WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919
 The living room windows of my house and the balcony face west.

00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:19.480
 So occasionally, well, we're treated to a sunset every evening, but occasionally we are treated to a spectacular sunset, a vibrant colors, beautiful, passionate sunset.

00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:27.960
 And usually it's one of the kids that notice it first and they'll hear an exclamation and say, oh, wow, that's so beautiful.

00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:33.340
 And then we'll hear the invitation, dad, mom, come on over here, take a look, come and look at the sunset.

00:00:33.620 --> 00:00:39.539
 And we'll pause to marvel for a short while on the exquisite display of light.

00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:43.380
 And light brings color to our world.

00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:49.219
 Light dispels the darkness, enables us to see.

00:00:50.540 --> 00:00:54.140
 Light also dispels the cold, brings warmth.

00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:59.079
 Light, it makes the plants grow, providing food for the animals and for us.

00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:03.480
 Life is not possible without light in this physical world.

00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:10.299
 In a similar way, in the spiritual life, life is not possible without the light.

00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:17.519
 And John tells us in this passage that Jesus is the light that gives us spiritual life.

00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:23.299
 And he invites us then to behold Jesus, to believe in Jesus, the light of the world.

00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:29.239
 He says, Jesus says in verse 23, the hour has come for the son of man to be glorified.

00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:33.780
 Jesus speaks of the hour when he will be glorified throughout the gospel of John.

00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:39.500
 But up to this point in the gospel, in this book, it has always been in the future.

00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:42.680
 The hour is not yet.

00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:45.859
 But now Jesus says the hour has come.

00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:50.920
 And that's because the Greeks have arrived to see Jesus.

00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:59.060
 This is hinting at the salvation that Jesus will bring, which will be not only for the Jews, but also for the Greeks, the Gentiles.

00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:01.120
 So the hour has come.

00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:04.980
 And then in verse 24, Jesus tells us what will happen at this hour.

00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:12.580
 He says, truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone.

00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:16.659
 But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:27.680
 It's curious that Jesus speaks of a grain of wheat falling to the earth and dying when he is describing and explaining the hour of his glorification.

00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:31.020
 Glory means being exalted above others.

00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:32.759
 It means being lifted up.

00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:36.219
 Falling and dying are the exact opposite of that.

00:02:36.299 --> 00:02:38.939
 It means being brought down below others.

00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:43.859
 Jesus continues his mysterious teaching in verse 27.

00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:45.639
 He says, now is my soul troubled.

00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:49.180
 And what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour?

00:02:50.019 --> 00:02:55.239
 Why is the hour of his glorification something that Jesus might want to be saved from?

00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:59.079
 We find out why in verses 32 to 33.

00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:05.780
 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

00:03:06.660 --> 00:03:11.420
 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.200
 Again, the theme of death resurfaces.

00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:19.960
 It's not merely that Jesus is going to be glorified after his death.

00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:26.719
 Jesus is literally going to be lifted up from the earth when he is crucified.

00:03:27.820 --> 00:03:35.939
 Jesus' exaltation, his glorification, it starts with his death on the cross.

00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:40.540
 His death is part of his glorification.

00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:50.419
 This paradox between dying and being lifted up is an allusion to Isaiah 52, 53, which prophesied of the Messiah that would come.

00:03:50.859 --> 00:03:51.659
 The servant of the Lord.

00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:55.599
 And he said this, that the servant of the Lord shall be high and lifted up.

00:03:55.959 --> 00:03:57.000
 And shall be exalted.

00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:04.019
 And yet in the same breath, that same passage says that he will be despised and rejected by men.

00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:06.439
 A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.560
 And that he would bear our griefs and carry our sorrows.

00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:13.199
 Be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.

00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:14.960
 That's the glory.

00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:19.300
 But isn't death a humiliating defeat?

00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:23.079
 In what sense is that a form of exaltation?

00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:26.199
 As Jesus said earlier in verse 24.

00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:31.040
 Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone.

00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:34.259
 But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:39.759
 It is only in its death that a grain of wheat functions as a seed.

00:04:40.539 --> 00:04:45.839
 So in a sense, its burial is its birth.

00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:51.680
 Similarly, it is by his death that Jesus achieves his victory.

00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:54.959
 He says in verses 31 to 32.

00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:56.879
 Now is the judgment of this world.

00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:59.699
 Now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:04.879
 And I, when I'm lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:10.939
 In Jesus' death, the world that passed judgment on Jesus and sentenced him to death,

00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:13.800
 stands judged in turn.

00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:18.300
 Because in rejecting Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah that the Father sent,

00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:20.759
 they have shown themselves to be condemned already.

00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:27.420
 Those who turn toward Jesus in faith, the light of the world, are illuminated by the light.

00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:34.060
 But those who turn away from Jesus only see the shadow cast by their own rejection of the light of the world.

00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:37.759
 That's what this judgment refers to.

00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:40.779
 And Jesus also, he says,

00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:44.000
 Now is the time when the ruler of the world will be cast out.

00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:47.419
 The ruler of the world, the Bible often refers to Satan,

00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:53.139
 to the evil spiritual ruler that holds sway over the sinful world.

00:05:54.239 --> 00:05:56.699
 And because the true king has come,

00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.259
 and as Jesus is glorified, as he is crucified, and as he is resurrected,

00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.659
 and as he is ascended to the heavens,

00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:07.459
 as he ascends his throne first on the cross,

00:06:07.459 --> 00:06:10.219
 and then eventually at the right hand of the Father in heaven,

00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:13.459
 the ruler of this world is cast out.

00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:14.579
 He's cast down.

00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:17.199
 This was also prophesied of in Psalm 82,

00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.059
 that God himself would come,

00:06:19.419 --> 00:06:21.039
 that he would remove these spiritual rulers,

00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:25.179
 so that he can bring all people, all nations to himself,

00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:27.719
 under his gracious reign.

00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:30.319
 And that's what Jesus is referring to here,

00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:32.219
 that he would draw all people to himself.

00:06:32.679 --> 00:06:36.939
 That doesn't mean all individuals, without exception, will come,

00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:42.219
 because then that would make the statement about the judgment of the world nonsensical.

00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:45.439
 But it does mean that all people without distinction,

00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:52.160
 all kinds of people, Jews, Gentiles, men, women, black, white,

00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.199
 all kinds of people will be invited to the kingdom of God

00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.379
 because of what Jesus has accomplished on the cross.

00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:02.019
 Because Jesus paid off our debt of sin on the cross.

00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:04.879
 Because he paid the penalty for our sins,

00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:08.500
 the spiritual rulers, the authorities that held sway over us

00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:11.439
 with our debt of sin no longer holds sway.

00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:15.740
 Christ reigns and he has delivered us from the domain of darkness

00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:19.439
 and transferred us to the kingdom of God's beloved Son.

00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:21.039
 That's what God has done in Jesus.

00:07:22.299 --> 00:07:26.379
 And Jesus is the light that delivers us from this domain of darkness.

00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:28.159
 It says in verses 35 to 36,

00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:46.680
 In speaking of having the light only for a little while longer,

00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:48.840
 Jesus is speaking of his impending departure

00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:51.220
 through his death and resurrection and ascension.

00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:55.680
 And Jesus said very explicitly earlier in this same gospel,

00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:56.780
 in John 8, 12,

00:07:56.779 --> 00:07:58.579
 I am the light of the world.

00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:01.479
 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,

00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:04.159
 but will have the light of life.

00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:07.639
 Jesus is the only religious leader in history

00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.219
 who spoke in this way that's gained any kind of following.

00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:12.319
 All the other religious leaders said,

00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:13.479
 There is a light.

00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:14.899
 Look at that light.

00:08:15.359 --> 00:08:16.199
 Follow that teaching.

00:08:16.919 --> 00:08:17.659
 Jesus said,

00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:18.939
 I am the light.

00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:20.119
 And follow me.

00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.399
 You know what it's like to get up in the middle of the night

00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.959
 to go to the bathroom to get a drink of water.

00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:30.759
 You grow up around in the dark.

00:08:30.919 --> 00:08:31.739
 You probably, you know,

00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.600
 hit some things and drop them.

00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:38.139
 And eventually you make your way to the bathroom.

00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:41.659
 And that's easy enough to do if you know your way around the house.

00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:45.379
 But imagine going somewhere far away in complete darkness.

00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:48.960
 stumbling,

00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:50.879
 not being able to find the way.

00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:56.320
 That's what a spiritual life apart from Jesus is like.

00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:59.600
 There is no way we can find our way

00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:01.419
 apart from the light of the world.

00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:03.899
 And in contrast,

00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:04.979
 imagine the joy

00:09:04.979 --> 00:09:08.819
 and the wonder of a colorblind man

00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:12.259
 who, with the help of color correcting glasses,

00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:15.019
 is for the first time able to look into

00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:18.079
 the color of his daughter's eyes

00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:19.639
 or his wife's hair.

00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:20.919
 The joy

00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:22.539
 and the wonder of that.

00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:25.399
 Or think about how a cataract surgery

00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.899
 or lens replacement surgery

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:29.399
 transforms a blind woman's life.

00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:32.919
 She can walk around without feeling around with a cane anymore.

00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.879
 She can go somewhere

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:38.259
 without the help of a guide dog for the blind.

00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.299
 She can actually see

00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:42.299
 where she is going for the first time.

00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:45.819
 Such was our spiritual condition

00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:48.439
 prior to the dawning of the light of the world.

00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:51.120
 We were groping about in darkness,

00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.039
 in blindness,

00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:54.039
 not knowing where we were going.

00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:55.799
 It was a hopeless endeavor.

00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.259
 On our own, in our blindness,

00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:00.980
 we would have never found a way of salvation.

00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:02.980
 We would have never found our way to God.

00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.299
 But thanks be to God

00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.759
 for God who said,

00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.679
 let light shine out of darkness

00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:10.080
 has shown in our hearts

00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.860
 to give the light of the knowledge

00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:14.120
 of the glory of God

00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:17.340
 in the face of Jesus Christ.

00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.580
 That's what it says in 2 Corinthians 4, 6.

00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:22.259
 In the radiance of Jesus' face,

00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:23.879
 we see the light of the glory of God.

00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:26.439
 Jesus reveals the will of God.

00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.680
 Jesus shows us the face of God.

00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:31.920
 Jesus restores us into the arms of God.

00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:35.360
 I don't know if all of you have seen

00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.600
 the recent Google ad entitled

00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:40.340
 The Year in Search 2022.

00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:44.540
 It claims that more than ever before,

00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.240
 people searched for the answer

00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:48.480
 to these questions on Google.

00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.980
 Can I change?

00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:53.440
 Can I change my life?

00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:55.500
 Can I change myself?

00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.700
 Can I change my outlook?

00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.500
 How to start again?

00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:01.659
 Can I create change?

00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:03.320
 Can I level up?

00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:05.279
 Can I evolve?

00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.259
 I'm not sure if that's an actual

00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.940
 existential question or Pokemon question,

00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:13.960
 but it seems like there's definitely

00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.120
 a trend of people wanting to grow,

00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:18.160
 wanting to change.

00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:21.100
 And it's meant to be an uplifting ad,

00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.440
 inviting people to seek change,

00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:24.780
 to hope for change.

00:11:25.400 --> 00:11:28.580
 But actually left me feeling really sad

00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:32.320
 because it was a reminder to me

00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.940
 of how hopeless our world is

00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.020
 apart from Christ.

00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:40.100
 people search for those questions

00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:42.079
 because they don't know the answer.

00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:46.199
 Because they know something is wrong

00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:46.720
 with the world,

00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:48.319
 because they know that something is wrong

00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:49.360
 even with themselves,

00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:51.179
 but they don't know how to change.

00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.799
 They don't know the way out.

00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:55.439
 They are groping about in the darkness.

00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:58.860
 We cannot become a new person

00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:01.340
 apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ.

00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:05.199
 C.S. Lewis, the famous Oxford professor,

00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.180
 was once a staunch atheist.

00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:09.320
 But after becoming a Christian

00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:10.259
 at the age of 32,

00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:12.879
 he wrote in one of his essays this,

00:12:13.780 --> 00:12:15.000
 I believe in Christianity

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.280
 as I believe that the sun has risen,

00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:19.840
 not only because I see it,

00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:23.940
 but because by it I see everything else.

00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:28.600
 Jesus is the light of the world.

00:12:29.140 --> 00:12:31.660
 And he enables us to see God

00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:33.900
 and the world that he has created rightly.

00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:36.919
 When you believe and behold

00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.120
 the light of the world,

00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:40.139
 the sin and the darkness of this world

00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:42.279
 are exposed for what they really are.

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.679
 When you believe and behold

00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:45.399
 the light of the world,

00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:47.439
 you can make sense of human history,

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.379
 how it began and where it is headed,

00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:50.819
 why it has the cycles

00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.259
 and the ups and downs that it has.

00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:55.100
 When you believe and behold

00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.000
 the light of the world,

00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:58.419
 you can see God as he really is

00:12:58.419 --> 00:13:00.539
 and not as men make him out to be

00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:03.319
 with their fallible imagination.

00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:06.699
 God in his steadfast love and faithfulness.

00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.259
 God in his mercy and justice.

00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:11.839
 God in his grace and truth.

00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:15.179
 If you are not yet a follower of Jesus Christ,

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:17.879
 I urge you to believe in the light

00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.659
 that you may become sons of light,

00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.099
 as it says in verse 36.

00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:25.159
 No matter how confidently a blind man

00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.860
 denies the existence of light,

00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:28.620
 I don't know what you're talking about.

00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.360
 I don't see anything.

00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.580
 There's no such thing as a light.

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.600
 You're making all this up.

00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.540
 The light is there.

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.659
 In the same way,

00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.379
 I can say,

00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.139
 and every Christian

00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.940
 in the history of the world

00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:43.340
 can say,

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:46.040
 I once thought I saw,

00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:46.860
 but now I see

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.019
 that I once was blind,

00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.180
 but now I see.

00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.100
 When we believe

00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.800
 and behold the light of the world,

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.399
 we become sons of light.

00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:59.180
 One of our pastor interns

00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:00.160
 who preached for our church

00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:01.040
 a couple weeks ago

00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:02.960
 mentioned that the Hebrew expression

00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.440
 son of something

00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:06.600
 can literally refer to being

00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.960
 a son of someone,

00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.320
 but it can also be used idiomatically

00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:12.120
 to characterize something.

00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.679
 So, for example,

00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:15.480
 in Hebrews 89, 22,

00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.879
 or Psalm 89, 22,

00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.279
 it refers to the wicked

00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:19.220
 literally as

00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.980
 sons of wickedness.

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.600
 Obviously, wickedness

00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.659
 did not have a son,

00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.080
 but it's describing

00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.960
 that this person

00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.679
 is so wicked

00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.620
 that he can be characterized

00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:29.299
 as a son of wickedness.

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.159
 Similarly,

00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.200
 it speaks of

00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.419
 sons of affliction

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.200
 to refer to people

00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.100
 who are afflicted.

00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.200
 And then,

00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.440
 and so when it says here

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:38.399
 that once you believe in Jesus,

00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:40.299
 you become sons of light,

00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.740
 it means that you will be

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:45.199
 characterized by the same light,

00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:46.699
 by the light of the world,

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.279
 that you'll become

00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.919
 more like Jesus,

00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.679
 that you will have

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:53.519
 the relationship with God the Father

00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.799
 the same way Jesus did.

00:14:55.959 --> 00:14:57.299
 And so what does believing

00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.620
 and beholding the light entail?

00:14:58.679 --> 00:14:59.419
 What does that mean?

00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:02.379
 Jesus explains in verses 25 to 26,

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.679
 whoever loves his life

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.359
 loses it,

00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:06.139
 and whoever hates his life

00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:06.599
 in this world

00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:08.199
 will keep it for eternal life.

00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.940
 If anyone serves me,

00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:11.020
 he must follow me,

00:15:11.160 --> 00:15:12.100
 and where I am,

00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:13.360
 there will my servant be also.

00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.840
 If anyone serves me,

00:15:14.900 --> 00:15:15.960
 the Father will honor him.

00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:18.960
 Believing and beholding

00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:20.540
 the light of the world

00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.680
 entails following

00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.840
 in the footsteps of Jesus

00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.259
 who,

00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.740
 like a grain of wheat

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.820
 that falls into the earth

00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.520
 and dies,

00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:28.379
 laid down his life

00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.120
 on the cross

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.060
 for us

00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:31.600
 to give us eternal life.

00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.379
 That's what it means

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.160
 to follow Jesus.

00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.700
 That's what it means

00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:37.280
 to become sons of light.

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.919
 Whoever loves his own life,

00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:41.199
 and here's another Hebrew idiom

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.659
 when he says,

00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.100
 whoever loves his life

00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.740
 loses it,

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.899
 whoever hates his life

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.259
 in this world

00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.159
 will keep it for eternal life.

00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.079
 He's not telling us

00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.740
 to emotionally

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.319
 hate your own life

00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:50.399
 or to hate yourself.

00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.659
 That's not what he's referring to.

00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.839
 It's an idiom

00:15:52.839 --> 00:15:53.620
 that refers to

00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.740
 a preferential choice

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.480
 of something.

00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:56.799
 When you,

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.899
 when you choose

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.899
 to love Jesus,

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.339
 when you choose

00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:02.959
 to love serving him

00:16:02.959 --> 00:16:03.819
 and following him

00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.879
 even more

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.660
 than your own life,

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.000
 your own preferences,

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.260
 your own priorities,

00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.360
 your own desires,

00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.000
 when you submit

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.000
 those things to Jesus

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.640
 and say,

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.400
 I will follow you,

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.280
 that's what it means

00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:16.640
 to lose your life

00:16:16.640 --> 00:16:17.540
 for Jesus' sake.

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:22.219
 So in order to behold

00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:22.659
 the light,

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.740
 that means we must

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.079
 leave behind the darkness.

00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.000
 We must forfeit,

00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.959
 forsake our past life,

00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.099
 our sins,

00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.639
 the things we sought

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.059
 other than Jesus.

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:37.039
 is there something

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.739
 that you are clinging

00:16:37.739 --> 00:16:38.419
 to in your life

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.519
 that you are not

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.379
 willing to give up

00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.259
 for Jesus' sake?

00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.559
 Even a good thing

00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:47.119
 can be a damning thing

00:16:47.119 --> 00:16:49.179
 if it prevents you

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.199
 from turning to Jesus.

00:16:52.599 --> 00:16:53.479
 Do you love

00:16:53.479 --> 00:16:54.500
 the praise of the world?

00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.639
 Are you hesitant

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.839
 to follow Jesus

00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:59.099
 because you fear

00:16:59.099 --> 00:17:00.219
 the ridicule of this world?

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:03.220
 Do you love

00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.259
 the pleasures of the world?

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.039
 Are you unwilling

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.279
 to let go

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.539
 of these pleasures

00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.220
 for the sake

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.680
 of obedience to Jesus?

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.279
 Repent.

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.519
 Turn away from your sins

00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.120
 so you can turn

00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.620
 and face

00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.960
 the light of the world.

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.660
 Those who entrust

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.559
 their lives to Jesus

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.160
 in this way

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.700
 become once and for all

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.960
 sons of the light.

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.059
 And if you have

00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.779
 already done that,

00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.600
 if you are already

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.220
 a Christian,

00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.079
 follower of Christ,

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.059
 then keep

00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:32.279
 beholding Jesus.

00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.299
 2 Corinthians 3.18

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.620
 says,

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.259
 We all with unveiled face

00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.500
 beholding the glory

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.039
 of the Lord

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.600
 are being transformed

00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:40.860
 into the same image

00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.620
 from one degree

00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.539
 of glory to another.

00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:44.160
 Some of us

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.120
 are already sons

00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.799
 of the light.

00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.740
 But our entire lives

00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.600
 we grow more

00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.460
 and more into the

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.660
 likeness of the light

00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.079
 of the world.

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:51.759
 We become more

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.700
 and more like

00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.460
 Jesus Christ.

00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.839
 And the way we do that

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.799
 is the same way

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.519
 we were saved

00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.480
 by believing

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.579
 and beholding

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.279
 Jesus

00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:01.200
 by dying to ourselves

00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.400
 our selfish

00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.400
 and sinful desires

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.920
 and living to Christ

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.200
 for His purposes

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.400
 and priorities.

00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.920
 Emptying ourselves

00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.980
 of our pride,

00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.480
 humbling ourselves

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.039
 and following the path

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.740
 of suffering,

00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.240
 even death,

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.339
 death to self

00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.660
 for the sake

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.759
 of being alive to Christ,

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.799
 living for His glory.

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:22.180
 And that's my prayer

00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.180
 for us this evening

00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.000
 that this Christmas

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.940
 we would believe

00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.339
 and behold

00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:28.119
 the light of the world again.