WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:05.660 Well, this morning as we come to the Word of God, we're back to the story of Jesus in the Gospel of John. 00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:09.640 We're in chapter 12, verse 42. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:12.720 If you have your Bible, you can open it up to that. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:18.339 If you don't, you can grab one of the black Bibles in the pews there, or it'll be on the screen for the most part today. 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:23.559 Where we're at in the story, it's the Passion Week. 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:27.800 And the hour of Jesus' betrayal and death is drawing near. 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:37.299 Therefore, right before this passage that we're coming to this morning, we heard John give a kind of summary of how things are going. 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:40.219 Verse 37. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:48.140 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:55.700 And we wrestled with the difficult reason why, given by John in verses 39 and 40. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:59.000 For this reason they could not believe, said John. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:05.000 Because as Isaiah says elsewhere, he has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:08.579 But this is not the end of John's summary. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:10.920 Verse 42. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:19.060 Yet, says John, at the same time, many, even among the leaders, believed in Jesus. 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:25.780 But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:29.040 For fear they would be put out of the synagogue. 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:34.659 So for a moment here, John seems to be doubling back on what he said earlier. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:37.119 Don't get the wrong idea here. 00:01:37.399 --> 00:01:40.179 It's not as though nobody believed in Jesus. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:43.000 It's not as though it was just a scarce few. 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:46.620 Actually, says John, many believed in him. 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:50.959 There were even some among the rulers. 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:55.640 The word used here is a clear reference to the Sanhedrin. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:01:59.099 And this is maybe a little bit surprising, isn't it? 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:09.479 I mean, in just the previous chapter, chapter 11, we heard that the Sanhedrin officially and formally decided to oppose Jesus. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:12.759 They began plotting to take his life. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.479 That back in 11 verse 53. 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:22.439 And so it would seem that since then, the opinion of some of these Sanhedrin members has shifted. 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:30.180 They've watched as Jesus was paraded into Jerusalem by this massive crowd of people. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:35.639 They've been hearing him speak and teach daily in the temple courts. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:44.520 And they have even seen him perform some of these signs, no doubt, as John has been telling us back up in verse 37. 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:48.659 Well, this sounds great, doesn't it? 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:55.240 Even some of the leaders, the high-ups of the Jewish rulers, are believing in Jesus now. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:57.419 But hold on. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:02:59.460 Not so fast. 00:03:00.579 --> 00:03:11.079 They're believing in Jesus, but, says John, because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith. 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:15.400 For fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:22.379 Let's remember here that there are different kinds of people on the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:28.319 Some of them are Pharisees, and they represent the dominant religious order of the day. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:39.040 The others may be more like politicians, or officials, or significant people in Jewish society. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.919 Not that they were totally unreligious. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:47.459 I mean, almost everybody was religious in this culture, in this setting. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:53.759 But many of the people who were not of the Pharisees might have been more like the Sadducees. 00:03:53.879 --> 00:04:00.079 Men who were religious, but not too concerned about the spiritual things. 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:02.439 All things in moderation. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:09.819 So this many who believed in Jesus, which includes some of the Sanhedrin, 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:14.319 they're keeping their lips sealed about Jesus. 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:16.560 Why? 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:23.279 Because they don't want to be excommunicated or banished from the synagogue. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:31.019 It's here we see the religious control that the Pharisees have over the people. 00:04:31.619 --> 00:04:35.819 They were the ones in the positions of religious authority in the nation. 00:04:36.219 --> 00:04:45.239 And they were threatening to revoke membership in the worshiping community to anyone who supported Jesus. 00:04:46.179 --> 00:04:49.099 And I can't help at this point to feel some sympathy for them. 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:53.740 You know, we see this kind of thing all the time in our world today. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:57.180 Agree with us, or we'll cancel you. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:04:59.800 We'll kick you out. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:02.560 We'll revoke your membership. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:07.820 And as bad as it seems in our political and cultural settings today, 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:10.520 this is far worse. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:13.280 This is tantamount to saying, 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:17.000 you will be cut off from the people of God 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:20.180 if you confess openly 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:24.879 that Jesus is any one of the big titles that are in view here. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:26.600 Son of God. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.139 Messiah. 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:29.839 Son of Man. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:34.040 So I feel some sympathy for them. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:37.800 They seemingly have a lot to lose, these leaders who believed. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:44.660 But then, John, by the Spirit of God, gives us God's evaluation 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:47.620 of what's really going on here. 00:05:49.900 --> 00:05:51.939 I'll read the whole thing again. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:56.240 Yet at the same time, many, even among the leaders, believed in him. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.699 But because of the Pharisees, 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:01.280 they would not openly acknowledge their faith 00:06:01.280 --> 00:06:03.840 for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:07.719 For they loved human praise 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:11.079 more than praise from God. 00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:16.120 Literally, they loved the glory of men 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:19.500 more than the glory of God. 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:23.239 They loved to be in good standing with people, 00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:24.959 with each other. 00:06:25.239 --> 00:06:27.219 They loved to receive the honor and glory 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:28.459 that comes from other people 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:31.159 more than they loved to be in good standing with God 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:34.000 and receive the honor and glory that comes from him. 00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:39.140 Now, this kind of raises a big question, doesn't it? 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:44.520 Is the faith of these many who believed really genuine? 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:47.700 Is it sufficient? 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:50.320 Are they in? 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:53.440 True followers of Jesus? 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:57.279 Is this the kind of faith or belief 00:06:57.279 --> 00:06:58.660 by which they can be saved? 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:02.120 Or is this questionable faith? 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:06.279 Is this shallow, lacking faith? 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.579 It's not as easy a question to answer 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:12.100 as we might think. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.480 At first glance, their faith in Jesus 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:17.740 seems genuine enough. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:20.360 John sets these believers in contrast 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:22.879 with the people who did not believe 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.840 even after seeing so many signs. 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:26.520 In verse 37. 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.400 But then, 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:31.439 is their faith genuine? 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.520 If what the Pharisees 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:35.020 say 00:07:35.020 --> 00:07:37.560 is controlling their final behavior 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.220 more than what Jesus is saying? 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:43.139 Do they really believe in Jesus? 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:46.720 Or are they kind of going back and forth 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.280 with what's popular 00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:49.639 at the moment? 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.620 This is probably a good time to remember 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:55.480 that John has told us before 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:56.840 about some people 00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:58.180 who have believed in Jesus 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:00.379 and yet their faith 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:02.120 seemed suspect, 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.100 lacking, 00:08:04.340 --> 00:08:04.740 questionable. 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:07.600 Look back at John chapter 2. 00:08:08.220 --> 00:08:10.259 This was Jesus' first ministry visit 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.620 right after his baptism 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:13.580 to Jerusalem. 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:15.720 And it's there, 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.860 we read that while Jesus was in Jerusalem 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.180 at the Passover festival, 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.040 many people saw the signs 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:21.780 he was performing 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:23.319 and believed in his name. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.300 But Jesus would not entrust himself 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:26.959 to them 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:28.780 for he knew all men. 00:08:29.780 --> 00:08:31.699 He did not need any testimony 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:32.419 about men 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:34.500 for he knew what was in a man 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.539 or in each person. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.019 There was something not quite right 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.539 about the belief of the people 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.600 back then 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.480 on that visit to Jerusalem. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:44.759 And Nicodemus, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:45.680 at least back then, 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:47.139 seemed to be an example of this. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.779 He believed that Jesus 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:50.399 was at least a teacher 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:51.740 who had come from God 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:54.539 and yet according to Jesus' own words, 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:57.059 Nicodemus was not accepting 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.439 and believing the things 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:00.259 that Jesus was saying 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:02.059 as he should be. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:06.099 we ran across this sort of thing again 00:09:06.099 --> 00:09:08.179 in John chapter 8 verse 31. 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:10.219 John tells us there that 00:09:10.219 --> 00:09:12.779 to the Jews who had believed him, 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:13.399 Jesus said, 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.219 if you hold to my teaching, 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:17.259 you are really my disciples. 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:19.519 Then you will know the truth 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.699 and the truth will set you free. 00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:23.559 But then we saw that 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.979 by the end of that conversation, 00:09:25.479 --> 00:09:27.500 Jesus was calling these same people 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.979 children of their father, 00:09:29.479 --> 00:09:29.979 the devil, 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:32.200 and these people were trying 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.200 to stone Jesus 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:34.300 to death. 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:36.120 Again, 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:37.639 the sort of belief in Jesus 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:39.080 that seems superficial, 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.180 questionable. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.019 Is that what's going on here again 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:44.600 with these 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.860 many who believed in Jesus 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:49.220 even from among the leaders? 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:51.399 Now, 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.899 some of you might be thinking, 00:09:53.060 --> 00:09:53.159 well, 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.500 if John says they believed, 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.320 then they believed. 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:56.980 They're saved. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.240 I mean, 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.600 do they really have to confess it openly 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:02.080 to prove that 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:03.720 that's what's really going on 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.480 in their hearts? 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.320 That's a big question. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.120 I can't help but think of 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.060 what Paul says 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:13.920 in Romans chapter 10 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:15.420 verse 8 to 10. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.600 This is what he said 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.539 to the church at Rome. 00:10:19.420 --> 00:10:20.680 But what does it say? 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:23.299 The word is near you. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.259 It is in your mouth 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:26.979 and in your heart. 00:10:27.939 --> 00:10:29.339 That is the message 00:10:29.339 --> 00:10:30.399 concerning faith 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.419 that we proclaim. 00:10:32.339 --> 00:10:34.399 If you declare with your mouth 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.739 Jesus is Lord 00:10:35.739 --> 00:10:37.739 and believe in your heart 00:10:37.739 --> 00:10:39.539 that God raised him from the dead, 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.500 you will be saved. 00:10:42.719 --> 00:10:44.339 For it is with your heart 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:45.399 that you believe 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.799 and are justified, 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:49.240 and it is with your mouth 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.799 that you profess your faith 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:52.419 or confess 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:54.759 and are saved. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:56.879 Here, 00:10:56.979 --> 00:10:57.559 according to Paul, 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.120 it seems that 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.979 confessing Jesus 00:10:58.979 --> 00:10:59.839 with your mouth 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:00.939 as the Lord 00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:02.479 is inseparable 00:11:02.479 --> 00:11:04.479 from genuinely believing. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.019 Or to put it another way, 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:09.099 the promise of salvation 00:11:09.099 --> 00:11:10.219 is made to those 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:10.939 who confess 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:12.019 with their mouths 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.519 and believe 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.259 in their hearts. 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:15.719 Both go together. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:19.339 And so this also 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:20.339 might call into question 00:11:20.339 --> 00:11:21.559 the faith of these many 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:23.599 whom John is talking about. 00:11:24.859 --> 00:11:26.259 Do they really believe 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.240 in their hearts 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:29.500 if they are unwilling 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.839 to confess Jesus 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:32.219 with their mouths? 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.959 Now maybe when it says 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:36.679 that they were not 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.719 confessing Jesus, 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:40.079 it means that they were 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:41.079 not confessing him 00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:41.859 within the circles 00:11:41.859 --> 00:11:43.959 of the Sanhedrin 00:11:43.959 --> 00:11:45.559 and the Pharisees. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.759 The really public, 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:47.839 sort of confession. 00:11:48.839 --> 00:11:49.819 Perhaps they were still 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.599 confessing him 00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:52.039 amongst their close 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.419 friends and family. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.339 Maybe the faith 00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:56.500 of some of these people 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.419 or even all of them 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.599 is genuine, 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.699 but they've just not yet 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:01.559 found the courage 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:03.439 to declare it publicly, 00:12:04.339 --> 00:12:05.339 given the hostility 00:12:05.859 --> 00:12:07.579 and the grave consequences. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:11.560 But then on the other hand, 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.940 the reason John gives us 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.980 is not so sympathetic. 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:18.060 For they loved 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:20.040 the glory of men 00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:20.940 more 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:23.379 than the glory of God. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.120 Maybe some of you 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.639 might be ready 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.820 to make a judgment here. 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:31.860 Surely if they love 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.980 the glory of men 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.280 more than the glory of God, 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.100 well that's the answer 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.640 right there. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.740 How can their faith 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.340 be genuine? 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:38.779 It must be superficial. 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:40.080 It must be shallow. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.679 It must be lacking. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.819 But then I would say, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.519 was not Peter 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.000 loving the praise of men 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.840 more than the praise of God 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:54.299 the night that he denied 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:56.139 the Lord Jesus three times? 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.960 On the night of Jesus' betrayal? 00:12:58.960 --> 00:12:59.040 Israel? 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.540 And yet surely 00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:03.780 he had real, 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.840 genuine faith 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:05.840 long before that. 00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:09.300 What can we learn 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:10.019 from all this? 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:13.280 I hope that as you 00:13:13.280 --> 00:13:14.900 listen to the back and forth here, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.960 you realize that it's 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.200 not always easy 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.820 to judge 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.160 the faith 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:21.000 of another person. 00:13:22.540 --> 00:13:23.759 Or to evaluate 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.960 where another person 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.800 really stands 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:26.639 before God. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:26.679 God. 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.600 Now of course 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.439 there are some people 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:31.939 who obviously 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:33.059 don't believe in Jesus 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.879 no matter what 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.679 they're saying. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.919 It's just obvious 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:36.960 because the whole pattern 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.639 of their lives 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.600 is just to ignore 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.840 the things that Jesus 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.480 has said 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.399 and to disobey 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.159 the things Jesus 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:43.980 has commanded. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.360 We're not talking 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.199 about those people. 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.759 Neither are we 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.559 talking about those 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.139 who obviously 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.299 do believe in Jesus, 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.299 who declare it, 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.080 confess it, 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.400 and whose lives 00:13:56.400 --> 00:13:57.480 confirm it 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.780 undeniably, 00:13:59.160 --> 00:13:59.700 consistently. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.240 In both of these cases 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.000 it's obvious 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.800 what these people believe. 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:08.820 But now the people 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:09.700 we're talking about 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.220 this morning, 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.420 they either claim 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:13.520 to believe in Jesus 00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:15.440 but their lives 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.720 look a little 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.639 suspect. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.200 Or 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.960 their lives look 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.720 really good. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.940 they seem kind, 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.399 they do and say 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.200 all the right sorts 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.200 of things at church 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.220 and amongst Christians 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:30.639 but for some reason 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.480 they don't want to 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.399 seem to confess 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:33.980 Jesus 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.180 too publicly 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:37.200 because of what 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.420 others might think. 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:43.060 We really need 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:43.580 humility 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:45.279 to admit 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:47.080 that it's not 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.019 always easy 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.840 to evaluate 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.000 the faith 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.879 of another person. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.080 To make that 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.480 judgment 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.100 about where 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.759 another person 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.000 stands before God. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.779 Are they in 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:58.240 or are they not? 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.960 Are they saved 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:02.039 or are they not? 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.220 Are they genuine 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:05.299 or are they 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.740 really good 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.279 at pretending? 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.159 There are times 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:10.659 in the Bible 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.179 where God 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.080 calls us 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:12.720 to make this 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.120 judgment. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.039 Let's make no 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.960 mistake about that. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:16.539 Specifically 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.399 when it comes time 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.279 to appoint elders 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.959 in the church 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:19.980 we're to appoint 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.459 believers 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:22.019 and to do that 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.600 we need to make 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.379 that evaluation 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.740 in matters of 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.759 marriage and divorce 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.699 in church discipline. 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.879 But thankfully 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.759 the good news 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.679 is that when it 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.539 comes to that 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.439 final judgment 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.360 of whether a person 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.059 is a believer 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.879 a true believer 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.480 or not 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:39.740 the good news is 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:41.759 it's not up to us. 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:44.220 It's not ultimately 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.439 our call to make. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.580 it's God's. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.960 He alone 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.760 knows 00:15:50.760 --> 00:15:52.040 what's going on 00:15:52.040 --> 00:15:52.960 in the hearts 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.260 of individual people. 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.280 Consider the words 00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:58.400 of Proverbs 21 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.080 verse 2. 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:01.820 A person may think 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.700 their own ways 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.400 are right 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:05.720 but the Lord 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:07.260 weighs the heart. 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.420 That's a verse 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:11.140 that should cause us 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:12.140 to tremble a little bit. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:15.039 It basically says 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.919 that God knows 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.059 better than you do 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:19.179 why you do 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.340 what you do. 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.319 In other words 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.519 it's quite possible 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.199 for us 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.340 to be self-deceived. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.720 Let's look at 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.379 what God said 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.939 long ago 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:31.559 through the prophet 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.100 Jeremiah. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.139 Jeremiah 17 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:34.080 verse 9 and 10. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.740 The heart is deceitful 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.759 above all things 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.039 and beyond cure. 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:40.559 Who can understand it? 00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:42.240 I 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.539 the Lord 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.519 search 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.240 the heart 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.699 and examine 00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:47.360 the mind 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:49.099 to reward 00:16:49.099 --> 00:16:50.039 each person 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.939 according to 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.639 their conduct 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:53.360 according to 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.199 what their deeds 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.559 deserve. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.799 Paul says it 00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.199 this way 00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:00.059 in 1 Corinthians 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:01.139 chapter 4 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.399 verse 5. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.519 He says 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.399 therefore judge 00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.319 nothing before 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.420 the appointed time 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.200 wait until 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.600 the Lord 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:09.160 comes. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.080 He will bring 00:17:11.080 --> 00:17:11.580 to light 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:12.279 what is hidden 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.880 in darkness 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.759 and will expose 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.160 the motives 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.720 of the heart. 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:20.180 At that time 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.980 each 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.259 will receive 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.200 their praise 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.940 from God. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.900 So at the end 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.360 of all this 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.940 we need to take 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.740 a step back. 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.800 We need to admit 00:17:30.800 --> 00:17:31.920 that truly 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:33.620 only God 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.340 knows 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.039 whether these 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.640 people here 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.320 in this passage 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.119 were true 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.579 believers 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.659 and were 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:39.159 saved 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.839 even many 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.240 among the 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.639 leaders 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:43.419 are not. 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.839 But not only 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.460 that we may 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:46.919 need to take 00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.679 a step back 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.480 in our own 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.079 evaluations 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.879 of the people 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.839 around us 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.759 who we know 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:53.179 and admit 00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:54.079 that only God 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.519 truly knows 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.019 whether some 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.480 of them 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.339 today 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.579 truly believe 00:17:58.579 --> 00:18:00.679 and are 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:01.079 saved. 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.019 Now I'm not 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.720 suggesting that we 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.279 all begin to 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.839 look around the 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.299 room here 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.599 and ponder 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.699 whether some 00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:08.240 of us are 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.359 pretenders 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.179 or not. 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:11.519 I'm not 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.199 suggesting that 00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:12.879 we either 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.500 that we can't 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.059 be sure 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.779 about people. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.720 What I am 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.099 saying 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:18.579 is that 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.279 there should 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.599 be some 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.019 pause 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.779 in our 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.339 hearts 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.439 when we 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:22.759 see a 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.220 brother or 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.740 sister in 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.099 Christ 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.000 who seems 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.679 hesitant 00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:27.279 or resistant 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.819 to living 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.539 in obedience 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:31.339 to the 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.659 commands 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.200 of Christ. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.279 We should 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.859 be slow 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:37.079 hesitant 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:39.200 careful 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.819 as we look 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.200 at a brother 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:40.579 or sister 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.019 in Christ 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.519 who seems 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.299 unwilling 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.399 to confess 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.180 Jesus 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.599 openly 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.039 as their 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.379 Lord. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.480 In these 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:49.960 cases 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.940 time will 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.240 tell. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.480 As Paul 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.839 said to 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.220 Timothy 00:18:54.220 --> 00:19:00.400 2 Timothy 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.980 2 verse 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.539 19 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.539 The Lord 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.200 knows 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.059 those who 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.559 are his 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:07.120 and everyone 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.079 who confesses 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.600 the name of 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:08.980 the Lord 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.100 must turn 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.640 away from 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.319 wickedness. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.019 Now it's 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.559 easy for us 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.100 to look around 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:20.420 at other 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.900 people we 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.160 know 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.240 think about 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:22.559 them 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.940 evaluate 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.700 their faith 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.619 maybe 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:28.639 but far 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.339 more important 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.440 a passage 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.220 like this 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.460 calls us 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.159 to consider 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.960 our own 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.539 belief 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.179 in Jesus. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.819 I wonder 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:40.079 what do you 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.419 think the 00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:41.200 people in 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.859 this church 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.639 would say 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:45.039 about your 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.500 faith 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.539 in Jesus? 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.879 Would they 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.259 say that 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.099 it's obvious 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.779 that you 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.419 genuinely 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.079 believe 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:55.599 and belong 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.179 to Christ? 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.059 And why 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.379 would they 00:19:59.379 --> 00:19:59.879 say that? 00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:00.519 Or why 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:00.819 not? 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.879 Or might 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.259 they say 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.559 like 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.899 when we 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:06.179 look at 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.779 these people 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.299 that John's 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:07.899 talking about 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.539 I'm not 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.019 so sure. 00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:12.219 And why 00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:12.619 or why 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.159 wouldn't 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:13.519 they say 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:13.859 that? 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.779 And then 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.059 we should 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.419 probably 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:18.939 consider 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.120 that what 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.620 other people 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.080 think of 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.620 your faith 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.360 is not 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.759 the most 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.160 important 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.820 evaluation. 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.140 Do we 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.620 care more 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.140 about what 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.799 each other 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.539 thinks 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.039 of us 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:32.340 or about 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:32.920 what God 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.640 knows 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.960 about us? 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.799 Let me 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.120 ask you 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.740 this question 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.460 on behalf 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.799 of the 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.039 Lord. 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.640 Do you 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.059 know 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.059 that God 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.599 knows 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.720 the real 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.019 you? 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.960 You 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.200 just 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.639 might be 00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.059 able to 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.519 fool other 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.919 people. 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.319 Probably 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.700 not 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.399 because we 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:02.740 all have 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.539 blind spots 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.980 and it's 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.399 not too 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:05.819 hard to 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.200 see when 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.700 someone else 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.200 has ketchup 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.579 on their 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.119 face even 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.480 though they 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.159 don't realize 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:09.440 it. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.480 But even 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.059 if somehow 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.700 you manage 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.100 to fool 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:13.340 other 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:13.740 people, 00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:16.240 you cannot 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.759 fool 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.680 God. 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.500 He knows 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.580 the real 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:21.860 you. 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.240 He knows 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.759 what's going 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.259 on in your 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.620 heart. 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.819 Do you 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.160 know that 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.140 God knows 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.980 you even 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.620 better than 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:31.960 you know 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.559 yourself? 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.759 With that 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.160 in mind, 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.860 let me ask 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:38.200 you the 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.120 real question. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:41.819 do you 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.799 believe that 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.919 Jesus is 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.839 the Son 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.599 of God? 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.619 Do you 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.199 believe that 00:21:49.199 --> 00:21:49.839 he is 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.979 the Messiah, 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:53.699 the King 00:21:53.699 --> 00:21:54.639 that God 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.299 has chosen 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.759 for the 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.279 kingdom of 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.539 heaven? 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.839 Do you 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.359 believe the 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:01.839 things that 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.399 Jesus is 00:22:02.399 --> 00:22:03.079 saying through 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.639 all these 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.679 gospel accounts, 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.399 Matthew, 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.759 Mark, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.039 Luke, 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:06.479 John? 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.319 Do you 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:08.860 take those 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.599 words with 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.120 absolute 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.880 seriousness 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.819 to your 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.180 heart? 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.420 God 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:17.860 knows if 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.200 you do. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.539 Listen, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.380 there's a 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.880 very real 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.880 sense in 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.140 which it 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:25.660 just doesn't 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.519 matter what 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.099 other people 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.559 think of 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:27.759 you, 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.180 whether you're 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.059 a full-blown 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.519 Jesus freak 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.640 in their 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.880 view or 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.259 not. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.279 Because at 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.660 the end of 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.160 the story, 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.640 at the end 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:36.900 of your 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.320 life, 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.400 when Jesus 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.920 returns, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.740 there's only 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.480 one person's 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.779 evaluation of 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.480 you that 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:42.960 matters, 00:22:43.300 --> 00:22:43.840 and it's 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.320 Jesus' 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.600 evaluation of 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:45.800 you. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.860 Listen to 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.240 what Jesus 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.660 said, 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.860 Matthew 7, 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.340 21. 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.940 He said, 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.880 not everyone 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.680 who says to 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:55.940 me, 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.740 Lord, 00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:57.480 Lord, 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:59.140 will enter 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.580 the kingdom 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.100 of heaven, 00:23:00.540 --> 00:23:02.360 but only the 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.980 one who does 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.540 the will 00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.620 of my 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.139 father who 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.519 is in 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:06.819 heaven. 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.079 Many will 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.519 say to 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:09.899 me on 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.579 that day, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.859 Lord, 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:12.379 Lord, 00:23:12.459 --> 00:23:12.979 did we not 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.799 prophesy in 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.299 your name, 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:14.619 and in 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.119 your name 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.119 drive out 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.459 demons, 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:16.799 and in 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.299 your name 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.000 perform many 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.519 miracles? 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.779 Then I 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.239 will tell 00:23:21.239 --> 00:23:22.079 them plainly, 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.339 said Jesus, 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.939 I never 00:23:24.939 --> 00:23:25.459 knew you. 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.599 Away from 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:27.859 me, 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:28.779 you 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.539 evildoers. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:36.259 this is 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.579 why the 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.240 apostle Paul 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.940 spoke with 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.759 all seriousness 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.299 to the 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.759 church at 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.119 Corinth, 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.819 the believers 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.159 there, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.599 and said 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.019 this, 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.059 examine 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.700 yourselves 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:46.200 to see 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.339 whether you 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:47.659 are in 00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:48.159 the faith. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.500 Test 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.099 yourselves. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.379 Do you 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.000 not realize 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.579 that Christ 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.379 Jesus is in 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:54.539 you, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.879 unless, 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.319 of course, 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.240 you fail 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.839 the test? 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:59.139 your 00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.500 eternal 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.279 destiny is 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.559 on the 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:00.899 line. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.539 Heaven 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.959 and hell 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:05.899 is on 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.319 the line. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.259 Let's 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.579 come back 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.000 to Romans 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.740 chapter 10, 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.279 verse 9 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.659 and 10. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.079 There is 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.539 assurance, 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.000 there is 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.439 confidence 00:24:15.439 --> 00:24:15.939 that we 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.459 can have, 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.980 and this 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.299 is where 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.019 I find 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.259 it. 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.419 If you 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:23.240 declare with 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.740 your mouth, 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.159 Jesus is 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.579 Lord, 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.859 and believe 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.220 in your 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.740 heart that 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.359 God raised 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.679 him from 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:29.159 the dead, 00:24:29.939 --> 00:24:30.339 you will 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.859 be saved. 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.659 For it 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.000 is with 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.480 your heart 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:33.839 that you 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.399 believe and 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.159 are justified, 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.799 and it 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.119 is with 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.599 your mouth 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.099 that you 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.240 profess your 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.899 faith and 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.480 are saved, 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.199 both 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.859 together, 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.679 in the 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:45.980 heart, 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.319 on the 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.619 lips. 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.579 Based on 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.199 these words 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:51.679 of God 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.119 which came 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.659 through Paul, 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.819 we should 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.699 not think 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.539 that merely 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.380 saying the 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:56.600 words, 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.140 I believe 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.680 in Jesus 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.980 is enough. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.440 God's not 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:01.940 looking for 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.380 mere lip 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:02.819 service. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.480 He's looking 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.200 for genuine 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.380 belief in 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.940 your heart. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.279 Not perfect 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.620 faith, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.319 not perfect 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.660 belief, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.440 but genuine 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.059 faith, 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:12.860 genuine 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.400 belief. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.620 And the 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.080 other side of 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.680 that coin is 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.380 true as well. 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.080 We should 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:19.680 not think that 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:21.279 merely believing 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.059 in our hearts 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.819 privately, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.839 quietly, 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.960 personally, 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.339 is enough. 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.099 Genuine faith 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.679 in the heart, 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.679 it will, 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.220 it must result 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.700 in confessing 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.899 Christ openly 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:35.440 with your 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:35.799 mouth. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.519 Or to put it 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.000 another way, 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.419 if you are 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:40.220 unwilling to 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.980 confess that 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.079 Jesus is 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.039 Lord with 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.579 your mouth, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.740 he most 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.440 certainly isn't 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:46.980 the Lord of 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.419 your heart. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:47.460 God. 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.080 And so I 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.640 ask you this 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:51.940 morning, 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:54.100 do you 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:55.580 believe in 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:55.920 Jesus? 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.460 Do you 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.080 believe that 00:25:59.080 --> 00:25:59.620 he is 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:01.720 the Lord, 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:04.039 your 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.539 master, 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:06.519 the king, 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.160 sent from 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.700 heaven by 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.259 the father, 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.820 the one who 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.460 will judge 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:16.160 all of us 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.620 someday, 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:21.480 Jesus was 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.000 known to be 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.640 quite direct 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.279 on occasion. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.039 This is what 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.039 he said one 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.600 day to a 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.279 crowd of many 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.000 thousands who 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.460 were gathered 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.120 around him. 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.759 I tell you, 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.380 my friends, 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.140 do not be 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.860 afraid of those 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.660 who kill the 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.000 body, 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.240 and after that 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.740 can do no 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.039 more. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.380 But I will 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.080 show you whom 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.480 you should 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.779 fear. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.400 Fear him 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:45.320 who after 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.840 your body 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.240 has been 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.940 killed has 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.759 authority to 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.799 throw you 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:51.320 into hell. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.720 Yes, 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.960 I tell you, 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.700 fear him. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.559 The glory 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.400 and the praise 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.960 that comes from 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.580 other people 00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:04.240 is massively 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.360 overrated. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.860 The well-done, 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:08.759 good, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.539 and faithful 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.120 servant 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:11.660 that comes from 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.000 God 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.359 is all 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.059 that matters. 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.859 Maybe you're 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.359 here today 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.400 and you 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:19.799 know that 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.200 you have 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.799 been at 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.279 times, 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.440 maybe even 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:22.920 recently, 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.559 a coward, 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:27.380 where you've 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.380 said or 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.140 done something 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.160 recently that 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.000 really does 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.559 show that 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.880 you care more 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.400 about what 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.000 other people 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.400 will say 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.980 about you 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.920 than about 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.519 what God 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.839 will say 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.400 about you. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:40.300 the good 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:40.800 news of 00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.160 Jesus 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:43.380 is that 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:43.720 he will 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.360 forgive you. 00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.400 He is 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.940 merciful. 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.340 If you 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.019 confess that 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.480 to him, 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:51.280 if you ask 00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:51.700 for his 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.140 forgiveness, 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.820 that's why 00:27:52.820 --> 00:27:53.500 Jesus went 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.120 to the cross 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.620 and died, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.820 to atone 00:27:56.820 --> 00:27:57.300 for our 00:27:57.300 --> 00:27:57.660 sins. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.460 I think 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:00.960 of Peter. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:04.340 he denied 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.680 the Lord 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.720 three times 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.840 on the 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.180 night of 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.440 Jesus' 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:07.980 betrayal. 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.340 If the 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.220 Lord Jesus 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.079 forgave 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.500 Peter, 00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:15.980 he will 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.640 forgive you 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.100 and me 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.340 if we 00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:19.680 ask. 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.860 He is 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.240 rich in 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.559 mercy. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.720 Let me 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.100 end this 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.440 morning 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:31.360 by reminding 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:31.759 us of 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.180 the words 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.640 that Peter 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.779 said in 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.320 his letter. 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.259 After all 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.640 that was 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:36.960 over, 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.500 but in 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.180 your hearts, 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.960 he said, 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.279 revere 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:44.080 Christ as 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:44.559 Lord. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.539 Always 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.080 being ready 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.580 to give an 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:48.120 answer to 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:49.039 everyone who 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.640 asks you 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.640 to give the 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.160 reason for 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.600 the hope 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:51.960 that you 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.360 have. 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.160 And so 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.480 may the 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.340 word about 00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.700 Jesus be 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.140 near 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.940 us, 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.160 each one 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.640 of us 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:03.700 in our 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.080 hearts 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:06.440 and in 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.920 our mouths. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.560 Let's 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:09.780 pray. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:18.759 Father in 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:18.940 heaven, 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.339 these are 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.799 sobering 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.240 realities 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.779 that we've 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.220 been talking 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.779 about this 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.079 morning. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.819 And we 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.259 thank you 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.639 that your 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.160 word brings 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:26.740 conviction 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:28.899 and that you 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.660 do expose 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.399 what's really 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:31.079 going on in 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.559 our hearts. 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.619 You know it 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:34.319 already and you 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.079 expose it so 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.579 that we can 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.200 see it too. 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:39.039 we ask for 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.620 your forgiveness 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.440 for all the 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.559 times in 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.039 which we've 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.759 cared more 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.640 about praise 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.019 from other 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.180 people than 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.600 about the 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.660 commendation 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.039 that you 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.420 would give 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:47.620 us, 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:47.880 Lord. 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.819 Forgive us. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.740 Teach us to 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.039 live for you 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.120 and your glory 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:57.559 alone, 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.799 to worship you 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.460 and you alone. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:04.360 thank you for 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:04.720 Jesus. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.640 Thank you for 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.299 sending him 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.340 and thank you 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.299 for the 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.100 amazing thing 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:11.620 that he has 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.279 done for us 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.039 that we can 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.720 be forgiven 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:16.160 and without 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.600 guilt, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.700 pure and 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.160 holy, 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.779 righteous even 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.880 in your sight 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.400 because of 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.600 him. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.559 We love 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:25.799 him. 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.319 We love 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.200 you so 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.559 much. 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:28.960 It's in 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.539 his precious 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.279 name we pray. 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:32.000 Amen.