WEBVTT

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 We're working through the story of Jesus in the Gospel of John, and for the last while

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 we have been listening to Jesus' conversation that he's having with the religious leaders

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 here in John chapter 5.

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 Right now in the story, Jesus is in Jerusalem.

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 He's just healed a man on the Sabbath day, and the religious leaders are going after

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 him.

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 They want him dead.

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 They're furious with him.

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 They believe that he is a blasphemer because of the special relationship that he claims

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 to have with God, his Father.

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 Jesus has been saying some pretty amazing things.

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 He's been saying things like, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,

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 so also the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

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 He's been saying things like, the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son.

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 He's been saying things like, a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear

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 the voice of the Son and come out, and those who have done what is good will rise to live,

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 and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

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 He's been saying things like, very truly, I tell you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged.

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 Astonishing claims that Jesus has been making in this conversation.

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 Well, this morning we're going to finish off this conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders in John chapter 5,

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 and in these verses that we're about to read, John continues to tell us only what Jesus said that day.

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 But you can hear in the words and the tone and the flow of what Jesus said that this is a back-and-forth conversation, likely,

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 and probably a heated conversation.

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 There's one big question that seems to lie beneath the surface of what Jesus is about to say,

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 and if the religious leaders are not asking it out loud,

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 we can be sure that they are at least thinking it in their hearts.

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 And the question is this,

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 Why should we believe you, Jesus?

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 Why should we believe what you say?

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 You all hear the things that he's saying.

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 These are claims like no one has ever made.

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 Why should we believe you?

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 Let's read it in John chapter 5, verse 31.

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 This is Jesus' response.

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 He says,

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 If I testify about myself,

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 my testimony is not true.

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 There is another who testifies in my favor,

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 and I know that his testimony about me is true.

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 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.

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 Not that I accept human testimony,

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 but I mention it that you may be saved.

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 John was a lamp that burned and gave light,

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 and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

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 I have testimony weightier than that of John.

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 For the works that the Father has given me to finish,

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 the very works that I am doing,

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 testify that the Father has sent me.

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 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.

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 You have never heard his voice,

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 nor seen his form,

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 nor does his word dwell in you,

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 for you do not believe the one he sent.

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 You study the scriptures diligently,

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 because you think that in them you have eternal life.

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 These are the very scriptures that testify about me.

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 Yet you refuse to come to me,

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 to have life.

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 I do not accept glory from human beings,

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 but I know you.

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 I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.

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 I have come in my Father's name,

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 and you do not accept me.

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 But if someone else comes in his own name,

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 you will accept him.

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 How can you believe,

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 since you accept glory from one another,

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 but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

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 But do not think I will accuse you before the Father.

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 Your accuser is Moses,

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 on whom your hopes are set.

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 If you believed Moses,

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 you would believe me,

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 for he wrote about me.

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 But since you do not believe what he wrote,

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 how are you going to believe what I say?

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 This was Jesus' answer,

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 and there's a lot in that answer.

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 Why should we believe you?

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 The first major thing that Jesus says,

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 the first answer that he gives to their question,

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 is that there is one who bears witness.

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 that what he's saying is true.

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 There is one who gives his testimony

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 to confirm that Jesus speaks the truth.

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 Woven through this whole section

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 is the language of testimony,

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 and testifying.

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 Let's listen to Jesus' words there in verse 31.

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 He says,

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 if I testify about myself,

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 my testimony is not true.

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 Or some translations say,

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 my testimony is not valid.

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 What does Jesus mean by that?

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 Well, people who have studied this much more than I have,

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 and probably understand it better than I do,

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 have pointed to a couple of things.

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 First,

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 Jesus has already made it clear

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 that he does nothing by himself.

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 Back in verse 19 and in verse 30,

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 he said that he only does

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 what he sees his father doing.

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 He only judges

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 in accordance with what he hears

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 from his father.

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 And so we've heard this truth,

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 and we'll hear it again in the gospel.

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 Jesus does not act independently

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 of his father.

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 As we'll see later in the gospel,

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 he does not speak independently

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 of him either.

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 He says only what the father

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 has told him to say.

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 He's not here

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 to accomplish

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 his own agenda.

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 He tells us that he is here

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 to accomplish the will

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 of his father.

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 If I testify about myself,

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 my testimony is not true

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 or valid.

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 And so perhaps,

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 just as Jesus does not seek

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 to please himself,

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 neither does he seek

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 to testify about himself.

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 Or we might say,

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 he doesn't seek

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 to be his own witness,

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 to confirm his own words.

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 Jesus,

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 you'll know this

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 from the scriptures,

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 the story that you've heard already,

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 that he always had

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 a perfect answer

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 to every challenging question

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 that was asked of him.

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 But I think what Jesus is saying

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 is that his goal

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 was never to just vindicate himself.

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 in the eyes of others

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 or to prove

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 beyond the shadow of a doubt

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 to everyone

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 that every word he said

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 was true

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 or to make others believe

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 what he was saying.

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 His goal was not

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 to win the argument,

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 to be his own witness.

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 His goal

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 was to say

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 just what the father

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 told him to say.

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 The second thing

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 that people point to here

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 seems to have to do

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 with the Jewish law.

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 According to the Jewish law,

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 one witness

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 was not enough

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 to convict someone

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 of a crime.

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 And so,

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 in the same way,

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 we're not expected

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 to believe

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 any guy

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 who comes along

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 and claims things

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 like Jesus

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 has claimed

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 just because

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 he claims them.

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 of course,

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 God would give us more.

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 He would give us

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 another witness,

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 other testimonies

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 that bear witness

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 to confirm

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 what Jesus is saying.

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 And Jesus tells us

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 this in verse 32.

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 There is another,

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 says Jesus,

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 who testifies

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 about me

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 or in my favor.

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 And I know

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 that his testimony

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 about me

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 is true.

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 So,

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 who is this other

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 who testifies

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 about Jesus?

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 Well,

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 if we keep reading,

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 it would seem

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 like Jesus

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 might mean

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 John the baptizer.

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 The next verse says,

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 you have sent to John

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 and he has testified

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 to the truth.

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 If you remember

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 how this gospel started,

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 right at the beginning,

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 John the gospel writer

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 told us

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 that John the baptizer

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 came to bear witness

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 to the light

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 that was coming

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 into the world.

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 And so,

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 it's reasonable,

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 it seems reasonable

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 to think that Jesus

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 is talking about

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 John the baptizer,

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 this other witness,

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 this other person

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 who bears witness

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 or testifies to Jesus.

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 But,

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 that being said,

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 most scholars,

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 commentators,

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 think that Jesus

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 is referring

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 not to John the baptizer

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 but to God himself,

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 his father,

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 as the one

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 who bears witness

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 or testifies

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 about him.

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 And there's some good reasons

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 to go with that as well.

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 In verse 34,

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 Jesus says,

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 I do not accept

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 human testimony.

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 So,

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 perhaps,

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 Jesus meant

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 the father

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 all along

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 but maybe

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 the religious leaders

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 thought he was referring

00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:19.700
 to John the baptizer.

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 And so,

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 the line of thinking

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 goes that maybe

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 Jesus is acknowledging,

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 yes,

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 John has testified

00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:29.100
 to the truth.

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 You've heard it from him

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 when you sent

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 the delegation

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 out to him.

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 But I don't receive

00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:36.779
 testimony from man.

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 That's not the other

00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:40.620
 testimony I'm talking about.

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 I affirm

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 John

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 so that you might

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 listen to him

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 and believe

00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:49.360
 what he's saying

00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:51.019
 and be saved.

00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:53.679
 he goes on

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 to talk about

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 John in verse 35.

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 He says,

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 John was a lamp

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 that burned

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 and gave light

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 and you chose

00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:01.480
 for a time

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 to enjoy

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 his light.

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 But notice

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 Jesus'

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 careful choice

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 of words.

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 You chose

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 for a time.

00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:15.759
 you were excited.

00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:16.840
 You were happy

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 that a prophet

00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:17.980
 of God

00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:18.919
 seemed to be here

00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.399
 after all these years.

00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:22.639
 But eventually

00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.539
 your excitement

00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:24.240
 with John

00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:24.960
 wore off.

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 Maybe it was

00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:27.820
 when John

00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.560
 began calling

00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:29.220
 some of you

00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:30.259
 a brood of vipers

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.440
 and calling you

00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:32.180
 to repent.

00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.039
 Maybe it was

00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.560
 when he started

00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:35.360
 pointing people

00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.080
 towards me.

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 No.

00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.980
 I have testimony

00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.040
 weightier

00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:42.139
 than that of John

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 says Jesus.

00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.120
 I have something

00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.780
 much greater

00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:46.620
 that confirms

00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.700
 the words

00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.520
 that I say.

00:11:49.520 --> 00:11:50.379
 A greater reason

00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:50.980
 why you should

00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.560
 believe me.

00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.379
 A testimony

00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:54.100
 that bears witness

00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.259
 to the truth

00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.120
 of my words.

00:11:57.920 --> 00:11:58.860
 What is it?

00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.879
 Who gives

00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.259
 this greater testimony?

00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.180
 I think Jesus

00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:03.840
 is referring

00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.940
 to God the Father.

00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:07.540
 And the Father's

00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:08.240
 testimony

00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.480
 comes

00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.759
 in the form

00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.879
 of giving the Son

00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:12.940
 works

00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.940
 to do.

00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.840
 I have testimony

00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:17.700
 weightier than that

00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.220
 of John

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.139
 for the works

00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.160
 that the Father

00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:22.080
 has given me

00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.720
 to finish.

00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:24.580
 The very works

00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.520
 that I am doing

00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:26.759
 testify

00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.259
 that the Father

00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.660
 has sent me.

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.480
 When Jesus

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.300
 speaks of works

00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:34.200
 he probably means

00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:35.040
 more than just

00:12:35.040 --> 00:12:35.540
 miracles.

00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.180
 but for sure

00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.560
 when he says

00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.100
 works

00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.480
 I think he's

00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:42.000
 including

00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.900
 the miracles

00:12:42.900 --> 00:12:43.740
 that he's been

00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.300
 performing.

00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.780
 You might remember

00:12:46.780 --> 00:12:48.660
 earlier in this

00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.420
 discussion

00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:50.800
 he told the

00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:51.580
 religious leaders

00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.280
 back in

00:12:52.280 --> 00:12:54.460
 verse 20

00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.280
 you will see

00:12:55.280 --> 00:12:56.120
 greater works

00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.860
 than these

00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:58.240
 so that you

00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.000
 will be amazed.

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.000
 They'd already

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.640
 seen or at least

00:13:02.640 --> 00:13:03.280
 heard of how

00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:03.860
 he'd healed

00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.820
 healed the man

00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.279
 at the pool

00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.720
 of Siloam

00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.060
 the guy

00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.480
 who couldn't

00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.360
 walk for 38

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:07.840
 years.

00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.860
 An amazing

00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.440
 miracle.

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:10.700
 Jesus says

00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.039
 you're going to

00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.519
 see greater

00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.120
 works than

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.440
 these.

00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.320
 So when he

00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:14.120
 says works

00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.500
 I think he's

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.060
 talking about

00:13:17.060 --> 00:13:18.519
 miraculous things

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:20.560
 but even more

00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:21.019
 than that

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.039
 there's a bit

00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.840
 of a testimony

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.160
 in the works

00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:26.899
 themselves.

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.200
 That Jesus

00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.660
 does miracles

00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:31.899
 points to

00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.660
 the reality

00:13:32.660 --> 00:13:33.800
 that the

00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:34.560
 Father has

00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.259
 sent him.

00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.500
 Nicodemus

00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.720
 got it right

00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.220
 back in

00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:39.980
 chapter 3

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.519
 when he

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.340
 went out on a

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.040
 limb and said

00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:44.320
 this

00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:45.220
 no one

00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.120
 could perform

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.000
 the signs

00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.240
 you are doing

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.720
 if God

00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.180
 were not

00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:50.820
 with him.

00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.019
 Nicodemus

00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.379
 has been

00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.080
 connecting the

00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:54.680
 dots in the

00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:55.159
 right way.

00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:55.840
 He sees

00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.419
 this couldn't

00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.320
 happen unless

00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.399
 God were

00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.340
 with you.

00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.779
 In other

00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.139
 words

00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.299
 the very

00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:06.019
 things that

00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:06.680
 Jesus is

00:14:06.680 --> 00:14:07.100
 doing

00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.220
 turning water

00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:10.039
 into wine

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.379
 at the

00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:10.680
 wedding

00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:12.480
 flipping the

00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.279
 tables in the

00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:13.980
 temple courts

00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.720
 and chasing

00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.279
 out the

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.080
 sellers and

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:16.379
 the money

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:16.980
 changers

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.220
 the other

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.740
 signs that

00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.300
 he performed

00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:19.920
 that weren't

00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.879
 written down

00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.139
 by John

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.000
 the healing

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.680
 of the royal

00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.460
 official's son

00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:25.340
 from a distance

00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.920
 all the things

00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:27.460
 that the other

00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.259
 gospel writers

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.300
 have told us

00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:29.820
 that Jesus

00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.620
 has been doing

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.300
 up until this

00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:31.879
 point in the

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.279
 story

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.340
 casting out

00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:33.779
 demons

00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:34.840
 preaching the

00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.340
 good news

00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:35.639
 of the

00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.120
 kingdom of

00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:36.480
 God

00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.139
 all of

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:38.519
 these

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.759
 the very

00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.379
 works that

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:40.940
 I'm doing

00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.700
 says Jesus

00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:42.820
 testify

00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.899
 these very

00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:45.519
 things I'm

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.039
 doing are

00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.600
 themselves

00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.639
 a testimony

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.220
 from the

00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.200
 father that

00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:50.700
 he has

00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.659
 sent me

00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:54.500
 they're his

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.399
 signature of

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.200
 authenticity

00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.620
 upon my

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.700
 words that's

00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.120
 how you can

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.560
 know that

00:14:59.560 --> 00:14:59.860
 what I'm

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.360
 saying is

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.740
 true

00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:04.659
 notice the

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.139
 little word

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.980
 Jesus uses

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.259
 there for

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.740
 the works

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.060
 that the

00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:08.560
 father has

00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.139
 given me

00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.060
 to finish

00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:12.040
 there are

00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:12.740
 even more

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.720
 to come

00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.759
 that I

00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.139
 have not

00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:15.399
 yet

00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.000
 finished

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.460
 that you

00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:16.740
 will

00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.160
 see

00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:20.160
 in verse

00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:20.740
 37

00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.940
 he says

00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.519
 the father

00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.139
 who sent

00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.480
 me

00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.139
 he himself

00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.040
 has testified

00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:27.840
 concerning

00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.540
 me

00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:30.800
 he is my

00:15:30.800 --> 00:15:31.360
 witness

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:34.259
 so that's the

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.860
 first answer

00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.340
 that Jesus

00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:35.639
 gives

00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.279
 why should

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:36.840
 we believe

00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.120
 you

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.580
 the answer

00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.360
 because

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.539
 God

00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.840
 my father

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.299
 has been

00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.200
 testifying

00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:44.000
 that what I

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.679
 say is true

00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.480
 through the

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.240
 works that he

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.860
 has given me

00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.379
 to do

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:49.620
 possibly when

00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.519
 he spoke

00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.259
 from heaven

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.259
 with an

00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:52.600
 audible

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.220
 voice

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.539
 and as we'll

00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:55.919
 see in a

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.220
 moment

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.440
 he has also

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:57.980
 testified

00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.740
 through the

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.279
 prophets

00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.539
 that penned

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.000
 the scriptures

00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.680
 long ago

00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:04.219
 but at

00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:04.879
 this point

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.899
 what Jesus

00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.620
 goes on to

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.319
 say takes a

00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:08.699
 bit of a

00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.019
 turn

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.379
 up until

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:10.959
 now this

00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:11.459
 discussion

00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:11.979
 has kind of

00:16:11.979 --> 00:16:12.500
 been focused

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.159
 on Jesus

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.739
 but now

00:16:14.739 --> 00:16:15.199
 there's a bit

00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.799
 of a shift

00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.419
 and Jesus

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.139
 turns the

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.659
 focus of

00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.459
 the conversation

00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.799
 onto them

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.059
 the religious

00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.859
 leaders

00:16:21.859 --> 00:16:26.699
 he says

00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.159
 you have

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.899
 never heard

00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.620
 his voice

00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.459
 nor seen

00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.159
 his form

00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:32.939
 nor does

00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.480
 his word

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.299
 dwell in

00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:34.620
 you

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.019
 for you

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.539
 do not

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.179
 believe

00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.980
 the one

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.559
 he sent

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:42.059
 we've seen

00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.500
 this many

00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.059
 times throughout

00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:43.559
 the gospel

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.039
 of John

00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.620
 already

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:46.379
 Jesus has

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.120
 this amazing

00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.819
 knowledge

00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.159
 of people

00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.980
 he knows

00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.439
 what they're

00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:51.899
 thinking

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:53.360
 he knows

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:53.759
 what they're

00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.299
 feeling

00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.860
 he knows

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.319
 what's going

00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:55.819
 on in their

00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.259
 hearts

00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.740
 he knows

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.600
 details about

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.459
 their lives

00:16:58.459 --> 00:17:00.000
 that he has

00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.919
 not been

00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.159
 present in

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:02.579
 the flesh

00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:03.120
 to see

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:05.039
 you'll remember

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.519
 that with

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.139
 Nathanael

00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:07.740
 when Nathanael

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.139
 came to

00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.720
 follow him

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:11.279
 Jesus told

00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.720
 him something

00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.059
 about

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.019
 Nathanael

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.220
 and Nathanael

00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.200
 said you

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.720
 are the

00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.099
 son of

00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:16.420
 God

00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:18.559
 he knew

00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:18.980
 what was in

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.379
 the hearts

00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:19.879
 and minds

00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.139
 of the

00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:20.440
 people

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:20.920
 the last

00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.319
 time he

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.659
 was in

00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.079
 Jerusalem

00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:22.539
 when he

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:22.859
 didn't

00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.339
 entrust

00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.799
 himself

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.119
 to anyone

00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.680
 he knew

00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:26.960
 what was

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.420
 going on

00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.099
 in Nicodemus

00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.659
 his thoughts

00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:30.459
 he knew

00:17:30.459 --> 00:17:30.919
 about the

00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.719
 five husbands

00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:32.179
 that the

00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:32.779
 woman at

00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.259
 the well

00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.039
 had

00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.059
 and here

00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.399
 we see

00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:35.740
 again

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.119
 Jesus

00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:36.879
 knows

00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.299
 what's

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:37.919
 going on

00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.199
 in the

00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:38.539
 hearts

00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.279
 of the

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.599
 religious

00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.000
 leaders

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.359
 who are

00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:40.819
 challenging

00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:41.079
 him

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.419
 and he

00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.839
 declares

00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.219
 it out

00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:42.459
 loud

00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:42.919
 to them

00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.319
 he says

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.759
 you have

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.599
 never heard

00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.399
 his voice

00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.539
 nor seen

00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.219
 his form

00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:50.019
 nor does

00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.619
 his word

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.179
 dwell

00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.159
 in you

00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:53.619
 for you

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.119
 do not

00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.719
 believe

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.920
 the one

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.740
 he sent

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:58.539
 Jesus

00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.000
 goes on

00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.319
 to tell

00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.860
 them more

00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.400
 about what

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:00.799
 he knows

00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.220
 about them

00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.579
 in verse

00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.400
 40

00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:04.680
 he says

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.860
 you refuse

00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:07.400
 to come

00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:07.880
 to me

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.779
 to have

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.160
 life

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.559
 that word

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.000
 refuse

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.920
 in the

00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.339
 original

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:11.640
 a more

00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.079
 literal

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.819
 translation

00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.380
 you are

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.539
 unwilling

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.160
 you do

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.980
 not want

00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.059
 to come

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.559
 to me

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.600
 so that

00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:19.960
 you may

00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.360
 have

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.360
 life

00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:24.259
 the

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.799
 evidence

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.079
 the

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.679
 testimony

00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:25.959
 the

00:18:25.959 --> 00:18:26.419
 witness

00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:26.919
 to the

00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:27.199
 truth

00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:27.519
 of my

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.979
 words

00:18:27.979 --> 00:18:28.179
 is

00:18:28.179 --> 00:18:28.659
 clear

00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:30.000
 it's

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.219
 clear

00:18:30.219 --> 00:18:30.539
 in my

00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.119
 works

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.819
 it's

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.039
 clear

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.319
 in the

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.699
 scriptures

00:18:32.699 --> 00:18:34.319
 it's

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.519
 not

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.000
 for lack

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.179
 of

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:35.599
 evidence

00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.019
 that

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.199
 you

00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:36.519
 don't

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:36.859
 come

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.099
 to

00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.339
 me

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.799
 it's

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.059
 because

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.319
 you

00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:39.479
 do

00:18:39.479 --> 00:18:39.740
 not

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.339
 want

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:40.639
 to

00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:41.919
 you

00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.099
 do

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.359
 not

00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.839
 will

00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.319
 to

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.619
 come

00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:43.819
 to

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.059
 me

00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.379
 in

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:44.539
 your

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:44.939
 heart

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:47.539
 you

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:47.679
 do

00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:47.899
 not

00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.539
 believe

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.839
 the

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.019
 one

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.179
 he

00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:50.399
 has

00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:50.740
 sent

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:52.579
 not

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:52.839
 because

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.059
 there's

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.240
 no

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.519
 clear

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.960
 evidence

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.220
 not

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.480
 because

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.779
 there's

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:54.980
 not

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.160
 a

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.680
 witness

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.740
 not

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.079
 because

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.740
 there's

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.099
 nothing

00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.359
 to

00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:58.720
 confirm

00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:58.960
 the

00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.380
 truth

00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.279
 there's

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.559
 lots

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:00.720
 of

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:00.980
 that

00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.920
 when

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.200
 Jesus

00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:03.539
 says

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:03.700
 you

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:03.859
 do

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.039
 not

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.420
 believe

00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:04.579
 the

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:04.740
 one

00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:04.900
 he

00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.120
 sent

00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.279
 I

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.480
 think

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:05.620
 he

00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:05.960
 means

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.660
 you

00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.359
 choose

00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.319
 not

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.599
 to

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.079
 believe

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.000
 you

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.240
 do

00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.559
 not

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.180
 want

00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:11.579
 to

00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:11.900
 believe

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.140
 you

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.240
 are

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:12.440
 not

00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.940
 willing

00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.279
 to

00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.759
 believe

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.240
 despite

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.480
 the

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.680
 clear

00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.299
 evidence

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.880
 and

00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.380
 testimony

00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.240
 of

00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.400
 the

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:18.759
 father

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.039
 in

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.200
 my

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.660
 works

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.660
 and

00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:21.759
 in

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:21.900
 the

00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.259
 scriptures

00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:24.200
 and

00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.340
 so

00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:24.640
 Jesus

00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:24.920
 goes

00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.140
 on

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.300
 to

00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:25.660
 state

00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.320
 what's

00:19:26.320 --> 00:19:27.000
 really

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.360
 true

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:27.640
 about

00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:27.840
 them

00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.100
 as

00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.560
 only

00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.019
 Jesus

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.380
 can

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.700
 do

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.440
 he

00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.640
 says

00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:31.759
 you

00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:31.920
 have

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.279
 never

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:32.840
 heard

00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.120
 his

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.640
 voice

00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.840
 nor

00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.259
 seen

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.580
 his

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.060
 form

00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:37.600
 nor

00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:37.800
 does

00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:38.000
 his

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.300
 word

00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:38.759
 dwell

00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.120
 in

00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:39.320
 you

00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.540
 you

00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:39.779
 do

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.080
 not

00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:40.759
 believe

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:44.119
 he

00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:45.200
 die

00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:45.420
 the

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:45.579
 evidence

00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:45.839
 that

00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:45.980
 you

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.099
 have

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.440
 truly

00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.799
 heard

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.220
 God's

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.720
 voice

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:49.039
 his

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.619
 testimony

00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:49.960
 about

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.180
 his

00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.460
 son

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.619
 is

00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:50.759
 that

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:50.940
 you

00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.420
 believe

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.640
 the

00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:51.839
 one

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.059
 he

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.379
 sent

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:54.140
 the

00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.599
 evidence

00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:54.879
 that

00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:55.079
 the

00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.319
 word

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:55.480
 of

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:55.819
 God

00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.379
 lives

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:56.759
 in

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.160
 you

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.859
 dwells

00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.059
 in

00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.440
 you

00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.619
 will

00:19:59.619 --> 00:19:59.779
 be

00:19:59.779 --> 00:19:59.980
 that

00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.160
 you

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.859
 believe

00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:02.240
 you

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.539
 take

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.339
 seriously

00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.440
 and

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.619
 as

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.960
 true

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.160
 the

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.440
 words

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:05.619
 of

00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.119
 Jesus

00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:08.159
 the one he has sent.

00:20:09.719 --> 00:20:11.839
 Jesus goes on to say even more

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:14.579
 that he knows about them in verse 41.

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:17.839
 He says, I do not accept glory from human beings,

00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:21.659
 but I know you.

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:28.139
 I know that you do not have the love of God

00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:30.079
 in your hearts.

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:34.219
 What would that feel like to hear Jesus say that to you?

00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.059
 Can you imagine that?

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.859
 God, I know you.

00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:41.399
 I know that you do not have the love of God

00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:43.339
 in your hearts.

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:47.859
 We're not going to go as closely with the rest of it here,

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:50.159
 but he goes on to say that he knows

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:52.539
 what's at the root of their stubborn unbelief.

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:55.539
 He tells them that they're caught up

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:59.319
 in seeking glory and honor and praise

00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.619
 from other people.

00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:04.179
 They don't have a love of the Father in their hearts.

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:07.759
 They have a love of the attention of other people.

00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:13.160
 Jesus says, essentially, in this next section,

00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:16.960
 you truly care more about what they think of you

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:19.980
 than what God thinks of you.

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:24.559
 That's why you choose not to believe.

00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:28.740
 It's not because the scriptures don't clearly point to me.

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:32.519
 It's not because the many signs and miracles I've done

00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.920
 have gone unnoticed.

00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:37.960
 It's not because my words are unpersuasive and unconvincing.

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:40.259
 It's not mainly about reason.

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.299
 It's about love.

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:50.100
 The religious leaders are having a love affair.

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:55.199
 They love the attention and praise of one another

00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:59.339
 and of the people for their showy religiosity.

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:03.219
 They love it so much that they aren't willing to give that up

00:22:03.219 --> 00:22:06.099
 to this carpenter from Nazareth who works wonders

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.939
 such as they have never seen before.

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:14.380
 Do you remember those words that we saw earlier in John 3?

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.080
 Verse 19.

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.740
 This is the verdict.

00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.940
 Light has come into the world,

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:27.779
 but people loved darkness instead of light

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:31.299
 because their deeds were evil.

00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:34.580
 Why should we believe you?

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:38.539
 Jesus answers the question,

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.819
 God the Father has testified about me.

00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.039
 How?

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:46.619
 He's done so in the works that he's given me to do,

00:22:46.699 --> 00:22:48.439
 some of which are amazing.

00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:51.559
 He did so in an audible voice

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:54.199
 which thundered from the heavens at my baptism.

00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:57.399
 This is my Son whom I love.

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.899
 With Him I am well pleased.

00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:03.679
 And the third big way that the Father has testified

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.519
 about Jesus is through the scriptures,

00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:08.600
 through the words that God has spoken

00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:09.700
 all through human history,

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.120
 which were penned by the prophets

00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:14.060
 and preserved by God through the ages.

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:17.080
 In verse 39, Jesus says,

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:20.560
 You study the scriptures diligently

00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:23.380
 because you think that in them

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.880
 you have eternal life.

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.560
 These are the very scriptures

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:31.099
 scriptures that testify about me.

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:37.359
 Just a little bit down

00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.639
 in verse 46,

00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:43.000
 Jesus brings up Moses.

00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:46.779
 The religious leaders were very big on Moses.

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.720
 He's the one who,

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.839
 the law,

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.019
 the first five books of the Old Testament

00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.819
 came through.

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.200
 Jesus says,

00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.319
 If you believed Moses,

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.539
 you would believe me,

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.819
 for he wrote about me.

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:02.240
 He prophesied about me.

00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:05.400
 Do you hear what Jesus is saying?

00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:10.019
 There's a clear testimony about me

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.519
 in the scriptures.

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:15.940
 God spoke it long ago

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.940
 through the prophets.

00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.180
 Yet even though you've made

00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.799
 a thorough effort to study

00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.839
 or search the scriptures

00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.960
 in order to find the way to God,

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.180
 to find eternal life,

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.660
 you've missed it.

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:31.819
 In fulfillment of the scriptures,

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.579
 I am here,

00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.539
 right now,

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.079
 in front of you.

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.279
 I'm telling you that I am he.

00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.940
 As we heard last Sunday,

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:41.340
 because he is,

00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.340
 the son of God is,

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.420
 the son of man.

00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:48.100
 I performed a miracle this morning

00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:49.320
 at the pool of Siloam,

00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:52.299
 which gives further confirmation.

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:55.340
 Yet you do not want to come to me

00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:57.019
 to have life,

00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:59.960
 to receive the gift I offer.

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.440
 Again,

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.019
 it's not that they made

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:06.660
 a careful and humble study,

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:09.700
 but just innocently didn't see it.

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:12.440
 I think if we're listening carefully

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.680
 to what Jesus is saying,

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.960
 he knows about their hearts,

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:18.100
 it's that they do not want

00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.420
 to see it.

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.840
 Probably most of you,

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.799
 by now,

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:26.000
 have had that kind of a conversation

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.660
 with someone.

00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:30.080
 Whether it's about a controversial topic

00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:31.259
 in the Bible,

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.519
 or about politics,

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.460
 somehow you find yourself

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.340
 reading the same articles,

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.920
 the same news pieces,

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.380
 the same Bible passages

00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.360
 as someone else,

00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.700
 and yet you come to

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.820
 completely different conclusions

00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:47.560
 about them than they do.

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.460
 And there comes that point

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.820
 in those conversations,

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.340
 oftentimes,

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.560
 where you can sense that

00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:54.060
 no matter what you say,

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.360
 no matter what evidence,

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.039
 or passage,

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.720
 or articles,

00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:59.100
 or links you put in front of them,

00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.279
 you know that it simply

00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:02.200
 won't change their mind.

00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:05.240
 They are deeply committed

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.200
 to their view.

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.980
 They do not want

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.600
 to change their view.

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.539
 And even as you try

00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.319
 to persuade them,

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.720
 you notice that instead

00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:15.559
 of what you're saying,

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.660
 drawing them closer

00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.880
 to what you believe,

00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.240
 to your point of view,

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.620
 it's like it's only serving

00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:22.360
 to further entrench them

00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:24.000
 in their view.

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:27.180
 This is a picture,

00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.579
 I think,

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.819
 of how it sometimes goes

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:31.339
 as we seek to share

00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.440
 the message of Christ

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:34.099
 with people in our world.

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.799
 Not always,

00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.619
 but sometimes.

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.880
 We throw them

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.940
 the gospel rope,

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.619
 a lifeline,

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.480
 to pull them to safety,

00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.339
 to salvation.

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.839
 And we pull on it,

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.160
 trying to persuade them

00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.900
 and draw them across the line

00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:52.140
 to safety,

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.299
 to salvation,

00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.819
 and yet in their hands

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.159
 and in their minds

00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:57.339
 as they look at that rope,

00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.819
 they don't see it

00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.740
 as a lifeline.

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.079
 They refuse to see it

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.639
 as a lifeline.

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.919
 They see it as a tug-of-war rope.

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.839
 And they dig in their heels

00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.659
 even harder.

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.359
 The more you pull,

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.319
 the more they dig in.

00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:15.000
 Not always,

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.799
 but sometimes.

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.039
 It's kind of a picture,

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.440
 I think,

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.339
 of what's happening here

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.460
 with the religious leaders.

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.220
 though the evidence

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.079
 is clear enough,

00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:26.380
 there is an unwillingness

00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:28.360
 to acknowledge

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:30.200
 that Jesus is the one

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.819
 standing here right now

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.759
 that the scriptures

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.360
 are talking about.

00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.940
 They were not willing,

00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.240
 the religious leaders,

00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.360
 to humble themselves

00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.380
 before the people

00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.420
 and admit that

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.340
 they had been wrong,

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.660
 that they had been wicked,

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:47.460
 that they had been proud

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.600
 and arrogant.

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:51.119
 They didn't want to admit

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:53.059
 that they had used traditions

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.099
 to take advantage

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.959
 of the needy

00:27:54.959 --> 00:27:55.659
 and the poor.

00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.159
 They loved

00:27:58.159 --> 00:27:59.219
 what their sinful

00:27:59.219 --> 00:28:00.379
 and wicked ways

00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.219
 had got for them.

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.339
 They loved the wealth.

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.879
 They loved the applause

00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:06.439
 and the respect

00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:07.079
 and honor

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.119
 they got from people.

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.259
 Jesus gives them

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.559
 a very thorough answer

00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.639
 to the question

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.539
 of why they should

00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.339
 believe in Him.

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:17.919
 God the Father

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:19.539
 has testified about me

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:21.500
 through my works,

00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.939
 at my baptism,

00:28:23.199 --> 00:28:23.959
 through the scriptures,

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.119
 Moses himself

00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:26.359
 wrote about me.

00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.619
 But there's a bigger

00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.959
 problem here,

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:31.000
 says Jesus.

00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.379
 Verse 47,

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:38.560
 you do not believe

00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:39.960
 what Moses wrote.

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.300
 Truly,

00:28:44.300 --> 00:28:45.980
 the word of God

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:48.700
 does not live in you.

00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.020
 Verse 38,

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:54.400
 you have never heard

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.220
 His voice.

00:28:56.280 --> 00:28:57.580
 Verse 37,

00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:00.500
 you do not have

00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.700
 the love of God

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:03.260
 in your hearts.

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:07.319
 you're not living

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.200
 for His approval

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.200
 because you are

00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.980
 in love with

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.759
 the approval

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.920
 of other people.

00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:16.299
 And so in many ways,

00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:18.339
 Jesus turns the question,

00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.299
 why should we

00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:19.920
 believe in you?

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.960
 He turns the question

00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.579
 on its head

00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.819
 and He challenges

00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.299
 those who are asking it.

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.119
 The question

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.920
 you should be asking

00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.700
 is not so much

00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.359
 why should we

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.119
 believe in you?

00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.799
 That's obvious.

00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.700
 Look at the works.

00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.200
 Look at the miracles.

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.339
 read the scriptures.

00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.700
 The question is

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:38.660
 why are we

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:40.519
 stubbornly choosing

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:42.099
 not to believe

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.879
 despite the clear

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.519
 testimony

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:46.000
 and witness

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.259
 that God has provided?

00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:52.000
 And Jesus knows

00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.259
 the answer

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:56.619
 because you love

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.240
 the darkness.

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.700
 You love

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.720
 what is wicked,

00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.440
 what is evil.

00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.579
 You do not love

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.319
 the light

00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.980
 as you should.

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.819
 God is worthy

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.779
 of your committed love,

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.900
 of the love

00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.480
 of your whole heart.

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.640
 It's as though

00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.299
 Jesus is saying,

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.200
 I've been sent

00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.019
 to make this

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.700
 relationship

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.200
 between

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:21.160
 you and Him

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.900
 right

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:24.299
 and good.

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:26.419
 but the reason

00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:27.079
 you reject

00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.460
 me

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:27.980
 and choose

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.000
 not to believe

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.319
 is because

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.359
 you are deeply

00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.159
 entangled

00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:34.099
 in a love affair.

00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.619
 One you are not

00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.539
 willing to surrender

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.399
 and let go of.

00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.019
 That's how the

00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.019
 conversation ends

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.419
 here in John

00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.159
 chapter 5.

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.259
 There's no description

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.000
 given about

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.740
 their response

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.119
 to Him

00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:52.619
 but we have

00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.179
 to know

00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:54.299
 that the religious

00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.179
 leaders are

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:56.459
 infuriated

00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:58.279
 and seething

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.119
 with hatred

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.739
 towards Jesus

00:31:00.739 --> 00:31:01.719
 after hearing this.

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.639
 It was this

00:31:03.639 --> 00:31:04.399
 infuriation

00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:05.500
 and hatred

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.399
 towards Jesus

00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:07.219
 that fueled

00:31:07.219 --> 00:31:07.879
 them as they

00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.959
 went after Him

00:31:08.959 --> 00:31:09.739
 with relentless

00:31:09.739 --> 00:31:10.439
 tenacity

00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:11.139
 until they had

00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:12.099
 finally secured

00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.099
 His death.

00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:17.519
 So what do we

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.879
 take from all

00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.299
 of this

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.379
 for ourselves

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.859
 today?

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.339
 There's so many

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.159
 ways that Jesus'

00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.959
 words here in

00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:26.659
 John 5

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:28.059
 could speak to

00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.419
 us,

00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:29.279
 could speak to

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.919
 our hearts,

00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.719
 could speak to

00:31:30.719 --> 00:31:31.399
 our lives.

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.319
 Of course

00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.519
 at the forefront

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.259
 we hear this

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.299
 amazing offer

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.399
 of eternal life

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.199
 from Jesus.

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.839
 We hear the

00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.599
 clear claims

00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.319
 that He is

00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.359
 the Son of God

00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.519
 who has come

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.079
 on behalf

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.879
 of His Father

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:47.559
 with God's

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.399
 own words

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:50.000
 for people.

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.539
 And we hear

00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.460
 the call again

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.439
 and again

00:31:53.439 --> 00:31:53.960
 and again

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.919
 to believe

00:31:54.919 --> 00:31:55.559
 Him.

00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:58.480
 And so let me

00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.099
 ask you this

00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.379
 morning,

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.700
 do you believe

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.779
 what Jesus

00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.460
 is saying?

00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.179
 Do you believe

00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.899
 that God the

00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.740
 Father has sent

00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.500
 Him into the

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.319
 world to deliver

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.059
 these very

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.819
 words to

00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:13.220
 you?

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.039
 Perhaps

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.619
 you're sincerely

00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.079
 wondering,

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.799
 well how can

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.539
 I know that

00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.059
 what Jesus

00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:22.099
 says is true?

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.439
 Jesus'

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:25.899
 answer,

00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:29.019
 look at what

00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.460
 I did.

00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.779
 Look at the

00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.159
 miracles.

00:32:31.899 --> 00:32:32.319
 Look at the

00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:32.720
 works.

00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.399
 Look at the

00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.379
 prophecies made

00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.099
 long ago in the

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.439
 scriptures.

00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.379
 Have you looked

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.800
 at those

00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.220
 things?

00:32:39.760 --> 00:32:40.100
 Have you

00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:40.700
 seen them?

00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.040
 If not,

00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.860
 I encourage you,

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.480
 look at them

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:44.840
 again,

00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.720
 read them,

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.820
 study them,

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.280
 pray,

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.160
 and ask God

00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:48.680
 to make it

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.340
 clear to you.

00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:52.040
 This matters a

00:32:52.040 --> 00:32:53.060
 lot because as

00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:53.620
 we've heard from

00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:53.940
 Jesus,

00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:55.000
 eternal life

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.040
 and eternal

00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.620
 punishment

00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.940
 hangs in the

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.380
 balance.

00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:02.040
 perhaps you're

00:33:02.040 --> 00:33:02.380
 here this

00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:02.860
 morning and

00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:03.440
 you've heard

00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:05.360
 lots of the

00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:05.840
 story of

00:33:05.840 --> 00:33:06.180
 Jesus,

00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:08.640
 but you

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.020
 know in

00:33:09.020 --> 00:33:09.460
 your heart

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.940
 that there's

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.560
 this deeply

00:33:10.560 --> 00:33:11.120
 rooted

00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:12.000
 skepticism

00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.940
 and that you

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.360
 do not

00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:15.400
 really believe

00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:15.680
 it.

00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.660
 Not all

00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.000
 of it.

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.200
 Maybe some

00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.640
 of the good

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.280
 parts that

00:33:20.280 --> 00:33:21.040
 Jesus says,

00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:21.660
 but not all

00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.000
 of it.

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.880
 If that's

00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.540
 you this

00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:25.880
 morning,

00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:27.420
 Jesus has a

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:27.700
 word of

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.320
 challenge for

00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:28.600
 you.

00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:31.000
 Is it that

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.860
 you don't

00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:32.420
 believe it?

00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.440
 Or is it

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:34.740
 that you

00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.620
 don't want

00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.440
 to believe

00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:36.660
 it?

00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:38.380
 Is it that

00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:38.800
 you don't

00:33:38.800 --> 00:33:39.500
 like the

00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.220
 implications

00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:40.980
 of all

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.580
 that Jesus

00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.320
 said being

00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:42.780
 true?

00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.260
 Perhaps

00:33:45.260 --> 00:33:45.600
 like the

00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:45.880
 religious

00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.260
 leaders,

00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.240
 you love

00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.780
 other things

00:33:48.780 --> 00:33:49.160
 in this

00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:49.760
 life or

00:33:49.760 --> 00:33:50.340
 this world

00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:50.820
 that you

00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:51.720
 know Jesus

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.200
 has a

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.520
 problem

00:33:52.520 --> 00:33:52.880
 with.

00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:56.320
 Jesus is

00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:56.760
 graciously

00:33:56.760 --> 00:33:58.280
 offering to

00:33:58.280 --> 00:33:58.780
 you this

00:33:58.780 --> 00:33:59.240
 morning an

00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.160
 opportunity to

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:01.040
 change your

00:34:01.040 --> 00:34:03.480
 mind, to

00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.020
 change your

00:34:04.020 --> 00:34:06.240
 heart, to

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:08.599
 repent, to

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:10.720
 believe, and

00:34:10.720 --> 00:34:11.400
 to find his

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:12.960
 forgiveness and

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.380
 receive the

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.160
 life that he's

00:34:15.160 --> 00:34:15.660
 been talking

00:34:15.660 --> 00:34:16.039
 about.

00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:19.940
 We all know

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.280
 that the

00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:21.099
 darkness has a

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.800
 draw to it.

00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.180
 There's

00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:23.019
 something appealing

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.300
 about it.

00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:25.180
 But deep

00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:25.940
 inside we all

00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.480
 know that the

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.180
 light of our

00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:28.620
 creator is far

00:34:28.620 --> 00:34:28.960
 better.

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.440
 So I invite you

00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.120
 to come to

00:34:33.120 --> 00:34:33.900
 Jesus if you

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.519
 have not, to

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.580
 give your life

00:34:35.580 --> 00:34:36.160
 to him

00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:38.700
 fully.

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.039
 Even if it

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.940
 scares you to

00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:42.600
 consider the

00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:43.480
 cost of that.

00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.680
 Listen to

00:34:45.680 --> 00:34:46.019
 Jesus.

00:34:46.160 --> 00:34:46.860
 He's got lots

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.660
 of reasons for

00:34:47.660 --> 00:34:48.120
 why it's

00:34:48.120 --> 00:34:49.140
 absolutely worth

00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:49.400
 it.

00:34:50.080 --> 00:34:50.680
 Sprinkled

00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.299
 throughout his

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:53.219
 teachings, which

00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:53.719
 we have in

00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.119
 the Bible.

00:34:56.259 --> 00:34:56.980
 Perhaps you're

00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.359
 here this

00:34:57.359 --> 00:34:58.399
 morning and

00:34:58.399 --> 00:34:59.819
 you do believe

00:34:59.819 --> 00:35:00.339
 with all your

00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.480
 heart that

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.199
 every word that

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:02.960
 Jesus said is

00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.299
 true.

00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.359
 So what

00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:07.839
 should you do

00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:08.519
 with all this?

00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:11.119
 Well, first I

00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.759
 hope you see the

00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:13.099
 beauty and glory

00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.579
 of Jesus in this

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.099
 passage.

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.179
 church.

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:18.559
 He is God

00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:20.819
 and was with

00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:22.339
 God at the

00:35:22.339 --> 00:35:23.099
 very beginning.

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.219
 He is the

00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:24.940
 very son of

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.519
 God and yet

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.299
 he will only

00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:27.420
 say what his

00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.279
 father has told

00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:28.920
 him to say.

00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.480
 He will not

00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.440
 go off the

00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.960
 script on his

00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.960
 own to vindicate

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.059
 himself, to win

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.940
 the argument so

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.019
 that he can gloat

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.579
 over his

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.639
 opponents and

00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.559
 look awesome in

00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.259
 the eyes of his

00:35:40.259 --> 00:35:41.079
 disciples and

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.500
 followers.

00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:44.780
 again we see

00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.840
 that beautiful

00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:46.800
 glory of Christ,

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.940
 meekness and

00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:50.460
 majesty, manhood

00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:53.079
 and deity, grace

00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:55.639
 and truth in

00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.380
 perfect harmony.

00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.639
 Nobody in

00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:01.420
 Jesus' day had

00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.960
 the courage to

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:04.960
 say, to speak

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.579
 the things that

00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.940
 he spoke to

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.760
 these conniving

00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.519
 and ruthless

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.960
 religious leaders.

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:12.360
 I love how we

00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:12.980
 see just how

00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:14.400
 fearless Jesus

00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.139
 is.

00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:17.000
 He speaks for

00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.579
 God as he

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.920
 exposes the

00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.519
 sins of their

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:23.639
 hearts and yet

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:25.199
 he is gracious.

00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.699
 He knows that

00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:29.820
 some may listen

00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:32.099
 and repent but

00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.860
 he also knows

00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:33.559
 that most will

00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:33.960
 not.

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:37.760
 Jesus has not

00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:38.519
 come to be

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.099
 popular.

00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.320
 He's not

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.940
 come to be

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.559
 loved by

00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.099
 people.

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.380
 He's come

00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:44.940
 out of his

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.320
 own love for

00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:48.139
 people and

00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.579
 for his

00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:49.940
 father who

00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.500
 sent him.

00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.619
 And so he

00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.559
 does even the

00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.380
 difficult work

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:53.840
 that the

00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.340
 father has

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:54.940
 given him to

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.199
 do.

00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.860
 He says even

00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.539
 the difficult

00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:58.639
 words that the

00:36:58.639 --> 00:36:59.420
 father has given

00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:00.420
 him to say like

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:00.800
 in this

00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:01.500
 conversation.

00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:03.820
 I hope we

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.639
 see the glory

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.239
 of Jesus

00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:05.780
 here.

00:37:07.139 --> 00:37:07.780
 Even though

00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.380
 he did not

00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.159
 come to seek

00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:10.000
 praise and

00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.780
 glory and

00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.380
 honor for

00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:11.900
 himself.

00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.539
 Oh he is so

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.280
 worthy of it

00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:16.440
 from us.

00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:19.900
 Finally I

00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.460
 don't know about

00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.019
 you but I

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.599
 find in these

00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:22.119
 words an

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.340
 anchor and a

00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:24.159
 firm foundation

00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.820
 as I think

00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:25.500
 about sharing

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.480
 the good news

00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:27.280
 of Jesus with

00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:27.900
 other people.

00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:30.500
 I find comfort

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.420
 and strength

00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:32.440
 in knowing

00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.480
 that Jesus

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:35.119
 knows exactly

00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.099
 what it's like

00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:38.720
 to look into

00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.480
 the eyes of a

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.619
 person who

00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:42.119
 he knows does

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.940
 not believe in

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.200
 him.

00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.680
 Not just does

00:37:46.680 --> 00:37:47.639
 not believe but

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.920
 into the eyes of

00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.940
 a person who

00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:51.380
 is choosing not

00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.059
 to believe in

00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.340
 him.

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.360
 Despite having

00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:55.300
 witnessed miracles

00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:57.460
 he knows what

00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:58.019
 it's like to

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.740
 look into the

00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.500
 eyes of people

00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.440
 who are choosing

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.300
 not to believe

00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:02.500
 in him and

00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:03.420
 yet plead with

00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:04.980
 them to grab

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.280
 a hold of the

00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:06.820
 lifeline.

00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:09.079
 To come to

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:10.179
 him and to

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:12.220
 receive what

00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:12.780
 they do not

00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.280
 deserve.

00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.220
 Grace.

00:38:16.220 --> 00:38:16.740
 Mercy.

00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:18.679
 Eternal life.

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:19.940
 Forgiveness.

00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.760
 I couldn't help

00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:23.780
 but think if I

00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:25.900
 was Jesus and I

00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.579
 knew that they

00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:27.139
 were as hard

00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:27.860
 hearted as they

00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:29.099
 were how

00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:29.739
 tempting it would

00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:30.400
 be to just say

00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:31.340
 well why bother

00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:32.099
 reasoning with

00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:32.299
 them?

00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.679
 Why bother

00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:34.380
 telling them the

00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:34.719
 truth?

00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:35.360
 It's only going to

00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.880
 make them mad and

00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.920
 stir up a hornet's

00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.960
 nest against me.

00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:40.119
 Why bother?

00:38:42.819 --> 00:38:44.179
 But if Jesus knew

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.940
 that some would

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:46.019
 reject his words

00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:47.039
 and yet he still

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:48.199
 graciously and

00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:49.460
 faithfully spoke

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.579
 the truth and

00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.519
 called them to

00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.639
 repent and

00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:54.900
 believe how much

00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.639
 more should we be

00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.200
 willing to do

00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:56.720
 the same?

00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.780
 No matter what

00:38:58.780 --> 00:38:59.420
 we know about

00:38:59.420 --> 00:38:59.960
 how they might

00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:00.840
 respond or what

00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:01.780
 we think we know

00:39:01.780 --> 00:39:02.660
 about how they

00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:03.360
 will respond.

00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:06.240
 When it comes to

00:39:06.240 --> 00:39:06.880
 sharing the good

00:39:06.880 --> 00:39:08.680
 news of Jesus we

00:39:08.680 --> 00:39:09.420
 need to be like

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:09.619
 him.

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.880
 We need to love

00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:13.800
 him and the

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.940
 person that we

00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.680
 are sharing with

00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:16.500
 more than we

00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:17.800
 love the praise

00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:18.980
 of that person.

00:39:21.180 --> 00:39:21.960
 Some will be

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.680
 offended by the

00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.359
 truth no matter

00:39:23.359 --> 00:39:24.500
 how graciously we

00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:26.440
 share it but

00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.299
 some will hear

00:39:27.299 --> 00:39:30.219
 and believe and

00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:32.259
 receive Christ's

00:39:32.259 --> 00:39:33.299
 gift of life.

00:39:35.179 --> 00:39:36.980
 And for that it

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.799
 would be worth it

00:39:37.799 --> 00:39:38.980
 a hundred times

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.279
 over.

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:41.879
 Let's pray.

00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.940
 Lord Jesus thank

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:47.799
 you for your

00:39:47.799 --> 00:39:48.139
 word.

00:39:50.139 --> 00:39:51.239
 We pray and ask

00:39:51.239 --> 00:39:51.799
 that you would

00:39:51.799 --> 00:39:54.019
 cause it to

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.839
 take root deep

00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:55.479
 in our hearts.

00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:57.819
 Bring your

00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:59.519
 conviction over

00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.959
 us in every area

00:40:00.959 --> 00:40:01.659
 of our life that

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:02.239
 we need it.

00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:04.479
 Give us your

00:40:04.479 --> 00:40:05.239
 comfort too.

00:40:05.399 --> 00:40:05.939
 Give us your

00:40:05.939 --> 00:40:06.619
 encouragement.

00:40:08.739 --> 00:40:09.679
 Fill our hearts

00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:10.279
 with faith.

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.819
 And help us to

00:40:12.819 --> 00:40:14.779
 declare graciously,

00:40:15.279 --> 00:40:15.799
 lovingly,

00:40:15.939 --> 00:40:17.239
 faithfully the

00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.799
 good news of who

00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:20.119
 you are and hold

00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:20.440
 built that

00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:20.940
 lifeline.

00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:23.440
 We ask this in

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:23.819
 your name.

00:40:24.719 --> 00:40:25.079
 Amen.

00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:25.199
 Amen.