WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.779 There are four Gospels, I'm sure you know. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they each have their characteristics, their ways of writing. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:21.339 And the fourth Gospel of John is unique. It's unique in its simplicity. It's unique in its sublimeness, the way it presents the Christian faith. 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:33.579 I want to use verse 18 as a summary this afternoon. No one has ever seen God, the only God, who is at the Father's side. He has made him known. 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:40.939 Now notice there's a great positive statement there, but it's preceded by a very negative statement. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:50.579 And what you discover when you read through John's Gospel is that again and again you have a positive statement and a negative statement side by side. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:57.280 And very often it's not possible in life to say the positive without saying the negative. 00:00:58.460 --> 00:01:03.900 So if I said to you, let's meet a bank station this afternoon. Let's meet a bank station this afternoon. 00:01:04.460 --> 00:01:07.640 Well there are on there seemingly about 500 entrances to bank station. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:16.240 I would say not the Mansion House one. I would say the Bank of England one. Not the Mansion House, but the Bank of England. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:25.439 If I meet you at one of the kind of big train stations in London, I would say it's no good to say meet me under the clock at Paddington Station. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:33.239 When there's two clocks. I have to say meet me under that clock that is there and not there. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:38.859 And John uses that again and again and again. It's very interesting to read through the Gospel and see that. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:42.500 John wants to define to you what the Christian faith is. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:47.659 It's already towards the end of the New Testament era. John's Gospel is one of the last books to be written. 00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:50.719 And rivals have come into the Christian faith. 00:01:51.379 --> 00:01:54.659 The church is beginning to fragment and divide misunderstandings. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:01:57.879 And John is the most careful of all the Gospel writers. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:02.400 To say exactly what he means so that you will not understand us. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:06.620 And he wants to tell us that God has revealed himself to us by Jesus. 00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:08.500 And he makes that very plain. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:11.060 As I'll show you in a moment. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:16.000 By saying that there is no other way by which we may see God. 00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:18.800 Now let's start with the positive statement in verse 18. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:23.960 He says God, the only Son or the only God. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:26.219 There's a little bit of debate on how that is translated. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:30.379 God, the only Son, who is at the Father's side. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:34.519 Which that presumably means, doesn't it, who is very close to him. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:37.060 Who is intimately connected with God. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:41.840 God's Son has made the Father known. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:46.060 So he begins his statement at the beginning of his Gospel. 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:48.639 And he says God has made himself known. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:51.680 There's a more theological word. 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:53.800 It's the word revelation. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:58.039 The word revelation is one of the great Christian words. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.000 And it comes from a very ordinary Greek word. 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:02.579 Which means the word for an unveiling. 00:03:03.679 --> 00:03:04.759 So you know how it is, isn't it? 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:05.599 You go to a hospital. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:09.659 And the hospital are unveiling a new wing. 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:13.519 And there's a little curtain on the wall as you go in. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:19.739 And on that day, some famous dignitary, Prince Charles or Prince William or Kate, will come. 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:22.020 And they will pull a string. 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.180 Or they'll press a button. 00:03:24.980 --> 00:03:27.620 And the plaque will be unveiled, won't it? 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:28.680 You can't see it. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:29.860 She presses the button. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:30.760 She pulls the string. 00:03:30.860 --> 00:03:31.879 And it is unveiled. 00:03:32.900 --> 00:03:35.000 You can now see what has been hidden. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:40.580 And this great word, unveiling or revelation, is one of the great themes of the New Testament. 00:03:41.040 --> 00:03:42.600 That God is veiled. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:45.699 You don't know what's going on behind. 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:47.599 It is all hidden to us. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:48.759 It's there beyond the grave. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:53.519 But that God, through his son, the Lord Jesus, has unveiled it. 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:54.539 He has revealed it. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:57.740 And that is the theme of the prologue. 00:03:57.859 --> 00:03:59.159 Shown to you by verse 1, isn't it? 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:00.060 Can you just look at verse 1? 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.479 I love the way in which this gospel begins. 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:02.579 In the beginning was the word. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:04.719 In the beginning God spoke. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:07.620 God has always wanted to speak. 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:09.379 We do not live in a silent universe. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:17.660 We're often told, aren't we, how vast and gigantuan and empty and cold the universe is. 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:22.660 And it may be so scientifically and technically, but it's never that to the Christian. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:29.079 John 1 verse 1 stands against the idea that we live in a cold, meaningless universe. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:32.300 In the beginning was the word. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:36.040 And the word was with God. 00:04:36.900 --> 00:04:38.420 And the word was God. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:40.500 Now look down to verse 14. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:44.100 The word became flesh. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:46.720 Became skin and bones. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:48.699 And dwelt amongst us. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:49.900 Tabernacled amongst us. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.680 Lived amongst us for a while. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:52.740 God has spoken. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.460 So why do we meet here every Tuesday? 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:58.040 Why do we meet here every Tuesday? 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:00.300 We meet here for speaking and for hearing. 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:03.300 Why do we meet here? 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:04.120 Why do we meet here? 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:05.360 However nice my shirt. 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:08.660 And however impressive my gestures are. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:09.240 I know they're not. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:13.319 Or however good Chris's cup of tea or coffee is. 00:05:13.460 --> 00:05:15.199 Or how comfortable your seat is. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:19.019 I doubt whether you would survive many Tuesdays with you. 00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:20.860 If I didn't speak. 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:22.879 If I just stood here. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:26.740 You may not survive any Tuesdays at all. 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:27.579 Many Tuesdays at all. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:28.519 But you wouldn't survive any. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:30.199 You'd say. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:31.500 It's a total waste of time. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:32.719 Just let you go there and hear nothing. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:36.719 How do we communicate with one another? 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:39.860 After I finish speaking. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:42.319 Hopefully you will talk to the person next to you. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:44.139 And you will make yourself known to them. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:45.959 Through the opening of your lips. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:47.379 I was at a conference this morning. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:49.480 And there was a little bit of time where people would greet their neighbours. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:52.240 And of course there's this great concophony of noise. 00:05:52.900 --> 00:05:54.300 And it's the usual questions isn't it? 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:54.920 What's your name? 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:56.000 What do you do? 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:57.680 Where do you come from? 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:00.280 You get to know each other. 00:06:00.460 --> 00:06:02.980 You introduce yourself to one another. 00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:04.400 And so what John is saying. 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:05.620 Right at the beginning of the gospel. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:06.800 Is that God speaks. 00:06:08.280 --> 00:06:11.860 And God desires you to know who he is. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:15.500 He desires to introduce himself to human beings. 00:06:16.700 --> 00:06:19.360 He sent his son into the world. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:20.840 And he's going to reveal himself. 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:22.759 And that is tremendously important. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:26.580 Because it defines and distinguishes Christianity from every other religion. 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:31.220 Religion speaks of man's efforts. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:33.819 You do this. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:35.160 You do that. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:36.020 And you get to God. 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:40.280 And to reach God you need to do certain things. 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:44.739 But that isn't the case with biblical Christianity. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:50.359 The thing I hate most about my job more than anything else is having to sign people's passports. 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:52.979 I've got two assistant ministers starting in July. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:56.019 And I'm going to refuse to sign another passport for a whole year. 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:56.579 All right. 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:59.740 And I have to put at the bottom of them. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.939 Reverend A.P. Levy. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:03.819 Profession minister of religion. 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:08.060 And I've decided after preparing this talk I will never do that again. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:10.420 Because Christianity is not a religion. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:11.340 It is a revelation. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:15.759 It is not man's ladder going up to God. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.960 It is God speaking down to man. 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:21.159 So in the future if you bring me your passport. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.219 I will sign it. 00:07:22.299 --> 00:07:23.259 Reverend A.P. Levy. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:24.319 Minister of Revelation. 00:07:25.219 --> 00:07:27.339 I'll probably get a call one time from the passport office. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.259 Calling you a right crack. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.339 Now you might think I'm making a pedantic point. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:31.859 But I'm not. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:35.099 I have a number of Bible dictionaries. 00:07:35.179 --> 00:07:36.039 I opened one last night. 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:37.639 And religion. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:38.560 Needless to say. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:40.139 It's got a very very brief entry. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.179 Because the Bible is not interested in religion. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:44.199 This is how it summarises. 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:46.120 It's 18 or 19 lines. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:47.099 It says. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.200 Thus the word religion as used today. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.080 Can hardly be said to be a biblical word. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.320 At all. 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:54.120 It does not occur in the Old Testament. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.300 And in the New Testament. 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:57.420 There is no sanction for the modern usage. 00:07:58.140 --> 00:07:59.320 As the word religion. 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:00.600 Is actually used in the New Testament. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:02.180 A kind of liturgical practice. 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:02.920 How we. 00:08:03.320 --> 00:08:04.020 Our liturgy. 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:07.080 The faith in Christ. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.100 Is not presented as. 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:11.280 Presented as one of the religions of the world. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.200 But of the unique and final truth. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:16.020 With which no other gospel may be compared. 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:16.139 It. 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:19.060 The New Testament knows nothing of comparative religion. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:21.979 It regards the revelation of God through Christ. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.339 Being of quite a different order. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.199 This is something unique. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:29.259 It's not man struggling to God. 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:30.639 But God coming to man. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.199 Now in order to make that point. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.779 Which is so unpopular isn't it. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:38.299 It's so unfamiliar. 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:40.639 He makes a great negative statement. 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:42.199 At the beginning of verse 18. 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:42.839 Can you see it? 00:08:44.859 --> 00:08:45.179 No. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:46.399 One. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.719 Has ever seen God. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:54.160 I hope you won't come up to me. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:54.860 At the end of this talk. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:55.060 And say. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:55.340 Well. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:55.519 Well. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:57.240 That all depends on your interpretation. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:57.600 Doesn't it? 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.240 I get very tired of people saying that to me. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:02.019 And it does sometimes. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:02.460 I'm sure. 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:03.779 But I don't think. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.000 Can you look at verse 18. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:05.820 Those. 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:06.620 First. 00:09:07.540 --> 00:09:08.259 Six words. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:10.820 Can you misinterpret those words? 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.320 If you can think of anything. 00:09:14.660 --> 00:09:15.360 Any other thing. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.019 What do you think of these words mean? 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:16.720 Do tell me. 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.019 The words in John's gospel. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.639 Are normally. 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:23.060 No longer the one syllable. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:25.720 No man. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.820 Has ever seen. 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:28.720 God. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:29.560 Can you mistake that? 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:30.399 It's as clear as crystal. 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:31.779 No one. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:34.019 Has ever seen God. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:36.000 No one. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.419 Has ever seen. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:38.120 God. 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:40.480 No one. 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.420 Has ever seen. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.019 God. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:43.820 Did you get it? 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:46.720 What does this mean? 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.580 Well it means three things. 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.399 First of all. 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:50.560 It means that God is unknowable. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:54.000 If we can't see anything. 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:54.860 We can't measure it. 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:57.919 So there can be no knowledge of it. 00:09:58.300 --> 00:09:59.580 No scientific knowledge of it. 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:02.320 And if there's no scientific knowledge of it. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:03.060 We can't know it. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:07.080 So we can't know God in any real way. 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.180 Because he is invisible. 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:09.159 He is out of reach. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:10.879 He is. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.840 What the theologians call. 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:13.080 Transcendent. 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:16.460 He is simply beyond you. 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:18.940 But not only that. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.600 Because we are sinful. 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:22.440 And the New Testament warns us. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:23.900 That because we are sinful. 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:26.300 Our ideas of what God is like. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:27.180 Ask you if. 00:10:27.300 --> 00:10:28.300 They're off balance. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:31.580 That even if God was knowable. 00:10:32.780 --> 00:10:34.500 Because sin is so affected us. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.460 We wouldn't be able to know him. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:39.200 Because we have disqualified ourselves. 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.080 By our rebellion. 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:43.000 So you get these typical words. 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:43.660 Of the Apostle Paul. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.820 Which I think are very striking. 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.200 The word of the cross. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:46.900 He says. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.440 The word of the cross. 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:49.680 Is foolishness. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.280 To those who are perishing. 00:10:52.040 --> 00:10:53.400 If you know anything about the Bible at all. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.440 If you know anything about the New Testament. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:56.000 You will know that the word of the cross. 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.460 Is essentially the gospel. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:59.120 That is how you and I are saved. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:02.139 So Paul is quite simply saying. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.399 The essential gospel. 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:05.200 Is foolishness. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:05.960 To most people. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:08.879 For God has said. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.240 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:12.519 The cleverness of the clever. 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:13.200 I will fought. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:15.019 Where is the wise man? 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:15.740 Where is the scribe? 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:16.860 Where is the debater of the age? 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.820 God has made them foolish. 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:18.600 For in his wisdom. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:20.560 The world did not know God. 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.179 Through wisdom. 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:25.500 I don't know what grades you've got in school. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.740 Kids in our church seem to get. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.600 A stars. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.460 At A levels. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.080 For fun. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.919 But however many A levels you've got. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:34.379 You cannot know God. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.340 Because we are all sinful. 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.240 He is beyond us. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.419 We cannot understand him. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.700 And even if we could see something of him. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.960 We would misinterpret it. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:44.019 As the ancients did. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:45.159 In terms of idolatry. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:48.440 So the ordinary person on the street. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.639 They recognize this. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:53.180 And I think most people would say. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.779 I'm agnostic. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:58.299 Which literally means in the Greek. 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.279 I don't know. 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:00.319 That's what people say. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.679 So they might not use the term agnostic. 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.419 But when you talk to them. 00:12:02.479 --> 00:12:02.699 They'll say. 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:03.399 Well there may be a God. 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.439 Sometimes it doesn't feel like a God. 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:06.000 I don't know. 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:06.859 It is strange isn't it. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:08.859 People are very proud of being agnostic. 00:12:10.199 --> 00:12:11.199 The Latin equivalent. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.979 Is the word ignoramus. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:15.940 No one has ever come up to me and said. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:16.659 Paul. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.500 You know. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.840 I'm not an unbeliever. 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.840 Actually I'm an ignoramus. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:21.539 No one. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:23.000 No one ever said that. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.320 And yet. 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.320 Many people say. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.800 I just don't know. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:28.460 I'm not a believer. 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:28.840 I just. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.440 I just don't know. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.200 I'm an agnostic. 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.759 Not realizing what they're saying. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.620 And when people say that. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.300 I don't know. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.879 I'm an agnostic. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.740 What they're saying is. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:39.639 I'm ignorant. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.860 And yes indeed you are. 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.480 And so am I. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:47.700 And so if we were dedicated. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:48.600 To. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.740 Kind of spiritual game. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.519 Of mountaineering. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.559 Of trying to climb up towards God. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:55.240 Well we might as well close down this morning. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.740 Because no one. 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.320 Has ever seen God. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.159 We can't know him. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.340 And that means secondly. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.779 That the religions of the world. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:06.460 They are testimony to man's ignorance. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:10.399 You think of the classic way. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.700 That Paul spoke to the intellectual. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.120 Literacy. 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:14.860 In Acts 17. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:17.159 Paul stood on the hill in Athens. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:19.279 Before all the temples of idolatry. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.600 And talking to those really. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:22.139 Really intelligent men. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.159 The kind of cultural commentators of the day. 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:27.259 Athenian culture was very intelligent. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.600 And he looks around. 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:30.320 At all the evidences of idolatry. 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.480 And he tells them. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.259 I see. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:34.539 That you are supremely. 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:35.659 Ignorant. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.279 Of God. 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.259 Let me tell you about him. 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.779 And he tells them of God. 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.980 And he finishes his sermon. 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:43.959 In such a delightful way. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.240 Doesn't he. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.459 He says to these great brains. 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:47.019 The boffins that are on TV. 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:47.959 The pundits. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.220 That they roll out. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.919 These men who could get an A level. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.279 With just a couple of days studying. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:53.980 He says to them. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.120 You ought not to think of God. 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:55.559 As you do. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.899 With all these temples of idolatry. 00:13:58.699 --> 00:14:00.059 But all this ignorance. 00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:01.120 God is willing to overlook. 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:04.120 Because he has now sent the gospel to you. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:06.340 So that you can know. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.240 That's wonderful isn't it? 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:13.460 Imagine I got all the council leaders together in London. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.980 And I got the government leaders together. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.500 And I said. 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.259 I said to them. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.399 Listen. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.919 You don't know how to run a council. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.139 You don't know how to run a government. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.259 In some ways. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.699 We'd like to do that wouldn't we? 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:28.179 But Paul stands in front of all these really really intelligent men. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.799 And he says to them. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:34.779 You know nothing about God. 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:38.339 You religious people. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:41.120 You don't know anything about God. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.240 You're the Imam. 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:49.259 You're the Abbot from Ealing Abbey. 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:53.439 You're the head of the Jehovah Witness. 00:14:54.719 --> 00:14:56.219 You're the Mormon chief. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:00.840 You know nothing about God. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.060 So arrogant isn't it? 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.080 You've been searching for him. 00:15:07.040 --> 00:15:08.000 You may be thinking about him. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:09.600 You might have been talking about him for centuries. 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:12.180 And you know absolutely nothing. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.340 Because. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.340 You might think. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.700 Who is this arrogant Welshman? 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.320 Look at verse 18. 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:22.019 No one has ever seen God. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:25.579 And if no one has ever seen God. 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:27.279 Then religion must be futile. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:29.059 A waste of your time. 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.639 Unless God gives us a clue. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.919 So our knowledge is not enough. 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.840 First of all God is unknowable by man. 00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:37.600 Secondly religion is no way to find him. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.059 And thirdly. 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:40.179 No claim to know God can be acceptable. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:42.899 Unless it's through the knowledge of the incarnate son. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.659 Now let's just look at what he's saying in verses 14 to 18. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:50.340 That God has been made known to us. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.799 Through his only son. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:55.879 And that his only son became flesh. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.799 Now I do want to make this point. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.379 Because I think it's very important. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.639 Christian revelation to us. 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:01.340 Is given to us. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.419 Through the life. 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:04.159 And the teaching of the Lord Jesus. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.360 It's given to us through the incarnation. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.439 God may flesh. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.039 The body. 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.639 The words. 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.500 The wisdom of Christ. 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.539 That is the only way we know. 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.360 Christians. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:17.679 Do not believe that revelation comes in any other way. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:22.399 And so that means that Christians are not believers in mysticism. 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:25.479 John lived in a day of mystery religions. 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:28.719 And there were many people that offered a knowledge of God. 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:32.500 To those who were initiated into religious practices. 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:35.899 But John is saying very, very clearly. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:38.139 There is no knowledge of God that way. 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.720 There is no knowledge of God. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.259 From anybody. 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:45.899 Even though he may stand up in a Christian church. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.679 And they might say. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.379 God has spoken to me. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.819 God does not speak to you. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:55.000 The word of God. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.820 Does not come to preachers. 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:00.460 Preachers. 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.120 Go to the word of God. 00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:03.100 That is the direction. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.320 And so I don't dare to get up on a Tuesday lunchtime. 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:07.860 And speak to you. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.220 Unless I've opened the word of God. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.720 And turned to the word made flesh. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.900 And studied what the word of God says. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.640 The word of God does not come to me. 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:19.400 I go to the word of God. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.679 And so we need to be aware. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.399 There are lots of crackpots in London. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.379 Who get up today and say. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:27.460 Well they've got a special word for the church. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.379 Because God has given it to them. 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:32.079 Personally and individually. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.159 And John stands against that. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.879 And he would say. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.220 No one has ever seen God. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.460 So don't listen to anyone who says he has. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.519 God has revealed himself through his only son. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.619 Who was made flesh. 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:45.740 And that's given to us in the testimony here. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.659 Do you see what it's saying? 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:49.139 He's saying spiritual mountaineering is useless. 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:51.840 The idea that we search for God. 00:17:52.520 --> 00:17:54.620 You put all the religions together in one pot. 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.520 And there's this man's tremendous effort. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.580 To find an answer to the meaning of the universe. 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:02.440 And a solution to the puzzles and the mysteries of life. 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:05.560 And John takes the carpet underneath their feet. 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.720 And yanks it. 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:09.560 And he says there's no such journey. 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.000 Because man is not looking for God. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.540 Man is flying from God. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:16.779 Man is running from God. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:20.279 And man is on the run because he's a rebel. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.099 Garden of Eden. 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.759 He takes of the fruits. 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.599 He gives it to Adam. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.200 In the Garden of Eden. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.960 In the game of hide and seek. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.599 In the Garden of Eden. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.119 Who is looking and who is hiding. 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.779 It's always the way he's left. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.019 God comes and says where are you? 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.839 And they say we were hiding. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.599 Man is on the run. 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:44.359 Man is not trying to get to God. 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.359 That's complete nonsense. 00:18:45.719 --> 00:18:47.019 But he brings us marvellous news. 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:49.079 Because he said God has come right down to earth. 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:50.299 Right to our level. 00:18:51.679 --> 00:18:54.319 And he says he's come right to a person who could be handled. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:54.939 And touched. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.599 And seen. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.059 And heard. 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:56.480 What a person. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.919 Look at the relationship between this person and God. 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:01.179 In verses 1 and 2. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.379 He was with God in the beginning. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:03.919 Verse 2. 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:06.039 So you must know something about God. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.359 Look at the relationship with creation. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:07.959 Verse 3. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.359 All things were made through him. 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.699 And without him was not anything made that was made. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:15.199 There's nothing made that was made by him. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.079 There's 4. 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:17.859 And it was life. 00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:19.019 And the life was the light of men. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.819 And the light shines in the darkness. 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:23.219 And the darkness is not up to come in. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.199 So this son. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.779 This Christ. 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.779 This word made you. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.000 And the whole world. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:33.639 And it ties everything in to the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.719 --> 00:19:34.740 To all of life. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:39.240 It refuses to say. 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:41.039 Well religion is a little tiny pocket. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:43.099 For those who are interested in old things. 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.900 Some people are interested in golf. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.359 Some people are interested in travel. 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.120 Some people are interested in football. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.960 And there's this weird man on a Tuesday. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.400 He was into religion. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.920 It says no one. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.140 The one who made flesh. 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.980 Was made flesh. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.160 Made everything in the world. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:00.660 So that means everything in the world. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.320 Can only find its meaning. 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:04.480 In the word made flesh. 00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:06.240 Everything belongs to him. 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:09.380 In him all things hold together. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:13.519 You can't understand anything in creation without him. 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.019 Look at the next. 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.720 Look at the verses 9 and 10. 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.640 The true light. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.120 Which gives light to everyone who's coming into the world. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.080 He was in the world. 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.140 And the world was made through him. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.640 And yet the world did not know him. 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.759 It's wonderful isn't it? 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.640 The true light. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.480 Which gives light to everyone who's coming into the world. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:30.900 The Hindu. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.339 The Buddhist. 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.920 The Muslim. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.079 The council worker. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.160 The agnostic. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:34.900 The unbeliever. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.460 The minister. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.640 It's for everybody. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.379 It's for the world he'd made. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.680 In rebellion against him. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.019 But sadly verse 10. 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.279 The world did not receive him. 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.079 In verse 11. 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:49.099 The world is foolish enough to turn from him. 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:52.619 Look at this word in relation to the prophets. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.480 Verse 6. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.980 The man who was sent from God. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.700 Whose name was John. 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.259 John the Baptist. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:02.680 And he came as a witness. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.720 To bear witness about the light. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.660 That all might believe through him. 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.619 He was not the light. 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.940 But he came to bear witness about the light. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.000 John testifies. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.599 Doesn't he then in verse 15. 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.819 Another great theme in John's gospel. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.480 And he cries out. 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.579 This was he of whom I said. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.400 He who comes after me. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.319 Ranks before me. 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.859 Because he was before me. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.700 John the Baptist. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:24.079 Summarises the whole of Old Testament revelation. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:26.659 He towers above all the prophets. 00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:27.859 And he says. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.759 This one who is to come surpasses me. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.859 So verse 17. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.519 For the law was given through Moses. 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:35.139 Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.980 John picks up all the Old Testament. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.659 Moses. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.259 John the Baptist. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:39.699 The law. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.259 The prophets. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.559 And he folds them up. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:41.879 And he says. 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.720 That is the foundation. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.740 For the one who has come to speak now. 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.360 So listen to him. 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.620 And look to him. 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:51.100 And that leads me to my final thing to say. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.920 There is a tremendous punch in verse 18. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.360 No one has ever seen God. 00:21:57.700 --> 00:22:00.000 But many saw Jesus Christ. 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.400 John's gospel. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.319 All the way through this. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:05.940 This big theme. 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.819 Of seeing is believing. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.420 John is a great enemy. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.740 To the kind of preaching. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.440 That says. 00:22:13.560 --> 00:22:15.480 Faith is a leap in the dark. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.460 What's the only thing you'll get. 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:19.519 From a leap in the dark. 00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.320 A broken ankle. 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:24.180 And John is not inviting you. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.500 To take a leap into the dark. 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:28.160 John is actually saying. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.259 Take a step into the light. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.900 John is saying. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.880 We actually saw. 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:37.120 And we invite you. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.160 To see through our eyes. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.740 We heard. 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:39.300 We handled. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:39.960 We touched. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.059 And he says. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.720 Come with me. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.019 Through this John's gospel. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.400 And I will tell you what we saw. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.640 God. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:46.539 Unseen. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.640 You can never see him. 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.180 Jesus. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.200 Yes. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.840 You can see him. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:52.680 Therefore. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.579 Because he is the perfect revelation of God. 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.360 And you can see him. 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.180 And you can know him. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.079 And as you come to know him. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.620 You know the unseen God. 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.059 Let's pray. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.639 Let's pray. 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:04.639