WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.700 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:15.179 that you have eternal life. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:21.859 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:23.400 His will, He hears us. 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:30.820 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:32.119 that we have asked of Him. 00:00:33.019 --> 00:00:38.539 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God 00:00:38.539 --> 00:00:39.420 will give him life. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.659 To those who commit sins that do not lead to death. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:45.519 There is sin that leads to death. 00:00:46.259 --> 00:00:48.579 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:52.859 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:00:53.399 --> 00:01:00.219 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:03.899 born of God protects him and the evil one does not touch him. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:10.219 We know that we are from God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:16.539 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know 00:01:16.539 --> 00:01:21.960 Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:26.379 He is the true God and eternal life. 00:01:27.179 --> 00:01:30.079 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.280 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:01:36.339 --> 00:01:42.659 Heavenly Father, we pray that you will address us from your word as you always do. 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:48.459 That you would empower the preaching of your word by the Spirit of God. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:57.979 That these truths that we are to live by might be impressed deeply upon us. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:05.519 And that they might assure us that we belong to God, His family. 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:11.180 That it might shape the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we live. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:15.219 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:16.319 Amen. 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:26.859 One issue that comes up consistently in pastoral counseling is assurance of salvation. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:36.479 Christians, for one reason or another, feel unsure that they are truly saved and born again in Christ. 00:02:37.079 --> 00:02:44.620 Sometimes they feel insecure because other Christians around them seem much more faith-filled or joyful or obedient. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:48.280 Sometimes they feel that they don't know enough scripture. 00:02:49.200 --> 00:02:55.140 Sometimes they are riddled with doubt because of others who are challenging or questioning their beliefs. 00:02:56.280 --> 00:03:03.159 But God doesn't want us to be unassured or insecure regarding our eternal life in Christ. 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:08.700 And in this passage, John reminds us that as those who believe in the Son of God, 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:12.379 we can be assured of our eternal life in Him. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:17.060 And this is actually the purpose of this entire letter. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:18.960 John says in verse 13, 00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:23.780 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:28.039 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:31.419 That's the purpose statement for this entire letter. 00:03:31.579 --> 00:03:34.939 That you may know that you have eternal life. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:39.079 We find a very similar purpose statement in John's gospel. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:41.379 In John 20, 31. 00:03:41.579 --> 00:03:47.300 These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:51.139 and that by believing you may have life in His name. 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:56.960 So John wrote his gospel so that we might believe and have eternal life. 00:03:57.219 --> 00:03:59.599 And John wrote 1 John, his letter, 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.900 so that we who believe might know that we have eternal life. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:07.200 The purpose of the gospel was to persuade us. 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:10.640 And the purpose of the letter is to reassure us. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:16.600 And in the rest of this passage, using a series of statements that begin with the phrase, 00:04:16.840 --> 00:04:22.180 we know, he repeats that four times in verses 15, 18, 19 to 20. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.579 We know, we know, we know. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:28.840 John tells us several things that we may be assured of. 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:33.959 And the first is, we know God hears us in verses 14 to 17. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:37.039 And then we know God protects us in verse 18. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:39.899 We know that we belong to God in verse 19. 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:44.419 And we know that the Son of God has come in verses 20 to 21. 00:04:44.679 --> 00:04:46.879 So let's first look at what we know. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:50.919 I mean, that we know God hears us in verses 14 to 17. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.759 It says in verse 14 and 15, 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:57.319 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, 00:04:57.780 --> 00:05:01.860 that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:05.840 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:10.340 we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:18.460 He's speaking here of the confidence and boldness that we have toward God or in his presence. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:25.819 An illustration from an earthly king's court might be helpful here for understanding what John is getting at. 00:05:26.359 --> 00:05:31.959 In the book of Esther, when King Ahasuerus, at the incitation of evil Haman, 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:36.000 decrees that the Jews be annihilated, 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:40.719 Mordecai, a faithful man of God, asks Queen Esther, 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:45.279 who is a young cousin of his that he raised up like his own adopted daughter, 00:05:45.979 --> 00:05:47.339 who has now become queen, 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:53.219 he asks Esther to intervene on behalf of God's people, the Jews. 00:05:53.919 --> 00:05:59.179 But Esther, even though she is the treasured queen of the king, 00:05:59.799 --> 00:06:05.139 she expresses her hesitation, her fear in Esther chapter 4 verse 11. 00:06:05.739 --> 00:06:06.139 She says, 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:12.560 All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:16.399 goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:20.439 there is but one law to be put to death, 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:26.459 except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:31.659 But as for me, I have not been called to come into the king these 30 days. 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:37.480 But Mordecai implores her and Esther finally concedes. 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:41.020 And as she does that, she says this in chapter 4 verse 16 of Esther, 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:46.140 Go gather all the Jews to be found in Susa and hold a fast on my behalf. 00:06:46.460 --> 00:06:49.379 And do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:52.280 I and my young women will also fast as you do. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.759 Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law. 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:58.199 And if I perish, I perish. 00:06:59.859 --> 00:07:03.119 Thankfully, when Esther goes into the king's presence, 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.639 the king does extend the golden scepter to her, shows favor to her. 00:07:07.419 --> 00:07:10.679 But note Esther's fear and reluctance. 00:07:11.179 --> 00:07:13.739 Even though she is the beloved queen, 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:19.679 she must come to terms with her possible death sentence 00:07:19.679 --> 00:07:21.759 before approaching the king without his summons. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:26.699 It's hard for us to understand because we live in an egalitarian society 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:28.599 with unprecedented freedoms. 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:30.839 That is the United States of America. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:36.319 And we live in a country where authority figures are widely distrusted 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:40.039 and frequently reviled or derided. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:46.920 And so we have no idea what it's like to approach the throne room of a king. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:55.640 The king is not a chummy buddy that you can text or call or visit whenever you wish. 00:07:55.640 --> 00:07:59.920 You only come to the king when he summons you. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:04.540 And yet, it says in verse 14, 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:09.460 that we may have confidence toward him, before God. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.300 We may be frank with him. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:15.640 We may be bold in his presence. 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:16.980 Why is that? 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.660 Because as verse 13 says, 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:24.620 we believe in the name of the Son of God and have eternal life. 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:31.640 Because we have been born again into his family through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:36.159 Apart from Jesus, we would have zero confidence to approach the king. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.320 We are sinners. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:39.519 We're rebels guilty of high treason. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.740 We were God's enemies. 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:44.879 But as we sang this morning, 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:47.059 Before the throne of God above, 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:49.939 I have a strong and perfect plea. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:52.740 A great high priest whose name is love, 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:55.220 whoever lives and pleads for me. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:57.919 My name is graven on his hand. 00:08:58.199 --> 00:08:59.620 My name is written on his heart. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.799 I know that while in heaven he stands, 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:05.319 no tongue can bid me thence depart. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:09.059 No tongue can bid me thence depart, 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:12.319 because Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God. 00:09:12.839 --> 00:09:15.799 Because Jesus interposed his own blood 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:20.699 by dying on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:25.159 That means it's now our birthright 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.699 to be in the presence of the king. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:35.059 It's really fascinating and delightful to observe children, 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:37.639 especially shy children, 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:40.239 when they are in the comfort of their own homes. 00:09:42.099 --> 00:09:45.059 They may not speak a single word out in the public, 00:09:45.479 --> 00:09:46.979 but in their own home, 00:09:47.619 --> 00:09:50.139 when they're with their own parents, 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:51.779 they are loud, 00:09:52.119 --> 00:09:52.859 they're bold, 00:09:53.099 --> 00:09:53.959 they're confident, 00:09:54.199 --> 00:09:55.359 they're insistent. 00:09:55.859 --> 00:09:57.219 And why is that? 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:00.080 Because that's their father's house. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:02.980 Because that is their birthright. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.920 And so it is for every single Christian, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:09.139 being in the presence of God, 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.759 being in the throne room of God, 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:12.080 that is our birthright. 00:10:12.160 --> 00:10:13.779 So we are not ashamed. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.420 We are not insecure. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:16.960 We are not hesitant. 00:10:17.180 --> 00:10:17.440 Instead, 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:18.720 we are bold, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:19.600 direct, 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:20.759 and confident. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:23.939 That's the exalted privilege we have. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:26.319 That's what John's speaking of. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:29.019 Earlier in chapter 3, 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:31.360 verses 21 to 23, 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:34.019 John spoke also of our confidence before God, 00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:36.860 and that we are assured that we belong to God, 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:38.939 and that if we are assured in that way, 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.259 that whatever we ask, 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.439 we would receive from Him. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:45.179 He's repeating the same idea here in verses 14 to 15, 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:48.600 that if we ask anything according to His will, 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.000 He hears us. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.820 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:57.240 we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him. 00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:01.279 This is the key to answer prayer. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.800 If you want your prayers answered, 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.159 this is the key. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:08.200 If you ask anything according to His will, 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.060 He hears us. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:15.700 It's the same principle that Jesus taught us in Matthew 6, 9 to 13. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.200 He told us to pray this way. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:19.360 Our Father who is in heaven, 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.600 hallowed be Your name. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:21.920 Your kingdom come. 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:26.400 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.160 That's the purpose of prayer, 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.660 that God's kingdom might come, 00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:31.340 that His will might be done. 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:34.840 And if our prayers conform to the will of God, 00:11:34.900 --> 00:11:37.160 then our prayers will, without fail, 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.980 be answered. 00:11:40.640 --> 00:11:43.300 But if we pray for self-serving purposes, 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:46.219 then our prayers will not be answered. 00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:48.399 James chapter 4 verse 3 tells us as much. 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:48.659 He says, 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:51.759 You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:53.240 to spend it on your passions. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:57.259 There are people who teach Christians to, 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:57.819 quote, 00:11:57.859 --> 00:11:59.359 name it and claim it. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:04.820 They contend that if you name what you want 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:07.180 and claim it in faith, 00:12:07.300 --> 00:12:08.620 that it will be yours. 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.840 And that all unanswered prayers 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:13.039 are simply evidence of a lack of faith. 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:16.440 But that's a profoundly unbiblical idea. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.759 Prayer of faith is not simply 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:21.220 asking for something you want, 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:23.560 regardless of what God's will is, 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:25.279 and believing that you will receive it 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.939 when you don't have any basis for that faith. 00:12:28.299 --> 00:12:29.739 That's not what prayer of faith is. 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.079 John Owen describes it this way, 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:32.819 quote, 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:35.679 We are to pray for what God hath promised. 00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:38.939 Our requests are to be regulated 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:41.399 by His promises and commands, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.879 which are of the same extent. 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:46.559 Faith draws near with the promises 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:49.239 and so finds relief. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:53.980 If we ask anything according to His will, 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.779 He hears us. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:57.680 How do we know that we are praying 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.879 according to His will? 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:02.299 God has revealed His will to us 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.100 in His word. 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.440 So then when we pray 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:07.980 the commands and promises of Scripture, 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:11.019 we can rest assured that God hears us 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:12.580 and will answer us. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:15.360 We know that we have the requests 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.399 that we have asked of Him. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:18.659 This is something we know. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.779 We can be assured of it. 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.620 There's a helpful resource 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.759 that another pastor in our denomination 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:27.419 who actually pastors in Toronto 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:30.299 named Tim Kerr wrote. 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.320 He wrote a book called 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.259 Take Words With You. 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.980 It's basically a compilation 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.519 and organization of 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.279 all the promises of Scripture 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.960 that we can pray. 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:41.460 And there's a free PDF link 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.879 that I posted on our chat group 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.680 that you can access 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:45.000 on Tim Chow's website. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:48.299 And after giving us 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:50.080 this general assurance about prayer, 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:52.379 John applies this 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.220 to a specific instance 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.679 that he wants us to pray for 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.299 in verses 16 to 17. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.620 This is something that we should pray for 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.600 and that God will answer. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:01.639 It says, 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.220 If anyone sees his brother 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:04.379 committing a sin 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.879 not leading to death, 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.580 he shall ask 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:09.500 and God will give him life 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:12.179 to those who commit sins 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.279 that do not lead to death. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.960 There is sin that leads to death. 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.679 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.620 All wrongdoing is sin, 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:21.779 but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.539 Sin that does not lead to death 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.939 that John is speaking of here 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:27.620 is sin that does not end 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.980 finally in death. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:32.279 It's similar to what Jesus says 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:34.340 in John chapter 11 verse 4 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:36.320 regarding his friend Lazarus 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.659 who was deathly ill. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:40.279 He said of him when he was sick, 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:43.379 This illness does not lead to death. 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:46.759 Well, it turns out that Lazarus did die, 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:49.379 but Jesus then raised him from the dead 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.259 so that his illness 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.759 did not finally end in death. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:56.019 But there Jesus was speaking of physical death. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.879 Here he's speaking of eternal death 00:14:57.879 --> 00:15:00.559 because death is contrasted with life, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.559 which in this letter 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:03.779 invariably refers to eternal life. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.500 And so here's a curious thing. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:08.559 According to Romans chapter 6 verse 23, 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.039 the wages of sin is death. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:14.379 All sin leads to death 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:19.259 apart from the atoning work of Jesus Christ. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.919 So then what does John mean 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:23.120 in verses 16 to 17 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.600 that all wrongdoing is sin, 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:26.620 but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:29.139 This is sin for which forgiveness 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.919 has already been secured 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.740 by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:36.820 In chapter 1 verse 9, 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.200 John said, 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.620 If we confess our sins, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.659 he's faithful and just 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.840 to forgive us our sins 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:41.679 and to cleanse us 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:43.019 from all unrighteousness. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:45.360 The word unrighteousness 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.139 is the same word. 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.879 It's a translation, 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.720 different translation 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.560 of the same word 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.440 that is rendered here 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.600 as wrongdoing. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:54.139 It's the sins that we confess 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.100 that we have 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:57.060 that security of forgiveness for 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:58.519 because of the atoning work 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.800 of Jesus Christ on the cross. 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:01.659 And so when we see 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.600 a fellow Christian 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.000 committing a sin 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.480 not leading to death, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.659 we're to pray to God 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.800 for him or her. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.600 And if we do, 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.440 God promises 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.420 that he will give 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:13.420 that brother or sister 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:14.139 who is sinning 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.940 life. 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:18.900 Even though John 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.660 in several places 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.160 in this letter 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.840 describes eternal life 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.520 as something that 00:16:22.520 --> 00:16:23.720 Christians already possess 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.840 in Jesus Christ, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.740 he also describes it, 00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:27.200 for example, 00:16:27.260 --> 00:16:28.560 in chapter 2 verse 25 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:29.860 as something that comes 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.400 to full fruition later. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:32.860 There's an already 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.920 but not yet reality. 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:34.940 We already have this 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:35.560 in our possession 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:37.240 but it's consummated, 00:16:37.380 --> 00:16:38.380 comes to full fruition 00:16:38.380 --> 00:16:39.500 in the future. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.380 And that's what 00:16:41.380 --> 00:16:43.120 he's promising, 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:44.820 that God is promising here 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.500 when we pray 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.500 for a brother or sister 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.180 committing a sin 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.040 not leading to death, 00:16:48.140 --> 00:16:48.860 God will give them 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.900 that eternal life 00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:50.560 in the future. 00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.920 And that means 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:54.379 our intercessory prayer 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:57.680 that is an integral part 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:59.120 of the work that God does 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.820 in the lives 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.800 of our brothers and sisters. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:03.100 As James chapter 5 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.220 verse 20 puts it, 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.940 whoever brings back 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.559 a sinner from his wandering 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:09.440 will save his soul 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.559 from death 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.440 and will cover 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.620 a multitude of sins. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.200 That's the power 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.579 of our prayer 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.559 on behalf 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.519 of our sinning 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.379 brothers and sisters. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.379 We can be confident 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.899 that when we ask God 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:24.439 for this 00:17:24.439 --> 00:17:26.139 that he will hear us 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.480 and we can know 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.519 that we have the request 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.579 that we have asked of him. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:32.599 If you're a beginner 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.299 in bowling 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.339 like me, 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.460 you can use 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.460 bowling bumpers. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.299 You guys have seen those? 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:41.619 They're basically 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.240 guardrails 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.819 that block 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.079 the gutters 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:46.379 so that the ball 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.539 can't go into the gutter. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.700 It just bounces 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.619 back and forth 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.359 from the bumpers 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.319 and it makes sure 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.119 that it always, 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.539 the ball always gets 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.259 to the end 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.079 of the lane 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.659 and to hit the pins 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.839 like it's designed to. 00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:00.180 And such is the effect 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.079 of our prayers 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.259 on behalf 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.379 of our wayward 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.240 brothers and sisters. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.440 God has ordained 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:08.460 that by our prayers 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.480 for one another 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.700 that we would be 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.259 preserved 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.819 unto eternal life. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.039 God has ordained 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.859 that we 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.019 stand guard 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:20.900 between fellow believers 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:22.620 and eternal death. 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.880 Our prayer 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.279 is a matter 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.160 of life 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.339 and death. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.380 Are you praying 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.620 for one another? 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:36.779 This is the case 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.940 for sin 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.519 that does not 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.120 lead to death. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.539 There is, 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:40.819 however, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.819 sin that leads 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.259 to death. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.180 And John says, 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.799 I do not say 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.339 that one should 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.160 pray for that. 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.200 The sin 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.140 unto death 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.359 for, 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.440 there is a sin 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.819 unto death 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.500 for which prayer 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.319 is no avail. 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.620 Throughout this letter, 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.740 John has been addressing 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:58.059 the doubt 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.900 and discourse 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.680 sown among 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.400 the believers 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.259 that he is writing to 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.059 by those who 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.960 had denied Christ 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.380 and seceded 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:04.980 from the church, 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.019 separated from the church. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.900 And it's most likely 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.019 that sin 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:10.779 of the secessionists, 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.700 those who denied Christ 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.460 and separated themselves 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.160 from the church, 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.660 that John has in mind here 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.220 because he described them 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.779 this way in 1 John 2, 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.620 verse 22, 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.079 who is the liar, 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.680 but he who denies 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.240 that Jesus 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.180 is the Christ. 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.920 This is the Antichrist, 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.400 he who denies 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.600 the Father and the Son. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.740 They were once 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.980 considered Christians, 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:34.039 part of the church, 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:34.640 the fellowship 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.240 of believers, 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.120 but they denied Christ 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:38.319 and left the church. 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.000 And so chapter 1, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.880 verse 19 said, 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.500 they went out from us, 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.940 but they were not 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.860 of us, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.400 for if they had been 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.980 of us, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.620 they would have 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:49.099 continued with us, 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.279 but they went out 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.360 that it might become plain 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.140 that they all are 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:53.120 not of us. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.440 This is the sin 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.440 that leads to death. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.880 It's similar to the sin 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.620 of apostasy 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.839 described in Hebrews, 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.079 chapter 6, 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.400 verses 4 to 6. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.559 Those who reject 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.599 Jesus Christ 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.420 after having experienced 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.180 the Holy Spirit 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.039 in some measure 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:10.059 cannot be restored 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.620 to repentance. 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.980 They cannot repent. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.460 They do not repent. 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:16.880 Hence, 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.660 there is no forgiveness. 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.160 So John says, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.819 I do not say 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.599 that one should pray 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.059 for that. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:25.179 The first assurance 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.379 of verses 14 to 17 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:27.220 is that we know 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.539 God hears us. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.919 And then in verse 18, 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.599 John gives us 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.419 the second assurance 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:33.200 that we know 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.879 God protects us. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.359 But he who was born 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.779 of God, 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.059 he says, 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.079 we know that everyone 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.220 who has been born of God 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.500 does not keep on sinning, 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:43.460 but he who was born 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.740 of God protects him 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.579 and the evil one 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.799 does not touch him. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:21:10.579 John's point isn't 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.879 that a true Christian 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.099 never struggles with 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.980 besetting sins 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.000 or habitual sins. 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.439 His point is 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.159 that a Christian 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:18.639 does not sin 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.899 in a general sense. 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.619 When you observe 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.500 the life of someone 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.699 who is truly converted, 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.399 someone who has been 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.199 born of God, 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.839 what is characteristic 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:29.359 of that person, 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:32.139 what defines that person, 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.980 is going to be faith 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.620 and obedience, 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:35.240 not sin. 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.200 This is why John said 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.900 in chapter 3, 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.360 verse 10, 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.700 by this it is evident 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.980 who are children of God 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.020 and who are the children 00:21:44.020 --> 00:21:44.560 of devil. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.759 Whoever does not 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.740 practice righteousness 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.120 is not of God, 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.140 nor is the one 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:49.860 who does not love 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.280 his brother. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.940 A person's righteousness 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:53.340 or obedience to God 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:55.080 can serve as evidence 00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:56.040 of a person's 00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:56.940 genuine conversion 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.700 because everyone 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.400 who is truly born of God 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.700 has died to sin 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.860 and lives to Christ. 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.660 As 2 Corinthians 5, 17 says, 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:05.840 Therefore, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.319 if anyone is in Christ, 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.880 he is a new creation. 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.960 The old has passed away. 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:11.620 Behold, 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.360 the new has come. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.420 A true Christian 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:17.220 has made a decisive 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.220 break with sin 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.660 so that he no longer sins. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:23.160 Not in an absolute sense, 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.000 but in a general sense. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.620 What characterizes him, 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.059 what defines him, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.279 is no longer unrighteousness, 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.220 but righteousness. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.700 This is because 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:36.000 he who was born of God 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.879 protects him 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:38.279 and the evil one 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.460 does not touch him. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.299 Notice the repetition 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.099 of the phrase 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.139 born of God here. 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.700 In the first instance, 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.700 it refers to 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.480 every Christian. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.099 Every Christian 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.879 is born of God. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.559 But in the second instance, 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.779 it refers to Christ. 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.660 Everyone who has been 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.359 born of God 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.139 does not sin, 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.420 but he 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:58.559 who was born of God 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.379 protects him. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.380 That's referring to Jesus. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.840 The original begotten one, 00:23:04.020 --> 00:23:04.880 the son of God, 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.840 protects the children of God, 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.020 those who are born of God 00:23:08.020 --> 00:23:08.640 by faith. 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.100 This shows that 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:11.360 there is a spiritual warfare 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:13.100 being waged right now 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:14.920 for our eternal souls. 00:23:15.800 --> 00:23:16.620 But for those 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.880 who belong to God 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.320 through faith in Jesus, 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.320 they are safe 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:22.320 because the son of God, 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:24.600 the original begotten son, 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:26.339 he protects us 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.299 and keeps us 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.199 from the evil one. 00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:29.639 The evil one 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.079 is a reference 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.699 to the devil 00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:31.639 and the evil one, 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:32.039 he says, 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.699 does not touch us. 00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:36.199 Continuing this theme, 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.500 John assures us 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:39.099 of another Christian verity 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.839 in verse 19. 00:23:40.219 --> 00:23:40.819 We know 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:43.000 that we are from God 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.419 and the whole world 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:45.480 lies in the power 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.259 of the evil one. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.099 In several places 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.819 of his gospel, 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.539 John describes the devil 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.319 as the ruler 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.139 of this world. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:54.380 Even though 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.340 the devil 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:56.480 can only act 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.060 under God's 00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:59.140 ultimate sovereignty, 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.140 Satan does exercise 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.120 a kind of rule 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:03.480 here in this sinful world. 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.740 And so it says 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.780 that the whole world 00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:06.920 lies in the power 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.759 of the evil one. 00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:08.940 But in contrast, 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:11.520 we are from God. 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:13.240 We are no longer 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.120 under the dominion 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:15.340 of the devil. 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.540 This is because 00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:19.940 it's similar reality 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.280 that Paul speaks of 00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:21.960 in Colossians. 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:22.920 Chapter 2, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.160 verses 13 to 15. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.820 And you who are dead 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.740 in your trespasses 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.740 and the uncircumcision 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.500 of your flesh, 00:24:29.020 --> 00:24:30.020 God made alive 00:24:30.020 --> 00:24:30.880 together with him, 00:24:31.020 --> 00:24:32.020 having forgiven us 00:24:32.020 --> 00:24:33.100 all our trespasses 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:35.140 by canceling 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.320 the record of debt 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.440 that stood against us 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.759 with its legal demands. 00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.500 This he set aside, 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.660 nailing it to the cross. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:43.940 He disarmed the rulers 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.220 and authorities 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.120 and put them 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:47.240 to open shame 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.320 by triumphing over them 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.259 in him, 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.880 in Jesus. 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:53.000 Because we had all 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.820 sinned against God, 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.640 there was a record 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.240 of sin, 00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:55.860 a debt 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:57.160 that stood up, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.260 stood against us 00:24:58.260 --> 00:24:59.360 with its legal demands. 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.520 And because we 00:25:00.520 --> 00:25:01.620 deserved punishment, 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.480 Satan, 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.500 whose name means 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.340 the accuser, 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:06.400 had a claim on us, 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.960 had an argument 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.580 to make, 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.960 had a case to make 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.620 for our condemnation. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.160 But because Jesus 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:14.380 died for our sins 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:16.020 and paid for the punishment 00:25:16.020 --> 00:25:17.380 that we should have 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:17.740 deserved, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.380 we deserved. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.660 And having defeated 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.240 sin and death, 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.279 Jesus was raised 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.640 victoriously and ascended 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.359 to rule far above 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.579 that of the rulers 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.440 of the power 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.039 of this world. 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.279 Jesus silenced 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.839 the accuser. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.059 He erased 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.839 every claim 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:33.180 he had on us. 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:35.079 He put his seal, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.380 God's seal on us, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.000 declaring that we 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.079 now belong to him. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.700 That's who we are, 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.720 brothers and sisters. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:46.319 We are not of this world, 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:49.120 whether we are from God. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.960 So then are we, 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.660 we should ask ourselves, 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.640 are we living worldly lives 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:56.039 or godly lives? 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.559 Are we characterized 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.279 by the things 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.519 that God values 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.579 or the things 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.120 that the world values? 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.819 Is your mindset 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:06.079 on things that are above 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.900 compassionate hearts, 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.460 kindness, 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.380 humility, 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.259 meekness, 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.680 patience, 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:12.559 love, 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:14.500 or is your mindset 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.599 on things that are below? 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.240 Sexual immorality, 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.319 impurity, 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.619 covetousness, 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.879 idolatry. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.440 We know 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.799 that we belong to God 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.319 and so we should 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.099 live like it. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.799 And lastly, 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.599 John assures us 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.839 in verses 20 to 21 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.220 that we know 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.559 that the Son of God 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.220 has come. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.639 He says in verse 20, 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.059 and we know 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.159 that the Son of God 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.700 has come 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.579 and has given us 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.240 understanding 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.779 so that we may know 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.920 Him who is true 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.680 and we are in Him 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.559 who is true 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.539 in His Son, 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.359 Jesus Christ. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.500 He is the true God 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.720 and eternal life. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.799 Jesus Christ, 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.859 God's one 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:56.140 and only Son, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.839 took on human flesh 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.960 and came to earth. 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.000 He lived a life 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.039 of perfect obedience 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.640 and died 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:03.059 an atoning sacrifice 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:05.220 to cleanse us 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.900 from our sins 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.160 and then He was raised 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.060 to give us new life 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:09.519 and by doing this, 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.519 He gave us understanding 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.620 so that we may know 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:14.100 Him who is true. 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.060 He's talking about 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.740 God the Father. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.660 We are in Him 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.380 who is true 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:21.019 in His Son, 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.460 Jesus Christ. 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.500 The one who is true 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.240 is the one 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.880 whose Son 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.940 is Jesus Christ. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:28.460 the language 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.460 of being in Him 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.700 refers to the spiritual 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.940 mutual indwelling. 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.620 When we abide 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.420 in Jesus 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:36.559 through faith, 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:38.200 we abide in God 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.820 His Father. 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.779 Jesus Christ 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.360 then is the only way 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.500 to abide 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.720 in God, 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.519 to know 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.059 the one 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.720 who is true. 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.460 Some people claim 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.000 that we can 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.120 all come to know 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.460 God 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.480 in our own ways. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:55.259 the various 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.240 philosophies 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.839 and religions 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.680 in the world 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.079 offer alternate ways 00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.140 of knowing God. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.660 But the Word of God 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.299 teaches us 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.059 that there is only 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.140 one way. 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.599 We know 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:07.339 that the Son of God 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:08.279 has come 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.099 and has given us 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:09.839 understanding 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:12.200 so that we may 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.099 know Him 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:14.000 who is true 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.880 and we are in Him 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.579 who is true 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.360 in His Son, 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.559 Jesus Christ. 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.299 We cannot 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:21.279 know God the Father 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.460 without knowing 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.480 God the Son. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.440 Then John adds 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.420 that He is 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.240 the true God 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.039 in eternal life. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.759 It's a bit ambiguous 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.180 what the referring 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.759 of the pronoun 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.740 He is here 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:36.500 could be God the Father, 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.400 He could be God the Father, 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.880 it could be Jesus. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.039 But since the nearest 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.620 antecedent 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.579 is Jesus Christ 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:44.480 and since 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.259 in several places 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.799 of this letter 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.559 John has already 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.440 called Jesus 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.740 the Word of Life 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.759 and Eternal Life, 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.600 it seems likely 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.480 that John is referring 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.279 here to Jesus. 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.259 And if that's the case, 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.240 John begins 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.400 and ends his letter 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:58.759 with this startling 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.140 Christological statement 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.120 about the identity 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.660 of Jesus. 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.019 He began 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.740 in chapter 1 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.559 verses 1 to 2 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.340 by saying that 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.500 which was from the beginning 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.220 which we have heard, 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.600 the one, 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.480 the God who was 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.200 from the beginning, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.799 the Word of Life, 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.319 he said that 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.460 that eternal life 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.120 is Jesus. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:15.319 And then he concludes 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.920 his letter 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:17.180 also by reaffirming 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.039 who Jesus is. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.880 He is 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:20.100 the true God 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.939 and eternal life. 00:29:22.219 --> 00:29:23.019 John ends 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.699 his gospel, 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.619 begins and ends 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.539 his gospel similarly. 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.099 He says 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.679 in the beginning 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.919 of John chapter 1, 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.879 in the beginning 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.500 was the Word 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.879 and the Word 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.779 was with God 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.240 and the Word 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.139 was God. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.980 And he says 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.519 that no one 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.679 has ever seen God 00:29:34.679 --> 00:29:35.980 but the only God 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.519 who is at the Father's side, 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.799 he has made him known. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.079 And then he concludes 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.919 his gospel similarly 00:29:40.919 --> 00:29:41.819 in John chapter 20 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.480 verse 28 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.359 through the lips 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.959 of Thomas 00:29:43.959 --> 00:29:44.919 declaring Jesus 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:46.419 is my Lord 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.839 and my God. 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:51.359 This is a shocking statement 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.240 because remember 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.939 that Judaism 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.879 is a strictly 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.199 monotheistic religion. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.679 And every faithful Jew 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.899 recited Deuteronomy 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.599 chapter 6 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.619 verses 4 to 5 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.799 every single day 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.979 once in the morning, 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.959 once in the evening 00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:05.240 that the Lord 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.919 our God 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:06.500 the Lord 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.539 is one. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.039 This speaks 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.899 not only to 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:10.699 the uniqueness 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:11.959 of God 00:30:11.959 --> 00:30:12.379 that there is 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.220 no one like him, 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.220 there is only one God 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.760 but also to the unity 00:30:15.760 --> 00:30:16.280 of God 00:30:16.280 --> 00:30:17.680 that he is undivided, 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.940 has no division 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.720 within himself. 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.340 And because 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.800 there is only one God, 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:23.820 God's people 00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:24.320 were called 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:25.420 to undivided 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.400 allegiance to him. 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.540 And yet John, 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.900 a faithful Jew, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.920 the beloved disciple 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.140 who was with Jesus 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.020 in the flesh 00:30:34.020 --> 00:30:35.160 during his earthly ministry, 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.680 seemingly without 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.560 any hesitation, 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.640 affirms that God 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.200 the Father 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.340 is the true God 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.819 and that his Son 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.759 Jesus Christ 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.480 is the true God 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.480 and eternal life. 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.000 It's because 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.959 the only God, 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.519 the Father, 00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.599 unmistakably 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.799 revealed Jesus 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.659 to us 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.539 and because 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.439 of the reality 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:56.220 of Christ's life, 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.099 death, and resurrection 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:58.519 which undeniably 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.319 proved 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.599 that Jesus 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.759 is the Son of God 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.599 that John, 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.299 like the other 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.299 New Testament writers, 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.659 make such an 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.980 unprecedented statement. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.539 the Father 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.599 is not the Son 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.160 and the Son 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.099 is not the Father 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.799 and yet both persons 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.259 along with the Holy Spirit 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.660 are one 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:17.140 triune God. 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.740 The only way, 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.180 therefore, 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.240 to get to know 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.980 God the Father 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.940 is through the Son 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.059 and in the Holy Spirit. 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:29.419 And that's why 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.220 to deny that 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.940 Jesus Christ 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.720 is the Son of God 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.659 who came in the flesh, 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:34.359 to deny that 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.899 he is the one 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:36.220 who imparts eternal life 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.700 is tantamount 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.579 to idolatry. 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.759 That's the logic 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.619 of verse 21. 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.159 Little children, 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.319 keep yourselves 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:45.200 from idols. 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:47.279 One cannot rightly 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.139 believe in God 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:48.639 the Father 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.539 without being 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.339 in his Son, 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.159 Jesus Christ. 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:53.600 affirming a vague, 00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:55.060 shapeless idea 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:56.040 of a supreme being 00:31:56.040 --> 00:31:57.240 is not sufficient 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.400 for salvation. 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.440 We must be assured 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.940 of this, 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.920 that we know 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.240 that the Son of God 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.800 has come 00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:05.060 and has given us 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:05.820 understanding 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:07.220 so that we may know 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.820 him who is true. 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:12.200 If you think about it, 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.220 if we were assured 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.120 in this truth 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:15.640 as John wants us to be, 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.120 don't you think 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.580 we would have 00:32:17.580 --> 00:32:18.779 greater boldness 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.880 and urgency 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:21.720 in our witness 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.340 to our neighbors 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:22.920 about Jesus? 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.400 Do we really believe 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.020 that Jesus 00:32:28.020 --> 00:32:29.860 is the only way, 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.720 the truth, 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.380 and the life? 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.840 That no one 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:33.660 comes to the Father 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:35.200 except through him? 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:37.180 Do we really believe 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.440 that all worship, 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.220 all religion 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.580 that deviate 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:42.260 from this truth 00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.120 is idolatry? 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.720 Do we really believe 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.360 that we possess 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.680 the only hope 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.320 for eternal life? 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.839 and if people 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.859 are so frantically 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.919 trying to develop 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.480 a vaccine 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.259 to lessen 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.299 the chance 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.539 of physical death 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:57.019 from this pandemic, 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.720 should we not 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.659 urgently share 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.960 the only cure 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:03.299 for certain 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.439 eternal death? 00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:09.220 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:09.980 we know 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:11.359 that the Son of God 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.159 has come 00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:13.599 and has given us 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.359 understanding. 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.619 These are the 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.559 Christian verities, 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.139 the truth 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.440 that we can live by. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.839 And John's approach 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.779 to reassuring 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:23.220 his wavering congregation 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.980 is really insightful 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:26.700 because he doesn't 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.919 ground our assurance 00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:29.059 in our up and down 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.539 emotions, 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:32.319 but in the unchanging 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.159 theological 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:34.119 and ethical 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:35.019 truths of Scripture. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.279 He doesn't ground 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.980 our assurance 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:39.000 in our subjective 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.379 experience of God, 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.740 but in the objective 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.220 reality of God 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.419 revealed in His Son, 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.539 Jesus Christ. 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:48.940 In one of the many 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.639 letters he wrote 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.480 during his lifetime, 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.619 C.S. Lewis also 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.599 reminds us of the 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.460 same truth. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:54.659 Quote, 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.019 The presence of God 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.839 is not the same 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.819 as the sense 00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.579 of the presence 00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.059 of God. 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.460 The latter may be 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.680 due to the imagination. 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.359 The former may be 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:06.420 attended with no 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.759 sensible consolation. 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.320 The act which 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.559 engenders a child 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.320 ought to be 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.400 and usually is 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.500 attended by pleasure. 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:17.440 But it is not 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.039 the pleasure 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.659 that produces 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.239 the child. 00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:21.159 Where there is 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:21.519 pleasure, 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.340 there may be 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.039 sterility. 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.539 Where there is 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.139 no pleasure, 00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:26.039 the act might 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.659 be fertile. 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.559 And in the 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.559 spiritual marriage 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.239 of God 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.019 and the soul, 00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:31.960 it is the same. 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.159 It is the 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:34.340 actual presence, 00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:36.000 not the sensation 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.900 of the presence, 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.519 of the Holy Spirit 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.340 which begets 00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.579 Christ in us. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.559 the sense 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.259 of the presence 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:44.059 is a super 00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.880 added gift 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.539 for which we 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.259 give thanks 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.179 when it comes. 00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.059 You might 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.400 feel like 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:51.900 worshipping, 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.579 you might not 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.699 feel like 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.319 worshipping God 00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:54.759 this morning. 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.159 Maybe you 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:58.079 haven't showered 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.659 or you didn't 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.219 have a chance 00:34:59.219 --> 00:34:59.880 to make coffee 00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.400 or you feel 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:00.900 groggy. 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:03.920 maybe you 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.619 feel crummy 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.240 from staying 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:06.000 home all week 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.480 and having 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.519 wasted 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.420 countless hours 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.079 on trivial 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.680 pursuits. 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:11.019 Maybe you 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.840 feel harried 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.840 from wrangling 00:35:12.840 --> 00:35:13.400 your children 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.039 all day long 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.420 who have been 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.079 stir crazy. 00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:16.619 Maybe you 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.500 feel like a 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.119 bad Christian 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.559 because of 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.200 your prayerless 00:35:19.200 --> 00:35:19.880 days and 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.519 because your 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.119 Bible is 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.260 collecting dust. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.559 Maybe you 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.240 don't feel 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.340 passionate enough, 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.480 you feel 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.000 insecure, 00:35:27.300 --> 00:35:27.760 you don't feel 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.460 loving enough, 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.180 you don't feel 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:30.240 joyful enough. 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.579 But if you 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:31.980 are ever 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:33.079 looking inward 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.019 toward yourself, 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:34.800 you will 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.500 always be 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.860 insecure. 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.720 You will 00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:39.420 always be 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:39.760 up and 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.000 down. 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.860 You must 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.519 fix your 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.320 gaze on 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.460 Jesus Christ, 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.900 the Son of 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.260 God, 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.180 and focus 00:35:47.180 --> 00:35:47.800 on what 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.980 we know. 00:35:49.700 --> 00:35:50.559 We know 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.260 God hears 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:51.599 us. 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:52.900 This is our 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.539 birthright. 00:35:54.160 --> 00:35:54.599 When we 00:35:54.599 --> 00:35:55.260 confess our 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:55.559 sins, 00:35:55.660 --> 00:35:56.360 He forgives 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:56.700 us. 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.380 When we 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:57.940 pray for 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.360 our sinning 00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:58.820 brothers and 00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.119 sisters, 00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:00.000 He brings 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.500 them back 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.239 and restores 00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:01.519 them to 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.000 this path 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.420 of eternal 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:02.820 life. 00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.860 We know 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.900 God protects 00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:05.199 us. 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.039 He keeps 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.400 us from 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:06.800 sin. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.380 He will 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:07.980 not let 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.380 the evil 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.000 one touch 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.199 us, 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:09.579 it says. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.320 He will 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.139 not stand 00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.739 to let 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:12.099 the evil 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.699 one chain 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.019 us to 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.960 his slavish 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.000 dominion 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.340 again. 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.920 We know 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:17.699 that we 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:18.380 belong to 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:18.780 God. 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.019 No matter 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.480 how you 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:20.739 feel, 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.440 we belong 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:21.860 to Him. 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.179 We are 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:22.699 not of 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:23.159 this world. 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.219 This is 00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.860 not our 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.340 country. 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.340 When we 00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:26.940 feel like 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:27.639 aliens and 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.400 foreigners here 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:28.880 in this world, 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.539 when we feel 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.559 marginalized or 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.420 even persecuted, 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.460 we hold 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:32.860 on to our 00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:33.340 hope and 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.579 longing for 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.739 our fatherland, 00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.420 for our 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:36.840 homeland, 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:37.880 because we 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.759 know we 00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:39.400 belong to 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:39.699 God. 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:41.199 We know 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.920 that the 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.639 Son of God 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.239 has come 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:43.920 and has 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.639 given us 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.480 understanding. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.599 We know 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:46.980 that we 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.779 have salvation 00:36:47.779 --> 00:36:48.300 in Jesus' 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:48.779 name. 00:36:49.179 --> 00:36:49.739 We know 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:50.119 that we 00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:50.539 have come 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.000 to know 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.519 the true 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:51.980 God, 00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:52.880 regardless 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.420 of what 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.039 your friends 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.380 say, 00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:55.099 regardless 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:55.599 of what 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.300 the pundits 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.519 say, 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.099 regardless 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.900 of how 00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.579 you feel, 00:36:59.099 --> 00:37:00.119 we know 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.920 this is 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.420 the truth. 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.519 That's 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:03.839 how we 00:37:03.839 --> 00:37:04.279 live as 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:04.619 Christians. 00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.400 And it's 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:10.039 when we 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:10.779 live by 00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.679 what we 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.159 rightly 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.739 know, 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.420 that the 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.380 right feelings 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.519 flow from 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:16.860 us, 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.159 the right 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:18.819 actions 00:37:18.819 --> 00:37:20.099 follow from 00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.480 us. 00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.539 So, 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:23.860 brothers and 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:24.039 sisters, 00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:24.460 that's my 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:25.019 prayer for you 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.480 this morning. 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.400 Be assured 00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:28.659 this morning 00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.480 of what 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.320 you know 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:31.039 in Jesus 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.500 Christ. 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:31.619 Amen.