WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.639 Now, being special is very important for each of us to have a meaningful life. 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:11.099 And so we would like to have something special about us, 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:12.700 in what we do, who we are, 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:19.140 or being special in a church, special church, special school, 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:25.900 special work, or being special in a country. 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:29.539 What is Australia? How is it different to other countries? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.780 And that gives us meaning in life. 00:00:34.340 --> 00:00:38.179 And today, as we come to this part of the Bible, 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:45.859 the Israelites, they had about 2,000 years of history by the time when Jesus came, 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:49.439 and they were unique, and they were special, 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:55.659 because they are the only nation in the world that was called by God, 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:57.859 and started by God. 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:05.000 And so they prided themselves for the fact that they had God's word, God's law, 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:08.879 and also they had Abraham as their forefather. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:13.780 It did not mean that their life was trouble-free. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:18.280 During the time of Jesus, they were under Roman occupation. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:23.260 Also, in each of their lives, they were struggling as well. 00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:31.859 So just like us, they were wrestling with living a life that was not quite the way it was supposed to be. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:36.420 So life was marred by pain, regrets, and sin. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:39.439 However, at least they were special, 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:42.840 because they had God's law and Abraham as their forefather. 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:47.140 And so that's what they were holding on to for the meaning of their life. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:50.799 So when Jesus came among them and spoke to them, 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:55.060 Jesus seemed to have thrown a spanner into their works. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:02:01.700 Suddenly, their traditional beliefs were challenged by these men from Galilee. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:07.980 Jesus was telling them that Abraham was special because of Jesus himself. 00:02:07.980 --> 00:02:14.300 And so the Jews would also only be special because of Jesus. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:17.840 And the Jews could not accept that. 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:22.219 And how would they respond to Jesus' claims? 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:25.759 If their traditional beliefs are not true, 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.620 then how did they know what was true? 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:34.379 So when our long-held beliefs are challenged by someone, 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:37.000 how would we respond to that person? 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:39.319 And how would we decide what is true? 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.840 17th century philosopher René Descartes. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:48.080 René Descartes is a French name. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:51.800 So Descartes spelled as D-E-S-C-A-R-T-E-S. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:53.939 I suppose they don't pronounce the S. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:56.840 And so René Descartes wanted to decide 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:59.680 what was the absolute truth he could be certain of. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:01.980 So after thinking for some time, 00:03:01.980 --> 00:03:07.599 he was settled for the Latin phrase, 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:12.180 cogito, ergo sum, I hope that pronounces that, 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:15.020 which was subsequently translated into English as, 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:17.800 I think, therefore I am. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.200 And what René Descartes tried to say, 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:25.680 was trying to say was that while he might doubt about everything else, 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:28.860 he could not doubt about his own existence. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:31.360 The fact that he was doubting, 00:03:31.920 --> 00:03:33.080 it means that he was thinking. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:36.780 And he need to be there or exist. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:39.960 He need to be existed to do the thinking. 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:42.980 And so he ended up with this phrase. 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:44.800 That is the bottom line, truth. 00:03:45.260 --> 00:03:47.620 I think, therefore I am. 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:51.480 But he didn't know why he existed. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:55.360 I suppose he couldn't find out by just thinking. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:59.480 And he didn't know how he should live. 00:03:59.480 --> 00:04:03.540 And again, he couldn't do that just by thinking. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:05.500 We need to be told about that. 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:08.319 But he was right in the sense that 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:12.560 there are many truths we take for granted that may be wrong. 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:16.699 Just for example, when we see the sun rising and setting, 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.839 straight away we think that the sun revolves around the earth. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:24.659 And when we are told about, 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:27.279 actually it's the earth that revolves around the sun, 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:31.139 then we could then think that 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:33.000 if we could be wrong about this, 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:36.060 we can be wrong about many things in life as well. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:39.500 And that we thought is the truth. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:41.199 So like the Israelites, 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:44.000 when we encounter Jesus in the Bible, 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:45.079 from the Bible, 00:04:45.420 --> 00:04:48.560 we are also challenged to believe him or reject him. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:50.699 So from a scripture today, 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:54.560 from John chapter 8, verses 48 to 59, 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:57.439 I would like us to think about 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:00.480 at least two things when we are challenged. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:06.520 One is how we should not respond to challenges that we do not like. 00:05:07.160 --> 00:05:10.340 Secondly, the second one is how to think of what Jesus claimed 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:11.800 to see if they are true. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:15.400 So we start with how we should not respond to challenges 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:17.660 that we do not like. 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:20.860 So our common response to challenges, 00:05:21.200 --> 00:05:21.720 to our belief, 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:23.740 is by either mocking or joking. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:27.759 In chapter 8 of John, verse 22, 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:29.740 there's a hint of joking 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:31.600 when the Jews say, 00:05:32.400 --> 00:05:34.060 will he kill himself since he say, 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:36.139 where I am going, you cannot come. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:40.139 So they could not understand what Jesus was saying, 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.639 but they just said, 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:42.960 is he going to kill himself? 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.060 There's a hint of joking there. 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:47.420 But in verse 48, we start that today, 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:49.180 they were mocking Jesus. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:51.199 He said, are you not right in saying 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:53.699 that you are a Samaritan and have a demon? 00:05:55.400 --> 00:05:58.379 They could not accept what Jesus said about himself 00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.840 and also about themselves. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:02.120 They therefore had to conclude 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:04.840 that Jesus was either mad or bad or both. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:09.060 The Samaritans were despised by the Jews and the Gentiles 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:13.960 because they were mixed breed from Jews and Gentiles. 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:16.120 And that's why the Jews used Samaritan 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:17.879 to belittle people. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:21.420 But I don't think Jesus cared to be called a Samaritan. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:25.180 We can look at Jesus' response in verse 49. 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:27.800 He simply said, I do not have a demon. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:31.319 He didn't even want to go into the Samaritan thing. 00:06:32.159 --> 00:06:34.519 And he didn't care about being called a Samaritan. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.600 Now, if people like René Descartes 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:39.120 heard what Jesus said, 00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:41.159 they would think over what he said 00:06:41.159 --> 00:06:43.920 and ask questions until they reach a conclusion. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:45.659 But most people do not think 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:49.320 when there is any command upsetting their identity 00:06:49.320 --> 00:06:51.520 or any challenge to their belief. 00:06:51.880 --> 00:06:54.420 They simply retaliate by attacking the messenger. 00:06:55.320 --> 00:06:57.820 Nowadays, we do not say you are a Samaritan. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.400 We might say you are an Australian 00:07:00.400 --> 00:07:03.160 or you are a Tasmanian or something like this. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:07.620 We do not say you are a demon process. 00:07:08.020 --> 00:07:10.720 We might say you are a bigot or you are intolerant. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:13.480 So these are the terms that we use 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:17.040 to downplay the claim of other people. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:20.100 So the Jews were waiting for God 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.020 to make their life better. 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:24.860 However, when God came, 00:07:25.260 --> 00:07:27.100 they could not accept him. 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:29.960 We all have some preconceived ideas 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:30.980 of who God is like 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:31.900 or what God is like. 00:07:32.760 --> 00:07:33.820 When God appears, 00:07:34.020 --> 00:07:35.600 we might find him disagreeable. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:37.439 I hope we can think over 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.160 our encounter with Jesus 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.700 rather than dismissing the encounter with mockery. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:45.520 So how can we think about Jesus' claim? 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.960 So in chapter 8, 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.879 we can see that Jesus is appearing 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.640 to the logics of his hearers 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:53.660 all the time. 00:07:53.660 --> 00:07:56.980 He wanted them to think about what he said 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:58.620 and to think about their responses 00:07:58.620 --> 00:07:59.840 to his sayings. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.060 The Jews responded by saying 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:03.140 that Jesus had a demon. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:05.140 Jesus said he honored God, 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:06.140 the Father, 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.520 in the way he lived. 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:11.040 And you can see that Jesus healed the sick, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.360 comforted the poor, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.500 taught them from the scriptures, 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:15.980 cleansed the temple, 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:17.760 promised people life. 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:19.520 So could they find anything 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:21.140 that Jesus did betray him 00:08:21.140 --> 00:08:22.480 as a demon process? 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:24.120 if they think about it. 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:27.180 Even when they saw Jesus 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.100 performing miracles, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:29.920 they were giving praise to God. 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:32.060 But now, 00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:33.019 they label Jesus 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.240 as demon process. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.460 So how should we consider 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.340 the claims of Jesus? 00:08:38.800 --> 00:08:39.840 We can consider at least 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.840 three aspects of it. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.500 One is the motive. 00:08:43.800 --> 00:08:45.340 Why did Jesus claim? 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:48.420 Why did Jesus say what he said? 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:49.620 The offer. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.159 What did Jesus actually offer? 00:08:51.159 --> 00:08:53.559 And the identity of Jesus. 00:08:53.819 --> 00:08:57.219 Who does Jesus say himself to be? 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.679 So the motive. 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:01.639 So because we all want to be God ourselves, 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.100 we dislike people who claim to be God. 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:06.740 The Jews thought Jesus, 00:09:07.079 --> 00:09:07.819 being a man, 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.779 was claiming to be God, 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.159 to promote himself. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.219 It did not occur to them 00:09:13.219 --> 00:09:14.600 that Jesus was not a man 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.319 wanting to become God. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:18.820 Jesus is God, 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:20.500 who became man. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.220 So it's just like 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.660 the sun and the earth. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:26.280 It depends on how we see 00:09:26.280 --> 00:09:27.620 the truth. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.100 So Jesus explained, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.920 I told you to come to me, 00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:33.740 to believe me, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.760 to follow me, 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.340 not because I'm seeking glory 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:37.300 to boast 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:40.180 my ego. 00:09:40.880 --> 00:09:42.060 I honor my father, 00:09:42.400 --> 00:09:43.620 and my father honors me. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:46.159 I'm completely happy in my father. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:48.399 I do not need your validation. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:49.700 However, 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.840 if you do not believe me, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.360 you will not have life. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:55.659 Jesus' motive to call people 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:56.460 to believe in him 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:57.500 was not because he wanted 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.060 to be well known or popular. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:01.240 It was so that those who believe 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:02.060 may have life. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.779 Was Jesus' motive 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:06.419 godly or devilish? 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.960 Did he have a demon inside 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.879 to have such a motive? 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.600 When we think about it, 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.460 it is quite easy 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:12.519 to differentiate the way, 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.000 the devil, 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.340 and the way of God. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:16.040 The devil told Eve 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:17.480 to seek her own glory. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:20.399 He has been telling people 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.360 to seek their own glory 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.159 since the beginning. 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:24.240 The devil does not tell people 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.879 to seek him 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.899 because he knows 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:27.960 that it is unpopular 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.980 to tell people 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.480 to follow someone else. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:33.440 He also knows 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.320 that so long as people 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.240 follow the desire 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:35.820 of their heart, 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.840 they will become like him 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.620 eventually. 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:40.919 Why did people 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:42.000 become offended 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.600 by Jesus 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.759 after they went deeper 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.399 into his words? 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.539 He told them 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:46.539 they had the nature 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:47.679 of the devil in them. 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:48.460 He told them 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.019 not to follow 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:49.779 their own hearts. 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.120 He told them 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.279 not to seek glory 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:52.940 for themselves. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.799 Jesus told them 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.720 to follow himself. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:57.519 Jesus said he was 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.340 the son of God, 00:10:58.639 --> 00:10:59.399 the son of man, 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:00.720 the real man 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.720 who lived 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:03.799 for God's glory. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.519 He kept God's word. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.759 Jesus said, 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:09.480 Jesus did not 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.200 tell people 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.319 to follow their hearts. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.620 If he had said that, 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.519 then we can. 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.000 We might label him 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.840 or say that he 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.879 had a demon himself. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:19.740 Jesus did not tell people 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.419 to follow other 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.200 great persons. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.419 If he had said that, 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:24.039 the most we could say 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:24.679 about Jesus 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.980 was that he was 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.620 a good teacher. 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:28.460 But Jesus said, 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.240 follow me 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.559 so that you will 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:32.519 never taste death. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.980 And that is the offer. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:36.080 Has anyone 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.980 besides Jesus 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.539 ever said, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:38.120 truly, truly, 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:38.940 I say to you, 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:39.759 anyone who keeps 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:40.240 my word 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.360 will never taste death? 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:44.259 Our automatic response 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.360 is to label Jesus 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.600 either a lunatic 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.320 or a liar. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.159 Everyone dies. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:51.100 People before Jesus 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.300 came 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:52.960 and people after 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.480 Jesus came 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:53.940 all die. 00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:55.500 Even Jesus himself 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:55.860 died. 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:58.740 But hold on, 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.759 let us think deeper. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.860 Did Jesus live 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:01.840 and speak 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.620 in any way 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.680 resemble a lunatic 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.300 or a liar? 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.899 Even as we 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.600 look at Jesus, 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:08.779 we can 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.879 make some sort of, 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:12.919 we have some sort of idea 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:13.580 whether Jesus 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.300 was genuine 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:15.200 in what he said. 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:16.480 So, 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.560 was Jesus trying 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.240 to take advantage 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.120 of anyone's 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:20.639 naivety? 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.480 Would you even 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.039 tell people 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:23.680 that you would 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.240 never die? 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:25.480 I mean, 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:27.360 it's so obviously 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:27.920 a lie 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.980 if you are not 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.820 in a position 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:31.800 to say that. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:32.600 So, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.460 it would be crazy 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:33.980 for anyone 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:35.200 to actually say that. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.960 What was Jesus offering 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:39.139 and what is the price 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.639 for his offer? 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:41.680 So, 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.920 Jesus was offering 00:12:42.920 --> 00:12:44.019 eternal life, 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:45.259 a life that enjoys 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.159 fellowship with God, 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.659 a life that overflows 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.500 to bless others, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.100 a life that appreciates 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.740 the beauty 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.000 and majesty 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.820 of God's works. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.360 What price 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:54.740 will we put 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.560 on eternal life 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.340 and what price 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.240 could I even pay 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.019 for such an offer? 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.399 Jesus said, 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.340 the offer is free 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.519 because I have 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.100 paid for it. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:02.740 I paid for it 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.460 with my death. 00:13:04.439 --> 00:13:05.519 Jesus tasted death 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.460 so that he could 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.539 offer us life. 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.079 Jesus did not 00:13:09.079 --> 00:13:09.779 remain dead. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.799 He was resurrected 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.799 three days later 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:12.939 and that's why 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:14.059 we know his offer 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:14.659 is genuine. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.360 You may ask, 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:18.419 but did not people 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.039 still die 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:19.779 after they listened 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.559 to Jesus' word? 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.279 Our bodies 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.340 do decay and die 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:23.759 because 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:26.480 they are inherited 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.840 from the older 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.700 order of things. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.560 God promised us 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:31.320 a new body 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.460 like that 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.460 of the resurrected 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:34.279 body of Jesus. 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:36.120 So the first body 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.500 is formed 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.340 from dust 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.000 and it will 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.899 return to dust. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.240 The second body 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:41.519 is formed 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.399 by God's power 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.659 and it will 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.320 last forever. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.680 The old body 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:46.320 needs to go 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.220 before the new body 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.820 can come. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.100 In any case, 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.220 people who believe 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.659 in Jesus 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.399 may die 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:52.180 in their bodies 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:52.980 but they would 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.320 not taste death 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:55.620 because death 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.140 would be 00:13:56.140 --> 00:13:57.440 the transformation 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.620 from this broken 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.500 world into 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.600 the eternal 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.540 joy of God. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.020 And do you know 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:04.820 why those who 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.520 are in Christ 00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:06.280 will never taste 00:14:06.280 --> 00:14:06.640 death? 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.240 Because Christ 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.860 is alive. 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:09.800 Eternal life 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:10.900 means knowing Christ. 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:11.840 Eternal life 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.920 means it is no longer 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.440 I live 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:14.280 but Christ 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:14.940 lives in me. 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:15.900 Eternal life 00:14:15.900 --> 00:14:16.720 means I no longer 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.700 live for my glory 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:19.720 but for a much 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.820 bigger glory. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:23.740 And how do we know 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.700 we have eternal life? 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.440 What difference 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:26.659 would that make in us? 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:27.779 There are many 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.200 differences. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.120 I can mention 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.620 just two. 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.100 One is that 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.740 we will start 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.320 to care 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.759 about others 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.419 and want them 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.019 to have 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:37.240 this same life. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.639 The other is that 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.180 we will start 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:39.720 to pray 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.879 differently. 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.279 When we live 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.840 for ourselves, 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.759 we are the subject 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.720 of our concerns 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.700 and prayer. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.940 God is there 00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:49.379 to help 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.840 achieving our goals. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.560 Three weeks ago, 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.120 a friend 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.120 from Sydney 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.860 requested me 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.279 to pray 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.139 because his wife 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.679 was diagnosed 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.860 with kidney cancer. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.360 His specific request 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.679 was to pray 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.379 that further 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.120 investigations 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.100 would reveal 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.060 an early stage 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:06.919 cancer. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.860 So when we are 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.279 the subject 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:10.840 of our prayer, 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.179 we will tell God 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:12.759 how best 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.700 to help us, 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.820 what God should do 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.860 to make life 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.940 easier for us. 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:19.279 That's what we will ask. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.340 But how did I pray 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.080 for my friend 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:22.780 and his wife? 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:24.740 I pray that they 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.379 would be drawn 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.220 closer to God 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.200 in their distress, 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.360 that they would 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.080 come to appreciate 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.920 each other more, 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.580 that they would 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.259 not be defeated 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.280 by fear and doubt, 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.680 that they would 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.740 treasure the Lord's 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.500 suffering more, 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.340 that the peace of God 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.000 will overthrow 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.620 from them 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.560 as they talk 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.899 about their suffering 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.980 with their friends 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.120 or families. 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:46.500 So a life 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.060 that does not 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.639 fear death, 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.480 a life that 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.080 seeks first 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.919 God's glory, 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.320 that is eternal life. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.399 Alright, 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.000 we will come to 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.899 the identity of Jesus. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.200 The Jews prided 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.240 themselves for being 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.860 the descendants 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.659 of Abraham. 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:00.179 Abraham was 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.139 that great man 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.940 who was called 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.860 by God to forego 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.560 his old way 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.019 of living 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.340 and follow God's way. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.659 God promised 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.379 Abraham that 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.180 all the families 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:08.779 of the earth 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.600 would be blessed 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.580 in him. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.480 Abraham did not 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.379 know how 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.460 all the families 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:14.960 of the earth 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.940 would be blessed 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.279 in him. 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:17.600 Abraham did not 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.240 even think 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.340 he himself was blessed 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.300 because he didn't 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:20.899 have a child. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.860 It was after 25 years 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.740 of God's call 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.940 when he was 100 years 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.539 old that God 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.399 gave him a child. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.659 And that is how 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.600 God was showing 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.680 Abraham how this 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.560 is going to be done. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.159 So God gave him 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.639 a child, 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.200 a son, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.639 and then requested 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.740 Abraham to sacrifice 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.620 the son 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.920 as a burnt offering. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.420 At the last minute 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.399 God stopped Abraham 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.639 and provided a lamb 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.759 as a burnt offering. 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.819 Abraham saw 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:48.899 that God's promise 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.839 would be fulfilled 00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:51.779 through a son 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.079 and that God 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:54.079 was going to provide 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:54.699 that son. 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.539 Abraham rejoiced 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.059 to know that 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:57.839 all the families 00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:59.240 on earth 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.819 would indeed 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.319 be blessed 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.000 in him, 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.299 not personally 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:02.679 in him, 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.919 but to his 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.500 descendants. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.500 He understood 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.639 that a son 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.079 would come 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.940 from his descendants 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.740 who would take 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.319 away the sin 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.899 of the world. 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:12.640 Jesus was telling 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.080 the Jews 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:13.560 that Abraham 00:17:13.560 --> 00:17:14.300 was a sign 00:17:14.300 --> 00:17:15.320 pointing to himself. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.840 Abraham was waiting 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:17.400 for the coming 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:17.840 of Jesus 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.120 to fulfill his role 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:21.480 as the sacrificial lamb. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:22.800 In fact, 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.780 Jesus implied 00:17:23.780 --> 00:17:24.700 that he met Abraham. 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.259 If you go to 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.759 Genesis 18.1, 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:28.820 he says that 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.500 the Lord appeared 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.060 to Abraham 00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:31.420 by the ox of Manry 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.500 as he sat 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.320 at the door 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:34.340 of his tents 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:34.880 in the heat 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.460 of the day. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.740 So that's in 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.680 Genesis 18.1. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.640 But the Jews 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:40.720 ridiculed him 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.240 and said, 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:41.920 you are not yet 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.240 50 years old. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.320 Do not bluff. 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.820 Jesus said to them, 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.600 truly, truly, 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.480 I say to you, 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.700 before Abraham 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.580 was, I am. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:52.940 So as 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:56.160 Simon 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.060 and 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.960 Marty 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.560 pointed out, 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:00.240 this is not 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.860 a grammatic 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:01.580 mistake. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.720 Jesus did not 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.080 mean that 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:04.460 before Abraham 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.279 was, I was. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.399 Jesus used 00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:07.940 the phrase, 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.460 I am, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.379 quite a number 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.859 of times, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.460 especially in 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.259 the book of John. 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.440 For example, 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.660 in John 6, 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.680 verse 20, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.480 but he said to them, 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.099 I am, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.099 do not be afraid. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.720 In John 8, 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.160 24, 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.599 I told you that 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.440 you would die 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.279 in your sins, 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.099 for unless you 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.200 believe that I am, 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:25.940 you would die 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.480 in your sins. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.000 And the Jews 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.779 understood 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.500 that Jesus 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.680 was telling them 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.639 he was not only 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.379 a better man 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:33.960 than Abraham, 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.160 he was the 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.039 God of Abraham. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.120 That was why 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.900 they wanted 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:38.680 to stone him 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.100 immediately 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:39.600 for such 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.299 an unheard 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.279 of blasphemy. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.799 At this point, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.759 I wonder 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.500 to think about 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.220 why Jesus 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.380 did not simply 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.079 tell the Jews 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.039 that he was God. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.620 One of the 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.400 strongest objections 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:51.920 of Islam 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.720 to the identity 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.779 of Jesus 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.480 is the fact 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.880 that Jesus 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.640 never said 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.680 he was God. 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.840 Plenty, 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.680 one statement 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.160 like that. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:04.240 And there 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.779 is a challenge 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.600 when the 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:05.940 Muslims 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.200 say, 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:06.660 show me 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.080 in the Bible 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:07.580 where did 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:07.960 Jesus 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:09.220 say he 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.680 was God. 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.600 How do 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.200 you show 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.600 a Muslim? 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.560 So we 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:13.040 have to think 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:13.580 about why 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:13.940 Jesus 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.279 never used 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.820 that phrase, 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.880 I am God. 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.300 So we, 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.759 did the Jews 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.580 believe in God? 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.380 They thought 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:22.740 they did. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:23.759 However, 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.360 Jesus said 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.800 they believed 00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:25.320 in the devil. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.920 Jesus said 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.800 they were liars 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.359 when they said 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:28.799 they believed 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.180 in God 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:29.720 because their 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.099 pride, 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:30.940 their jealousy, 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.339 their murdering 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.139 attitude towards 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:33.899 Jesus betrayed 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:34.460 their hearts. 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.500 So if you 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:37.059 tell a Muslim 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.480 that Jesus 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:37.980 is God, 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.720 he would think 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.200 that Jesus 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.379 is like Allah. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.259 If you 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.000 tell a Buddhist 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.680 that Jesus 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.319 is God, 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.779 he would think 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.599 that Jesus 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.299 is like Buddha. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.680 Whatever the 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.339 term God 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:49.059 means to you 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.460 and I, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.599 we are most 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.419 likely wrong 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.099 when we apply 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.500 this term 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:53.960 to Jesus. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.700 Jesus said 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.379 I am the only 00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:57.059 one who knows 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.779 how to describe 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.200 God. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.379 That was 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.240 what Jesus 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.819 had been doing 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.779 as he interacted 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.379 with the Jews. 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.879 He was describing 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:08.220 who he was 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.059 and who he is 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.619 but not in the 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.539 term of the 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.059 understanding 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.859 of the Jews 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.960 as they 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.639 taught what 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.539 God was like. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.639 So Jesus 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.539 used the terms 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.019 like I am 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.779 the bread of life, 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.599 I am the 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.359 light of the world, 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.059 I am the 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.720 door of the ship, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.279 I am the 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.940 resurrection and 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.299 the life, 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.119 I am the way, 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.819 the truth and 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.259 the life, 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.000 I am the 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.579 true wine 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.839 and the 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.460 most powerful 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.259 statement is 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.039 what we come 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.480 to today, 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:30.899 simply, 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.740 I am. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.899 And what does 00:20:32.899 --> 00:20:33.480 I am mean? 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.859 It can mean 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.599 a lot of 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:36.960 things, 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.740 I am, 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.819 but it 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.299 gives us 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.939 a sense of 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.839 awe as 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.579 someone much, 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.500 much greater, 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.859 someone who 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.659 has been there 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.259 throughout 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:49.279 history, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:52.539 someone who 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.399 is in control 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.140 of everything, 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:55.180 someone who 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.440 is the 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.200 prime mover 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.900 who 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.320 causes 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:57.620 everything 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.000 else to 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.340 happen, 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.420 and someone 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.340 for the 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:01.780 whole thing 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.200 to happen 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.660 is about 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.240 him and 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.780 for him, 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.820 and that 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:05.880 is what 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.340 I am 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:07.040 can convey 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:08.420 to us. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.140 So by 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.860 the term 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.300 I am, 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.800 Jesus was 00:21:12.800 --> 00:21:13.300 telling the 00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:13.680 Jews to 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.280 worship him, 00:21:15.280 --> 00:21:16.320 then they 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:16.660 will be 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:16.960 free. 00:21:18.040 --> 00:21:18.420 However, 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:18.940 the Jews 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.340 would not 00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:19.960 relinquish 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.820 their self- 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:21.140 worship, 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.259 worship, 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.520 they hid 00:21:22.520 --> 00:21:23.120 behind the 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.580 thought that 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:23.960 they were 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.480 worshiping 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.000 God when 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.300 they offered 00:21:26.300 --> 00:21:27.700 sacrifices and 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.320 kept the 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:28.600 laws, 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.540 but they 00:21:29.540 --> 00:21:29.960 did not 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.560 love God. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.220 It is like 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.680 we hide 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.140 behind the 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.500 thought of 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.840 being green 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.500 or being 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.380 socially minded, 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.340 but we do 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:37.720 not even 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.259 love our 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.900 neighbors. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.900 Ideology and 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.660 religion appear 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.340 to try to 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.000 bless people, 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.380 but they end 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:44.780 up killing 00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:45.259 people. 00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:46.440 It is like 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:46.940 the Jews 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.180 were doing 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.620 as Jesus 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:48.980 has been 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.500 telling them 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.120 three times 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:50.520 before they 00:21:50.520 --> 00:21:50.820 want to 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.279 stone Jesus 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.700 that they 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:53.299 wanted to 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.779 kill him, 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.179 and they 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:55.379 did. 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:57.960 It is only 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.519 the seed of 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.279 Abraham that 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.659 all the 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.659 families on 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.059 earth will 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.539 be blessed. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.659 Jesus is 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.000 the great 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.119 I am that 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.619 makes all 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.359 things right. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.359 And what 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.799 does this 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.419 I am mean 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:08.859 to me? 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:10.599 As I was 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.319 thinking about 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.099 this sermon 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:14.919 about four 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.559 weeks ago, 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.460 on one 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.839 Sunday, 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:18.720 two things 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.220 happened. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:21.440 after the 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.720 service, 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.819 after I 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.380 went home, 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.880 I was 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.660 talking to 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.100 my sister 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:26.620 in Malaysia 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.160 through the 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.460 phone, 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.640 and she 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.480 was telling 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.079 me about 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.360 her cleaning 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.380 her apartment, 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.380 and said 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.440 that there's 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.779 still the 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.000 ceiling fan 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.900 to be 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.600 cleaned. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.019 And then 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.360 it straight 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:42.960 away occurred 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.200 to me, 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.500 I need to 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.059 ask how 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.559 he's going 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.279 to clean 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.640 the ceiling 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:45.940 fan, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.860 because he's 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.559 12 years 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:47.940 older than 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.279 I am. 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.539 If he's 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:49.779 going to 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.259 climb up 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.200 the ladder 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.660 and clean 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:51.799 it, 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.400 it's so 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:52.759 dangerous. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.299 And then 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.779 we talked 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.160 about other 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.559 things, 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.420 and I 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.120 totally 00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:57.880 forgot about 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.680 asking her. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.779 And then 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.080 a few 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.799 hours later, 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:02.039 I received 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.559 a call 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.400 and said 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.779 that she 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.320 had a fall 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:04.700 from the 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.680 ladder and 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.519 had hemorrhage 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:06.860 from the 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.140 brain. 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:10.299 I felt 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.759 so, 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.779 why did I 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.880 forget to 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.820 tell her not 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.200 to do 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.439 it? 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.500 Things like 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.099 this happen 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.579 in life. 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.819 But on 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.220 that same 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.740 Sunday in 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.059 the morning, 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.439 we were 00:23:23.439 --> 00:23:24.240 voting for 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.039 David 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.379 Bolt's 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.139 appointment, 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.539 and I 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.019 was having 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.460 the role 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.960 of the 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.679 members. 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.019 I counted 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.500 that we 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:33.720 need to 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.220 have 50 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.119 votes to 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:38.819 pass the 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.119 motion. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.200 And then 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.299 we welcomed 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.799 Sam Brown 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.159 as a 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:44.399 member. 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.539 that 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.119 changed the 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.439 whole thing. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.919 I said, 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.279 oh yeah, 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.639 it's not 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.119 50 now, 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:48.740 it's 51 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.379 votes for 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:52.759 the motion 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.039 to be 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.379 passed. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.839 So we 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.299 counted the 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.439 vote, 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.819 we got 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.419 50 votes, 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.019 and I 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.339 totally 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.839 forgot that 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.059 we need 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.279 to have 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.639 51. 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.359 So 50 00:23:59.359 --> 00:23:59.559 votes, 00:23:59.700 --> 00:23:59.879 okay. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.720 So though 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.019 I didn't 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.759 tell David 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.799 Collierwood 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.700 that it's 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.039 all right, 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.099 but in 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.779 terms of 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.119 how I 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.700 told him 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.500 it's 50, 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.740 he perceived 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.339 that it is 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.000 all right as 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.200 well. 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.000 And so we 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.339 said the 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.799 motion was 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.619 passed. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:16.699 So on 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:17.139 the same 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:17.599 Sunday, 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.139 so two 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:18.599 things happened 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:18.919 that I 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.599 felt so 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.879 bad in 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.279 terms of 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.099 what's 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.619 going on 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.119 in there. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.979 But reading 00:24:24.979 --> 00:24:25.739 this passage 00:24:25.739 --> 00:24:26.399 and going 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.279 through it, 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.539 I have to 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.779 think that 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.239 Jesus said, 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.879 I am. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.219 So it's not 00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:32.759 about me, 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.459 not about my 00:24:33.459 --> 00:24:33.819 sister, 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.299 not about 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.519 David, 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:34.979 but not 00:24:34.979 --> 00:24:35.479 about anything 00:24:35.479 --> 00:24:35.859 else. 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.439 In the end, 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.679 he is. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.920 whether 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.440 things will 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.860 turn up 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.299 as I 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.840 expect it 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.120 to be 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.519 or not, 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.779 in the 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.000 end, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.640 it doesn't 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.660 really matter 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.220 so much. 00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:48.880 There's 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.279 so many 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.580 things in 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.019 our life 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:51.320 that do 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:51.680 not turn 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.019 up as 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.560 we expect 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:53.000 them to 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.259 be, 00:24:54.080 --> 00:24:54.700 but I'm 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.519 not, 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.200 he is. 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.420 So like 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.080 Eve's split 00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.840 second decision 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.420 to eat the 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.799 forbidden 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.720 fruit, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.740 each of 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.160 our lives 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.480 can be 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.980 changed in 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.620 any moment, 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.500 a moment 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.299 of foolishness, 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.159 a moment 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.899 of carelessness, 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.339 a moment 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.859 of dozing 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.259 off when 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.399 we're 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.819 driving, 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.159 a moment 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.720 of blocked 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.240 arteries, 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.019 giving us 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.559 heart attack, 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.119 can lead 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.500 to much 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.180 regrets 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.700 and sorrow 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.299 for myself 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.819 and for 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.480 someone else. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.839 But Jesus 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.200 said, 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.180 before your 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.879 accident was, 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.599 I am. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.879 Before your 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.539 mistakes were, 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.200 I am. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.240 I knew 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.859 all about 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.079 them, 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.980 trust me. 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.259 It is for 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.919 your brokenness 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.299 that I 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.659 can. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.879 And Psalm 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:34.819 94, 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.720 19 said, 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:36.899 when the 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.380 cares of 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.540 my 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:37.759 hearts 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:37.920 are 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.240 many, 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:38.960 your 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.840 consolation 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.440 shares 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:40.680 my 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.120 soul. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.700 And when 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.160 Jesus said, 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.680 I am, 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.220 that is a 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.120 big consolation 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.740 to me. 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:48.200 René 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.600 Descartes 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.180 said that 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.180 because I 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.840 was thinking, 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:51.540 therefore I 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:51.940 existed. 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.780 I want to 00:25:52.780 --> 00:25:53.160 take this 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.600 conclusion 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.000 further. 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.480 I want to 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:54.840 say that 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.360 because I 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.080 can think, 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:56.960 therefore God 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.420 exists. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:58.980 I do not 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.800 create myself 00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:00.480 or anything 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.840 else. 00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:01.800 There is a 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:02.360 prime mover 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.940 that started 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.660 all things. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.560 Jesus said, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.920 I am. 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.880 life does 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.460 not make 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.019 sense until 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.580 we see that 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.140 everything is 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.779 from Jesus, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.160 through Jesus, 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.480 and for 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.860 Jesus. 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:14.960 Life is 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.519 difficult to 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.140 cope until 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.700 we see that 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.200 we are not 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.660 the subject 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.240 of our 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.100 existence. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.140 Jesus is. 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.080 Life is 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.900 hopeless until 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.480 we see that 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.180 things do 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.900 not happen 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:25.120 according to 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.640 our plans, 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.140 but according 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.680 to God's 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.140 plan for 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.480 Jesus. 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.599 Jesus. 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.779 The Jews 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.660 during Jesus' 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.420 time had a 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.880 glimpse of 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.339 greatness, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.940 of eternity, 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.220 of majesty. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.920 Most of 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.519 them chose 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.000 to hold 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.279 on to 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.700 their own 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.200 familiar 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.700 mundane 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.240 existence. 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:42.799 Every 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.240 Christmas, 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:43.660 we are 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.299 reminded the 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.740 great I 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.460 am has 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.819 come and 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.400 offered us 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.839 eternal 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.240 life. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.839 May we 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.240 be willing 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.819 to surrender 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.380 our small 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.759 I am and 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.460 follow him 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.180 and trust 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.400 him. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.400 Let us 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.660 pray. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:55.720 pray. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.180 Oh, 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.380 Father, 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.560 we stand 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.240 in the 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:07.340 presence of 00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:07.680 the great 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:08.200 I am. 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.000 We can 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.600 be fearful 00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:16.320 because we 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:17.660 do not 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.200 know you. 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.860 But we 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.380 thank you 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.720 that through 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.060 the Lord 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:24.800 Jesus Christ 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:26.759 who revealed 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.639 you to 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.519 us to 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:31.039 see grace 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.079 upon grace, 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:35.200 to see 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.599 one who 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:35.940 is full 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.460 of grace 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.279 and truth. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.139 And we 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:39.059 thank you 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.700 that we 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.019 could 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.579 behold 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:43.680 your glory 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.139 in Christ 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.480 Jesus. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:46.539 and we 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.039 want to 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:49.799 live on 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.420 such a 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.839 premise, 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.779 on such 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.819 a promise, 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.160 on such 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:55.880 a hope 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.400 that we 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:56.700 have. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.180 Thank you, 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.380 Lord. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.599 We pray in 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.220 Jesus' name. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:00.900 Amen.