WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 Well, with all that's been going on in our world lately with COVID-19, 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:14.060 there was a part of me that wondered whether we should continue in the series that we've been doing as a church 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:20.940 through the Gospel of John, or if we should focus on some scriptures which speak directly to the present state of things 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:23.660 going on in our world with this whole pandemic. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:31.679 As I've thought and prayed about that, there are many Christian brothers out there who are writing articles 00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:38.539 and blog posts and preaching sermons that pertain to COVID-19 directly, 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:43.820 and I've tried to share some of those resources online and through email with some of you. 00:00:44.620 --> 00:00:50.019 I think one of the questions on all of our minds is, when will this all be over? 00:00:50.020 --> 00:00:54.500 How long will it be before things finally get back to normal? 00:00:55.500 --> 00:01:02.720 Some of us are probably feeling a little bit worn out with just thinking and hearing about this pandemic 00:01:02.720 --> 00:01:07.480 and are eager to hear something else from God's Word. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:15.300 And so as I prayed and thought about this, I think we're going to continue on through our series in the Gospel of John. 00:01:15.299 --> 00:01:26.299 When we started this series, what we saw very early on was that this is about Jesus. 00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:33.679 John said in the first chapter of this Gospel, we saw His glory. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:37.359 That's what we've set out to do in this series. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:40.159 It's to see more of the glory of Jesus. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:42.799 We want to know Him more. 00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:52.739 Not only that, but we believe that the good news about Jesus is what people around us need to hear 00:01:52.739 --> 00:02:00.099 in order to be saved, in order to have the life that God offers to people. 00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:03.700 And so we want to also be familiar with this story. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:04.900 We want to know it well. 00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:13.480 And so these are at least two good reasons we have to continue on through the story of Jesus as told by John. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:16.259 And so that's what we're going to do in the weeks ahead. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:22.639 We picked the story up this morning in John chapter 3. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:26.500 If you have a Bible, I encourage you to grab it. 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:29.219 Pause the video if you need to. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:31.399 But get your Bible. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:35.519 Open it up to John chapter 3. 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:40.019 And we're going to be reading starting in verse 22. 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:47.320 Now what we're about to read comes what's happened up until now. 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:54.840 Jesus has gone up to Jerusalem and He celebrated the Passover there with His disciples. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:59.900 There was that week of feasting or festival, the festival of unleavened bread. 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:04.360 Jesus had that conversation with Nicodemus about being born again. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:13.480 And if you haven't heard any of that, the sermon audio for those messages is available on our church website. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:17.180 So this kind of comes after all that. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:22.440 Sometime after Jesus was up in Jerusalem, this is what we read in verse 22 of chapter 3. 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:29.120 After this, Jesus and His disciples went out into the Judean countryside. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:34.939 Where Jesus spent some time with them and baptized. 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:44.879 Now John also, this is John the Baptist, John also was baptizing at Anon near Salim. 00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:46.780 Because there was plenty of water. 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:50.819 And people were coming and being baptized. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:54.259 This was before John was put in prison. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:04:03.099 An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 00:04:04.739 --> 00:04:09.919 They, referring to John's disciples, came to John and said to him, 00:04:10.799 --> 00:04:17.779 Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one you testified about, 00:04:18.339 --> 00:04:22.599 look, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:28.000 So John sets the scene for us here. 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:35.719 After Jesus' time up in Jerusalem, he and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside. 00:04:35.719 --> 00:04:38.819 Where Jesus spent some time with them. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:43.620 And what were they doing out in the countryside? 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:46.920 John tells us that Jesus was baptizing. 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:57.439 He also tells us that John the baptizer at the same time was baptizing people in a different place. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:07.480 And so you have people going to Jesus to hear his teaching, to see these signs that he's doing. 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:12.020 And you have people going to John the baptizer. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:18.879 And somewhere in the middle of all of this, verse 25, an argument develops. 00:05:19.039 --> 00:05:26.099 There's a dispute between some of John's disciples and a certain unnamed Jewish man. 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:32.599 And interestingly enough, we're not really told what the argument was really about. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:37.740 I mean, John tells us it's over the matter of ceremonial washing, but we don't really know the details. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:48.060 What we do see, though, is that out of this argument, John's disciples, John the baptizer's disciples, end up coming to him. 00:05:48.640 --> 00:05:50.200 And they say this. 00:05:51.260 --> 00:05:55.260 They kind of give him a bit of a report on what's going on. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:06:10.740 Rabbi, verse 26, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one you testified about, look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:17.160 So this is an interesting moment in the story of Jesus. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:19.740 And I don't want to read into it too much. 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:26.420 But at the very least, I think we see here that John the baptizer's disciples are deeply concerned. 00:06:27.620 --> 00:06:28.600 They're worried. 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:39.680 There's the appearance here of some rivalry, of some competition between Jesus and John the baptizer. 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:44.879 And I don't want to, again, read too much into it. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:53.079 But I think at the very least, we might say that there's some deep concern here. 00:06:54.420 --> 00:06:58.939 Some maybe even just mild form of rivalry. 00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:05.860 We notice, first of all, that this all sparked out of a dispute or an argument. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:18.139 Second, we notice that John's disciples, even the language that they choose seems to be kind of really showing what's going on in their thoughts. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:29.759 They say, look, or behold, that man is baptizing, referring to Jesus, and everyone is going to him. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.819 Not just some, everyone is going to him. 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:41.860 You can almost hear a tone of lament, or at the very least, deep concern, if not more. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.360 Everyone is going to him. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:58.340 You can imagine for a moment that you were the owner of the A&W that's just south of town here in Davidson. 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:01.040 Business is going well enough. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.819 You're selling lots of hamburgers and french fries. 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:06.120 Life is good. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:11.439 You're the only fast food joint on the south side of town that's visible from the highway. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:19.620 And then suddenly, one day, out of nowhere, someone decides to start selling hamburgers right across the street. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:22.600 And Dairy Queen just pops out of nowhere. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:27.279 Now, I wasn't here before the Dairy Queen was built, 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:34.139 but I imagine that the people over at A&W had some pretty slow days just after it first opened. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:41.620 Now there's competition for every potential customer that comes rolling through town. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:50.100 And suddenly, here at the A&W, you know, the service that we've been offering people just doesn't feel like it's as appreciated. 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:54.179 Everyone is going over there now. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:09:01.559 I imagine that this captures at least something of what John's disciples are feeling. 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:09.519 Look, John, he is baptizing now, and everyone is going to him. 00:09:11.739 --> 00:09:15.659 Well, how does John the baptizer respond to this? 00:09:16.199 --> 00:09:18.399 We read his response in verse 27. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:21.939 To this, John replied, 00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:27.739 A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:32.060 You yourselves can testify that I said, 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:36.879 I am not the Messiah, but am sent ahead of him. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:42.519 So, what is John's response? 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:51.980 As John hears this report about Jesus baptizing and everyone is going to him, 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:55.720 the first thing that he says is this, 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:59.840 A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 00:10:02.060 --> 00:10:03.320 In other words, 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:06.820 this is part of God's sovereign plan. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:14.360 It's heaven that has decided how things should go. 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:16.120 God. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:19.240 And then, 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:20.539 after this, 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.740 he clarifies again. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.600 And I love the words that he uses. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:29.539 You yourselves testify to me 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.919 that I said. 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:33.200 He calls them as witnesses. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:37.960 You heard what I have clearly said. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:41.060 And we saw this back in John chapter 1, 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:45.099 when the Jewish religious leaders sent delegates 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:48.079 to ask John the baptizer who he was. 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.839 He made it crystal clear. 00:10:50.239 --> 00:10:52.199 I am not the Messiah. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:55.819 I am not the Messiah. 00:10:57.819 --> 00:11:01.979 He calls his disciples as witnesses again here 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:03.159 and reminds them, 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:04.799 I said, 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:07.119 I am not the Messiah. 00:11:07.119 --> 00:11:07.179 I am not the Messiah. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:11.899 But, 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:14.419 don't miss the but, 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:18.299 but I am sent ahead of him. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.419 From here, 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:28.399 John goes into this analogy of a wedding. 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:33.079 Let's read it together in verse 29. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:36.139 I am not the Messiah, 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:36.480 but, 00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:38.080 but I'm sent ahead of him. 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:41.259 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. 00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:44.920 The friend who attends the bridegroom 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:48.440 waits and listens for him 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:50.680 and is full of joy 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:53.379 when he hears the bridegroom's voice. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.139 That joy is mine 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:58.660 and it is now complete. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:02.059 He must become greater. 00:12:03.339 --> 00:12:06.039 I must become less. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:08.159 So, 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:10.719 to kind of give an explanation 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:13.539 of what's going on in this situation, 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:15.139 the way that John sees it, 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:17.679 how he's reacting to all of this, 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.799 he gives the analogy of a wedding 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.559 and we don't know exactly 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.100 or have the clearest picture 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.600 of exactly how a wedding, 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.600 what a wedding was like 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:29.399 in the first century Jewish culture. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:29.759 So, 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:32.200 I'm going to try to just translate it 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.279 into our culture 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.540 for us 00:12:34.540 --> 00:12:35.779 and, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:37.320 and maintain some of the, 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:38.379 the elements that 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.540 are here in his analogy. 00:12:42.420 --> 00:12:45.100 The bride belongs to the bridegroom 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:47.259 is the first thing 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:49.440 that John says. 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:51.580 And he compares himself 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.600 to the friend 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.920 who attends 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:55.260 the bridegroom. 00:12:55.880 --> 00:12:56.380 So, 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:57.760 we might think of groomsmen 00:12:57.760 --> 00:13:00.280 or think of the best man. 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.180 So, 00:13:03.260 --> 00:13:03.580 imagine 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.640 here you are, 00:13:04.780 --> 00:13:05.040 you've, 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:06.600 you've come for a wedding 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.660 and 00:13:08.660 --> 00:13:11.400 you have an important question 00:13:11.400 --> 00:13:12.080 to ask, 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.560 maybe where to put your gift 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:14.620 or something like that. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:14.960 You've, 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.480 you've showed up nice and early. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.120 The bride and the bridegroom 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.799 are not even in the building yet 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.700 that you know of. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:21.720 And, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.879 you can see the, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.940 the, 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:26.200 the bridesmaids 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:26.700 and 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:28.659 the groomsmen, 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.139 they're, 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.539 they're kind of doing set up. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.899 They're kind of 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:33.360 attending to those last 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.440 minute details. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.899 And you can see 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.120 one of them is kind of 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.539 giving orders 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.379 or instructions 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.000 to 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.299 some of the other guys 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.659 and they're moving things around 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.980 and carrying things here 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:46.639 and there. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.039 So, 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.139 who are you going to ask 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.539 about where to put 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.100 the gift that you have brought? 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:53.379 Well, 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.840 probably that guy. 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:55.980 And, 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:57.439 perhaps, 00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.059 he's, 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.139 he's the best man. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.100 And, 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.059 for the time being, 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.580 he's 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:02.679 kind of 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.759 in charge. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:04.699 Um, 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.860 helping make sure 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.779 that everything gets 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.659 in its place. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.199 He's been here for the rehearsal. 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.740 He knows what's going on. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.139 He's the best friend 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.960 of 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.200 the groom. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.200 So, 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.180 who better to ask 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:17.140 than him? 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.000 At the moment, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.040 um, 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:19.620 he, 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.379 he's kind of 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:22.060 has 00:14:22.060 --> 00:14:24.259 the attention 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.960 of people. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:25.220 They're, 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.480 they're looking to him 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.480 for guidance 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.320 and for instruction. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:28.660 We get, 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.960 we got to get all these last 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:31.420 things taken care of 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:32.360 before, 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.860 uh, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.840 the wedding starts. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.840 We need these chairs 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.879 set up over here. 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.960 We need this table 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.040 moved over there. 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.100 Now, 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:43.300 fast forward a little bit 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:44.800 to just before, 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.560 uh, 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.700 just as the wedding 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.360 is starting. 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.580 Um, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.160 suddenly, 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:55.600 and I don't know 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.800 what your experience 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:57.620 has been at weddings, 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.320 but I know that 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.240 at a number of weddings 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.159 I have been to, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.139 um, 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:04.200 the groomsmen 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.100 have been kind of 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:05.659 the first 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:07.480 to come into the room 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:09.360 or come onto the stage 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.220 and, 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.419 and sometimes 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.720 even without the groom. 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.560 Um, 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.720 so they'll walk out 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.500 from the side 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.580 and 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:18.419 in that moment, 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.399 up until then, 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.180 during the setup 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:20.500 and, 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.960 and up until that moment, 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:23.060 um, 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.279 your attention is on 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.299 the groomsmen. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:27.099 Your attention's on 00:15:27.099 --> 00:15:27.919 the best man. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.679 You're looking at them 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.919 and how sharply 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.259 dressed they are. 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.399 But then all of a sudden 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:37.139 there's a massive shift 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:39.199 as the groom 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.539 comes 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.659 walking 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:43.479 out onto the stage 00:15:43.479 --> 00:15:45.019 and takes his place 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.679 in the center 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:50.079 beside his 00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:51.379 groomsmen. 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:53.359 And in that moment, 00:15:54.219 --> 00:15:55.279 everybody's attention 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.039 just shifts 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.120 all at once 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.240 from 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.539 the groomsmen 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.740 to the groom. 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.039 It's, 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.039 it's his wedding. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.539 It's his day. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.539 He's the one 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.579 that we've come to see 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.600 get married. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.240 And, 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.839 and from that moment on, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.419 the groomsmen 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.279 just kind of 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:15.039 fade into the background 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.679 a little bit. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.639 They kind of go into 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.919 our peripheral vision. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:20.899 And if we look at them again, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.199 it's, 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.159 it's just to see 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:24.039 what's their reaction 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.919 for a brief moment 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.199 to what's happening 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:29.219 here in the room. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.819 I've had the opportunity 00:16:31.819 --> 00:16:32.599 to, 00:16:32.599 --> 00:16:33.500 um, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.959 to serve 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:35.939 as a groomsman 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.980 on a couple 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.919 different occasions. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:39.000 and, 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:41.500 there's been a couple 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.079 moments 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:43.299 where I've been there 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.399 up on the stage 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.000 and I, 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.439 I distinctly remember 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.939 that 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:50.659 I was, 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:52.059 I was overcome. 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.039 In fact, 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.279 I, 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:55.439 I was almost 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:56.219 at the point 00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:57.179 of tears. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.120 Tears of joy. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:03.799 because, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.440 in that moment, 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.980 one of my best friends 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:10.359 was about to get married 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.859 to a wonderful 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.200 young lady. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.099 And I still remember 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.160 some of those moments. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.420 Here I am, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.140 standing in my place, 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:24.100 and the bride 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:25.120 appears 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:27.380 at the back 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.000 of the aisle. 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.880 And eye contact 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.580 is made 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.420 between her 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:34.140 and between 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:36.280 one of my best friends. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.520 And I just, 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:41.280 I'm just drinking 00:17:41.280 --> 00:17:42.380 in that moment. 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.780 What is this like 00:17:43.780 --> 00:17:45.140 for my best friend here? 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:47.020 I look over at him 00:17:47.020 --> 00:17:48.120 and I can just, 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.060 I can see, 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.079 I can feel 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.899 the emotion 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:53.000 just welling up 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.940 inside of him. 00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:57.220 The joy, 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.059 the, 00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.980 the, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.179 the awe 00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:02.619 at just how beautiful 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:04.000 she is in that moment. 00:18:04.679 --> 00:18:05.740 Dressed in white. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.399 Precious moments. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.859 Moments that 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.960 I was overwhelmed 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.579 with joy in. 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.779 Because 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:18.319 my best friend 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.559 is getting married 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.460 to a wonderful 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.200 young lady. 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:24.179 And so, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.700 I think that's 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.579 the kind of 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.939 thing that John 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:29.539 is trying to get us 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:29.859 to, 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.579 to, 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.220 to see, 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.639 to feel with him 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.960 as he helps us 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.899 understand what's 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.559 going on here 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.859 between Jesus and him. 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:38.980 It's, 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.980 it's like a wedding. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.539 And Jesus 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.960 is the bridegroom. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.960 And the people, 00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:46.259 they're, 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.500 they're the bride. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.720 He's the one 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:51.559 who should have 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.759 their attention. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.259 John, 00:18:55.439 --> 00:18:55.919 he's, 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.539 he's just like 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.279 the groomsman, 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:57.559 the, 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.599 the best man, 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.720 the friend 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.579 who attends 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.659 the groom. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.279 He's been working 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:06.220 to get things 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.700 ready, 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:07.659 to, 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:07.899 to, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.659 to make 00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.480 preparations, 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.539 but now this 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.799 moment has come 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.059 and it's good. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.139 It's right. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:15.200 I am happy 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.920 that I am 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.780 fading into 00:19:16.780 --> 00:19:17.500 the background 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.660 and that the 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.759 attention is now 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.400 on him. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.360 He's the one. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:23.640 It's, 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.680 it's his day. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.440 This is what 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.380 I've been working 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.720 towards. 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:33.160 John's disciples 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:35.160 give this report 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.780 of what's 00:19:35.780 --> 00:19:36.840 going on 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.359 and it comes 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.039 across as 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.500 negative. 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:40.000 It comes 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.699 across as, 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.240 there's some, 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:43.039 we've got some 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.019 competition here. 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.659 We've got some 00:19:44.659 --> 00:19:45.240 rivalry. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.819 And in stark 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.899 contrast to that, 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.099 John's reaction 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.419 is the opposite. 00:19:51.659 --> 00:19:51.819 It's, 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.879 yes, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:56.119 I am so happy. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.919 My joy 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.359 is now 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.139 complete 00:19:59.139 --> 00:20:00.419 because everyone 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.139 is going 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.220 to him. 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:05.039 that's what 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.519 I've wanted 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.160 to see. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.519 That's my role. 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.620 That's what's 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.120 been given 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.680 to me 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.700 from heaven, 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.539 from God. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.319 My job 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.819 has been 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.380 to point 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.160 the spotlight, 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.319 to make 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.140 preparation 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.759 and now 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.319 the moment 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.019 is here. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.559 So look 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.920 at him. 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.339 Everyone 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.920 is going 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.400 to him 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.100 and I 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.640 couldn't be 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.400 more 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.220 happy. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:33.900 He 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.080 must become 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.880 greater. 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:37.940 I must 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.860 become less. 00:20:42.280 --> 00:20:43.440 The spotlight 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.280 needs to get 00:20:44.280 --> 00:20:45.620 bigger on him 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.220 and it needs 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.620 to get 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.900 smaller on me. 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:48.880 He needs 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.259 to have, 00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:50.600 he must have 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:51.960 more of 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.960 people's attention 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.660 and I must 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.700 have less. 00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:55.680 This is good. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.740 This is right. 00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:58.759 This is how 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.800 it's supposed 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.300 to go. 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.740 So what 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:02.920 are we 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.280 to take 00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:03.800 from this 00:21:03.800 --> 00:21:04.840 interaction? 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.400 Well, 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:06.680 I think 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.660 that one 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:07.900 of the 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.280 natural 00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:08.660 places 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.120 for us 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:09.519 to go 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.800 is to 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.180 think of 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.480 this 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.380 as 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:14.060 John 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:15.360 is giving 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.740 us an 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.180 example 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.519 of 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.180 humility 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.720 and I 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.080 think this 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:19.660 is here. 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.880 We 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.360 naturally 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.060 understand 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:22.580 the feeling 00:21:22.580 --> 00:21:23.280 of rivalry. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.799 we 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.220 understand 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.899 that feeling 00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.379 of seeing 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.220 someone else 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.180 succeeding 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.839 or of 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.500 someone else 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.059 getting the 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.519 attention 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.180 when we 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.660 had it 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.099 before. 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.879 I think 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.819 we do get 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.259 a bit of a 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.899 snapshot of 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.519 the mentality 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:39.960 of our 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.559 world or 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.940 of the 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.240 just that 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.460 desire that 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:44.940 we have 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.259 in our 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.240 sinful human 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.680 nature. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:49.000 we love 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.600 the attention 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.120 of others. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.140 We love 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.980 the praise 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.440 of other 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:53.860 people. 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:54.580 We want 00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.180 others to 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.759 think much 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.200 of us. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.320 And John 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.860 the baptizer 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.560 stands in 00:21:59.560 --> 00:22:00.779 stark contrast 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.480 to that. 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:02.940 Here he is 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.720 and he is 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.120 just, 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.180 he is a 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.620 wonderful 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.580 example of 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:07.340 godly 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.380 humility. 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.660 He knows 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.920 his place 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.860 in all of 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.019 this. 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:13.480 He knows 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.060 his place 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:15.019 before Jesus. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.400 He knows 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.960 his place 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.940 before God. 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.820 He knows 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:20.440 his place 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.860 as it 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.280 pertains 00:22:21.280 --> 00:22:21.759 to other 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.259 people. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.600 A person 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.200 or a man 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.840 can only 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:26.580 receive what 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:26.980 is given 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.480 them from 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.800 heaven. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.200 I am 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.700 not the 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.140 Messiah, 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:31.940 but I am 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.800 sent ahead 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.220 of him. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.220 I'm just 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.900 a voice. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.620 I've come 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.140 to prepare 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.580 the way. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:36.980 I'm just 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.680 the friend 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.660 who attends 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.140 to the 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.500 groom. 00:22:40.780 --> 00:22:41.280 But the 00:22:41.280 --> 00:22:42.140 bride belongs 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:43.060 to the 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:43.560 groom. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.140 The attention 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.120 is rightfully 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.019 his. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.079 There's 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.399 quite a 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:49.899 contrast 00:22:49.899 --> 00:22:50.259 here. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.579 It's all 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.159 too easy 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.059 to seek 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.779 our praise 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:56.319 from people, 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:58.019 but it's 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.759 God's 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.939 commendation 00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:00.979 that we 00:23:00.979 --> 00:23:01.379 should be 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:01.699 seeking. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.159 So I 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:03.379 think 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.179 John the 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:04.899 baptizer is 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.239 a great 00:23:05.239 --> 00:23:06.019 example of 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.859 humility 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:08.419 in contrast 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:09.179 to the 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.979 desire of 00:23:09.979 --> 00:23:10.500 our flesh 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:10.939 to be 00:23:10.939 --> 00:23:11.519 exalted 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.740 in the 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.220 eyes of 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.579 others. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.339 And one 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.559 of the 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:14.900 places 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.920 that it's 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.500 easiest to 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:16.900 see this 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.319 right now 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.819 perhaps, 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.180 I mean, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.579 we're in 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.059 social distancing 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.599 mode, 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.539 is in our 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.099 relationships 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.579 with our 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.400 family members. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.139 We've been 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.779 spending a lot 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.740 more time 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.119 with them 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.619 because of 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.480 COVID-19. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.019 some of 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.579 you parents 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.920 are with 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.339 your kids 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.700 a lot 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.160 more than 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.480 you were 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.079 before now 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.720 that sports 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.059 have been 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.480 cancelled, 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.200 now that 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.440 classes have 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.200 been suspended. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.860 As you 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:43.099 consider your 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.680 relationships 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.240 with the 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.319 people in 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.980 your house, 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.720 does it 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.380 bother you 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.759 when those 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.180 you live 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.120 with don't 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:51.819 notice the 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.360 ways that 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.099 you serve 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.120 them around 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:54.660 the house? 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.480 Do you 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.839 feel the 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.200 need to 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.960 inform them 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.900 of all that 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.319 you did 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.539 today for 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.480 them so 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.879 that you 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.819 can get 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.399 your thanks 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.059 and praise? 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.319 Or, 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.720 on the 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.139 flip side, 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.460 do you 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:08.819 see some 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.039 of the 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.419 work of 00:24:09.419 --> 00:24:09.939 your home 00:24:09.939 --> 00:24:10.740 and your 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.599 family as 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.700 beneath you? 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.539 Oh, 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:16.200 that job 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.480 is, 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.279 you know, 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.679 are you 00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:20.379 happy to 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.139 leave that 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.859 undesired 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.519 work to 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.139 your spouse? 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.919 Kids, 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.179 do you 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:27.639 think it's 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.500 mom and 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:28.899 dad's 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.780 job to 00:24:29.780 --> 00:24:30.240 clean up 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.660 all the 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.200 mess that 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.660 you have 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.759 made so 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.700 far today? 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.720 Because you've 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.160 got more 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.140 important things 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.680 to do. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.400 John is a 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.280 wonderful example 00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:43.100 here of a 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.960 humble attitude, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.900 of a desire 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:47.140 to serve, 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.240 and of how we 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.180 can have joy 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.160 in serving one 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.440 another. 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:50.980 And so I want 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.620 to encourage you 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.180 this week, 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.720 how can you 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.920 joyfully serve 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.880 your wife, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.900 your husband, 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:02.140 your kids, 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.360 those you live 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.839 with in the 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.400 week ahead? 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:06.440 God. 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.600 While we do 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:10.960 get this 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.880 wonderful example 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.840 from John, 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.740 it's not 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:15.340 the main 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.800 point that I 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.220 think we're 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.140 to take from 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.800 all of this. 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.740 It's a 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.540 meaningful thing, 00:25:20.780 --> 00:25:21.300 it's a 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:22.259 wonderful example, 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.660 but I think 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.600 more than 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.060 anything, 00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:27.840 what we need 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.420 to take from 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.019 this is what 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.440 John, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.660 the baptizer, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.400 wants us to 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.280 take from 00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:32.940 his words. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.920 What is he 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.660 saying here? 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:39.160 If we 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.620 listen in 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.580 again to 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.400 these words, 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.820 I hope that 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:43.440 we hear it 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.820 and that we 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.340 don't miss 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.580 it. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.420 In verse 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.019 28, 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.120 you yourselves 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.940 can testify 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.500 that I 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.039 said, 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.820 I am 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.440 not the 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:52.940 Messiah, 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.539 but am 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.420 sent ahead 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.240 of him. 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.500 Him 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.240 referring to 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.080 the one 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.700 who was 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.420 with you, 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.920 who you 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:04.060 testified about 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:04.700 before. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.560 Do you 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:08.000 hear what 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.400 John is 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:08.800 saying? 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.759 I am 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.160 not the 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.560 Messiah, 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.460 I'm sent 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.960 ahead of 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.300 him. 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.480 John is 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.460 happy to 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.500 see people 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:20.000 not coming 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.539 to him 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.380 and instead 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.180 going to 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.640 Jesus, 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:24.220 because Jesus 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.960 is the 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.460 Messiah. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.840 He's 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.500 here, 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:28.320 he has 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:28.840 come. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.960 God's 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.060 chosen 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.840 king, 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.960 the one 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.660 foretold 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.019 by the 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.380 prophets 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.019 long ago, 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.360 he's 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:36.900 here. 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.560 I'm 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:39.140 not him. 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:39.960 I'm 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.660 happy that 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:40.880 they're 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.380 going to 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.660 him, 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.480 because he 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.100 has come. 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.360 I should 00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:47.300 have less 00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:47.820 and less 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.480 of people's 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.940 attention, 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.700 and he 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.140 should have 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:50.720 more and 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.000 more. 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.620 He is 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.820 the Christ, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.440 the one that 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.840 we've all 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.320 been waiting 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:56.700 for. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.700 God's 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.440 God's 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.160 disciples are 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.460 really 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.740 listening to 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.059 him, 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.180 then there's 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.700 only one 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.080 thing for 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.420 them to 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.660 do, 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.160 and it 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.440 may not 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.759 happen 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.360 right away, 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.880 but sometime 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.559 soon they 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.240 need to be 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.279 packing their 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.740 bags and 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.779 leaving John, 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.319 the baptizer, 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:16.400 and going to 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.240 follow the one 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.980 who is greater, 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.700 the Messiah, 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.059 Jesus. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.200 The bride 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.819 belongs to 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.759 the bridegroom. 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.079 All of our 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.579 attention, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.200 all of our 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.299 loyalty belongs 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.720 to him, 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.619 because he 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.000 is the 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.440 Christ, 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.659 he is the 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.079 Messiah. 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:34.960 And so, 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.000 I want to 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.619 ask you, 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.440 as you 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.940 listen to 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.299 this, 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.259 does Jesus 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.879 have your 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.599 attention? 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.579 Does Jesus 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.419 have your 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.419 loyalty? 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.859 if he 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.379 doesn't, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.279 then what 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.839 or who 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.579 does? 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.379 Even in 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:01.659 the midst 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.000 of this 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.480 pandemic, 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.480 let me 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.059 encourage you 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.460 not to 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.759 give it 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.079 more 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.919 attention 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.539 than it 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.059 deserves. 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:09.819 I'm not 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.179 saying that 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.460 we should 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.019 be ignorant, 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:11.960 that we 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.259 shouldn't 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.599 read the 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:12.980 news, 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.679 that we 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:13.899 should, 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.519 there's 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.099 nothing wrong 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.519 with being 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.099 informed, 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.899 but one 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.500 greater than 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.879 all of 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:19.819 this has 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.279 come, 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.319 and he 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.879 is worthy 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.539 of our 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.079 attention 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.440 over and 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.519 above and 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.960 through all 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.460 of this. 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.200 Perhaps it's 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.240 not COVID-19 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.980 so much for 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.240 you, 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.240 maybe it's 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.700 just your 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.160 smartphone, 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.240 or your 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.779 television, 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.899 or Netflix. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.639 Let me 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.379 encourage you 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.519 not to give 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:42.680 those things 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.440 more attention 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.259 than they 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.359 deserve either. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.839 And I'm 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.299 speaking to 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.879 myself here 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.220 as well, 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.700 because I 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.200 know how 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.700 easy it 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.000 is to 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.400 just get 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.860 swallowed 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.799 up in 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.360 the glow 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.140 of the 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.640 screen, 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.880 in the 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.279 palm of 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.779 your hand, 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.160 or on 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.680 the wall, 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.860 or on 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.839 your television 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.360 cart in 00:28:59.360 --> 00:28:59.960 my case. 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.259 And there's 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.819 that desire 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.339 to just go 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:02.920 back to it 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.440 again and 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.960 again and 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.360 again, 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.700 to pull 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.140 that phone 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.440 out. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.100 But do 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.519 you know 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.059 that one 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.940 greater than 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:11.240 Google is 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.660 here? 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:15.540 my oldest 00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:15.940 daughter, 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.060 five years 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.400 old, 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.920 and she's 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.620 already telling 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.140 me that if 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.779 I don't know 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.100 something, 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.680 I should just 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.680 ask Siri. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.580 I should just 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.100 search it up 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:25.580 online. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.960 And so I 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.620 don't think I 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.540 communicated it 00:29:29.540 --> 00:29:30.980 the best way 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.440 to her, 00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:33.820 but I 00:29:33.820 --> 00:29:34.240 tried to 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.759 remind her 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.240 this week 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.779 that Google 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.519 is not 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.100 God. 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:40.679 YouTube 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:42.019 is not 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.639 the definitive 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:44.159 source for 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.859 wisdom on 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.399 the planet. 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.939 The 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:48.579 World Wide 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.139 Web is a 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:49.959 vast treasure 00:29:49.959 --> 00:29:50.559 trove of 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.259 information, 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.339 but at 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.859 best, 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.740 it's a 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.480 collection of 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.279 human wisdom, 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.379 and at 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:56.679 worst, 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.079 it's a 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.059 pooling of 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.500 human 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.319 ignorance. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.959 No, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.379 we have 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:03.819 something 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.599 better, 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.279 one greater 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.980 than Google, 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:08.119 has come, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.359 and his 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.059 knowledge and 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.159 his understanding 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:12.159 are truly 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:12.959 out of this 00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:13.439 world. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.500 They are 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.079 from heaven, 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:18.299 because he 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.399 is from 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.740 heaven. 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.139 And so we 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:22.699 should listen 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:23.419 very carefully 00:30:23.419 --> 00:30:23.919 to his 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:24.379 words. 00:30:25.719 --> 00:30:26.199 He is 00:30:26.199 --> 00:30:26.919 worthy of 00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:27.559 our attention. 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.339 And so my 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:32.539 question this 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.959 week is, 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.579 does he 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.980 have yours? 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.039 It doesn't 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.619 matter what's 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.259 going on. 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.799 The things 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.279 that are going 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.659 on are 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:42.259 important. 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.319 They're 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.899 significant. 00:30:44.699 --> 00:30:46.339 But whatever 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.459 is going on, 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:49.779 Jesus is 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.459 still worthy 00:30:50.459 --> 00:30:52.079 of our 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.579 attention and 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:53.939 of our 00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:54.359 loyalty. 00:30:55.719 --> 00:30:56.539 Does he 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.399 have your 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:57.839 attention? 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.019 Does he 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.480 have your 00:30:59.480 --> 00:30:59.919 loyalty? 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.859 Does he 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.039 have your 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.399 love? 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:03.460 love? 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.300 Let's 00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:06.560 pray. 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.880 Father in 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.400 heaven, thank 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:09.660 you for 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.340 these words. 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:11.880 Would you 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.580 seal them in 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.140 our hearts? 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.920 And would you 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.820 remind us again 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.900 of just how 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.640 wonderful a 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.120 gift your 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:19.000 son is that 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.780 you have sent 00:31:19.780 --> 00:31:20.540 him into our 00:31:20.540 --> 00:31:20.940 world? 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.060 Draw each 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:25.080 one listening. 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.420 Draw me 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:29.120 into your 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.900 presence again 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.640 and remind 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.140 us of the 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.460 truth. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.560 Help us to 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:35.460 see the 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.120 glory of 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:36.460 Jesus. 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.860 We ask 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.220 this in 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.660 Christ's 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:39.860 name. 00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:41.620 Amen. 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:41.740 Amen.