WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.680 Good morning, church. 00:00:01.880 --> 00:00:05.740 Our sermon text today is from John chapter 17, verses 1 through 5. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:09.700 It can be found in your pew Bibles on page 849. 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:15.060 And here we continue with Jesus on the last night of his earthly life. 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:19.800 He has just finished a long session teaching the disciples where he explained that he is 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:22.300 the way, the truth, and the life. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:27.800 And because of this, he told the disciples that they should abide in him like a vine's 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:30.820 branches abide in the vine itself. 00:00:31.420 --> 00:00:35.600 And Jesus further prophesied his own imminent departure from this world. 00:00:36.120 --> 00:00:42.520 But he also gave assurance of his victory on the cross, even while warning about coming 00:00:42.520 --> 00:00:43.539 tribulations. 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:50.179 And lastly, Jesus spoke to the disciples about the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who would 00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:53.620 soon come and turn the disciples' grief into joy. 00:00:53.619 --> 00:00:59.119 Now, in the passage we have before us, Jesus carries out one of his final acts before he 00:00:59.119 --> 00:00:59.699 is arrested. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:01.859 He prays a prayer. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:08.560 And before we read his prayer, let's offer up a prayer of our own to God. 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:15.719 Father, we come to you today in the name of your son, Jesus. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:21.359 Father, we're about to read one of the last things he prayed before he was crucified. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:28.019 And we ask that you give us insight and discernment about his prayer. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:29.719 Teach us, Father. 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:33.159 Teach us, through the prayer of Jesus, to be like Jesus. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:38.500 Teach us to pray like him, to desire what he desired, and to give you glory like he gave 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:39.019 you glory. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:41.500 And we pray this in his name. 00:01:42.960 --> 00:01:43.400 Amen. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:49.560 So Jesus' prayer goes like this. 00:01:49.800 --> 00:01:53.440 Again, we're in chapter 17, verse 1 through 5 of the Gospel of John. 00:01:54.260 --> 00:01:58.560 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, 00:01:58.760 --> 00:02:01.260 Father, the hour has come. 00:02:02.660 --> 00:02:06.120 Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:12.039 Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:12.840 have given him. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:19.719 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:20.180 have sent. 00:02:20.759 --> 00:02:24.939 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:32.780 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory that I had with you before the 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:33.979 world existed. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:39.379 What is glory? 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:45.060 Jesus' whole prayer centers on this concept of glory. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:48.840 Jesus asked the Father to glorify him, that he may glorify the Father. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:52.579 He says that he was in the glory of the Father before the world existed. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:56.640 And he requests that he be glorified with that glory once again. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:59.900 But what is glory? 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:07.960 Our world will say that glory is that which is honorable or prestigious or that which is 00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:09.760 eminent or majestic or beautiful. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.740 And today, glorious things and glorious deeds and glorious people are those who are famous 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:20.660 and attractive and wealthy and powerful. 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:26.060 And in a way, at least, Scripture agrees with this definition. 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:27.819 God is glorious. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:30.039 And that means he is majestic. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:32.079 He's indescribably beautiful. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:35.060 He's unimaginably powerful. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:37.900 He possesses more honor than we can put into words. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:40.400 And this is witnessed throughout all the Scriptures. 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:45.060 For example, we heard all these things in the passage that was read earlier today from 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:52.460 Revelation chapters 4 and 5, that famous heavenly throne room scene where John is taken up by 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:55.199 the Spirit into the throne room of God himself in heaven. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:59.500 And he sees God seated on a throne, surrounded by a rainbow. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:04.000 And from the throne come flashes of lightning, peals of thunder. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:08.439 And spread out before the throne is a sea of glass like crystal. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:17.620 And in the throne room are an uncountable number of angels focused on God and worshiping him. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:20.019 It's quite a glorious scene, isn't it? 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:22.560 Even by the world's definition of glory. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:26.579 But was this the glory that Jesus was praying for in his prayer? 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:29.699 Is this the glory that Jesus meant when he said, 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:32.479 Father, the hour has come. 00:04:33.039 --> 00:04:35.680 Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:41.199 Was he asking for power and authority and majesty? 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:46.579 Friends, what I'm going to say today is that when it comes to true glory, 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:51.279 the world, as with so many things, has understood part of the issue, 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:54.500 but is missing out on perhaps the most vital point. 00:04:55.419 --> 00:04:58.579 The glory that Jesus is praying for in our passage before us, 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:01.439 the true glory that Jesus asked for, 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:06.620 it does involve beauty and majesty and splendor and power. 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:11.060 And Jesus is no doubt alluding to that glorious throne room 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:12.839 that we heard about in Revelation, 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:15.299 where everything is focused on God. 00:05:16.479 --> 00:05:18.019 But there's something else too, 00:05:18.799 --> 00:05:20.240 something so important, in fact, 00:05:20.299 --> 00:05:22.279 that it involves the entire Christian message. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:27.039 And if we pay attention to the words of Jesus' prayer in our passage today, 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:32.180 I think Jesus himself gives us a clue about this missing aspect of true glory. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:34.020 You can find it in verse 1, 00:05:34.260 --> 00:05:35.200 where Jesus says, 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:37.460 Father, the hour has come. 00:05:39.020 --> 00:05:40.140 Glorify your Son. 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:46.000 Remember the hour it was when Jesus prayed this prayer. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:51.020 He prayed this the hour before he was going to be arrested and crucified. 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:53.639 And so the hour, 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:55.879 the hour that had come, 00:05:56.839 --> 00:06:00.939 was the hour when Jesus would sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:07.799 And this sacrifice is inextricably linked with the glory that Jesus prays for. 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:12.460 And so the true glory for which Jesus prays 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:18.639 is the glory of laying down his life as a ransom for many. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:22.540 This is the perfection of glory. 00:06:23.660 --> 00:06:25.280 And any definition of glory, 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:29.560 any explanation of real, true, authentic, and eternal biblical glory, 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:34.040 any seeking after the glory of God must understand 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:39.139 that true biblical glory involves humbly submitting to suffering. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:44.180 Jesus teaches us in his prayer that to obtain true glory, 00:06:44.340 --> 00:06:48.560 you must forsake earthly power and majesty and honor 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:51.660 and even lay your life down for others. 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:54.439 This is why in his earthly ministry, 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:57.079 Jesus would say the Son of Man came not to be served, 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:00.899 but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:07:02.359 --> 00:07:05.899 That is, Jesus did not come to gain earthly power and majesty. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:09.959 He came to lay his life down as a ransom for many 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:13.479 and by that to gain the perfection of eternal glory. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.819 And this is also why, 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:18.599 in that glorious heavenly throne room scene in Revelation, 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:21.459 with all the splendor and beauty and power and fame and honor 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.659 that's given to God in heaven, 00:07:23.419 --> 00:07:26.860 there also is Jesus standing on the throne of God 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.280 as a slain lamb. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:34.000 Do you remember that part of the passage that we heard earlier? 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.420 All the majesty of heaven is described in that passage, 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.759 the beauty and the grandeur, 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.120 and yet there on the throne with God 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.560 is a slain lamb, our dear Jesus, 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:46.819 who suffered for the sins of the world. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:51.600 And the passage says that all heaven cries out about Jesus, 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:54.879 worthy are you for you were slain. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:59.540 Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:03.760 and wisdom and might and honor and glory. 00:08:04.820 --> 00:08:07.560 Jesus is worthy to receive all these glorious things 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.040 because he was slain for us. 00:08:11.260 --> 00:08:15.080 You see, church, glory is not just what the world says it is. 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:20.500 True, biblical, godly glory is gained by joyfully suffering 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:24.319 and especially by suffering for the sake of others. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:28.199 This is the glory that Jesus asked for when he prayed to the Father, 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:32.039 the hour has come, glorify your son. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:36.719 And God answered his prayer. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:40.019 He did glorify him through the cross of his suffering. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.899 Brothers and sisters, 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:50.059 is this the glory you are seeking in your life? 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.719 Or are you seeking after the world's glory, 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:57.679 the glory that will not suffer and that will not risk 00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:59.839 and that will not sacrifice? 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:03.820 The kind of glory that lords it over everyone else. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:09.340 Because to seek the glory of God is to suffer for others like Jesus did. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.840 And this biblical glory is not unique to the Son of God. 00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:18.180 This glory is also shared by God the Father. 00:09:18.800 --> 00:09:21.639 If we turn to Jesus' prayer, we can see this very clearly. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:24.680 Jesus prays in John 17, verse 1, 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:25.560 The hour has come. 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:34.379 Here Jesus asks for that glory that we've spoken of, 00:09:34.439 --> 00:09:35.759 that suffering glory. 00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:39.339 But notice that just as Jesus the Son possesses 00:09:39.339 --> 00:09:42.819 and seeks that long-suffering, self-sacrificial glory, 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:48.339 so the Father also possesses that same sacrificial glory. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:53.120 The Son has this glory because he suffered by laying down his life. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:57.100 But the Father has this glory because he so loved the world, 00:09:57.860 --> 00:10:00.000 he sent his one and only Son to suffer. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:06.480 You see, church, Jesus' prayer for glory reveals this wonderful truth, 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:10.399 that God's glory is made perfect in suffering. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:14.860 The Son knows the glory of sacrificing himself for his enemies, 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:19.740 and the Father knows the glory of sending his Son to die for his enemies. 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:23.960 Therefore, God knows both what it is to sacrifice himself 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:28.159 and what it is to send his beloved Son as a sacrifice. 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:35.120 And in this, God's glory is perfected because he knows both of what it is to suffer 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:39.459 and what it is to have someone you love suffer. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.360 Friends, I wonder, 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:47.379 how are you suffering today? 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:52.959 Is God using that suffering in your life and working it into eternal glory 00:10:52.959 --> 00:10:54.480 like he did with his Son? 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:58.680 There are many kinds of suffering in this world, 00:10:58.820 --> 00:11:01.259 and we have many kinds of suffering in our church. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:04.399 But whatever you're suffering today, whatever it may be, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:08.120 all of it, whether you, when you humbly submit it to God, 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:12.779 will be used by God to make you more like God and to share in his glory. 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:16.800 This is the great secret of the Christian life, 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:21.420 that as a Christian, whenever you humbly submit to suffering, 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:25.219 then you draw closer to the one who humbly suffered for you, 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:30.500 and he will use your suffering for his glory and also for yours. 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:36.759 And this is true whether your suffering is in the form of physical pain or mental pain. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:40.759 It's true whether you've been harmed accidentally or harmed intentionally. 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:45.000 This is even true if you're suffering because of your own sin. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:50.019 Then, if you repent and submit your suffering to God, 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:54.899 God is so glorious and powerful that he will redeem your suffering 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:57.779 and make it work for good by the power of Jesus Christ. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:01.620 And so today, whether you're suffering because of the faith 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.559 or because you made a mistake, 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:07.019 whether you're suffering because someone you love is hurting 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:12.460 or even because you've hurt someone you love, 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:15.460 whatever the cause of your suffering, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:17.539 Jesus knows what it is like to suffer. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:19.759 And if you submit it to God, 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:22.759 then he will use it to make you more like him 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:24.519 and you'll share in his glory. 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:27.899 Therefore, church, if you're suffering in this hour, 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:31.419 be encouraged by the suffering of Jesus and his prayer for glory. 00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:33.480 Submit to suffering. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.500 Repent if you need to. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:39.440 And remember that there is an eternal weight of glory 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:41.580 prepared for you and your suffering. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:46.799 This is why the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Corinthians. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:47.460 He said, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:50.519 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:53.580 We're perplexed, but not driven to despair. 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:55.840 We're persecuted, but not forsaken. 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:58.399 Struck down, but not destroyed. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:02.379 We always carry in our bodies the death of Jesus 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:07.039 so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:11.759 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:17.200 that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.340 So we do not lose heart. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:23.439 Though our outer self is wasting away, 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:27.500 our inner self is being renewed day by day. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:33.919 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:35.720 beyond all comparison. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.279 As we look for the things that are seen, 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:41.799 as we look not to the things that are seen, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.340 but to the things that are unseen. 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:46.679 For the things that are seen are transient, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.440 but the things that are unseen are eternal. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:52.940 In Jesus' prayer for glory, 00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:55.260 Jesus was looking for those unseen things in heaven 00:13:55.260 --> 00:13:58.460 where that eternal weight of glory was being prepared for him 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.560 through his suffering. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:03.820 This is why we follow Scripture in calling Jesus the Lord of glory 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:06.880 and why we confess that Jesus holds all the power 00:14:06.880 --> 00:14:09.520 and all authority on account of the glory that he's been given. 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:13.180 If we return to Jesus' prayer in John chapter 17, 00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:15.940 we see that he speaks about this power 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:18.440 which he has been given as the Lord of glory. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:21.900 And also what our responsibility is to him because of it. 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:23.000 He says, 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.220 Father, the hour has come. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:27.080 Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:29.440 since you have given him authority over all flesh 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.640 to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.260 Now notice what Jesus says here. 00:14:35.880 --> 00:14:39.300 First, Jesus, as the Lord of glory, is in charge. 00:14:39.760 --> 00:14:42.320 God has given him authority over all flesh. 00:14:43.140 --> 00:14:47.080 So it doesn't matter who we are or where we are. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.759 It doesn't matter what color our skin is or what our language is. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:56.000 It doesn't matter what culture we are or even what our religion is. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:58.600 Whether we recognize it or not, 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:02.520 Jesus has authority over us and everyone else. 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:08.060 But he uses this authority to give eternal life to all whom the God, 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.400 God the Father, has given to him. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:16.480 God, in his mystical foreknowledge and from his great love, 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:21.659 has rescued those whom he chose from the wrath that was coming because of our sins. 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:24.819 And he's given us eternal life through Jesus Christ. 00:15:26.079 --> 00:15:28.439 The only responsibility that remains for us 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:30.259 is to humbly submit to his judgment 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:33.139 concerning the gift of eternal life. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:38.199 But what is this eternal life? 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.919 Jesus gives us the answer in verse 3. 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.379 He says, 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:43.740 And this is eternal life that they know you, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.360 the only true God, 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.740 and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.960 Jesus explains here that eternal life is to know God 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.559 and Jesus Christ whom he sent. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.240 And as the Lord of glory, 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:57.299 Jesus is the focus of all things. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.819 He's the focus of life itself. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:01.620 He's the ultimate goal, meaning, source, 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.780 the cause and result of all things. 00:16:04.140 --> 00:16:06.660 All things flow from him and all things flow to him. 00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:09.340 And so eternal life is to know him 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:11.960 and God the Father who sent him. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:16.080 Our responsibility, therefore, on this earth is to know Jesus. 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.200 And let me tell you, 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.740 there's nothing better than knowing Jesus. 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:24.080 Jesus continues his prayer. 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.080 In verse 4, he says, 00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:26.840 I glorified you on earth, 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:29.500 having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:33.480 Jesus glorified God the Father on earth 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.840 because he accomplished the work 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:36.519 that the Father gave him to do. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.440 But what was that work? 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.100 What was it actually? 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:43.340 Well, here is a beautiful truth, church. 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:48.960 The work which God gave Christ to perform was you. 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:52.500 That work was to save sinners, 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.420 even sinners like you. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:57.979 His work was to save you 00:16:57.979 --> 00:17:00.299 by defeating death on the cross 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.599 and rising on the third day. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.639 And according to Jesus' prayer, 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.480 he finished the job. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.000 It's already done. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.539 I said that nothing could be better 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:12.079 than knowing Jesus, the Lord of glory, 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.379 but perhaps I can say 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:16.059 the only thing better is if that work 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:19.899 of bringing about a reconciled relationship with God 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:21.920 is not just in the future, 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:23.640 but has already been done by God 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:25.140 on the cross. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.759 And in a way, 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:29.780 this wasn't just completed 2,000 years ago 00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:30.400 in Jerusalem 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.660 when Jesus was crucified on earth. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.240 This work goes all the way back 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:36.140 to the beginning of time itself. 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:38.040 In verse 5, Jesus prays, 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.780 And now, Father, 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:40.800 glorify me in your presence 00:17:40.800 --> 00:17:42.140 with the glory that I had with you 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:43.320 before the world existed. 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:46.960 Jesus explains that not only did he exist 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.919 before the world began, 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:50.059 but he was in glory 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.859 with God the Father 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:53.139 before the world began. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.939 And we must all understand 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.899 that by this glory, 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.359 Jesus means that true, 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:01.039 self-sacrificial, biblical glory 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:03.099 that only comes through suffering. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.359 You see, the Father and the Son 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.279 had this kind of glory 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.399 before the world began 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.899 because before time, 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:12.279 the Father, in his secret wisdom, 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:14.379 knew of his plan of salvation. 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:17.220 He knew that he would send his Son to die 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.240 and the Son knew 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.639 that he would lay his life down. 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.519 This is why I think 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.480 the best translations 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.000 of Revelation 13, 18 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:26.599 say that Jesus is a Lamb of God 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.500 who was slain 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.259 before the foundation of the world 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:32.220 because in a sense, he was. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.819 All of God's own suffering 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.519 was known by God with certainty 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.220 in his hidden wisdom 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.759 before the world began. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.579 And so, in a manner of speaking, 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.680 that suffering was known 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:45.079 and experienced by God 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.539 and therefore, 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.279 the Father and the Son 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.579 were in glory with one another 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.480 from the very beginning. 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.720 In his letters, 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.839 the Apostle Paul speaks 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.339 about God's glorious plan 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:55.960 of salvation 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.720 which he made 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.700 before all eternity 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.740 for glory. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:01.119 He says in 1 Corinthians 2, 7, 8, 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.159 But we impart a secret, 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.179 the hidden wisdom of God 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:06.339 which God decreed 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.000 before the ages 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.819 for our glory. 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.099 None of the rulers 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.539 of this age understood this 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.679 for if they had, 00:19:11.739 --> 00:19:12.799 they would not have crucified 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.119 the Lord of glory. 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.259 And Paul also says 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.799 in his letter to the Colossians, 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:19.759 1, 26 through 27, 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.219 he says, 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.879 The mystery hidden 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:23.479 for ages and generations 00:19:23.479 --> 00:19:24.939 but now revealed to the saints. 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:25.939 To them, 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.399 God chose to make known 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.699 how great among the Gentiles 00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.199 are the riches 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.519 of the glory of this mystery 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.299 which is Christ in you, 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.299 the hope of glory. 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.640 Friends, 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.680 the sum of what I'm saying 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.220 is this, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:39.059 just as God had plans 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.940 for his own glory 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.759 before the foundation 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.319 of the world, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:43.259 so he also had plans 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.160 for your glory 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.240 and just as he had plans 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.539 to use his own suffering 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.200 for glory, 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.380 so he also has plans 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.559 to make your suffering 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:53.279 into glory too. 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.640 Church, 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.640 if you're suffering today, 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.380 I want to tell you 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.420 that you are not forgotten 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.180 by God. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:02.000 For in the same way 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.559 that God knew 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.539 of his own suffering, 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.580 so he knows 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:05.500 of yours also. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.960 And in the same way 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.740 that God redeemed 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.660 his own suffering, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.120 so he will also 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.259 redeem yours. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.860 Your hardship 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.700 and your suffering 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.539 were known by God 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.220 before the beginning 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.860 of the world. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:19.480 Every drop you have bled, 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.660 every tear you have shed 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.160 has been known by God 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.279 and is known by God 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.039 from all eternity. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.220 And just as the Father 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.759 and Son 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.860 were together in glory 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.860 from the very beginning, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.440 so God is welcoming you 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.620 into his own life 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.039 through his suffering. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.819 And then through 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.539 your suffering, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.299 he's preparing 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.779 and strengthening you 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:43.519 to carry an eternal 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.360 weight of glory. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.259 Friends, 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.079 Jesus' prayer 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.660 has covered 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.440 many important points 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.819 in our Christian life. 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.819 glory, 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.200 eternal life, 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:56.259 knowing God, 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.359 the power 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.879 and sovereignty 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.500 of Jesus, 00:20:58.879 --> 00:21:00.139 the exclusive devotion 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.259 we owe to Jesus. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.619 And there are many ways 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.679 that these comfort us. 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.899 But I want to turn now 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:08.000 to address those of us 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.960 who may not find 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.519 all of these truths 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.460 about the authority 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.119 of Jesus 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.859 and his sovereignty 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.960 to be comforting, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.819 or perhaps to those 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.339 who struggle 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.059 with explaining 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.779 these truths 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.899 to others 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:20.720 in our community 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.399 and our world. 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.779 And let me give you 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.480 some examples. 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.639 Our world often claims 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.639 that there are many ways 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.240 to God 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.119 and many paths. 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.379 And because of this, 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.679 our world at times 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.639 can recoil 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.579 from the idea 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.019 that Jesus has authority 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.220 over everyone 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:37.159 or that he's the only way 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:37.819 to God 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:39.899 as Jesus prayed 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.619 in his prayer. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.639 Often also, 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.220 our world 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:45.279 and even our fleshly selves, 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:47.299 we desire to be in power, 00:21:47.439 --> 00:21:48.839 we desire to be in control, 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.519 we want to be in charge, 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.740 and so the idea 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.799 that eternal life 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.480 ultimately, 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.960 as Jesus prayed, 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.000 ultimately depends 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.619 not on us 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:57.420 but on God 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.920 and whom he chooses 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:01.460 can grate against us 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.339 and rankle us. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.980 Often we want to be 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.819 the ultimate arbiter 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.559 and decider 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.960 of our fate. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.420 And thirdly, 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.119 the world can also 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.779 be aggravated 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.359 by the idea 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.079 that for Christians, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.779 eternal life 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.500 is to know God 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.440 and Jesus Christ 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:17.339 as Jesus makes clear 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.059 in his prayer. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.799 this kind of knowing 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.220 or this kind of knowledge 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.980 can make Christians 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.379 sometimes come off 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:25.599 as arrogant know-it-alls 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.899 and sadly, 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.679 we can all think 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.639 of times 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.519 when this has happened. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.259 So these three truths 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.200 that Jesus prays about 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.700 in his prayer 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.440 can for some 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.079 be troubling 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.519 instead of comforting. 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.099 The notion 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.179 that Jesus has authority 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:40.019 over all people 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.779 or that he gives 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.480 eternal life 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.319 to those whom God 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:42.940 has chosen 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.139 or thirdly, 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.919 that eternal life 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.759 is to know God 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.700 and Jesus Christ. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.120 But friends, 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.620 if you're troubled 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.700 by one or all of these, 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.620 if you find some of them 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.920 difficult to accept, 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.640 then I want to suggest 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.340 a different way 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:56.140 of looking at them, 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.440 a way that I hope 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.340 will help you appreciate 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.019 their beauty 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.720 and their glory. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.840 Let's start with 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.779 Jesus' power 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.420 and authority 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.319 over all flesh. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.900 As we've read this morning 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.940 in Jesus' prayer, 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.680 he possesses power 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.600 over all peoples 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.720 and over all nations, 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.799 over every tribe 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.860 and over every language. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.360 Jesus has authority 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.120 over all of them 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.279 and he will be their judge 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.859 on that day 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.680 when he returns. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.579 But if you're troubled 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.240 by this, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.079 remember the particular judge 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.200 we're talking about here 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.279 is the one 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.200 who loved the world 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.859 so that he laid 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.599 his life down. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.119 Church, 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.779 if you're concerned 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.240 or worried 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.899 about your friends 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:33.399 or family 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.059 or anyone else 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.879 in this wide world 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.700 who has not heard 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.379 the gospel, 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.859 be comforted. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.240 The one who has been 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.319 appointed as judge 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.899 is the very one 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.920 who in his compassion 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.879 did more to save 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.340 the world 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:46.320 than we can imagine. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.360 As scripture says, 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:50.400 it is a fearful thing 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.420 to fall into the hands 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.380 of the living God. 00:23:55.800 --> 00:23:57.280 But scripture also says 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:58.240 that that very God 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.060 is the one 00:23:59.060 --> 00:24:00.700 who sacrificed himself 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.480 for those 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.940 in his hands. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.980 What better judge 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.400 of the world 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.220 is there to have 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.820 than that? 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.680 If we can trust him, 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.400 we can trust that he's able 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.120 to save all 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.040 whom he calls. 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.000 And for this reason, 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.019 that final judgment 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.920 as adjudicated 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.900 by Jesus 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.320 will not only be 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.720 the most just 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.920 but also the most 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.019 compassionate judgment. 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.259 Take comfort 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.120 in that. 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.600 And now in Jesus' prayer, 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.940 he has also made it clear 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.780 that eternal life 00:24:30.780 --> 00:24:31.600 is given to all 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.220 whom the Father 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.019 has given him. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.800 But some people 00:24:35.800 --> 00:24:36.360 are uncomfortable 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.440 with the idea 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.380 that ultimately 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.279 our salvation 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.840 depends on God's will 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:43.640 and not our own. 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.620 Sometimes this is 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:47.680 sort of a 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:50.220 raw fleshly rebellion 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.940 but other times 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:52.180 it's a philosophical one 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:55.200 with carefully reasoned objections. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.860 But friends, 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.820 if you're troubled by this 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:59.059 then I want to assure you 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.779 what this means 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.660 is that at bottom 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:03.000 your salvation 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:05.539 doesn't depend on you, 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.920 it depends on the work of God. 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.480 So when you sin 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.220 or mess up 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.360 and we all do, 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.600 it doesn't mean 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.940 that you've blown it. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.559 It doesn't mean 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.700 that when you're struggling, 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.080 when you're wrestling 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.100 with your sinful self, 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.779 when you've stumbled 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.400 in the race 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.059 or you've strayed 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.640 from the way, 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.960 it doesn't mean 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.620 that you've fallen 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.740 from grace 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.279 because it is Jesus 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.200 who saves. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.620 He's the author 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.320 and perfecter 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.000 of our faith. 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:31.299 And as the Apostle Jude writes, 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.559 God is able 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.160 to keep you 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.820 from stumbling 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:35.320 and to present you 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:35.779 blameless 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.519 before the presence 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.339 of his glory 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:39.279 with great joy. 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.899 My friends, 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.779 how wonderful it is 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.059 to have our eternal life 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:46.660 procured and protected 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.559 by God himself. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.440 He is the one 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.019 who will bring you 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.599 to repentance. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.539 He is the one 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.119 who will make you 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:53.139 to stand on that day 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:53.899 when he judges 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.980 all flesh. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.279 And he's the one 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.359 who will pick you up 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.240 when you have fallen 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.779 and will give you 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.579 fruits of repentance. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:02.480 As I said earlier, 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.879 Scripture declares 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:05.279 that it is a terrible thing 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:07.119 to fall into the hands 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.019 of the living God. 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.879 But Jesus also says, 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:13.379 I give them eternal life 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:15.000 and they will never perish 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:17.159 and no one will snatch them 00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:18.039 out of my hand. 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:21.379 How terrible it is 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.619 to be in the hands of God 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:24.079 but how wonderful it is also. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.759 The Apostle Paul explains 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.439 this mystery 00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:29.279 of our salvation 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.480 depending on God 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.000 yet also intertwining 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.779 with our will. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.420 He exhorts the Philippians, 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:34.839 he says, 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.839 work out your salvation 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.819 with fear and trembling 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:38.339 for it is God 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.220 who works in you 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.920 both to will 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.359 and to work 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.240 for his good pleasure. 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.579 Now lastly, 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.899 Jesus in his prayer 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.899 says that eternal life 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:47.619 is to know God 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.279 and his son 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.319 and some people 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.139 interpret this 00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:52.519 by claiming that Christians 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.819 have some kind 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:55.240 of special knowledge 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:57.639 that is only available 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.519 to a few. 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.720 And if you encounter 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.259 a Christian 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.039 who thinks this 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.920 is the kind of knowledge 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:04.099 Jesus is talking about, 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.559 they sometimes can come off 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:08.480 as a sort of holier-than-thou, 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.980 know-it-all kind of person. 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:14.519 But this isn't the knowledge 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:17.119 that Jesus is talking about here. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.039 The kind of knowledge 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.039 that Jesus has in mind 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.519 is not informational knowledge, 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:23.019 it's relational knowledge. 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.099 The knowledge that he's speaking about 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:26.259 is that kind of knowing 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.379 that you experience 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:28.379 when you know 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.700 a person intimately 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.480 heart-to-heart 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.440 and face-to-face. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.460 And in this case, 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.400 the person that you know 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.279 is God himself. 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.420 And when you know him, 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.119 then you understand 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.019 just how little 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:40.240 and insignificant you are. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.700 And you see the gravity 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.720 of your sins 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.559 and you understand 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.660 God's righteous anger, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.480 but also his love 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:50.519 and his mercy. 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:53.480 And then you're humbled. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.359 And then you begin to realize 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.279 that what really matters 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:58.139 is not what you think about God, 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:00.259 but what God thinks about you. 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.400 And you understand 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.500 that God does not like 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:06.200 the sins you have been committing. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.859 And then, 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.619 as he leads you to repentance 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:13.139 and you feel his forgiveness, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.599 you realize that nothing compares 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.480 to knowing God 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.980 and his Son, Jesus Christ, 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.379 and being known by him. 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:23.680 But friends, 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.480 after all this, 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.819 if you are perhaps 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.420 still hesitant 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.319 to share the good news 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:29.400 of Jesus with others, 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.039 out of fear 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.119 that you may come across 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.019 as arrogant 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.700 or mean-spirited, 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:38.559 if that's a challenge 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.139 you're facing, 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.660 then here's what you should do. 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.680 Remember the glory 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.940 for which Jesus prayed 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:48.180 and seek after it. 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.420 Father, he prayed, 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.400 the hour has come. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.539 Glorify your Son. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.440 And then he went to the cross 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.480 for the sins of the world 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:59.319 and then the world was changed. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.900 So you also, 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.559 when you seek after 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.500 the glory of Jesus, 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.440 when you lay down 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:08.059 your life for others, 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.700 then your neighbors 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.680 will listen to you. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.019 When your friends 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.480 and your neighbors 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.420 see the love of God 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.619 poured out in your heart, 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.759 when they see your patience 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.679 and your humility, 00:29:20.199 --> 00:29:20.819 when they see 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.739 your long-suffering, 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.539 your joy and hardship, 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.339 your willingness 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.139 to forgive, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.239 your quickness 00:29:26.239 --> 00:29:27.219 to repent, 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:29.139 and your desire 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.859 to bear the burdens 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.379 of others, 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.899 then they'll also 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:34.239 see Jesus in you 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.839 and then they will 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.559 listen to you. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.200 Friends, 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.180 hear an exhortation 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.799 from the book of Hebrews. 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.259 Therefore, 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.140 since we are surrounded 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.900 by so great 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.779 a cloud of witnesses, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.140 let us lay aside 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.960 every weight 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.019 and sin 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.099 which clings 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.900 so closely 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.740 and let us run 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.319 with endurance 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.859 the race 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:57.039 that is set before us, 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.700 looking to Jesus, 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.700 the founder 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.380 and perfecter 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.039 of our faith, 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.319 who for the joy 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.359 that was set before him 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.240 endured the cross, 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.740 despising the shame 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:08.299 and is seated 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.039 at the right hand 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.019 of the throne of God. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.420 Let's pray. 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.519 Father, 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.299 we ask in the name 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.139 of your son Jesus 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:22.059 that you would make us 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.180 to know his glory, 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.220 that you would prepare us 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.839 for that eternal 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.619 weight of glory. 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:28.720 Father, 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.980 I pray for those 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.339 right now 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.099 who are suffering, 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.379 who are in despair, 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.639 who are perplexed. 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.279 I pray, Lord, 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.119 that you would give them 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.199 immense comfort now. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.559 I pray, Father, 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.779 that as the sufferings 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.539 of Christ 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.699 overflow in their lives, 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.639 that the joy of Christ 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:45.019 would also overflow in them. 00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:46.259 Father, 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.579 I pray that as a church 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:49.039 we would be united together 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.619 in the fellowship 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.879 of the sufferings of Jesus. 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:52.959 Father, 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.259 I pray that you would teach us 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.799 how to weep 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.720 with those who weep, 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.259 how to mourn 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.079 with those who mourn, 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.819 and how to rejoice 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.899 with those who rejoice. 00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:00.140 Father, 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.900 I pray that you would 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.620 perfect us 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.820 whenever we suffer, 00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:04.180 that you would help us 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.100 to run the race 00:31:05.100 --> 00:31:05.780 with perseverance 00:31:05.780 --> 00:31:07.180 for the joy 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:08.280 that is set before us. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.740 And we pray this 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.320 in the mighty name 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:10.759 of Jesus. 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.360 Amen.