --> 00:09:05.959 I'm generally about two weeks out, 00:09:06.199 --> 00:09:09.500 just a little wiggle at the verse that I'm going to look at next week. 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:12.079 This morning, as I was having devotions in prayer, 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:14.739 I was studying, as a sidebar, 00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:17.299 just kind of took a look at the passage in Philippians 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:18.639 that we're going to come to next week. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:20.639 It's just the way my mind works, okay? 00:09:20.839 --> 00:09:23.119 I'm not sure how it works, it just does. 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:25.959 And so here, as I've been meditating 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:29.139 and just chewing on this thing here in verse 17, 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:31.460 why would God tell us that? 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.180 I mean, that's an obvious... 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:36.660 How many of you understand that asking the question why, 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:39.000 with a prayerful deliberation, 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:41.240 and also a dependence upon the Holy Spirit, 00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:43.200 is an intelligent thing to do 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:46.180 in the process of figuring out what the Bible has to say? 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.680 Why is it there? 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:51.219 And so here is John telling us, 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:54.839 hey, God wants you to know why Jesus came. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.459 And I want you to recognize, 00:09:57.579 --> 00:09:59.279 as we look at this there in verse 17, 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:03.299 that God's first thought towards mankind is merciful. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.639 Is merciful. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.859 That's the way He is. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:12.080 Now, it would help us to understand 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:17.720 that that is a challenge for us in some senses 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:19.419 because the truth of the matter is 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:22.000 is that there's an inclination in our heart 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.460 to not always be very merciful. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.200 Would you agree with that? 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:28.159 I mean, let's try this. 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:29.940 You're driving, 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.820 and the person in front of you 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.779 is not driving responsibly, 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.720 at least according to your set of rules. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:36.600 How many of you understand 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.700 that our set of rules is very flexible? 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:41.759 And so when you have an opportunity 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.639 to exercise mercy or judgment, 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.639 what is the first inclination? 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.820 Off with their heads. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:49.440 Thank you, Mark. 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:50.040 It's like, yeah. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.840 What story does that one come from? 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.860 That's not a Bible story. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:55.120 Okay. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.860 I'm teasing, Mark. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.720 But, you know, the truth of the matter is 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.040 is that here is God 00:11:01.040 --> 00:11:03.160 wanting us to understand something 00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:06.440 that's against our flow and our nature. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.259 He wants us to understand 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:13.920 that this business of the reason that Jesus came 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:19.180 is foundational and against the grain of our thinking. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.440 So why is it so important for us to grasp 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:26.139 that Jesus came to save men and not judge them? 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:30.340 Stop and realize that judgment for sin 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:33.299 is actually an understandable expectation 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:38.699 and one that is woven into so much of common sense 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.559 and thinking all around the world. 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:43.759 No religion that I can think of 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:45.860 that really has a long history 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:47.299 does not have some thinking 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:49.639 regarding the matter of judgment. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:53.259 Now, the way in which judgment is accommodated may vary, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.759 but nevertheless, 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:00.480 the idea that consequences flow out of decisions 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:03.019 and actions is woven throughout our thinking. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:06.939 Even our common vernacular, 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:08.439 the way in which we communicate, 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.419 is marked by this. 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.740 You know, you've heard the old saying, 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:14.080 what's going around comes around. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.819 Have you ever heard that one? 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.539 Or what about that? 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:18.279 What you sow is what you reap. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.480 The idea underlying that 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:22.220 is that you get what's coming to you. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.980 You did bad, you're going to get bad. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:24.899 And that's the way it is. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:27.319 And the idea that judgment is out there 00:12:27.319 --> 00:12:28.500 in some form or another 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.439 kind of lurks on the horizon 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.500 in all of our thinking. 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:35.720 The Bible also helps us understand 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:38.419 that this business of understanding judgment 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:41.639 is not just a matter of common vernacular, 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:44.220 but it's also something that the Bible is very clear on. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.139 Romans chapter 1, 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.939 very interesting that unbelieving men and women 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:50.699 really do have a sense of judgment. 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.819 We may not think so, 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:53.659 but they do. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.819 Romans chapter 1, 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.740 verse 32, 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:57.299 it says, 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:00.639 men knowing that those who practice sin 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.059 deserve to die, 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:03.699 does that make sense? 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:07.519 They still go on and do those sins. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:10.720 Another passage would be Luke chapter 23, 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:13.919 and here is Jesus between two thieves 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:15.860 who are hanging there on the cross. 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:16.679 And remember, 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:19.299 one of the thieves is kind of railing at Jesus. 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.719 Hey, if you are the man, 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.719 the son of God, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.019 come down off the cross 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.699 and do something for us too, you know. 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.519 And what does the other thief say? 00:13:26.599 --> 00:13:27.240 Does anybody remember? 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.219 Hey, 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:31.759 we're getting what we have coming to us. 00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:34.559 Another illustration would be 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:38.000 in the Jewish culture in that day, 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.799 when a lot of people died, 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:41.700 they thought that the death 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:44.279 was the consequence of divine judgment. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.620 Remember when Jesus said, 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.299 hey, 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.279 all those guys who got squashed 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.620 when the tower fell on them, 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.480 don't you just think 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.559 that they were worse sinners 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.879 because you need to repent as well. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:56.000 All of us stand condemned before a holy God. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.960 Probably one of the most sobering pictures 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:02.100 of men's attitude towards judgment 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:04.539 is over in the book of Revelation. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.539 So I want you to look, 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.899 if you would turn in your Bible 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.939 to Revelation chapter 6, 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:11.459 verse 16 and 17. 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:16.919 Talk about some of the more sobering 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:20.279 Bible verses regarding the heart of man. 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.620 I mean, after all, 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.139 the attitude of some is that, 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:26.879 oh, well, men have some problems, 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.759 but just with a little bit of tweaking, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.599 a little bit of helping, 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.379 they'll get there. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:31.939 Listen, everybody, 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.539 smile at me 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.399 because I want you to look at me 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.360 just for a second, okay? 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:39.439 The book of Revelation makes it clear 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:42.919 that God will judge sin. 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:47.480 That's what the tribulation will indicate. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:49.899 And here's the other piece in that. 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:52.599 And in the full face 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:55.299 of the evident judgment of God against sin, 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.299 men for the most part will not repent. 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:01.639 Revelation chapter 6, 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:03.159 verse 16 and 17. 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:06.839 And we find that as these horrible things 00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:07.359 are happening, 00:15:07.479 --> 00:15:08.399 the seals, et cetera, 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:08.819 it says, 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.899 calling to the mountains and rocks, 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.379 fall on us and hide us 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.599 from the face of him 00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.859 who is seated on the throne. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:16.339 And now mark this part, 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:18.819 and from the wrath of the lamb. 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:22.740 For the great day of their wrath has come 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.719 and who shall stand? 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.879 Instead of saying, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.300 I have it coming, 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.340 I deserve it, 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:30.180 and your judgment is just and holy, 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.220 men will, 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:32.800 instead of coming to grips 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.080 with the reality of their sin, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.680 will resist that fact. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.440 Let me have you look at another passage. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:41.120 Revelation chapter 16. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.700 How many of you ever just thought to yourself, 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:47.480 well, if guys would just make it a little clearer, 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:49.720 or if people could just figure it out, 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.500 it would be okay? 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:53.700 Remember I said the book of Revelation 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:55.759 is a very clear indicator 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.560 that what men lack 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:59.639 is not more information. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.840 Revelation chapter 16, verse 9. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.120 They were scorched by the fierce heat, 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.740 and they cursed the name of God 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.460 who had power over these plagues. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:12.259 They did not repent 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.800 and give him glory. 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:16.200 They knew who was causing the heartache. 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:18.800 This was not just the providential, 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.259 circumstantial happenings 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:22.520 of accidents that, 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.740 whoop, bang, there it is. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:25.240 Well, is it my fault? 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.620 Is it your fault? 00:16:25.640 --> 00:16:27.660 No, they knew this was God doing something 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:29.220 and trying to get their attention 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.580 and help them understand 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:32.560 the absolute hardness of their heart. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.240 Verse 11. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.040 And they cursed the God of heaven 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:38.420 for their pain and their sores, 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.220 and they did not repent 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.879 of their deeds. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.680 Verse 21. 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:47.199 And great hailstones, 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.659 about 100 pounds. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:52.120 How many of you have seen a hailstone 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:54.799 the size of a softball? 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.399 I never have, 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.199 other than on Google. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.139 You know, it's like, whoa. 00:16:58.859 --> 00:16:59.879 I mean, can you imagine 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:02.679 hailstones the size of softballs? 00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:06.259 Now, this is not a softball-sized hailstone. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:08.139 This is a 100-pound chunk of ice. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.360 And it says here, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.680 they were falling from heaven on people, 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.640 and they cursed God 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:15.160 for the plague of the hail 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:17.360 because the plague was so severe. 00:17:17.800 --> 00:17:19.500 Now, why were they cursing God 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.320 for his judgment against them? 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.540 Because of the hardness 00:17:22.540 --> 00:17:24.040 and the darkness of their heart. 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.940 So I want you to understand this morning, 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:27.480 as you look, 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:29.220 going back to John chapter 3, 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:31.240 that when John the apostle 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.000 opens up here in verse 17 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.840 and says, hey, listen, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.220 let me make it clear, 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:37.940 God did not send his son into the world 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.980 to judge the world, 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:40.400 but to offer salvation. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:44.200 He wants the unbelieving world 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:47.360 to understand the heart of God 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:48.799 as merciful and gracious, 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.740 tender, long-suffering, 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.539 and compassionate, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.059 and God's desire 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:55.079 is that not any should perish, 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.880 but all should come to everlasting life. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.940 And so I want you to understand this morning 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.799 that the Spirit wants us to marvel 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:05.839 at the mercy and the grace of God 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.359 who offers salvation to us. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:11.419 I trust that that is one of the things 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:14.299 that gives you that buoyant sense 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.759 of confidence and hope 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:17.879 that you know for certain 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:19.639 that salvation is of the Lord 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:21.319 and there is no one 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.720 that is beyond the shadow, 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.720 beyond the pale 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:26.539 of his ability to save. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.039 Earlier in the week, 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.879 I had the opportunity 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.839 of sharing the gospel 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.439 with two men 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:33.019 had come to clean out my drain. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.959 You buy a new house 00:18:34.959 --> 00:18:35.639 and you find out 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.559 that the drains are plugged. 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:36.819 You know, 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.000 there are lots of surprises 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.679 in home ownership. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:42.319 And so I figured 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.480 that they needed supervision. 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.159 I'm down there, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.359 you know, 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.579 just watching and figuring out, 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:45.779 you know, 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.919 if I'm going to be a drain cleaner 00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:47.740 later in my life, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.279 I need to have 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.099 a little bit of experience. 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.699 So I'm on the job 00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:51.240 watching them, 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:51.980 grinding it out. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.959 And you know what? 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.699 I did not wear 00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:55.879 my turned-around collar. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.039 I was in blue jeans 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.639 and a gruddy-looking old shirt. 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:00.140 But somehow or another, 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.300 we got to talking about, 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.280 guess who? 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:04.840 First about life. 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:05.620 And I mean, 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.580 they were right there. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.240 Tattoos on both arms 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.360 and pretty impressive. 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:09.900 And you know, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.680 guy said, 00:19:11.780 --> 00:19:12.300 hey, look here. 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:13.680 I mean, 00:19:13.800 --> 00:19:14.860 there was so much ink. 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.900 I am not a tattoo expert, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.640 so I just want to... 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:21.500 Do you see it? 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.040 No. 00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:22.960 What is it? 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.820 It's a cross. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.259 Okay. 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:26.519 Well, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.879 it was a pretty fantastic cross. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.659 It wasn't one 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.579 that was traditional. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.740 It was very unusual. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.799 And they said, 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.119 do you see that? 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.000 Well, 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.759 that I could see. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.379 It was a devil. 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.019 And I said, 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.200 yeah, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:39.799 I got that one. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.339 That's a devil. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.740 And then somewhere 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.919 in the midst of just 00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.899 hundreds of other 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:44.980 little dots and things, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.559 he said, 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.200 do you see that? 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.559 I said, 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.439 no. 00:19:47.899 --> 00:19:48.939 Those are two eyes. 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:49.460 That's me. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.339 He says, 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.619 and the devil's fighting for me 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.039 and Jesus is fighting for me. 00:19:54.239 --> 00:19:54.719 And I said, 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:54.919 well, 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:55.579 I'll tell you what, 00:19:55.699 --> 00:19:56.879 it's better than that. 00:19:57.979 --> 00:19:58.979 I want to tell you 00:19:58.979 --> 00:20:00.259 the sweetness of the gospel 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.779 is this, 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.359 is that God sent his son 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.979 not to condemn the world, 00:20:04.199 --> 00:20:05.259 but that through him 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:07.099 all men might be saved. 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:09.599 And I want you to know 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.059 this morning 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.839 when you think about 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.759 this verse, 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:14.399 the thing that the spirit of God 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.419 wants us to understand 00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:17.059 is that God sent his son 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.939 for our sakes, 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:19.239 to be our savior, 00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.219 to help us 00:20:20.219 --> 00:20:21.679 in the absolute despair 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:23.000 of our life. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.539 And so there's a sense 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:28.039 in which this repetition, 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.380 and you have to admit 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.480 that it is repetitious, 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.120 I mean, 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.539 what's it say in verse 16? 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.980 For God so loved the world, 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.299 right? 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.740 And then in verse 17, 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.200 God didn't send his son 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.740 into the world 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.700 to condemn the world. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.180 Connected. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.160 So we understand 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.400 that in this repetition 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.440 there is a desire 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:47.120 in the heart of God 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.400 to make it clear 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:52.000 that men need salvation 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.019 and Christ came 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.880 to be their savior. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.140 Well, 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:56.240 if Christ came 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.040 to be our savior, 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.920 why are not more saved? 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:01.280 I mean, 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:02.060 that's a fair question, 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.480 isn't it? 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:03.960 I mean, 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.380 after all, 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:04.980 who is Jesus? 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.600 Let me give you 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.259 a couple illustrations 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.980 so you have this 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:10.019 fixed in your mind already. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.720 You'll remember 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:13.740 that when the water 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.680 into wine deal 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.440 pulled off, 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:15.759 remember, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.519 Jesus didn't ask 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.420 all the people 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.319 who were sitting around, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.539 do you think I can do it? 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.180 Do you believe I can do it? 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.819 What do you think? 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.519 Do you think I can? 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.180 No. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.099 Shambang, 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.640 what happened? 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.980 Just ordinary 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:30.819 Palestinian water 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:33.879 became top shelf wine. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.200 And how did it happen? 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.039 It happened 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.200 by the power of God. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.779 And so when you think 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.460 about this business 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.180 of salvation 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.859 and you stop 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.480 and recognize 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.720 God sent his son 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.380 to be the savior 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.940 of the world, 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.200 why are not more saved? 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.299 Well, 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.579 actually, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.620 I want you to recognize 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.660 in the following verses, 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.960 beginning there in verse 18, 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.240 carrying on down to 21, 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.539 we find that Christ 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.680 is actually a divider. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.480 The light of the world 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:03.799 draws, 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.819 but also repels. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.720 So let me break down 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.620 the next few verses 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:10.900 into several 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.559 very simple truths. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.559 believers. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:13.639 First, 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:16.019 we find in verse 18 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.500 that God divides mankind 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:19.480 into two separate groups, 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.179 believers 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:21.679 and unbelievers. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.359 Look at the verse. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.200 Whoever believes in him, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.919 that's the believers, 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.019 whoever believes in him 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.919 is not condemned. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.419 But whoever does not believe 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.440 is condemned already 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.519 because he has not believed 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.220 in the name of the 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.980 only 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.179 son of God. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.919 And so, 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:39.179 you may not be thinking 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:40.339 about this this morning, 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.059 but here is the absolute 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.339 gospel truth. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.819 All mankind 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:47.059 falls into two categories, 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.919 one of two different groups. 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:52.679 Those who have trusted in Christ 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:55.720 and those who are rejecting him. 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.919 Those who've come to faith 00:22:57.919 --> 00:23:00.220 and those who refuse 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.779 the call and the work of Christ. 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.299 So, 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:05.759 let's think with this, 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.759 about this just for a moment 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.879 and recognize that a believer 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.960 is one who believes 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.020 that God sent Jesus 00:23:10.020 --> 00:23:10.840 to be your Savior. 00:23:11.780 --> 00:23:12.760 That's what is meant 00:23:12.760 --> 00:23:13.620 in verse 18. 00:23:14.280 --> 00:23:15.220 Believes in him. 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:15.500 It's like, 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:15.760 yeah, 00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:17.020 I believe there is Jesus. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.400 I mean, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.500 remember over in James 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.920 it says, 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.540 you believe there is one God, 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.320 you're doing well, 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.440 even the demons believe 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.880 and that doesn't rescue them. 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.360 So, 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.600 what is it saying really 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.160 when it says 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.860 that salvation 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.680 is the matter 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.760 of believing in Jesus? 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.720 It's not just believing 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:32.800 in the historical fact, 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:35.340 but it's coming to grips 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:37.220 that Jesus is real 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.720 and he is real to you 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.319 and he makes a world 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.980 of difference 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.059 in your life. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.720 Believing in his name 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:46.679 means believing 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.759 that you need a Savior 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:50.359 and that you recognize 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.819 you have no hope 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:54.119 apart from his finished work 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.839 on the cross. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.859 Why is it 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:59.379 that I have abiding confidence 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.659 that the day I draw 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.839 my last breath, 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.480 I will wake up in eternity 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.420 and I will enjoy 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.660 the presence of Christ? 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.740 Not because I look back 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.579 across the record 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.720 of my miserable life 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.039 and say, 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.680 well, you know what, 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.339 Tim, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.539 at least you've been 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.620 on the uphill journey 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.799 and you're getting better 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.400 all the time. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.500 Well, that's the work of God, 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:18.980 not me. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.259 And I want you to understand 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.019 that when I stop 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.759 and think about it, 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.460 it's Christ who saved me. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.059 I want you to recognize 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.700 something else 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.740 as you look at verse 18. 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.460 The unbeliever 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.779 really rejects the truth 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.579 that God sent his Son 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:33.720 to be the Savior of mankind. 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.699 Look at the passage. 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.460 It says, 00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.859 whoever does not believe 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.699 is condemned already 00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:40.279 because he has not believed 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.379 in the name 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:43.119 of the only Son of God. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.379 It's stunning 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.419 for us to really stop 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:46.939 and ponder 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:49.519 just how arrogant 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:51.220 this rejection is. 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.639 It's not just among 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:55.759 jihadis in Iraq 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:57.119 or in Afghanistan 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.500 or rebels in Africa. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.579 America, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.500 the depravity of man 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.680 abounds everywhere 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.859 you turn. 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.779 One of the things 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.940 that I was really struck by, 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:08.599 just deeply affected by, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.539 was the fact 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:09.940 that I was doing 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.640 some research 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.680 and came across 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.299 the fact that 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.599 the state of Ohio 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:16.319 ranks around about fifth 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:18.200 in human trafficking 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.180 and sexual slavery. 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.079 Can you imagine that? 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.079 Let me say that again slowly 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.880 so you can appreciate 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.640 what's being said. 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.880 There are how many states? 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.779 This is not 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.559 a political question. 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.899 The answer is 50, okay? 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.099 So some of you 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.579 are wondering, 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.420 you've been in Washington 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.039 too long 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.559 and you don't know 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.359 what the answer is. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:33.859 It's 50. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.579 And we are where? 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.539 Fifth. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.039 You stop and think, 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.460 the depravity of man's hearts 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.220 is evident everywhere you go. 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:50.539 Everywhere you go. 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.980 It follows then, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:55.620 given the truth 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.660 that God sent His Son 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.279 to save men 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.579 that we want to know why. 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.299 Why is it? 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.660 Why would men not believe? 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.500 Why would they reject salvation? 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.299 The answer that follows 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.539 actually is there 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.740 very clearly for us 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:11.180 in verses 19 through 21. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.599 And as we follow the verses, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.420 we understand, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.120 for one thing, 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.460 that men do not just 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.140 wander away 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.220 to their own destruction 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.559 ignorantly in the dark. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.620 I want you to recognize this. 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:26.059 Men do not just slip away 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:28.079 and fall into eternity 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.899 in darkness 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:30.519 with complete oblivion 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.359 of their condition. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.559 Just as being a fool, 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.679 I want you to follow 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.379 very carefully 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.079 because this is worth 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.619 thinking about. 00:26:37.939 --> 00:26:39.239 Just as being a fool. 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.019 Now what's the difference 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:42.019 between doing foolish things 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.759 and being a fool? 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.279 How many of you know 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.759 the difference? 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.500 Smile at me if you do. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.979 We all on occasion 00:26:48.979 --> 00:26:50.159 do foolish things, 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.159 okay? 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:53.099 A fool is someone 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.519 who's making a career choice 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.500 to stay that way. 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.119 Got that? 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.599 A fool is someone 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.819 who's making a career choice 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.679 to stay that way. 00:27:02.199 --> 00:27:02.739 I mean, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.500 we've all done 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.639 boneheaded things. 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.619 But then when 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.500 the Holy Spirit 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.459 and our family 00:27:08.459 --> 00:27:10.439 and officers of the court 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:11.059 or whatever else 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.599 come aside 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.379 and give us 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:13.459 a little gentle tap 00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:13.859 to say, 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.039 not good, 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.259 I got that. 00:27:16.979 --> 00:27:17.879 I'll work to change. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:20.160 A fool is someone 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.240 who makes a career choice. 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.240 I'm going to keep doing that. 00:27:22.300 --> 00:27:23.140 I don't care what you say. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.920 It's what I want to do 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.480 and hey. 00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.200 I want you to understand 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.160 rejecting Christ 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.860 is a deliberate 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:30.060 and conscious choice. 00:27:30.260 --> 00:27:31.880 Listen to the indictment 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.360 of Scripture 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:33.060 against man. 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:34.900 You look there 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.860 in the passage 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.420 going back 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.040 just a little bit 00:27:37.040 --> 00:27:37.920 to John 1, 00:27:38.040 --> 00:27:38.880 verse 4 and 5. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.180 It says, 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.799 the light has come 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.380 into the world. 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:44.320 There in verse 19 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:45.180 we see the same thing. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.480 It says, 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:46.519 the light has come 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.000 into the world 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.660 and in essence 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:49.259 what John the apostle 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.720 is doing 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.759 is reciting 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.820 what he's already said. 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.680 So I want you to turn back 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.380 just for a second 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.740 to John 1, 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.360 verse 4. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.779 It says, 00:27:56.580 --> 00:27:57.759 in him was life 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.600 and the life 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.960 was the light of men. 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.160 The light shines 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.320 in the darkness 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:03.380 and the darkness 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:05.000 has not overcome it. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.259 Instead of stepping 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.000 into the realm 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.779 where truth 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:11.380 and grace operate, 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.119 men consciously 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.259 and deliberately 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.700 choose the dark. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.579 Their deliberate choice 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:19.380 is not an accident 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:20.460 or an act of ignorance. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.119 It is a willful act 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:25.539 to suit their wicked hearts. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.480 I remember many years ago 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:30.740 early on in my ministry 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.640 we had a break-in 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.460 out in the garage 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.000 out here 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.819 and this was before 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:36.160 we had a lot of security lights 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.880 here on the property 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.559 and I remember 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.980 that those who were involved 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.079 in caring for the property 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.819 suggested, 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.299 well, 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.139 we need to put 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.059 a security light up. 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:44.500 I said, 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.799 how much does that cost a month? 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.139 It was $12 back then. 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:49.000 I thought, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.980 not on your life. 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.019 We're not spending 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.779 $12 on some light. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.720 Now why, 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.240 you look around, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.059 how many do we have? 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.139 In fact, 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.099 when one of them burns out 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.700 we get an email 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.399 from somebody saying, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.819 did you know 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.700 you got a light turned out? 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.359 Put another bulb in. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.559 You know, 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:04.839 it's like, 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.500 why is it that light 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.279 makes a difference? 00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:08.979 It's because men love darkness. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.819 Men love darkness. 00:29:12.939 --> 00:29:14.039 Thieves hate the light. 00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:17.419 Thieves hate security cameras. 00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:19.419 One of the interesting things 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.279 is to go into a store 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.079 and watch people 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.859 who you're wondering 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.919 about their intentions. 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:24.439 You know, 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.959 those who just are out there 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.399 to shop, 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.319 they're kind of buzzing around 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.139 looking at shelves. 00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:30.859 Do you know there are people 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.419 that specialize 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.419 in loss prevention? 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:32.679 Do you know 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.779 what loss prevention is? 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.660 Stopping people 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.240 from stealing. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.060 Do you know what people 00:29:37.060 --> 00:29:37.560 who specialize 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:39.019 in loss prevention watch? 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.200 People who are looking up. 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.100 Do you know 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.160 what people are looking up for? 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.460 Not for the coming of Jesus. 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.860 They're trying to figure out 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.060 where they can get away with it. 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:52.960 Okay? 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.060 And so I want you 00:29:54.060 --> 00:29:54.519 to understand 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.620 as you think about the truth 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:57.320 that the Bible makes it clear 00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:59.660 that men love darkness 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:02.540 when the heart is pure 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.660 and the conscience is clear, 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.420 there's no desire 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.519 to hide from the light. 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.340 Where sin is, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.000 there's a desire to hide. 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.519 Furthermore, 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.640 as you look in the passage, 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.960 go back to John chapter 3, 00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:14.560 let's just mark 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:15.200 what we read there 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.840 in verse 20. 00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:16.740 It says, 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.700 for everyone who does 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.300 wicked things 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:19.220 hates the light. 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.160 Hates the light. 00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:25.420 I'll never forget years ago 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.380 when I was in seminary, 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:28.560 I was a paint contractor 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.500 and there was a home 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.820 that had burned 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:31.780 under suspicious 00:30:31.780 --> 00:30:34.500 circumstances. 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.700 You've heard the saying 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:37.800 that spontaneous combustion 00:30:37.800 --> 00:30:39.200 is where the mortgage papers 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:41.200 and the insurance papers 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.060 get too close together. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.680 Have you ever heard that? 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:43.940 Okay? 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.600 Well, this home 00:30:45.600 --> 00:30:47.180 was an absolute dump. 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:47.660 I mean, 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.080 it was the dumpiest dump 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.980 that I can remember, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.180 at least at that time. 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.720 And for whatever reason, 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:54.060 I was hired to paint 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.740 in this house. 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:57.339 And the guy who hired me, 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.180 the insurance agent, 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.440 said, 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.660 listen, 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.440 all I want you to do 00:30:59.440 --> 00:30:59.980 is put it back 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.960 in the shape it was. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.200 Yeah, 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.039 I saw that look. 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.460 It was a challenge 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.440 for my conscience 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.059 to do that, 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.599 but that's what he did. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.839 I remember going into 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.980 one of the rooms 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.900 and deciding that, 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.120 you know, 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.319 I mean, 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.059 I had to paint the windows 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.200 so I thought I'd lift the window 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.640 just to see, 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.019 you know, 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.680 painters want to know 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.519 whether the windows work 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.460 before they paint them. 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:21.880 Okay? 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.120 And so I remember 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.819 the window was 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.319 kind of halfway open 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:28.039 so I moved the window up 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.759 and there were cockroaches 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.399 that were just, 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:30.799 I mean, 00:31:30.899 --> 00:31:33.199 they were back to back 00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:33.979 and belly to belly 00:31:33.979 --> 00:31:39.539 across the window sill. 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:39.759 No, 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:41.079 the sill is on the bottom part. 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.019 What is it? 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:43.519 Pardon? 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.019 The sash. 00:31:45.179 --> 00:31:45.319 I mean, 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:46.619 and when I moved that, 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.179 I mean, 00:31:47.219 --> 00:31:47.819 there are like about 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:49.359 30 or 40 cockroaches 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.819 that suddenly sprinted 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.599 for the dark. 00:31:52.439 --> 00:31:53.599 I thought to myself, 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.299 ah, 00:31:54.679 --> 00:31:56.379 I can't believe 00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:58.359 I'm going to work here. 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:02.059 And one of the things I did, 00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:02.939 I thought, 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.279 you know, 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.919 if they don't like light 00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.960 and I don't like them, 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.759 I think the idea is what? 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.960 More light is better. 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.019 Here's the deal. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.359 It's not just cockroaches 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:14.240 that don't like the light. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.179 Sinners don't like the light. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.460 Sinners don't like 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.319 to be exposed. 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:23.700 Sinners want to hide. 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.240 I kind of chuckle 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.319 when I think about politicians. 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.740 Isn't it standard 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.380 for politicians 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:28.940 to tell you 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.720 that their administration 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.240 is going to be 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.980 the most transparent? 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.519 I mean, 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:32.819 it's like, 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.279 really? 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.860 Men who engage 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.759 in lies 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:41.319 hate the light. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.140 Now, 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.240 I want you to look 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.460 at the closing part. 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.740 We can understand 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:49.859 wicked, 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.299 disobedient, 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.440 rebellious hearts 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.319 don't want to hear 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.880 the truth. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.059 Turn it off. 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.200 I'm out of here. 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.559 There's something 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:00.599 very interesting 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:02.819 in verse 21. 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:05.079 But whoever does 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.720 what is truth 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.420 comes to the light 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.819 so that it may be 00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.559 clearly seen 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.220 that his works 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.500 have been carried out 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.500 in God. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:13.579 God. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.220 Remember I said 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:19.779 that where you find 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.960 the responsibility 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:22.440 of the heart of man 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:24.240 and the sovereignty 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.779 of God 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.559 in salvation 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.400 in close proximity, 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:27.960 they're hard 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.660 to put together. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:29.799 But God puts 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.700 both pieces there. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.140 You look 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.000 and the answer 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.799 to the question, 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.759 why are men 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.500 not saved? 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:35.960 Well, 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.240 because they choose 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.359 the darkness. 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.299 That's what it says. 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.460 They hate the light 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.480 and they choose 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.240 the darkness. 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.079 They don't want 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:45.019 their deeds exposed. 00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:46.519 But listen to verse 21. 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.839 Give you a summary of it. 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.680 It says it this way, 00:33:50.860 --> 00:33:51.880 believers come to the light 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:53.380 so that God can be glorified. 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:58.039 The believer does not 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:59.140 prance into the light 00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.779 to get credit 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.960 for being a wonderful person. 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.519 Do you understand that? 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.960 That's what this verse 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.599 is telling us 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:06.039 is that when men 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.900 come into the light, 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:09.039 they're coming into the light 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.679 so someone else 00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.159 gets credit. 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.300 I think that's pretty 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.179 important to understand 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:14.400 and you need to put 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.260 your finger on it, 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:15.559 okay? 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.059 See, 00:34:17.740 --> 00:34:18.380 verse 21 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.579 is not saying 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:21.480 that those of us 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.980 who were good people, 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.039 we kind of march 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.539 into the light 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:24.780 and say, 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:25.179 hey, 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.420 do you see how good I am? 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.920 I'm just the most 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.599 wonderful person. 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:30.079 I am the best neighbor. 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.460 I'm the kind of person 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.039 that you want 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.780 to spend time with. 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.280 I am just sweet 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:35.820 and lovable 00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:37.039 and I'm always going 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.800 to think good things 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:37.960 about, 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.199 you know, 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.219 that's not it. 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.420 That's not it. 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.940 The believer 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:44.019 walks into the light 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.820 and this is what 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.679 the passage says. 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.119 The believer 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:47.079 walks into the light 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.119 so that it can 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.559 clearly be seen 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:51.039 that what has happened 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.960 is a miracle 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.480 of God's doing. 00:34:54.740 --> 00:34:55.940 That little part 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.800 towards the end 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.780 of verse 21 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.599 says, 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.179 so it can clearly 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.740 be seen 00:35:00.740 --> 00:35:01.440 that his works 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.219 have been carried 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:03.300 out in God. 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.320 Turn in your Bibles 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.460 to Colossians 1 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.280 verse 29. 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.940 Colossians 1 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.619 verse 29. 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:15.699 And we're going 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.220 to come back 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:17.619 to John 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.500 so stay with there. 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:20.099 Don't take your finger 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:20.539 out of there 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.280 but we're going 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.099 to look at Colossians 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.920 just for a minute. 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:24.320 I love this text. 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.559 Colossians 1 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.420 verse 29. 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.780 For this I toil, 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:35.460 struggling with all, 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:37.300 what's the next word? 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.400 Look at it. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:40.079 Not my face. 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.740 I'm not growing a horn. 00:35:42.740 --> 00:35:43.440 I mean, 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.840 look in the Bible. 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:45.740 Okay? 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.699 For this I toil, 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:49.720 struggling with, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.179 what's the next word? 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.400 His. 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:53.880 Energy 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:55.320 that he powerfully 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.420 works within me. 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:59.519 How does Tim Kenoyer 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.800 know he is saved? 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:03.159 It's because 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:05.000 I see the evidence 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.339 of someone else 00:36:06.339 --> 00:36:07.739 helping me do things 00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:09.399 I couldn't do 00:36:09.399 --> 00:36:10.399 myself. 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.359 Go back 00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:17.199 to John chapter 3. 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:22.119 Let me put it this way 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.460 for you 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.980 and have it stick 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.500 in your mind. 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.019 When the believer 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:28.139 tells his story, 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.279 the hero is Jesus. 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:32.279 I want to make that clear. 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:36.859 this Tuesday, 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.579 I will preach 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.679 my father's 00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:41.239 memorial service. 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:46.500 I think it's reasonable 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.159 for a son 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.819 to think highly 00:36:47.819 --> 00:36:48.440 of his dad. 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.420 But I want you 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.079 to hear me say it 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.599 this morning. 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:55.399 My dad's not 00:36:55.399 --> 00:36:56.440 the hero of his story. 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.460 Jesus is. 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:03.099 John chapter 4, 00:37:03.139 --> 00:37:03.800 verse 29, 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:04.920 and we'll close 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.400 with this. 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.699 I love 00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:12.460 the story 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:12.860 of the woman 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.420 at the well. 00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.780 I like it 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.619 because her life's 00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.159 a mess. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:26.639 serialized marriage 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.480 and prostitution 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.059 are not 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:29.799 radically separate. 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.599 Do you follow that? 00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:33.159 And here's a woman 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:34.699 who Jesus comes to 00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:35.960 and he says, 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.239 hey, 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:37.779 you need living water. 00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:38.199 And she says, 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:38.339 well, 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:38.859 give it to me. 00:37:38.899 --> 00:37:39.119 And he says, 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.899 go get your husband. 00:37:41.399 --> 00:37:41.879 He says, 00:37:41.899 --> 00:37:42.559 I don't have one. 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:42.819 She said, 00:37:42.819 --> 00:37:43.219 you're right 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:43.879 because you've been 00:37:43.879 --> 00:37:44.759 married five times 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.500 and you're shacking up 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.320 with somebody now. 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.780 And then God 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:53.039 brings salvation 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.699 into her life 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:54.480 and she's saved. 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:54.820 And do you know 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.340 what she does? 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.800 She runs into town. 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:56.980 Now, 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:57.639 what does she say 00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:58.639 when she gets into town? 00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:59.000 Do you know? 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:01.079 I love this part. 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.980 I love this part. 00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:04.760 Look at the passage. 00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.480 Verse 29, 00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:07.280 so the woman 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:08.179 left her water jar 00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:08.699 and went away 00:38:08.699 --> 00:38:09.079 into town 00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:09.760 and said to the people, 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.119 come, 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.460 see a man 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:12.059 who told me 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.519 all that I ever did. 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:22.420 How could that broken 00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:23.760 and wicked woman 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:24.679 say that 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:27.559 apart from understanding 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.599 the complete forgiveness 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:30.079 of Christ in her life? 00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:31.480 Do you understand that? 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.820 So what should I do? 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:43.119 I want you to understand 00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:44.500 the passage is simple. 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:47.300 God sent his son 00:38:47.300 --> 00:38:48.340 into this world 00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:49.639 not to condemn the world. 00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.559 There will be a day 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.019 of judgment 00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:51.900 and Jesus will be 00:38:51.900 --> 00:38:52.860 the one who's judging. 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:56.159 But at this time 00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:56.920 as you hear 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:58.119 the presentation 00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:59.039 of the sweetness 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.840 of the gospel, 00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:00.960 it is this, 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.260 Christ Jesus came 00:39:02.260 --> 00:39:02.960 to save you 00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:04.019 from your sins 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:06.139 and to take away 00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:07.139 the complete burden 00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:07.679 and guilt 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:08.340 and shame 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:10.340 that Satan 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.599 has afflicted you 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.320 and terrified 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.059 with you. 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.800 Terrified you with. 00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:18.260 So I want you 00:39:18.260 --> 00:39:18.760 to understand 00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:19.320 this morning 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:22.380 the plea 00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:23.239 of scripture 00:39:23.239 --> 00:39:23.880 is this, 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.880 be reconciled 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:25.460 to Christ. 00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.880 Come to him. 00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.059 Understand 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.980 that Christ 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:31.460 Jesus 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:32.420 came to be 00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:33.000 your savior 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:34.500 and it would be 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:35.559 a horrible, 00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:37.340 eternally 00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:37.500 condemning 00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.500 choice 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.800 choice 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:42.320 to walk away 00:39:42.320 --> 00:39:44.059 from the gift 00:39:44.059 --> 00:39:44.659 he offers you 00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:45.199 this morning. 00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.300 Let's close 00:39:47.300 --> 00:39:47.679 in prayer. 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:53.119 Our Father God 00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:53.579 as we 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:55.239 take this passage 00:39:55.239 --> 00:39:55.719 in hand 00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:56.559 and we just revel 00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.179 in the sweetness 00:39:57.179 --> 00:39:57.820 of Christ, 00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:00.059 we who know 00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.780 the Lord Jesus 00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:03.159 stop and recognize 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:03.800 that the hero 00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:04.719 of our story 00:40:04.719 --> 00:40:06.199 is not us. 00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:10.019 we were broken, 00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.039 ruined 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:13.799 on our 00:40:13.799 --> 00:40:15.079 deliberate way 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:15.839 towards hell 00:40:15.839 --> 00:40:16.259 and you 00:40:16.259 --> 00:40:17.059 in your kindness 00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:18.099 found us 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:19.639 and drew us 00:40:19.639 --> 00:40:20.419 to the cross. 00:40:21.879 --> 00:40:22.599 And this morning 00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.239 that offer 00:40:23.239 --> 00:40:23.960 of salvation 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.739 through complete 00:40:24.739 --> 00:40:25.199 forgiveness 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:25.719 in the Lord 00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:26.460 Jesus Christ 00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:27.480 is available 00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:28.199 to those 00:40:28.199 --> 00:40:28.919 who sit here 00:40:28.919 --> 00:40:29.460 this morning 00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:30.500 under the hearing 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:30.919 of the word 00:40:30.919 --> 00:40:31.339 of God 00:40:31.339 --> 00:40:32.159 and sense 00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:32.899 the prompting 00:40:32.899 --> 00:40:33.559 of the spirit 00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:34.139 that says 00:40:34.139 --> 00:40:34.940 you don't have 00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:36.079 to stay there. 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.119 You don't have 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:37.699 to carry 00:40:37.699 --> 00:40:38.440 that burden 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.379 of sin anymore. 00:40:39.799 --> 00:40:40.519 You may have 00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.579 complete forgiveness 00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:44.119 but you have 00:40:44.119 --> 00:40:44.960 to humble yourself. 00:40:46.259 --> 00:40:46.960 You have to come 00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.639 as a broken 00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:50.400 contrite sinner 00:40:50.400 --> 00:40:50.900 that says 00:40:50.900 --> 00:40:51.500 I deserve 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.039 the judgment 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:52.980 of a holy God 00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:55.239 but I hear 00:40:55.239 --> 00:40:55.699 the word 00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:56.679 that Christ Jesus 00:40:56.679 --> 00:40:58.179 died in my place 00:40:58.179 --> 00:41:00.039 and I want 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:00.500 his blood 00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:02.019 attached to my account. 00:41:04.139 --> 00:41:08.199 And that's 00:41:08.199 --> 00:41:08.559 our prayer 00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:09.179 this morning. 00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:10.779 In Jesus' name. 00:41:11.779 --> 00:41:12.599 Let's stand together.