WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.019 By means of introduction to this, I just want to share with you how much we actually pursue a good and a full life. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:16.339 We all want to have a full life. 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:24.219 So much so that back in the 1930s and 40s, Harvard started a study that has been running for 75 years. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.420 They were college students at the time. 00:00:27.420 --> 00:00:32.940 I imagine there's not going to be much more than 75 years, bearing in mind that life expectancy hasn't changed that much. 00:00:33.400 --> 00:00:39.060 But they've run a study for 75 years trying to uncover the key to long-term happiness. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:54.640 We're so invested in this living a full life, living a happy life, living a life that's rich, that we will invest all kinds of efforts in achieving that. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:57.980 And we think of that fullness in a number of ways. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:02.320 I mean, for example, I want to live a life that will be admired. 00:01:03.620 --> 00:01:05.460 I want to be thought of as a good person. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:08.200 I lend my lawnmower to the neighbors when they ask. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:12.219 I worry about it the whole time, but I still lend it. 00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:15.859 I want a life that's rich with experiences. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:20.200 Every now and then, Facebook reminds me of things that just make me smile. 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:32.000 You know, the holiday I went on 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 years ago, it lets me know the things that I've done, which reminds me of the things that I still have on my bucket list. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:35.100 That's what they call it when you get to 50. 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:38.260 I also want a life of deep friendships. 00:01:38.460 --> 00:01:46.400 And that 75-year-long study that I said, their conclusion to a happy life, the number one thing is deep friendships, deep relationships. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:49.460 I want to know and I want to be known. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:53.440 I want a life marked by personal achievement. 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:55.640 And by that I mean I want to make a difference in the world. 00:01:56.420 --> 00:02:00.260 I want people to remember me for my contribution to their lives. 00:02:01.860 --> 00:02:03.380 And I want a long life, too. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:08.379 When I'm gone, I want people to say, he had a good life. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:18.639 And friends, one of the things that our culture sells us in terms of pursuing that life is this. 00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:23.240 A full life means I need freedom. 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:27.139 That full life demands freedom. 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:30.719 We need to be free to pursue life to the full. 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:33.439 Free to define who we are. 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:35.819 Free to make choices for ourselves. 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:39.859 Free to eat Chinese food when I want. 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:43.139 And when I do, freedom to choose the dumplings and not the chicken feet. 00:02:43.799 --> 00:02:47.120 As I was offered in recent times. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:49.620 Freedom to choose who I love. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:51.539 Who I marry. 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:54.560 I am so committed to this freedom. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:58.939 And I think we are as a culture that we will fight to the death for this freedom. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:05.019 And we do it because our lives are that important to us. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:09.879 Well, today we are going to look at the Gospel of John, as I have already said. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:12.219 And John was a man who met Jesus. 00:03:13.079 --> 00:03:14.639 He lived alongside Jesus. 00:03:14.859 --> 00:03:16.539 He learned from Jesus. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.639 He saw how Jesus lived and died. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:20.859 And lived again. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:21.519 That's a spoiler. 00:03:21.799 --> 00:03:22.039 Sorry. 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:25.780 But he saw how Jesus lived and died. 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:31.319 And John's conclusion was that there is life to the full to be had. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:41.620 And if you read his book, the Gospel of John, you'll also find out that that life, that life, abundant life, life to the full, is a key theme of his. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:50.920 But when it comes to pursuing life to the full, one of the things that John says is, there are a number of wrong ways of pursuing fullness of life. 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:55.640 There are a number of wrong ways, but only one right way. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:01.040 And with John's help, we're going to look at three of the wrong ways that he presents. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:03.560 And the one right way. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:06.280 Okay, so let's start with the three wrong ways. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:10.299 And I'm going to move a little bit around the Bible, around the Gospel of John at least. 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:11.620 So you're still in the same book. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:15.120 The verses will come up on here if you're not very good at navigating the Bible. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:17.560 But if you are, by all means, you can flick to them. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:19.639 So the three wrong ways. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.240 A self-improvement. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.240 You've got these on your bulletin. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:27.339 Self-improvement, self-indulgence, and social structures, or political structures if you prefer. 00:04:28.179 --> 00:04:29.579 So first, self-improvement. 00:04:29.979 --> 00:04:36.299 Very early in John's book, in fact, if you've got one of these Bibles, it's still on that first page, you know, first open page at the bottom here. 00:04:36.979 --> 00:04:37.599 Chapter 3. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:43.739 Very early in the book about Jesus, John introduces us to a man called Nicodemus. 00:04:45.059 --> 00:04:46.979 Nicodemus wanted fullness of life. 00:04:46.979 --> 00:04:53.539 And he was trying to build that life for himself through self-improvement, the religious branch of self-improvement. 00:04:54.339 --> 00:04:56.079 He worked hard at his religion. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:01.240 He was perhaps the best, the Dalai Lama of his time, if I dare say. 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:03.899 He knew all about God. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:07.219 But he couldn't give you life. 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:12.079 He had even learned and the title Teacher of Israel. 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:13.439 So he knew the Bible better than anyone. 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:16.860 Before Wikibible, there was Nicodemus. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:20.019 If he had a question, he could answer it. 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:22.919 But he didn't know as much as Jesus. 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:28.639 And Jesus, when he came to Jesus, Jesus told him the truth. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.500 Jesus said in verse 3, John chapter 3, verse 3, 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:40.339 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:47.459 Unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:49.259 What does that mean? 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:59.620 Well, it means that no amount of effort, no self-help strategy, no action that we can perform can get us what we desire. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:03.159 They've explained the reality of sin last week. 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.439 It's universal, he said. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:05.459 It's total. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:08.579 It affects every area of our life, he said. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:12.659 Deep down, we know. 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:20.839 I'm not sure how to cough with these, I'm sorry. 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:24.000 We know that brokenness exists within us. 00:06:24.599 --> 00:06:28.060 We know that we're not perfect, but still we try to fix it ourselves. 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:31.079 I used to live like this. 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:33.639 I don't live quite so much like that as I should, I guess. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:35.120 I used to live like this when I was a kid. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:36.339 I used to be the good kid. 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:38.180 I used to be the kid with a clean room. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:42.459 I used to be the kid at school who sat in the front two rows of the classroom. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:46.160 As you know, that's the two rows that no one sits in generally. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.600 I used to be the kid with the top button done up. 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:50.540 We had uniforms with ties and jackets. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.639 And the middle button on my blazer done up. 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:56.660 I used to be the kid who always had an answer to the questions, always did his homework, 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:01.360 always, always behaved in a polite way. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.620 I was the good kid. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:14.180 And I thought that that goodness actually was guaranteeing God's favor. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:19.759 And then my parents' relationship started to fall apart. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:28.740 And suddenly, I was faced with the reality that my goodness, it wasn't such a simple transaction 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:29.680 between me and God. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.899 I was good, and then he followed suit. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:34.099 I cleaned my room, as one of the kids said. 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.439 I get to heaven. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.599 It didn't work like that. 00:07:39.179 --> 00:07:41.739 I was building my life on how I lived. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:47.840 But no amount of effort, self-help strategy, no action that we can perform can do that. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:50.780 We can't earn it. 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:57.460 It has to be given to us, is what John was saying, what Jesus was saying to John. 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.079 We can't earn it. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.900 It has to be given to us. 00:08:04.719 --> 00:08:07.979 Now, the second thing that John takes us on a trip to, and it's the very next chapter, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:10.819 so he goes from self-improvement to self-indulgence. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.079 In the very next chapter, we meet the Samaritan woman. 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:17.539 And I'm skimming over these because we have actually been doing a John series on these, 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:19.399 so you should be reasonably familiar with them. 00:08:19.659 --> 00:08:22.539 And if you're not, it's page 888. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:27.700 Please, by all means, either go back to our sermon catalogs online, 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.960 or at least read the chapter later. 00:08:30.760 --> 00:08:33.519 See, the Samaritan woman, she was also trying to build a life for herself. 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:36.800 But for her, it was through sexual freedom. 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:41.080 She had five husbands, we find out in this story. 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:43.960 We don't find out why she had five husbands, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:48.920 but we do know, from the fact that she draws water in the middle of the day, 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:51.759 that her choices had consequences. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.399 She was on the outside socially. 00:08:54.839 --> 00:08:57.959 She wanted to connect with someone so much. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:01.399 She wanted to belong, to love, and to be loved, 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:03.379 more than anything else. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:07.179 And she proved it by sacrificing everything else for this goal. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:13.639 But five husbands later, she was further away than when she started. 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:18.599 The man she was with now wouldn't even marry her. 00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:25.860 And again, Jesus spoke challenging, truthful words to her. 00:09:27.599 --> 00:09:31.039 Jesus says to her, and this is a paraphrase of John 4, verse 10, 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:33.179 which you can see in full on the screen. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:35.339 Jesus said to paraphrase, 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.319 You are drinking from the wrong well. 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:42.879 You are drinking from the wrong well. 00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:49.660 And we know, even 2,000 years later, we know this is still the case, 00:09:49.900 --> 00:09:52.160 and yet people still drink from that well. 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:56.659 I know this song because it's been played on the radio. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.240 I don't own it, but I know this song, 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:01.100 and it's Beyonce's song, All the Single Ladies. 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:03.259 Hands up if you do know it, if you have heard of it. 00:10:03.839 --> 00:10:04.719 All the Single Ladies. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:11.579 Beyonce is a bit of a representative kind of person, 00:10:11.719 --> 00:10:15.339 a woman who really tries to fight for women's rights and women's freedoms. 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:18.399 And she writes this song, All the Single Ladies, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:21.639 at the end of a three-year relationship that ended up breaking up. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.340 And the problem was that she broke up, 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:27.519 the relationship broke up, 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.160 and then when she started to date other guys, 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.259 the other guy, the first guy, got jealous. 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:34.960 And so she writes this song as a response. 00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:37.759 She gets all the single ladies in the room to stand up 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:40.259 as part of the singing when she sings it live. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:45.419 And then she says to the girls that when the guy gets jealous, 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:49.539 when you exercise your freedom of choice in terms of sexual partners, 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.960 you tell him this, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:55.059 If you like it, you should have put a ring on it. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:59.159 If you like it, you should have put a ring on it. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.360 Why does she say that? 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:03.480 Because she recognizes that in pursuit of sexual freedom, 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.639 somehow it's a two-edged blade. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:09.860 It's cutting her even as she's pursuing it. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.899 She's finding herself in a situation where people 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:16.500 within this kind of realm of sexual freedom 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:18.019 won't commit to each other. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.860 And she doesn't like it. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:25.779 So she encourages her fellow women to hold out 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:28.039 until the man commits. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:31.299 We idolize absolute freedom. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:33.519 We see it as the way to have fullness of life. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:36.340 But absolute freedom isolates us. 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:41.200 And what Jesus says to the Samaritan woman is, 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:44.360 you need to come to the source of life. 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:47.540 If you want fullness of life, you need to come to the source. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:52.079 So we've got self-improvement, self-indulgence, 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:53.360 and then social structures. 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:56.019 The final wrong way that I'm going to share from John's book, 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.360 there are others, but the final wrong way I want to share it, 00:11:58.459 --> 00:11:59.559 is a little bit further into the book. 00:11:59.599 --> 00:12:01.819 And this is chapter 6, so if you turn over to page 891, 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:02.699 if you've got these Bibles. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:06.160 This time a crowd of over 5,000 people 00:12:06.160 --> 00:12:08.560 was trying to build a life for themselves 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:12.680 by choosing the leader who could provide it for them. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.500 This massive crowd had followed Jesus, 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.300 just to paint the picture. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:18.180 They'd followed Jesus into a remote area, 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:19.560 no shops, not even a McDonald's, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:21.220 and it's pretty hard even in Australia 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:23.780 to get into a place where you're a long way from McDonald's. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.360 There was nowhere to buy food, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.940 and so Jesus fed them all miraculously. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:31.040 They ate until they were full, 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.960 and there were still leftovers, 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:35.300 way more leftovers than they even had to start with. 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.740 So they thought, 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:40.360 this man will make a good leader. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.880 We like what he says, 00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:46.100 and he can provide what we need. 00:12:47.020 --> 00:12:49.760 So they planned to make him a leader by force. 00:12:50.520 --> 00:12:52.160 They choose the one that they thought 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:53.600 could provide the circumstances 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:56.140 that they needed to thrive in life, 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:59.500 and they choose to try and make him king. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.879 Isn't that an interesting thing? 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.819 We still idolize that concept, 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.500 us choosing our leader. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:10.679 Democracy, again, our ultimate ideal for leadership. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.419 It's something, again, 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:15.639 that we would fight for in our culture. 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.419 We would fight and die for 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.659 the preservation of democracy, 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:23.799 and it still doesn't work. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:26.279 Even when we choose the right people, 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:28.099 we choose the right people for the wrong reasons. 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:31.359 It's all about me exercising my freedom 00:13:31.359 --> 00:13:32.639 to do it my way, 00:13:32.719 --> 00:13:33.679 to get what I want, 00:13:34.459 --> 00:13:37.059 to get the conditions in life that I need, 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:38.019 that I desire. 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:41.399 But it doesn't work. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.919 Do I need to play the trump card? 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.699 Or do we go to Boris now? 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:50.459 Or do we go to our own culture now, 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:53.600 where we're starting to see politicians make decisions 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.320 that we just couldn't have imagined 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.540 10 or 20 years ago? 00:13:59.160 --> 00:14:01.040 Friends, whether we pursue life independently, 00:14:01.280 --> 00:14:02.440 through freedom of choice, 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:05.220 or through political or social structures, 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.820 it doesn't work. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:11.100 John presents them as three wrong ways 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.580 of pursuing life. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:16.460 But even as he says that, 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:20.060 he presents it in the context of the life of Jesus, 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.639 through whom he has found the one right way 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:26.160 to pursue life. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:29.540 You see, we know that life is an internal thing. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.600 We know that life is found in connection. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.840 Surprise, surprise. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:38.080 We know that life is affected by leadership structures. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.640 These things are all real things. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:42.840 But John found all of these things 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.059 in one person. 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.100 Jesus. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.740 And he said, 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:54.799 Jesus came to give this fullness of life 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.419 that we pursue, 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.500 to give it away. 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.919 So who is Jesus? 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.779 Not who do we think Jesus is, 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.139 but who is Jesus? 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:06.279 Well, John opens up by actually answering that question 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.580 at the very beginning of chapter one. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.840 And so we're back into chapter one now, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:11.560 and you can stay here for the farewell now. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:14.740 John opens up by saying that Jesus is the word, 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:16.860 or the logos in Greek. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.580 It's an interesting word, 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.500 if you'll excuse a pun. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.680 It's full of meaning 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:22.759 for pretty much everyone, 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.680 really, in a sense. 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:26.720 Because it represents something 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:29.200 that we're actually trying to pursue. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.100 So for the Jews, 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:32.140 the concept of the word 00:15:32.140 --> 00:15:34.120 carried thoughts of God's powerful 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.080 and effective action 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.720 in creation, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.259 rule, 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:36.800 judgment, 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.020 and deliverance. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.460 For the Greeks, 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.540 logos was a philosophical term. 00:15:42.640 --> 00:15:43.340 It was a shaping, 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:43.860 ordering, 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:46.660 and directing principle in life. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.540 Something that was at times 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:50.540 personified in literature, 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.940 but never in reality for them. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.660 In the Chinese Bible, 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.320 as we try and translate this word logos 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.780 into Chinese. 00:15:59.280 --> 00:16:00.100 I think I've got this right. 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:00.700 Is it Tao? 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.020 Tao? 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:02.560 Yep. 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:03.640 Tao is, 00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:04.800 again, 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:07.340 it's a philosophical term, 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.240 a philosophy, 00:16:08.640 --> 00:16:10.280 about the proper path in life. 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:11.120 And that's a very, 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:14.000 very narrow definition of it. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.100 If you're a Taoist, 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.960 then you'd probably be offended by that, 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.400 but there is so much to Taoism beyond that. 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:21.600 But the concept is kind of similar. 00:16:21.780 --> 00:16:24.320 It's this philosophy of living life well, 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:25.340 richness of life. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:31.259 And so there are these kind of terms and themes 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:33.639 that resonate within all kinds of different cultures 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.720 because we all pursue life. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:39.519 But none of these terms are actually meant to define Jesus. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:40.879 So as John writes, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.280 in the beginning was the word, 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.460 he's not saying, 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:46.220 so this is the one who is the actual person 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.820 of the Greek term. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.240 They, 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.160 those terms, 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.360 are meant to carry, 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:54.199 are to tell us 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:57.699 that whoever can carry this title 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:59.620 must be important. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.579 They're not meant to define Jesus 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:03.399 so much as he is meant to actually say, 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.700 John is meant, 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:06.940 trying to say that Jesus is the one 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.279 who all this, 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:08.500 you know, 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.039 this thing that we're searching for 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.659 and we just can't quite grasp a hold of, 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.899 he is the one 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:14.619 who actually has it. 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:18.239 John's point is that we're all searching 00:17:18.239 --> 00:17:19.199 for that full life 00:17:19.199 --> 00:17:22.699 and that Jesus is the answer to that search. 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:26.959 Jesus is meant to show us 00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:28.019 what life is all about. 00:17:28.459 --> 00:17:29.579 If you're looking for answers, 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.719 then Jesus is the person to come to. 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:33.199 If you don't know Jesus, 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:36.139 John is saying that Jesus is a big deal 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:38.199 and you should find out about him. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:40.360 In fact, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.160 John goes on to say, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.920 Jesus is more than a big deal. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.920 He is actually the ultimate being. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.840 Jesus is God himself. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.000 Not a minor God 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:51.600 like the JWs will try and convince you. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.539 He is God. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.519 We read in those words, 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.640 nothing was made 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:01.539 except through him. 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:03.019 He made everything that was made. 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.220 He is God. 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:07.019 So he has more than answers. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:10.180 And then next thing John does 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:12.000 is he introduces Jesus as the creator, 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.400 the creator of everything 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.500 that has been created. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:18.720 In our first talk in the series, 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.299 if you remember, 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.759 we looked at Romans chapter 11, 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:22.120 the last few verses, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.519 33 to 36. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.460 And we looked at who God is 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.539 in relation to us. 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:30.080 He is the source. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:33.240 From him and through him 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:35.059 and to him are all things. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:38.359 So he doesn't need us. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.419 We need him. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.500 The word, 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.799 God, 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.000 creator. 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.639 These are all massive categories. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.679 And then John becomes a little bit more 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:55.139 specific or relevant to us, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.779 starts to land them 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.960 in the next two categories that he uses. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:02.000 Jesus is described 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.420 as the source of life 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.840 and light. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.500 The source of life. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.059 Life. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.660 That thing that we are trying to get right. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.960 That thing that frustrates us. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.960 That promises so much 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:19.100 and even kind of delivers at times. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:22.160 But that just keeps on letting us down. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.920 Do you know that frustration? 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.700 Do you feel it at times? 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.240 Does it keep you awake at night? 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.700 Maybe I can illustrate 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.680 with a simple example. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.160 We've had quite a few babies 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.279 born in recent times. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:38.440 Have you ever watched a baby sleeping? 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:42.680 Ever looked at how peaceful they are 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.660 when they're asleep? 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:47.059 And envied them 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.799 that peace that they have? 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.779 Every now and then, 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.319 as you'll know, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.120 as a baby, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.019 even while they're asleep, 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:57.019 their face can scrunch up. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.960 And even at that point, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.279 your heart goes out to them. 00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:03.619 I mean, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.460 they're only dreaming. 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:06.000 They're perfectly comfortable 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.639 where they are. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.180 They're only dreaming 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.460 or maybe they've got a bit of wind 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.319 or something like that. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.000 But still, 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.879 you find yourself, 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.279 sort of, 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.559 your heart reaching out 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.099 to that baby 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:15.440 and promising them 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.240 that you love them, 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.400 that everything's all right 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.700 and that you'll do everything 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.059 to keep it that way for them. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:24.200 You make massive promises 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.759 knowing that you just can't keep them. 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:28.000 Life isn't that simple. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.700 But for Jesus, 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.200 it is. 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:35.940 Jesus is the source of life. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.859 And Jesus breaks this open 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.679 in two ways. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.200 He talks about life 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.220 in the sense of quantity 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.659 as we go through John 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:45.700 and life in the sense of quality. 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.639 So in the sense of quantity, 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:49.120 in John 3, 16, 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.940 while he's talking to Nicodemus, 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.060 Jesus says, 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.380 For God so loved the world 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:56.160 that he gave his only son 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:58.240 that whoever believes in him 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.300 should not perish 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:01.500 but have eternal life. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:05.259 The man who was trying to live 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.740 the self-improvement lifestyle 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:08.920 was doing it for a reason. 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:09.720 He was religious 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.800 because he wanted 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:12.040 a part of heaven. 00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:14.560 He was angling 00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:15.660 for eternal life. 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:18.220 And Jesus claims 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.380 that he is that source, 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.620 the source of that life. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.920 So quantity, 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.140 but also quality. 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.140 In John 10, verse 10, 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.320 Jesus claims to be 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:30.420 the source of abundant life. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:34.279 He says in verse 10, 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.160 chapter 10, verse 10, 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.519 The thief comes only 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.140 to steal and kill and destroy. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:40.860 I came that they may have life 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:42.779 and have it abundantly. 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:45.339 And in John 14, 6, 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:46.180 John again describes 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:46.839 Jesus as the life. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.139 He says, 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.200 I am the way, 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.839 the truth, 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.460 and the life. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.359 No one comes to the Father 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.940 except through me. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.799 Abundant life, 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.359 full life, 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.519 everlasting life. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.420 And this is not 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.200 an in the future 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.079 kind of promise. 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.960 The force of Jesus' words here 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:03.500 are that we find life in him 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:05.960 when we believe in him. 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.200 Not at some point 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.779 in the future, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.460 but as soon as 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.180 we believe in him, 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.360 that life begins. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.820 But how does this work? 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.740 I mean, 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:21.080 you could be tempted to say, 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:23.100 life doesn't seem any better 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:24.799 or any longer 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.420 as a Christian 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.900 than it does 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:29.039 for people who aren't Christians. 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:30.980 If anything, 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.299 this is something 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.380 that even Jesus said, 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.860 life gets harder 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:36.340 as a Christian. 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:38.299 and all the more 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.879 for knowing 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:40.819 that God can sort out 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.939 any hardship we face 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.740 if he chooses to. 00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:46.439 He could make life dreamy 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.220 if he chose to. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.939 But I think 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:53.039 this is part of the problem 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.379 that John is trying 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.299 to break us out of 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.159 with these big terms 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.720 that he's using. 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.679 Our dreams are born 00:22:58.679 --> 00:22:59.579 of our desires. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.059 As Dave said last week, 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.980 we're all just so busy 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.980 playing God, 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.160 exercising our freedom 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.120 to indulge ourselves, 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.920 elevating our opinions 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.360 about what that requires 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.460 to the status 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:13.620 of unquestionable. 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.740 Exercising our freedom 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.740 to indulge ourselves, 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:19.860 that's what sin is. 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.979 we're so busy 00:23:21.979 --> 00:23:22.759 playing God 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.759 that we don't know 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.639 how good it is 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.819 to be reconnected 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.259 to God. 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.659 And even despite 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:30.000 being post-enlightenment, 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.699 we can't see 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:32.259 that this world 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.919 is suffering 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:33.819 because of our freedom 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.379 of choices 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.079 that we've pursued. 00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:37.459 This mess is ours. 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.319 The darkness 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:38.979 in this world 00:23:38.979 --> 00:23:39.879 is ours. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.159 I can get concrete, 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.019 more external, 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:45.359 things like global warming, 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.539 plastics in our oceans, 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.279 a Western lifestyle 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.319 that's sustained 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.440 by unethical 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.339 business practices, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.940 relationships that are 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.660 less permanent 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.399 and seemingly 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.480 more painful than ever. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.879 And despite 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.079 our best efforts, 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.819 we still struggle 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.180 to set things right. 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.420 The modernist dream 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.200 is ended. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.079 We've given up on that. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.139 Apart from God, 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:10.019 we live in the dark. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:14.200 And John says, 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.799 into this darkness 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.579 has come Jesus. 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.639 The only light 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.900 is Jesus. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.740 God himself 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.920 come to us. 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.579 The one who reveals 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.139 the character 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.639 of the God we ignore. 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.259 Think about that. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.359 Because whether you believe 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:35.019 in John or not, 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:37.079 this is a huge claim. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.099 Whether you think 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.919 John is right, 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:41.019 surely this Jesus 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.500 is at least worth a look 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.099 if someone's going to 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.240 claim these things about him. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.799 So what kind of light 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.439 is this Jesus? 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.480 What kind of God is he? 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.899 Well, the best way 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.599 I can sum it up 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:52.899 is this. 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.199 We got into this 00:24:54.199 --> 00:24:55.599 huge mess ourselves, 00:24:55.719 --> 00:24:56.259 pursuing life 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.799 our own way. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.319 And the best way 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.639 I can suggest it 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.099 is this. 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.359 That Jesus 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.419 is the ultimate 00:25:03.419 --> 00:25:04.319 cross-cultural 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.099 church-planning 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.719 missionary 00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.799 to a people 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.000 in an absolute mess 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.759 of their own making. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.319 He's ultimate. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.039 And if we just skim 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.819 through this first 18 verses 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:14.039 or skim over the first 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.639 15 or so of them, 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.680 he's ultimate 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.059 in the sense 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.940 that he's God himself. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.759 We see that in verses 1 and 2. 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.940 He's cross-cultural 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.819 and we can see that 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.740 in verses 3 and 9 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.960 that he came from heaven 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.519 to earth, 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.200 creator to creature. 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:29.359 He's a church planter. 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.839 In verses 10 to 13, 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.720 he came to gather 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.240 those 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.500 who received him 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.140 to himself. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.240 The image John uses 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.079 here is so intimate 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.420 as well. 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.859 It's a family gathering. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.859 He's gathering the children 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.259 to himself. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.059 And he's a missionary 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.799 and we see this 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:47.039 in verses 14 and 15. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.680 Jesus is God himself 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.859 who came and lived 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.500 among us. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.660 The word dwelt 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.620 or tabernacle, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.319 set up his tent, 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.079 set up his home 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.240 among us. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.400 He was a carpenter 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.000 for crying out loud. 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.920 He could build homes. 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:06.660 He is so glorious, 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.700 says John, 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:11.279 in these verses. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.940 And literally, 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.840 he is so glorious 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:16.820 that it was painful 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.700 to look at him 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:19.759 and yet he chose 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.980 to become a brother, 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.160 a son, 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.360 a neighbor, 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.759 a friend, 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.180 a savior. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:30.299 through Jesus 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.560 we see God. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.799 All the goodness 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.420 of God. 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.580 John is saying 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.340 that if we want to know 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:36.820 what it's like 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.759 to live in the light, 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.660 if we want to know 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.759 fullness of life, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.779 then we need to know 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.840 this Jesus. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.580 Jesus is a source 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:45.980 of the life 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.759 that we long for. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.140 And this Jesus 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:52.240 is the God 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.740 who gives life away. 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:55.960 That thing 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.180 that we so relentlessly 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:59.320 and frustratingly 00:26:59.320 --> 00:26:59.920 pursue, 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.380 God gives us. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.400 He's so full of life 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:09.520 that he actually 00:27:09.520 --> 00:27:10.220 can pour it out 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:10.840 into us. 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:16.500 John says in verse 14 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.680 that Jesus is full 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.519 of grace 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.400 and truth. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.900 Grace 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.580 in the sense 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.860 of its undeserved 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.299 favor. 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.519 It's a gift. 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.259 Truth. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:26.580 Well, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.519 I think you know 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.000 what that is, 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.460 don't you? 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.680 I know some of you 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.480 have been stretching it 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.400 with your children 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.880 telling them 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.940 they get to heaven 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.820 if they clean their rooms. 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.400 But, 00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:36.600 you know, 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.360 we know that's wrong, 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.700 don't we? 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.080 We know what truth is. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:43.460 We really want truth 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:46.080 but we don't always like it 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.899 when it starts being spoken 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:48.519 to us. 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.279 The good life 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.240 that we strive for 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.599 within, 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.619 the rich life 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.240 that we pursue 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.939 by any means 00:27:55.939 --> 00:27:56.720 we see fit, 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.279 the prosperity of life 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.000 we try to nurture 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.679 through political 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.799 or social systems, 00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:03.699 the life that eludes us, 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:06.379 Jesus is giving it away. 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.500 And to explain how, 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.000 he brings up 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.899 John the Baptist again, 00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:10.939 the one who was supposed 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:11.859 to witness to Jesus, 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.220 Psalm from verses 6 to 8 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.579 in this first chapter. 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.539 It's no coincidence 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.819 because John the Baptist 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.939 did witness to Jesus 00:28:18.939 --> 00:28:20.039 and in this chapter as well, 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.319 just not far forward 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.379 in verse 29. 00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:25.559 And the very first time 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.259 John the Baptist 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:28.519 witnesses to who Jesus is, 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:31.240 he explains how grace works. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.539 Look at verse 29. 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.960 John the Baptist 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.439 sees Jesus coming toward him 00:28:37.439 --> 00:28:38.240 and he says this, 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.439 Behold the Lamb of God 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.379 who takes away 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.559 the sin of the world. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:45.779 Jesus is a lamb. 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.000 It's a metaphor, 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.539 not literally a lamb. 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:51.099 But in Isaiah 53.6, 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:53.339 Isaiah prophesies 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.879 about the coming Savior 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:56.859 and he uses this same metaphor. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.419 Isaiah 53.6, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.639 All we like sheep 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.440 have gone astray. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.599 We've turned everyone 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.319 to his own way. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.139 Does that sound familiar? 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.960 3,000 years ago? 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.980 Same words apply. 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.620 And the Lord 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.920 has laid on him 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.860 this Savior to come, 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:15.000 the iniquity of us all. 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.740 Their sin and ours 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.740 is to time and time again 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.440 play God 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:25.099 and refuse to let God be God 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.380 as Dave talked about last week. 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.700 And through grace, 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.539 fullness of life 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.519 comes to us free. 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.299 And the truth of it, 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.420 it comes free 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.200 because we 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:37.120 could not achieve it ourselves. 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.900 So Jesus came 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.759 to bear the cost. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.019 Jesus, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.220 our God, 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.279 took the punishment 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.100 we deserve. 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.400 And he calls us 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.200 to receive him. 00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:51.279 To believe. 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:52.800 To simply believe. 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:55.560 Friends, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.279 we strive for this 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.900 fullness of life 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.080 and we get tasters of it. 00:29:59.100 --> 00:29:59.519 We do. 00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.580 At times it seems 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.360 like we get it all. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:04.259 But then something happens 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.219 that kind of lets us know 00:30:05.219 --> 00:30:05.719 that we were 00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:06.859 kidding ourselves. 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.859 Nicodemus, 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.219 he got closer to the good life 00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.139 than any of us ever will. 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.359 But still, 00:30:14.459 --> 00:30:15.059 he came to Jesus 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.699 with questions. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.240 Still, 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.859 he just wasn't sure. 00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.859 And the Samaritan woman, 00:30:21.979 --> 00:30:22.099 man, 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.539 she pursued life 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.679 harder than most of us will. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.000 But still, 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.079 she came up dry. 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.799 Still, 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.779 she thirsted 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.579 for something more. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.460 And the 5,000, 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:34.659 well, 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.079 they saw an opportunity 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.039 to secure their lives, 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.639 so they thought. 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.599 But still, 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.879 they were looking 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.559 at the darkness 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.399 in the world 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.639 and trying to preserve 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.519 themselves from it 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.839 instead of running 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.679 toward the light. 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.879 And then Jesus 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.980 breaks in. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.720 He shows us 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.740 that self-improvement, 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.579 self-indulgence 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.500 and social structures 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.279 are not enough. 00:30:58.679 --> 00:31:00.059 We can't make this life 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.519 for ourselves. 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.519 We need him 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.579 to give it to us. 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.559 And it begins now 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.500 as we learn 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.919 to abide in him, 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.599 to connect back to him 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.319 relationally. 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.419 We need to come 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.079 to Jesus 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:16.240 to find true life 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.299 and freedom 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.619 and security 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.159 in him. 00:31:23.439 --> 00:31:24.259 Let me pray. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:29.139 Father God, 00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:29.980 I pray that for 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:31.059 those of us here 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.899 who know this truth, 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.079 that we will be encouraged, 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.819 that it will build 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.399 our confidence 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.879 in the truth 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.879 of coming to you, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.599 receiving Jesus 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:41.639 and believing in him. 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.419 And for those of us, 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:44.659 Lord, 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.279 I pray that 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.799 who don't yet know you 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:48.119 as their savior, 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.199 we pray that you would 00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:51.960 show yourself to them 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.579 through the words 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.519 of the gospel of John. 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:57.779 And at least, 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.420 Lord, 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.799 be interested enough 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.859 to inquire 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:03.000 about who this man is, 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:05.559 who this God-become man is 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.480 that John makes 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.480 such big claims about. 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.359 And Lord, 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.200 as we daily 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.400 seek to 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.680 relinquish 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:16.220 our God-like control 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.139 of our own lives, 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:20.240 help us 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.580 to 00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:22.160 be nourished 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.940 by being 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.980 reconnected to you. 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.800 Help us to see life 00:32:25.800 --> 00:32:26.580 as, 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:28.040 the fullness of life 00:32:28.040 --> 00:32:29.280 as beginning 00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:29.880 and ending 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:31.360 with being in a 00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:32.140 right relationship 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.640 with you. 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:35.160 Fill us to 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.280 full with the life 00:32:36.280 --> 00:32:37.180 that only you can provide, 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.560 we pray. 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.360 In Jesus' name. 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:40.340 Amen. 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:40.440 Amen.