WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.419 So if you have your Bibles open, we're going to be looking there at John chapter 6 verse 35 to 40. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:11.839 So we're thinking again about the good news of redemption. 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:17.260 ! And here we're thinking about the good news that God's call is effective. 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:23.100 We're thinking about the difference between possibility and certainty. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:30.820 I imagine we know the difference and we know that the difference matters as we come to exam season. 00:00:31.179 --> 00:00:39.079 There is the big difference between I might possibly get an A or B and the certainty when you get your results in. 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:47.000 Or the difference between looking to buy a house and you begin to picture yourself in that house and you make an offer on it. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:55.240 That's still just possibility until all the paperwork is agreed and you have certainty that you are a new homeowner. 00:00:56.340 --> 00:00:57.579 Rescue at sea. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:01.840 There's a world of difference between possibility and certainty. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:06.700 Whether we're in the lifeboat, safe and secure, we've been hauled on board, 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:13.379 versus you're still in the water and you're struggling to stay afloat and you see the boat in the far distance. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:16.359 There's a big difference between possibility and certainty. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:22.239 The question is then, which is it when it comes to salvation? 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:26.760 When it comes to the call of God the Father? 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:31.439 When it comes to the work of Christ the Son on the cross? 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:36.159 When it comes to the work of new birth from the Holy Spirit? 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:39.599 Is that possibility or certainty? 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:44.420 And I imagine we can see why the difference matters and the answer matters. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:52.420 And so it's really good news for us that none other than Jesus supplies the answer for us in John chapter 6. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:58.740 As Jesus finds himself speaking to a really skeptical, hostile audience, 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:04.859 who just the day before have borne witness to a great miracle, feeding of the 5,000. 00:02:04.859 --> 00:02:06.859 They've seen his great power. 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:07.659 They've seen his great power. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:10.759 But still they have many questions. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:20.419 Well, when it comes to salvation, Jesus wants to make clear to us is that we're not dealing with mission possible. 00:02:21.579 --> 00:02:27.740 Jesus hasn't come simply to create the potential that people might be saved. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.760 He has come in order that there would be a mission accomplished. 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:42.960 That he will, through his work, that God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit will be effective in creating new life and saving people. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:50.640 And so we're going to hear Jesus make clear that God certainly saves all those he calls. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.500 That God's grace is effective. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:56.799 God's sovereign rule overrules. 00:02:56.959 --> 00:03:02.659 God's work through his Son makes it certain without a shadow of a doubt. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:07.079 So why do we call this good news? 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:10.839 Well, perhaps as Christians we think, well, it's apparent. 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:26.300 But if mission is accomplished and God's call is effective, then that means if we are in Christ we can rest secure in the work that God our Father has done. 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:30.539 In the work that Jesus, his Son, has done. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:33.740 It is his work and it cannot and it will not fail. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:38.379 I would also suggest it's good news for us in our mission. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:41.560 So think about the fact that we have Jesus. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:42.560 Here's the Son of God. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:44.740 Here's the greatest teacher who ever lived. 00:03:45.019 --> 00:03:47.180 And there's thousands of people in front of him. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.219 The majority of people who don't believe. 00:03:49.579 --> 00:03:53.680 And yet he doesn't consider for a second that his mission is failing. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:04:03.460 And like Jesus, don't we often find ourselves sharing our faith when many resist and many don't believe? 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:07.180 Well, here's a reason for us to persevere. 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:13.340 We can persevere knowing that God's mission established before we were even born. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:18.240 His plan to save his chosen people cannot and will not fail. 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:23.579 And that gives us the freedom to present Jesus freely and boldly to anyone that we meet. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:26.019 Trusting that God will do his work. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:34.120 But I would also suggest as we think about this, this is also good news if you're here today and you're not a Christian. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:40.879 Because the message of Christianity is that you and I were not being called to do the impossible. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:47.939 If all that happened was Jesus made it possible that we be saved and we had to do the rest, 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:53.879 then we would all of a sudden then find ourselves in a position where we would have to be good enough by ourselves 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:57.079 to satisfy the demands of a perfectly holy God. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:05:02.459 We would find ourselves on that ladder having to try and earn our way into the kingdom. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:06.599 But rather, Jesus says it's something entirely different. 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:10.500 There's one thing we need to do and one thing only, Jesus said, is to believe in him. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:17.019 To trust in God's mercy and grace, which strikes me as good news and freedom. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:24.139 So as Jesus teaches us here about God's effective call, there's three things that we need to hear. 00:05:24.919 --> 00:05:32.120 The first, and it's there in verse 35 and 36 probably, is the universal call of the gospel. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:37.060 Okay, so just to give ourselves a bit of context, what's been happening in John 6. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:40.839 Jesus has performed one of those signs recorded in John's gospel. 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:45.539 He's provided bread in the wilderness for some 5,000 plus people. 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:50.580 Just as God in the Old Testament had provided that manna, that bread from heaven in the desert, 00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:53.300 so Jesus has come as God the provider. 00:05:54.100 --> 00:06:00.760 And then after that, Jesus has come walking on the water to his disciples in the middle of the night during a storm. 00:06:01.140 --> 00:06:06.080 And so we're also being reminded that Jesus is none other than God who rules over creation. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:13.360 And it's now the next day, and the enthusiasm about the past miracle has been spreading. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.639 And Jesus knows it. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:20.120 So in verse 26, he says to them, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:23.980 Very truly I tell you, you're looking for me not because you saw the signs I performed, 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:26.560 but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:30.879 So he knows that there's a crowd in front of him, and they're being drawn, 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:35.199 not by his signs pointing to his glory, but because they want another meal. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:40.699 They're drawn by the bread, and maybe they're drawn by the miraculous power that Jesus has. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:45.500 For them, Jesus is useful, not glorious. 00:06:47.539 --> 00:06:50.399 I think we see certain aspects of that in our own day. 00:06:51.719 --> 00:06:55.800 There are groups who will grab onto aspects of Jesus' teaching. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:57.980 Perhaps it's his care for the poor. 00:06:58.779 --> 00:07:01.159 Perhaps it's recognizing the value of forgiveness. 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:05.340 So they'll take the teaching, but they won't recognize Jesus as Lord. 00:07:05.460 --> 00:07:06.200 He is useful. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:09.240 Christianity is useful, but they don't see Jesus as glorious. 00:07:10.980 --> 00:07:14.880 Well, into that context, how does Jesus share the gospel? 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:17.120 How does he speak about himself and his work? 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:18.780 Well, look at verse 35, 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:22.780 and we hear Jesus declare one of those I am sayings. 00:07:22.900 --> 00:07:25.560 I am the bread of life. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:31.420 So here's one of these moments where Jesus takes a title of God, and he applies it to himself. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:33.339 I am. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:35.480 And he says, I am the bread of life. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:43.420 In verse 27, he tells them to work for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:48.860 So he's talking about satisfying an eternal need. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:58.460 He is speaking about himself as the way to know life with God, to enjoy eternal life from God. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.660 How does he do it? 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:07.259 Verse 51 gives us a clue. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:14.480 This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:20.759 So as Jesus talks about himself as the bread of life, he also anticipates that he is that bread that will be given, 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:24.000 that will be broken for the world. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:34.519 In other words, Jesus is saying that the way he gives true life is by going to the cross to die in our place for our sins before rising again. 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:41.079 He can satisfy what we need because he comes as our substitute and as our sacrifice. 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:46.019 And in that work, there is forgiveness and there is peace with God. 00:08:47.299 --> 00:08:50.519 Now notice his call to respond. 00:08:51.779 --> 00:09:00.740 Verse 35, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:04.799 So notice, he gives that invitation without any barriers. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:10.340 He's not saying, okay, there's one type of people that this is for, and the rest of you close your ears. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:13.399 The call to believe goes far and wide. 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.480 Now what does Jesus know at this point? 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:24.320 Verse 36, as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:34.180 So he's offering the call to come to him and find life at the same time as he knows that there are many people who are saying no to Jesus. 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:37.879 And they're saying no to the call of the gospel. 00:09:38.640 --> 00:09:40.640 They're saying no to the invitation to life. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:44.220 And we know that's not a neutral thing. 00:09:45.140 --> 00:09:48.640 The Bible tells us that we're all held responsible for our response to Jesus. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:52.320 And if we reject the king, then we are held responsible for that. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:56.280 But Jesus knows there are those standing right in front of him. 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.920 They've seen his power and his glory. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:00.040 They've heard his claims and his teaching. 00:10:00.800 --> 00:10:03.340 But still they're resisting his offer of life. 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:07.879 It's a pattern we can still trace today. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:13.840 The call to repent and to believe goes out to all people. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:18.280 Everybody should bow to Jesus as the creator king. 00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:21.040 It is a message of good news. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:22.959 It brings salvation and true life. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.419 It calls for a response. 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:27.620 But many people still say no. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:36.219 But still we need to hear the universal call of the gospel if we are to be saved. 00:10:37.599 --> 00:10:39.980 One or two things before we move on. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.719 We've been thinking a lot recently. 00:10:41.839 --> 00:10:46.039 It's been really encouraging to hear about it, especially with Gen Z, that report of spiritual searching. 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:49.199 Maybe some of you have read the reports. 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:52.160 There's been this big spike in the sale of Bibles. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:54.180 And church attendance is on the up. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:56.060 And spiritual interest is growing. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:57.620 And all of that is really encouraging. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.620 And we give thanks. 00:10:59.660 --> 00:11:02.379 But you know, we have a responsibility to keep praying. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.440 And to keep proclaiming Jesus. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:09.500 Because we don't want people to fall short. 00:11:10.400 --> 00:11:13.700 Where they maybe only encounter him as useful. 00:11:15.260 --> 00:11:18.880 We don't want people to stop short of encountering him as Lord and Savior. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:22.360 So we need to not rest on that. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:28.899 But we need to pray that all of those people who are seeking would be found by Jesus. 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:35.399 I also find myself reflecting on the fact that Jesus uses this imagery of bread. 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:39.019 And bread speaks to us of food and of hunger and of appetite. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:43.659 Now I don't know about your house at the moment. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:51.159 But our house, post Easter, is one that is still kind of bad news for good diet choices. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:57.179 And I can say that because I was preparing this where I should have gone downstairs and got a carrot. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.159 But instead I found myself a bag of mini eggs. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:03.699 But you know that thing where you've got like a cupboard that's full of chocolate. 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:06.660 And you've got a basket that's full of fruit. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.040 And you know what you should take. 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:10.200 But at the same time you know what you're going to take. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:15.400 It's a struggle to change our appetite. 00:12:16.040 --> 00:12:19.700 Even when we know what is truly good for us. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:22.020 We don't always choose wisely. 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:25.520 And that's a spiritual issue as well. 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:30.259 So if we've been around church for a while, perhaps for decades. 00:12:30.420 --> 00:12:33.040 We know who Jesus is. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.759 That he is the Lord who gives life. 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:38.740 That he is the one who can truly satisfy. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:42.839 That time with him and his word and his prayer, there is nothing like it. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:46.120 But don't we know our hearts as well? 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:51.879 How so often we satisfy ourselves with lesser things. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:58.439 How we fill our time with things that are less than Jesus and his word. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:04.920 And so as we hear the invitation to come to Jesus and to eat and to live. 00:13:06.300 --> 00:13:09.400 As Christians we need that grace fueled discipline. 00:13:11.780 --> 00:13:15.800 To decide to choose what is really good and healthy for us. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:24.299 So that we would find ourselves picking up our Bibles instead of just picking up our device and scrolling aimlessly. 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:28.979 So that we would make time to be alone with God. 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:32.600 Rather than just living in a life that's full of noise. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:40.899 That we make the effort to come to church or to gather with other Christians or to go and do some service. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:43.800 Rather than sitting on our comfortable sofa. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:47.920 We need grace fueled discipline for those good habits. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:56.679 And the way Jesus speaks here also reminds us of what we are called to. 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:59.399 And what is central to our mission. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.539 What do we invite people into? 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:06.000 We invite people to church. 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.479 We invite people to Jesus. 00:14:07.599 --> 00:14:10.939 We're not inviting people to a set of spiritual practices. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:15.939 Though many of those disciplines and habits are really good. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:21.120 We're not inviting people into church as a social club. 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:24.000 Though community and fellowship is obviously good. 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:28.380 We are inviting people to Jesus the Savior. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.340 To believe in Jesus as God. 00:14:31.380 --> 00:14:35.340 The one who alone can satisfy and give eternal life. 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:43.420 Our call and our mission is to invite others to taste and see. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:46.000 That Jesus is good. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.000 That they would come to him. 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:51.860 So there's the universal call of the gospel. 00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:54.939 But the second thing that we need to hear. 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:58.599 Is the effective call of God. 00:14:59.479 --> 00:15:01.179 When we think about the good news of redemption. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.139 That is the effective call of God. 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:05.740 And we see that from verse 37 to 40. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:11.340 But again just to think about this principle in life. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.720 And you'll have had this experience I'm sure. 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:17.440 That the same message or the same story. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:19.440 Heard by a group of people. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:22.379 Can produce very different effects. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:24.060 On that group of people. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:28.939 South Africa and the cinema. 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:32.319 Is an amazing place to go for entertainment. 00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:35.919 Because what happens among the movie goers. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.039 Is always by my limited experience. 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:40.819 Far better than whatever is showing on the screen. 00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:46.399 I have never been in a place where people get so into a movie. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:48.339 We went to watch Shrek. 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:50.259 Shrek's fairly funny. 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:53.779 You felt like you were watching a different movie. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.799 People were falling off their seats with laughter. 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:59.960 Tears rolling down their faces. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:03.340 At what seemed an average moment. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.600 But maybe you've had that experience. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:07.779 You have a book that's really important to you. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.819 It moves you to tears every time you read it. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.759 You share it with a friend. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.700 And they shrug their shoulders. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.519 The same message. 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.939 But different responses. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.960 It's the same pattern. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.860 When the good news of Jesus is proclaimed. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.639 Think about your personal experience. 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:25.379 If you're a Christian. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:28.700 If you were converted by a particular message. 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:30.940 Maybe even by a particular book. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:33.800 That was probably unique to you. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:36.780 The sermon that God used to convert me. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:39.320 Didn't have the effect on the other people in the car. 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.460 That I was traveling with. 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:43.019 Jesus spoke about that. 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.840 In the parable of the sower and the soils. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.560 He always said. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.120 That when the message is heard. 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.960 There would be some. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.120 Where the message would be. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.320 In one ear and out the other. 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.799 There will always be some. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.600 Who will give up. 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.860 The idea of following Jesus. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.919 When life gets hard. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:59.100 There will always be some. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.759 Who choose money. 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.220 Or job. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.580 Or relationship over Jesus. 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:03.259 But there will always be some. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.500 Who believe. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.599 And live. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.339 And bear fruit. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:11.519 That's because of the effective call of God. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.319 It's interesting that Jesus himself. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.019 Experienced it. 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.839 Those times when we get discouraged. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.259 Perhaps when we don't see much in the way of fruit. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:27.419 Remember Jesus knew that experience. 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.640 And he knew. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:33.320 That God's saving plan was still effective. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.800 And he didn't lose any. 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:37.039 Just a little bit further. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:39.539 From where we read verse 66. 00:17:40.300 --> 00:17:42.120 As Jesus says some hard sayings. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.840 From this time. 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.620 We're told many of his disciples. 00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:46.680 Turned back and no longer followed him. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:49.380 You do not want to leave too. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:49.759 Do you? 00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:50.980 Jesus asked the twelve. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.580 Simon Peter answered. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.600 Lord to whom shall we go? 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.700 You have the words. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.120 Of eternal life. 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.360 We have come to believe. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.180 And to know that you are the holy one of God. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.140 A whole crowd. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.620 Leaving Jesus. 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.779 But there are some. 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.819 Who come to know. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.580 And to believe. 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.720 That he is the holy one of God. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.660 How do we explain it? 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.180 Jesus takes us there. 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.860 Takes us to the heart of salvation. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.880 So as you listen carefully. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:17.880 To Jesus teaching about salvation. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.680 We discover a few things. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.680 So first of all in verse. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.220 37. 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.660 We discover the source. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.360 Of salvation. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:29.360 All those the father gives me. 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:31.360 Will come to me. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.019 Or again in verse 44. 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:36.400 No one can come to me. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.880 Unless the father who sent me. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.500 Draws them. 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.880 So the source. 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:42.940 Of salvation. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.500 Is God the father. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.779 His effective call. 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:47.580 On a person's life. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.660 Perhaps we can think about. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.660 The call of God. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.160 In the life of Abraham. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.180 Leave and go. 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.360 To the land of promise. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.660 Or if you were here this morning. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.279 You would have heard it. 00:18:58.320 --> 00:18:59.519 In slightly different language. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.940 In Ephesians chapter 1. 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:02.240 Verse 4. 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.920 God the father chose us. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.759 In Christ. 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:06.279 Before the creation of the world. 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:09.640 Chapter 1 verse 11. 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.840 In Christ. 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:12.140 We were also chosen. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.480 By the father. 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.920 Having been pre-tested. 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.420 According to the plan of him. 00:19:16.520 --> 00:19:17.720 Who works out everything. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.259 In conformity. 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:20.460 With the purpose of his will. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:23.000 So God's effective call. 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:24.120 Works in such a way. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.940 That a group of people. 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.800 Can hear the same gospel message. 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:29.540 And God works powerfully. 00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:30.900 In the heart of. 00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.780 Of a boy or a girl. 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.500 Or a man or a woman. 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:34.000 That he has. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.660 Chosen to save. 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.600 And he calls them. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.320 And draws them. 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.000 To the son. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.340 In the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:44.300 And so Jesus reminds us. 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:46.360 That the father of love and grace. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.620 He doesn't simply. 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.720 And this is a wonderful thing. 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.660 He doesn't just. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.519 Plan our salvation. 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:55.279 From before the world was ever made. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:58.060 No he has such a longing. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.320 To bring his adopted children home. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:02.000 That he wills to save. 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:03.759 And he acts to call. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:07.900 And so for those of us. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.560 Who are here tonight. 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.200 As Christians. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.920 We need to know. 00:20:10.040 --> 00:20:11.140 That we are always loved. 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:11.960 And valued. 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.519 By our father. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.460 He is the source. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.300 Of our salvation. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.740 But it's important too. 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.980 That we think about this. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.220 Summons. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.180 That comes. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.120 And we're used to summonses. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.259 Children in a house. 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.340 Will get summons. 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:30.040 It's time to leave. 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.840 Come and set the table. 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.519 For dinner. 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:35.180 We might get a court summons. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.540 If we're lucky enough. 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.180 To be called. 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:38.180 For duty duty. 00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:40.160 There are words. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.320 Of authority. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.840 That call us. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.900 To do something. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.740 But those words. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.620 Can be ignored. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.300 They shouldn't be. 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.900 But they can be. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.140 When it comes. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.400 To God's call. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.420 When it comes. 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.800 To God's summons. 00:21:00.800 --> 00:21:01.980 It's very different. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:04.180 Because with God's summons. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.220 He has the power. 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:07.079 Both to offer life. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.360 And. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.380 To create life. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:13.259 He doesn't just make salvation. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.099 Possible. 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.660 He gives new life. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.599 To make it certain. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:20.019 See here in verse 40. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.200 For my father's will. 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.400 Is that everyone. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.480 Who looks to the son. 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.640 And believes in him. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.019 Shall have. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.920 Eternal life. 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.099 Everyone who looks. 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.259 Shall have. 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.680 Or again. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.759 Verse 44. 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.299 No one can come. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:34.819 To me. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.839 Unless the father. 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.500 Who sent me. 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.019 Draws them. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.839 And I will raise them up. 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.819 At the last day. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.579 There is cause. 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.099 And effect. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.379 God calls. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:44.119 And there is new creation life. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.420 Like when Jesus. 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.339 Stands in front. 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:48.980 Of the tomb. 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.980 Of Lazarus. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.420 And calls to him. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.059 Lazarus. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.140 Come out. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.619 That summons. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.079 Both offers life. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.359 And creates life. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.140 In Lazarus. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:01.000 And the father. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.240 Does the same. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.900 For us. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.720 Creating life. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.840 In spiritually. 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.400 Dead. 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:07.020 People. 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:09.480 So the summons. 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.300 That the father. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.580 Gives. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.620 It brings. 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:14.320 With that. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.220 A heart transplant. 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:18.540 You know the way. 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.840 Jeremiah talks about it. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.180 Turning our heart of stone. 00:22:21.540 --> 00:22:22.700 To a heart of flesh. 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:24.400 So that we can receive. 00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:25.200 God. 00:22:25.280 --> 00:22:26.280 And his salvation. 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.879 God. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.440 But that summons. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.500 Also affects. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.480 As it were. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.879 A hostage rescue. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.940 So that while previously. 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:35.420 We were slaves to sin. 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:37.039 Held in bondage. 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.819 So that we're unable. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.039 To choose for God. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.039 And unable to choose. 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.740 What is good. 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.720 Now with this call. 00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.339 That. 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.940 That stranglehold. 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.920 Is broken. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.000 And we can choose. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.819 And we do. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.899 Come. 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:50.859 To believe. 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.959 And all of this. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.539 Is connected. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.299 To God's. 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:56.119 Sovereign grace. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.779 Because God is king. 00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:00.519 Because he is the authority. 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:01.959 His call. 00:23:02.199 --> 00:23:03.179 Will be answered. 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.000 It will be effective. 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.339 Just hear. 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.359 How certain. 00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:10.319 Jesus speaks. 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.279 Verse 37. 00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:14.339 All those. 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:15.579 The father gives me. 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:17.079 Will come to me. 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:19.220 And whoever comes to me. 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.619 I will never. 00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:22.119 Drive away. 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:24.220 Or verse 39. 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.299 And this. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.240 Is the will. 00:23:26.439 --> 00:23:26.839 Of him. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.779 Who sent me. 00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:29.220 That I shall lose. 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:29.740 None. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.980 Of all those. 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.960 He has given me. 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:32.679 But. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.980 Raise them up. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.139 At the last. 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:35.659 Day. 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.639 So we have God. 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.079 The father. 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.179 He's an active agent. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.000 And we have God. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.359 The son. 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:41.619 And he's an active agent. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.359 And when they are working. 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.960 No one can resist. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:47.779 The father draws. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.360 And the father calls. 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:52.019 And the father gives a people. 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.759 To the son. 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.240 And the son works. 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.059 To save. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.120 And the son then. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.799 Keeps. 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.700 And protects. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.740 And the son. 00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:00.120 Will raise them up. 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.340 On the last day. 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.420 So the call. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.759 From the king of grace. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:07.519 Is what transforms a life. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:10.079 Romans chapter 1. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.840 Verse 7. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.680 That's why Paul. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.460 Will talk about. 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.460 People called. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:13.900 Called. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.420 Called by God. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.980 To be saints. 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:19.140 In the call of God. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:21.559 That is that transforming work. 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.720 And power. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:26.319 Now the effective call of God. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.559 Is a sticking point. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.120 For many. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.100 Because it raises the question. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.620 Well what about our free will. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.220 Or the question. 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:33.900 Is this fair? 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.960 Why does God choose one. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.819 And not choose another. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.579 It can be a challenge. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:40.079 For the religious mind. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.500 That says. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:42.299 Well surely I must earn. 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.680 Surely I must participate. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:43.960 Yes. 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.559 God must do his bit. 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:47.259 But surely I must do my bit. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.519 If you've ever read James Hogg. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.299 He captures. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.859 I think some of the mental knots. 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.859 That perhaps Scottish Presbyterians. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.460 In particular. 00:24:55.659 --> 00:24:57.159 Have gotten ourselves into. 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.619 Am I one of the elect? 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.599 Should I just sit back? 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.579 Because what will be. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.200 Will be. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:05.779 Now what did Jesus' words say. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:08.220 To these kind of questions. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:10.920 Well on one hand. 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.900 Jesus is very clear. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.559 That there is. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.779 Without his work. 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.759 Without the work of God. 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.640 A total. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.400 Inability. 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:22.500 We can go to verse. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.700 44 again. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.100 No one. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.120 Can come to me. 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:30.160 Unless the father who sent me. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.700 Draws them. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.640 Without God's grace. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.660 Intervening. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.700 Without God's grace. 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.299 Saving. 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:40.120 We would be blind. 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.080 To the glory of Jesus. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.039 We would be blind. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.700 To our human need. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.279 To have our sin dealt with. 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.660 We'd be living lives. 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.799 Where we would consistently. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.799 Miss the target. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.819 Failing to reach. 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:53.019 God's glory. 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.460 Spiritually dead. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.539 Total inability. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:57.240 Jesus says that. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.500 At the same time. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.519 He makes clear. 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.640 That when we think about salvation. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.000 We have to understand. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:07.259 There must be. 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:09.000 Total dependence. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:11.200 On God's grace. 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:14.259 This is entirely. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.119 Of gift. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.059 That we have had the chance. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:18.059 To hear the gospel. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.720 That's a gift. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.279 If you're a Christian. 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.480 And your heart has been changed. 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.839 That's God's grace. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.440 For God. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.299 To work. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:26.859 And our will. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.680 To make it willing. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.599 To trust Jesus. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.660 And to live for him. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:30.839 That's God. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.700 Doing for us. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.400 What we cannot. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.160 And would not. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.039 Do for ourselves. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.139 So salvation. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.619 Is entirely dependent. 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.539 On God's grace. 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.799 And because of that. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:44.019 There is total security. 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.779 In Christ. 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.599 And I think that's something. 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.700 That's so important. 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.119 And sometimes. 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.980 We can lose that. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.240 In all the mental knots. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.240 That the whole doctrine. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.319 Here is reminding us. 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.539 That because salvation. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.599 Belongs to God. 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.200 From beginning. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.899 To end. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.640 Because the father's call. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.280 Is powerful. 00:27:00.280 --> 00:27:00.920 And effective. 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.040 Because the son. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.820 Carries out. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.840 The will of the father. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.820 And it's his will. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.060 To save his people. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.400 That is security. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.180 From beginning. 00:27:08.780 --> 00:27:09.259 To end. 00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:11.759 It's the effective call. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.320 Of God. 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.940 But then verse 40. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.420 And we'll finish here. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.480 Here's a third thing. 00:27:18.560 --> 00:27:19.740 That we need to hear. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.740 And it's the call. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.480 To believe. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:27.279 Now just to recognize. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.900 That what Jesus is teaching us here. 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:33.019 Is God sized theology. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:36.000 And God sized theology. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.620 Will always contain with it. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.099 Aspects of mystery. 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.460 And of course. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.839 Whenever we're confronted with that. 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:44.079 In our human curiosity. 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.620 Our human desire. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.220 To know things. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.339 We like the idea. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:49.000 That there must be a system. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.079 Where we can organize it. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.519 Where we can think. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.019 Ah yes. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.539 I've got it. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:51.860 I've got it. 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.639 But there's always going to be. 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:54.459 An element of mystery. 00:27:54.479 --> 00:27:56.119 Because this is God sized theology. 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.479 You think about it. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.819 We are dealing with a God. 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.859 Who is three in one. 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.959 We're dealing with a God. 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:05.079 Who foresees everything. 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:08.359 We're talking about the reality. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.359 That God chooses to save people. 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.459 Before. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.319 There were any people. 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:16.379 There must be mystery to that. 00:28:17.479 --> 00:28:19.259 And there's also a sense of mystery. 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.699 Or even a sense of tension. 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:23.319 In what Jesus teaches us here. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:25.299 He has made it abundantly clear. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.680 God is sovereign in salvation. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.240 I hope we've heard that clearly. 00:28:29.340 --> 00:28:30.600 God is sovereign in salvation. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.920 But we. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.180 Are responsible. 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.640 For responding to the gospel call. 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:40.240 So Jesus can say. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.920 For my father's will. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.880 This is verse 40. 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.960 My father's will. 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:46.360 Is that everyone who looks to the son. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.980 And believes in him. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.880 Shall have eternal life. 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:51.519 And I will raise them up. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.079 At the last day. 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:56.120 So salvation is a matter of the father's will. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.940 And it's a matter of us. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:58.900 Coming. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.000 And looking. 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.539 And believing. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:06.159 If you're here today. 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.019 And you're not a Christian. 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.779 And maybe you've been wrestling with this. 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.599 It's important. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.700 That we ask the right question. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.559 At the right time. 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.819 If you're not a Christian here today. 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.839 The question that you need to wrestle with. 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.379 Is not. 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:21.339 Am I one of the elect? 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:24.200 The question to ask is. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.539 Will I come. 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.420 To the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:28.920 To be saved. 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:31.640 Will I trust in his grace? 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:33.080 Will I come with faith? 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.400 Will I trust his work? 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:36.700 Will I trust his word? 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:42.039 Just to think a little bit more. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.940 About the kind of. 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:43.560 The tension. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.180 And the mystery. 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:46.600 Our salvation is. 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.460 God centered. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.060 As it should be. 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.640 God does the work. 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.120 God deserves all the glory. 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:56.279 God's call is effective. 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:58.360 His saving purpose is never frustrated. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:01.340 Jesus is utterly confident. 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.920 That he's not simply creating. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.700 The potential. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.560 For people to be saved. 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:07.080 By climbing the moral ladder. 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:09.320 But he will certainly save. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.420 All those who are called. 00:30:11.560 --> 00:30:12.560 And verse 39. 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:14.120 Says it so powerfully. 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.400 This is the will of him who sent me. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.320 That I shall lose none. 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:21.600 Of all those that he has given me. 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.980 But raise them up at the last day. 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:24.500 If Jesus lost even one. 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.700 Of those who are called. 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.940 It would be to his eternal shame. 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:30.080 He would have failed. 00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:31.480 In his mission. 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:34.500 But we know that he won't. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:39.160 So our salvation is absolutely God centered. 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.539 And yet. 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:43.059 It doesn't exclude us. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.680 Exercising faith. 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.240 We must look. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.700 We must come. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.039 We must believe. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.700 Jesus has effected. 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.860 A great rescue. 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:55.879 By his work on the cross. 00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:57.479 His mission is accomplished. 00:30:59.419 --> 00:31:01.000 But you and I by faith. 00:31:02.179 --> 00:31:03.919 We need to reach out to get in the boat. 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:07.619 Jesus has extended the invitation. 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:08.599 To a feast. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.359 He has provided everything. 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.339 For that feast. 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.759 But we need to RSVP. 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.379 And come. 00:31:16.719 --> 00:31:17.559 To the feast. 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:21.299 Jesus is God. 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.679 So it figures that his theology is both. 00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:26.319 God sized. 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.879 And God centered. 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:30.440 And so he teaches. 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:33.480 The much more complex thing. 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.519 That's both and. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.419 Yes. 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.159 Salvation belongs to God. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.940 And yes. 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.940 We have a responsibility. 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.819 To believe. 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:45.700 Or to use the language that Jesus uses. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:48.240 We are called to look. 00:31:49.439 --> 00:31:50.399 And to live. 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.740 It's a great image. 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.460 Look and live. 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:55.259 Might remind you of an Old Testament story. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:57.439 Jesus has already spoken about it in this gospel. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.039 In the book of Exodus. 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:01.619 There was one of the many times. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.559 Where God's people rebelled in the wilderness. 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:06.339 And judgment came into the camp. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:08.679 In the form of poisonous serpents. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.919 So there was judgment. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.420 But in that judgment. 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.500 There was also grace. 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:15.039 Because God instructed Moses. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:17.279 To fashion a bronze serpent. 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.640 And to put it up on a pole. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.940 And the message came. 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.860 If you look to the serpent. 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.600 You would live. 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:27.140 Jesus used that picture. 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.440 To anticipate the fact. 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.320 That he too. 00:32:29.620 --> 00:32:30.860 Would be raised up. 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:33.740 He would be raised up on the cross. 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.620 And the cross too. 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:37.240 Is a place of judgment. 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:39.220 And a place of grace. 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:43.019 And we are called to look. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:44.200 And to live. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:47.360 To see there the Savior. 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.019 Atone for sin. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.500 To see him accomplish. 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:53.559 That mission of securing forgiveness. 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:55.940 Of bringing eternal life with God. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.259 Through the victory. 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.920 Of his resurrection. 00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:02.259 And when we look. 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:04.460 And when we believe. 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:06.840 Jesus promises. 00:33:08.340 --> 00:33:10.259 Certain salvation. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.740 Look at verse 47. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.500 Very truly. 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:16.220 I tell you. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.560 The one who believes. 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:21.259 Has eternal life. 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.019 Life. 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.680 That's not possibility. 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:27.400 That is certainty. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.960 Look. 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.140 And live. 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.759 That's why the Christian life. 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.420 Is about humble. 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.279 Grateful worship. 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.519 We are those who contribute. 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:36.900 Nothing. 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.960 But receive everything. 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:41.140 That's why we have such a wonderful message. 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.720 To embrace. 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.599 And to love. 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.059 And to grow our appetite. 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.839 For the gospel. 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.180 But also we have a great message. 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.819 To share. 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:51.399 As we are reminded. 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:53.259 About God's sovereign grace. 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:56.980 God's powerful summons. 00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:58.799 That draws us to Jesus. 00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:01.119 And that draws us to life. 00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:02.079 There is an invitation. 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:03.859 To rest secure. 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:06.039 In the Father's call. 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:09.279 And the Son's saving work. 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:12.539 To praise God. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.179 For his will. 00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:17.099 As Jesus reminds us. 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.519 My Father's will. 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:21.500 Is that everyone who looks to the Son. 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.920 And believes in him. 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.880 Shall have eternal life. 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:26.819 And I will. 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.960 Raise them up at the last. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:58.940 Thank you.