WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.660 Go ahead and open your Bibles, please, to 1 John 2. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:06.660 1 John 2 is where we're at today. 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:16.199 Do you know the feeling that when you set out to accomplish something 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:19.140 and then you find yourself in way over your head? 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:22.660 This frequently happens to me, 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.480 especially when I'm doing some kind of house project. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:32.060 But fortunately, I have a very helpful neighbor. 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:35.659 My neighbor, Bill, is a retired engineer, 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:41.179 and not only does he have every tool known to man in his garage, 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:44.760 and not only does he know the best way to use those tools, 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:49.620 but he also has lots of spare time to help his very helpless neighbor 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:52.240 whenever I am in need. 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:54.920 Usually I'm outside working on a project. 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:57.340 I find myself, I've bitten off more than I can chew, 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:02.900 and without fail, Bill shows up with the right tool and the right technique, 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:06.840 and he helps me do the job properly, and he stays to help me out. 00:01:06.960 --> 00:01:10.299 He likes to come and just help me. 00:01:10.740 --> 00:01:14.740 So I'm very thankful for my very helpful neighbor. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:18.620 I think when the State Farm Insurance people made their little lingo 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:21.620 of like a good neighbor, they were thinking of my neighbor, Bill. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:26.160 If you've been a Christian for any period of time, 00:01:27.160 --> 00:01:30.040 I'm guessing you have found yourself feeling in over your head 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:32.580 when it comes to following Jesus. 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:37.100 It is difficult to shake certain sins. 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:41.740 It is difficult to love other people. 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:44.680 Sometimes it seems impossible, 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:50.220 since sometimes you find yourself surrounded by competing voices, 00:01:50.580 --> 00:01:52.840 both outside you and inside you, 00:01:53.340 --> 00:01:58.400 that play on your hopes and your confidence. 00:01:59.980 --> 00:02:02.160 And when hardship and troubles come, 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:04.680 that gets even more shaken. 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:09.180 Your determination to follow Jesus gets deflated or muddled, 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:11.460 and you find yourself in over your head. 00:02:11.980 --> 00:02:13.780 You find yourself in need of help. 00:02:13.920 --> 00:02:16.040 Maybe you find yourself there right now. 00:02:17.540 --> 00:02:21.140 That's certainly where the Christians in the Roman province of Asia 00:02:21.140 --> 00:02:23.439 found themselves at the end of the first century. 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:28.659 And that's why the Apostle John sat down to write this letter of 1 John. 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:30.719 These Christians were struggling. 00:02:30.920 --> 00:02:32.680 They found themselves in over their heads, 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.860 knowing just who Jesus was, 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:37.740 who they were as Christians, 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:39.260 and how they were to go forward. 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:43.200 Our text for this morning is in 1 John 2, 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:45.580 verses 26 and 27, 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:46.840 just two verses this morning, 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:49.760 but it's a close follow-up to what Caleb preached 00:02:49.760 --> 00:02:52.159 several weeks ago before Advent. 00:02:52.540 --> 00:02:53.939 And I'd like to go back and read, 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:58.280 starting with verse 18 of 1 John 2. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:02.040 1 John 2, starting with verse 18. 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:04.319 Children, it is the last hour. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:07.340 And as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:10.180 so now many Antichrists have come. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:12.939 Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:16.180 They went out from us, but they were not of us, 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:17.819 for if they had been of us, 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:19.180 they would have continued with us. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:20.759 But they went out, 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:24.379 that it might become plain that they are all not of us. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:27.819 But you have been anointed by the Holy One. 00:03:27.899 --> 00:03:29.699 Keep that word anointed in the back of your mind. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:32.019 And you all have knowledge. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:33.500 I write to you, 00:03:33.679 --> 00:03:35.079 not because you do not know the truth, 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:36.119 but because you know it, 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.399 and because no lie is of the truth. 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:41.299 Who is the liar but he who denies 00:03:41.299 --> 00:03:43.039 that Jesus is the Christ? 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:45.359 This is the Antichrist, 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.280 he who denies the Father and the Son. 00:03:48.959 --> 00:03:51.199 No one who denies the Son has the Father. 00:03:51.679 --> 00:03:54.039 Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:58.239 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. 00:03:59.019 --> 00:04:01.759 If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:06.019 then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:10.379 And this is the promise that he made to us, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:12.579 eternal life. 00:04:13.579 --> 00:04:15.039 I write these things to you 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:17.240 about those who are trying to deceive you. 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:20.459 But the anointing that you receive from him 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:21.420 abides in you, 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:24.560 and you have no need that anyone should teach you. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:27.759 But as his anointing teaches you about everything 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:29.800 and is true and is no lie, 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:31.660 just as it has taught you, 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:34.140 abide in him. 00:04:36.200 --> 00:04:37.340 Several weeks ago, 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:38.680 Caleb preached on these verses 00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:40.780 and helped us see that these ancient Christians 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:42.460 were being assaulted, 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:43.680 as the Apostle put it, 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.139 by antichrists. 00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:46.180 Plural. 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.080 These antichrists, 00:04:48.200 --> 00:04:49.040 as John called them, 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:51.920 were trying to derail the faith 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:53.560 of those believers 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.340 in these churches in Asia 00:04:55.340 --> 00:04:56.800 that John was writing to 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:58.879 by shifting their focus 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:00.040 away from the clear, 00:05:00.260 --> 00:05:00.620 true, 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:02.220 good news of Jesus. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:04.580 And although they were feeling 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:06.060 in over their head, 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.920 the Apostle John knew 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:10.520 they had a sufficient helper 00:05:10.520 --> 00:05:12.700 to help them stand firm 00:05:12.700 --> 00:05:14.960 and hold fast to Jesus. 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:16.200 And that helper's name, 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:18.279 although he goes by the name of anointing 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:19.099 in this passage, 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:20.920 is the Holy Spirit. 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:23.680 We'll unpack why he's called that 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:24.560 in a little later, 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:26.079 but that's the big idea 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:27.219 of this passage 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:28.839 here in verses 26 and 27. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:31.879 God was and is telling his people 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:34.199 to hold fast to Jesus 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:37.319 with the Spirit's sufficient help. 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:38.659 That's our big idea, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.480 hold fast to Jesus 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:43.199 with the Spirit's sufficient help. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:43.839 Help. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:46.339 Let me unpack that big idea 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:47.740 with three C's 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:49.099 we find in this passage. 00:05:49.219 --> 00:05:49.899 Three C's. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:51.479 The first is this, 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:53.719 the Apostle John's command 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:56.300 to hold fast to Jesus. 00:05:56.519 --> 00:06:00.039 The command is to hold fast to Jesus. 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:02.919 Let me reread verses 26 and 27. 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:03.519 And as I do, 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:04.419 I want you to feel 00:06:04.419 --> 00:06:06.159 a building momentum 00:06:06.159 --> 00:06:07.919 to the last three words. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:08.339 Listen. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:10.639 I write these things to you 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:12.000 about those who are trying 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:12.879 to deceive you. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:14.180 But the anointing 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:15.379 that you receive from him 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.319 abides in you. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:17.660 And you have no need 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:18.939 that anyone should teach you. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:20.420 But as his anointing 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:21.639 teaches you about everything 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:23.439 and is true and is no lie, 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:25.279 just as it has taught you, 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:27.879 abide in him. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:31.060 Abide in him. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:32.139 That's the command. 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:33.300 That's the thrust 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:34.180 of this passage. 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:36.319 We could also say it this way. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.459 Hold fast. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:39.620 I believe Caleb summarized it 00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:40.259 a few weeks ago 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:42.199 as to stick with Jesus. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.060 We must remain steadfastly 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:47.899 connected to Jesus. 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:50.359 We must hold fast to him, 00:06:50.799 --> 00:06:51.599 stick with him, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:52.779 follow him, 00:06:53.359 --> 00:06:54.179 abide with him. 00:06:54.259 --> 00:06:54.539 And that, 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:56.659 this is what 1 John is all about. 00:06:57.299 --> 00:06:58.159 That command. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:00.299 The Apostle wants 00:07:00.299 --> 00:07:01.479 these struggling Christians 00:07:01.479 --> 00:07:02.879 to be firmly connected 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:03.399 to Jesus 00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:04.799 for the rest of their days. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:05.919 And he wants to help them 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.920 see that they're doing it 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:07.400 and he wants them 00:07:07.400 --> 00:07:08.819 to keep on doing it. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:10.759 He wants them to have 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.480 and maintain 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:12.439 a dynamic, 00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:13.920 experiential, 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.560 growing relationship 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.480 with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:19.100 And John talks about 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:20.180 this dynamic relationship 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.200 all through the letter. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.420 He uses different language 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:23.939 to describe it sometimes. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:25.000 Sometimes he uses 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.400 the language of abiding here. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:27.360 In chapter 1, 00:07:27.400 --> 00:07:27.920 he talks about 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:29.620 having fellowship with God 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.620 or being born of God 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.360 as Pastor Mike's 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:33.300 going to preach next week. 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:35.020 The famous image 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.019 for this relationship 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.680 Jesus uses in John 15. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:38.759 He says, 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:39.859 I am the vine 00:07:39.859 --> 00:07:41.259 and you are the branches. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:43.339 Whoever abides in me 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:44.359 and I in him, 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:46.219 he it is that bears much fruit. 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:47.620 For apart from me, 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:49.459 you can do nothing. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.259 So this relationship 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:53.579 is this organic connection. 00:07:54.419 --> 00:07:55.539 It's something that 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:56.639 is already in place 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.500 for every Christian 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.319 and yet it also 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:58.939 at the same time 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.060 must be maintained. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.479 It's this fruitful, 00:08:01.979 --> 00:08:02.719 life-giving, 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:04.160 mutual connection 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:05.620 between the vine of Jesus 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:06.680 and the branches 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:07.500 of Christians 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:08.960 in which we depend 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:09.640 on Jesus 00:08:09.640 --> 00:08:11.780 in every aspect 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:12.500 of our life. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.660 And here in this letter, 00:08:14.820 --> 00:08:15.520 John describes 00:08:15.520 --> 00:08:16.360 different ways 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.900 that we can maintain 00:08:17.900 --> 00:08:18.740 and nurture 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:20.760 this abiding relationship. 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:21.800 First, 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:23.220 we must believe 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:24.200 the truth 00:08:24.200 --> 00:08:25.520 of who he is 00:08:25.520 --> 00:08:26.380 and what he has done 00:08:26.380 --> 00:08:27.460 to save you. 00:08:27.880 --> 00:08:28.680 There's this truth 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:29.500 dimension to it. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:30.120 And second is 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.139 we must obey 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:31.899 his commands. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:33.700 And the third 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.560 is we must love 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:35.399 our fellow Christians. 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.700 And John uses 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:37.960 these three dimensions, 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.700 the truth, 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:39.299 the obedience, 00:08:39.560 --> 00:08:40.259 and the love 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:40.980 to kind of, 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:41.879 he constantly cycles 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:42.639 back and forth 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:43.340 with these 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.480 throughout the whole letter. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.460 And if any one 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.480 of these isn't functioning, 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:47.840 then you're not 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:48.659 abiding in Christ. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.440 Something's off. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:50.019 The relationship 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:50.960 isn't right. 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:52.539 For example, 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:53.100 if you believe 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:53.779 all the right things 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.399 about Jesus, 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:54.860 but, 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:56.120 and maybe you're 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:56.879 really moral, 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:57.720 you keep his commands, 00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:59.220 but you're not very loving, 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.779 then something's off. 00:09:01.660 --> 00:09:02.920 The abiding connection 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:03.600 is not there. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:04.460 Or you might be 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:05.180 a very nice, 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:05.779 loving, 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:06.680 accepting, 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:07.680 tolerant person, 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.980 but if your Jesus 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:09.820 is not the Jesus 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:10.500 of the Bible 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:12.200 and you're living 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:12.940 your life without 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.300 regard with 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.300 what God tells you 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:15.779 to do, 00:09:16.180 --> 00:09:17.060 then you're not 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:17.660 really abiding 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:18.639 in Jesus either. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.580 All three have 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:20.899 to be in place. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:21.960 And in this particular 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:22.660 part of the letter, 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.580 here in John 2, 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:25.220 John's very concerned 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:26.220 about the truth 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:26.720 dimension 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.779 of abiding in Jesus. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:29.799 Look at verse 24. 00:09:30.839 --> 00:09:31.759 Let what you heard 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.419 from the beginning 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.600 abide in you. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.519 That's the teaching 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.519 of the truth 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.220 of the gospel. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:37.879 Let what you heard 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:38.980 from the beginning 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:39.860 abides in you, 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:40.740 then you too 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:41.439 will abide 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:42.100 in the Son 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:42.779 and in the Father. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:44.399 And what was it 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:44.939 that these Christians 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:45.699 heard in the beginning? 00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:46.819 It was the truth 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:47.379 of the gospel, 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.779 that Jesus is the Christ, 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:49.519 verse 22, 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:50.519 the Messiah. 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:51.959 It's what the Antichrists 00:09:51.959 --> 00:09:52.799 were denying. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:54.240 And so, 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:55.000 according to 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.240 verse 24, 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:56.919 the Christians 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:58.200 who are convinced 00:09:58.200 --> 00:09:59.320 of this truth 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:00.000 in their hearts 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.799 and they hold fast 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:01.019 to it, 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:01.899 they have an abiding 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.840 relationship 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.200 with God himself. 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:05.480 We must have 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:06.320 this truth 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:07.159 of the gospel 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.159 abiding 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:09.019 and functioning 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:10.220 in us 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.500 from his word 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.539 in order for us 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.840 to abide in Christ. 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:14.620 It's essential. 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:16.180 And that's what 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:16.840 John's commanding 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.680 in verse 27 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:18.299 at the very end. 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.980 Abide in him 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:22.399 through the resting 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:23.799 and the treasuring 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:24.779 of the truth 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:25.799 of the gospel. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:27.459 And do you see 00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:28.059 what's at stake? 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.439 Look at verse 25. 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:31.240 This is the promise 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.000 he made to us, 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:33.699 eternal life. 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:35.559 When we have 00:10:35.559 --> 00:10:36.059 the truth 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:36.839 of the gospel 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:37.779 abiding in us, 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.199 we are enjoying 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:39.899 fellowship 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:41.019 with the living God. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.419 And do you know 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:41.939 what that is? 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:43.419 That's eternal life. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.399 What Jesus says 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.079 in John 17, 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:46.319 3, 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.059 backs this up. 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:48.079 And this is 00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:48.859 eternal life, 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.079 that they may know 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:50.579 you, 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:52.000 the only true God, 00:10:52.359 --> 00:10:53.359 and Jesus Christ 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.539 whom you have sent. 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:55.940 So this abiding 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:57.620 relationship is crucial. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.539 We must have it 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:58.940 as Christians 00:10:58.940 --> 00:10:59.700 if we're going to have 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:00.539 eternal life. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.180 And one of the ways 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:01.680 we have it 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.940 is through a treasuring 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:03.680 and believing 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:04.240 and trusting 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.379 in the truth 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:06.419 of the gospel. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:08.800 So, 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.019 dear brother and sister, 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:12.159 is this important to you? 00:11:13.300 --> 00:11:14.860 Is this a priority for you? 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:16.620 Do you come to church? 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.539 Do you go to life group 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.019 with the thought, 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.700 I need God's word 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.960 abiding in me 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.460 so that I can abide 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.120 in Jesus? 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.779 and have eternal life. 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.560 Is this on your mind 00:11:26.560 --> 00:11:27.800 as you think about 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.860 your own personal habits 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.639 of Bible reading 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:30.480 and meditating 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:31.200 on God's word? 00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:32.600 I need God's word 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.740 abiding in me 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:35.080 so I can abide 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:35.580 in Jesus 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:37.379 and have eternal life. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.100 This is vital 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.840 because 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.240 there is something 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.940 lurking 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.700 all around us 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:45.019 that would steer us 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:45.500 away 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:47.139 from this essential command 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.120 to abide in Jesus. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:48.879 And that brings us 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:50.379 to our second C, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:53.019 John's concern. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.759 John's concern. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:55.879 The concern is 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.899 the danger 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.179 of deception. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.799 The danger 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:01.159 of deception. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.559 Take a look 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.259 at verse 26. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:04.840 I write these things 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:05.240 to you 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:05.980 about those 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.679 who are trying 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.779 to deceive you. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.820 The reason the apostle 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:11.039 is writing to these Christians 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:11.639 is because 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:12.559 they are still 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:13.340 holding fast 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.419 to Jesus 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.439 but they are being 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:15.979 assaulted 00:12:15.979 --> 00:12:17.339 by deceivers. 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:19.579 As Caleb pointed out 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.259 a few weeks ago 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:20.959 these deceivers 00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:21.399 were called 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.339 the antichrist 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:23.099 because they were 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:24.099 denying the truth 00:12:24.099 --> 00:12:24.639 of the gospel 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:26.000 and trying to influence 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.500 these faithful Christians 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.000 to do the same. 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:30.459 And the particular 00:12:30.459 --> 00:12:31.139 deception 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.019 that was being 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.639 kind of put 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.379 forward 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.179 in these churches 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:35.740 was a heresy 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:37.000 called Gnosticism 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.000 or an early form 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.679 of that heresy. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.000 Gnosticism 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.459 was kind of 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:41.740 a loosey goosey 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.099 spiritualism 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:44.080 that said 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.860 that all material 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.680 things are bad 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.399 and all spiritual 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:47.100 things are good 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:47.519 and the way 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.120 that you become good 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.180 is by kind of 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:51.000 getting this special 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.279 spiritual knowledge. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.200 It kind of looked 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:54.820 like Christianity 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.500 on the outside 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.440 but once you lifted 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:56.940 the hood 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.840 it flatly denied 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.360 the teaching 00:12:59.360 --> 00:12:59.899 of the Bible 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.300 especially the central 00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:02.560 truth of who 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:03.399 Jesus is 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.460 as the God-man 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.180 or Redeemer. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.460 Thankfully 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.600 these faithful people 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.680 that John's writing to 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.920 seem to not have 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:10.500 been influenced 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.399 by these deceivers 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:13.080 because by the time 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.620 John wrote 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.379 these deceivers 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:14.820 had been kicked 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:15.580 out of the church 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:17.320 but at the same time 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:17.920 they were obviously 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:18.960 in need of encouragement 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.879 and exhortation 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.139 to hold fast. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.879 Church we should share 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.639 John's concern. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.800 We should not think 00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:27.879 that we are so firm 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.240 in our stance 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:32.120 that we become proud 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.920 and we fall. 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.280 In America 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:36.259 we face grave deceptions. 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.440 There are untruths 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:40.240 abounding all around us 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.019 and some of them 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:42.220 masquerade 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.919 in Christian dress. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:45.799 Ultimately 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:47.139 deceptive doctrines 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.080 kind of boil down 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:49.480 to two basic 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.379 kinds of errors. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:51.720 The first 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:52.279 are the kinds 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.500 that take away 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.419 from the truth 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:54.980 of the gospel. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.659 That's kind of 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.340 what Gnosticism 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:57.779 was doing. 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.299 It denies 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:00.299 certain aspects 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.740 of the good news message. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.820 They either deny 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.620 the problem 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.460 that the good news 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.259 message addresses 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.159 or the solution 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.000 to that problem. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.039 They either deny 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.000 that sin 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.959 is a real issue 00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:11.939 and our guilt 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:12.559 before God 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.319 is a real issue 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.319 and that Jesus 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:16.120 came as a man 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.459 and the God-man 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.399 to die 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:18.860 in the place 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.240 of sinners 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.399 to solve that problem. 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.339 And so 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:23.259 that's one 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:23.939 of the kinds 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.019 of errors 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.719 that we face 00:14:25.719 --> 00:14:27.099 those that take away 00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:27.559 the truth 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:28.039 of the gospel. 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:28.659 For example 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.879 Oprah 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.259 Disney 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.480 other kinds 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.099 of pop 00:14:33.099 --> 00:14:33.759 American 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.639 self-help-ness 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.459 is 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.419 basically says 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.579 our biggest problem 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.520 is not 00:14:39.520 --> 00:14:39.980 our guilt 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.900 before a holy God 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:41.960 but our lack 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.520 of individual 00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:43.160 fulfillment. 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:44.900 And the biggest 00:14:44.900 --> 00:14:45.860 the solution 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.480 to that problem 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.560 is ourselves. 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.540 If we look 00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:49.379 deep enough 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.139 if we look 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.180 inside hard enough 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:51.660 we get to know 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:52.740 our true selves 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.620 then we can 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.879 truly find 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.700 what makes us 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.460 fulfilled 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.240 and happy. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.220 Or here's one 00:14:59.220 --> 00:14:59.620 that's maybe 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.060 a little more 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.820 closer to home. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.840 This is what 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.460 I call 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.080 kind of a 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.240 good old boy 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.300 American theology. 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:06.379 theology. 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.059 It's a doctrine 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:08.939 that is kind 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.859 of a pop doctrine 00:15:09.859 --> 00:15:10.219 that kind 00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:10.939 of surrounds us. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.199 We kind 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.699 of hear about 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.379 it all the time. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.059 This doctrine 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.839 says yeah 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:15.579 God exists. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.679 He's a nice 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:16.979 guy. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:17.500 He's good. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:18.919 He takes care 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.439 of my problems 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.120 whenever I need 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.259 him. 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:21.759 He wants me 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.319 to be happy 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:23.639 and since 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.179 I'm basically 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:24.899 not a jerk 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.819 I'll go to 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.199 heaven when I 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:26.379 die. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:28.079 It's got some 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:28.779 Christian flavor 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.240 to it 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.359 but it's missing 00:15:30.359 --> 00:15:30.979 the core 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:31.659 of the gospel. 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:32.719 It's not 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:33.179 what the Bible 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:33.539 teaches. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.079 God did not 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:34.879 become a man 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.919 and die 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.860 on the cross 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.819 for basically 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:38.480 good people 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.379 who only need 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.939 him every once 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.339 in a while. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.439 We must be 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.159 on our guard 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.120 against deceptive 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.819 doctrines that 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:45.679 take away 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.779 elements of 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.459 the truth 00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:48.219 of the gospel. 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.360 The second 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:49.919 kind of error 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.579 is that which 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.699 not takes away 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.360 but adds 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.659 to the gospel. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:54.899 The truth 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.539 of God's word 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:56.360 says that Jesus 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:58.439 alone saves us 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:58.939 from our 00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.179 greatest problem 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.179 but Christians 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:01.899 in particular 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.779 can be tempted 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.579 to embrace 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.259 a kind of 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.360 self-righteous 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.100 legalism 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.439 that kind of 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:10.319 smuggles in 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.639 certain things 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.220 that says 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.980 it's our 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.039 trust in Jesus 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.159 plus these things 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.720 that makes us 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.899 truly good Christians. 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.620 So for example 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.720 those who 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.620 say well 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.299 it's a certain 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.019 kind of lifestyle 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.679 that you need 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.139 to have 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.480 or 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:25.819 a certain 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:27.159 set of doctrines 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.120 you must believe 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.480 that are outside 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.279 the necessary 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.299 gospel of Christ 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.139 or a certain 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.599 political affiliation. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:34.639 This is what got 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.539 the Galatians 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.059 in trouble 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.459 when we had 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:36.879 our series 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.979 in Galatians 00:16:37.979 --> 00:16:38.939 a while ago. 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:39.819 That's why Paul 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.719 was so adamant 00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:41.919 about the need 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.759 to keep the good 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.519 news of the gospel 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.159 squarely in view. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.879 There's been 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.500 something I've been 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.399 hearing among 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.319 Christians from 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:50.299 both sides 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.979 lately 00:16:50.979 --> 00:16:51.839 that kind of 00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:52.859 smacks of this 00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:54.039 add to the gospel 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.519 flavor. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.199 I've heard Christians 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.979 on both the right 00:16:56.979 --> 00:16:57.839 and the left 00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:59.199 say that 00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:00.059 whoever they voted 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:01.179 for, whoever you 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.759 voted for in the 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.599 presidential election 00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:03.919 is a sign of 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.440 whether you are 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.099 a true or a 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.679 false Christian. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.419 That the only 00:17:07.419 --> 00:17:08.159 true Christians 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.960 voted for Trump 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.919 or only true 00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:10.480 Christians voted 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:10.919 for Biden. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.399 I've heard it 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:12.059 on both sides. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.059 But if we're 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.779 putting it that 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.019 way, that's an 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.720 important decision 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.179 of who to vote 00:17:16.179 --> 00:17:16.659 for, but if we're 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.319 putting it that 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:19.019 way, then we're 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.559 adding to the 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:19.859 gospel. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.299 We're saying it's 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.440 Jesus plus a vote 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:22.919 for someone. 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.119 But that's, we're 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.079 deceiving ourselves 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.679 and we're deceiving 00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:26.079 others. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.460 That's not what the 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.259 gospel says. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:30.039 What determines 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.779 whether we truly 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.660 have a relationship 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.160 with the living 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.019 God is whether we 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.079 trust in the good 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.379 news of Jesus. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.879 Whether we trust in 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.720 his death and 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.480 resurrection to 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.779 rescue us from our 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.759 greatest problem of 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.720 guilt before a holy 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.160 God. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.839 And we must guard 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.319 against taking away 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.519 or adding to 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.019 this good news 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.099 so that we can 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.799 continue abiding in 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.400 a life-giving 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.740 relationship with 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.039 Jesus. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:55.559 Jesus, do you 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.819 believe, do you 00:17:57.819 --> 00:18:00.639 personally trust in 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:02.920 the sufficient message 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.599 of the gospel to 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.039 save? 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.480 Do you recognize 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:09.579 that you have real 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.720 guilt before a real 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.440 God that only the 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.839 real God-man Jesus 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.680 Christ can take away? 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.200 That is the truth of 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.579 the gospel. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.299 That is the truth we 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.899 must hold to and 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:22.319 treasure more than 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:23.319 anything else because 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.419 we ought to be 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.439 concerned about 00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.960 deceptive doctrines 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.960 because they are 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.700 nearer than we 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.899 think and we are 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.980 not as clever as we 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.279 think and because 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.099 the stakes are really 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.519 high. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.419 But although we 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:38.099 should be concerned 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:41.500 we also must have 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.500 great confidence 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.500 and that is our 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.059 third C. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.839 We must have 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.279 great confidence. 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.200 John had great 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.019 confidence in 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.180 something for 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:53.440 these Christians 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.779 because like my 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:56.240 neighbor Bill we 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.200 have a helper 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.079 very close at 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.379 hand as we 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.039 seek to hold 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.799 fast to the 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.000 truth that is 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.440 in Jesus. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.819 And that confidence 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:06.359 is the sufficient 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.980 anointing of the 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.639 Holy Spirit. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.160 The sufficient 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:12.039 anointing of the 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.660 Holy Spirit. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.359 Take a look at 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.039 verse 27. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.839 But the anointing 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.619 that you receive 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.740 from him abides 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.519 in you and you 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.200 have no need that 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.080 anyone should teach 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:21.340 you. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.400 But as his 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.200 anointing teaches 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.980 you about everything 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.960 and is true and 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.519 is no lie just as 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.279 it has taught you 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.220 abide in him. 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:30.759 So it's obvious 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.580 that although John 00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:33.180 is writing out of 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.200 concern that there 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.140 are wolves among 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.580 his flock he's 00:19:36.580 --> 00:19:37.279 confident that 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.559 these Christians 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.759 have what it 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.740 takes to hold 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.420 fast to Jesus. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.200 And why is he so 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.600 confident? 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:44.960 It's because of 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.759 this anointing. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.360 It's mentioned 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.400 twice in this verse 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.100 it's also mentioned 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.619 back in verse 20. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.439 Now there's a 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:50.839 little bit of 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.639 debate about what 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.579 this anointing is. 00:19:52.699 --> 00:19:53.259 Scholars debate 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.939 about whether it's 00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:54.740 one thing or 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.539 another but the 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.179 most probable 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:57.219 explanation is that 00:19:57.219 --> 00:19:57.959 it is a reference 00:19:57.959 --> 00:19:59.240 to the Holy Spirit. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.699 I think that will 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:01.839 become clearer as I 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.279 keep going. 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.619 But why wouldn't 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.419 John just say 00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:05.240 the Holy Spirit? 00:20:05.719 --> 00:20:06.519 Why does he say 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.159 anointing? 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.859 Well it's hard to 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.879 be sure but what 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.959 is associated most 00:20:11.959 --> 00:20:12.779 with someone who 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.939 is anointed by God 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:14.719 both in the Old 00:20:14.719 --> 00:20:15.179 and the New 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.419 Testament is that 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.160 they are specially 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.640 chosen and 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.340 sufficiently equipped 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:22.019 to accomplish 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.759 God's purpose. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.680 They're specially 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.380 chosen and 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:26.560 sufficiently equipped 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.920 to accomplish 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.019 God's purpose. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.560 The kings and 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.259 priests in the 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.220 Old Testament who 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.400 were anointed with 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:35.080 oil to signify that 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.320 they were set apart 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.500 and chosen by God 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.600 had a purpose that 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.940 God was designated 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.519 them for. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.200 And more than 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.220 once when those 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.940 individuals were 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.700 anointed with oil 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.840 the Spirit of God 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:46.279 came upon them and 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.079 equipped them 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.399 sufficiently with 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.460 God's own strength 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.500 and ability to 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.059 accomplish that 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.359 purpose. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.779 So when David was 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.720 anointed by Samuel 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:55.220 the Spirit of God 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.720 came upon him as a 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.019 seal of God's 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.839 special choosing of 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.079 David and the 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.379 sufficient equipping 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.200 with the ability to 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.259 accomplish the 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.599 purpose. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.420 Interestingly enough 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.220 when Jesus came 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.819 around he was never 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.879 taken aside by John 00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:10.720 the Baptist or a 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.500 prophet and anointed 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:11.980 with oil. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.819 And yet he's called 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.740 the anointed one 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.439 the Messiah. 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.579 And yet the 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.980 gospels take special 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.579 pains to show how 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.359 the Spirit of God 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.779 visibly came upon 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.279 Jesus in full measure 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.059 at his baptism. 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:27.359 And that's how his 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.359 anointing is explained 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.519 in Acts 10 38. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.720 He's described as being 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.460 anointed by God with 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.619 the Holy Spirit. 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:35.259 Specially chosen 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.700 sufficiently equipped 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.519 for his role as our 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:38.859 Messiah. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.559 And guess what? 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.700 The moment that you 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.799 put your faith in 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.579 Christ for the 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.319 forgiveness of your 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.599 sins and you became 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.519 united with Christ 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:48.419 you share in his 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.039 anointing. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.960 You are given the 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.299 gift of the Holy 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.980 Spirit who was also 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.379 on your Savior. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.379 And this therefore 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:59.240 shows that you are 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:01.200 specially chosen and 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.720 sufficiently equipped 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.200 to do what God 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:04.940 asked you to do. 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.659 Which is what? 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.039 To abide in Christ. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.319 To hold fast to him. 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.839 Even when you're 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.299 surrounded by deceitful 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.539 doctrines around us. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.480 Even with deceitful 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.700 heart within us. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.299 We are sufficiently 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.019 equipped and 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.939 particularly chosen 00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:21.519 to abide in Jesus. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.559 And we have a helper 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.859 to help us do that. 00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.599 The Holy Spirit. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.019 Look at how this 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.480 anointing is described 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.639 in verse 27. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.319 There are four things 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.500 I want to point out. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:32.240 First, this anointing 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.339 is received. 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.460 The anointing that you 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.879 received from him. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:39.359 Jesus said in John 14, 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:41.379 15, 16, I am sending 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.679 the Spirit to you. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.839 The Father is going 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.819 to send the Spirit 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.279 to you in my name. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:48.279 And so this anointing, 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:50.459 this helper, is a gift 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:51.959 to be received. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.799 We just unpacked 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.419 Christmas gifts 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.519 from around the tree. 00:22:54.719 --> 00:22:55.719 We don't earn them. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.059 We haven't kind of 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.379 done certain things 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.539 to deserve them. 00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:00.500 They're just given. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.959 And that's the Holy Spirit. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.459 He is a gift to be 00:23:03.459 --> 00:23:04.699 received with much 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:06.719 gratitude because of 00:23:06.719 --> 00:23:08.079 what a gift he is 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.559 to us in Christ. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.279 Secondly, notice that 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.500 John says this anointing 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.559 abides in you. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.740 This very sufficient helper 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.740 is continuously available, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:21.079 always present, 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.839 and always active. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.980 A little later in his letter, 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.179 John's going to 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:27.159 kind of unpack more 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.179 about this Spirit 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:29.699 abiding in us. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:32.319 Look at 1 John 3, 24. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.960 Whoever keeps his commandments 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.519 abides in God 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.759 and God in him. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.680 And by this we know 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.680 that he abides in us 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.940 by the Spirit 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.660 whom he has given us. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.980 Do you hear what 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.740 John is saying here? 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.900 We're not the only ones 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.420 who abide. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:52.079 If we abide in God, 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.200 if we hold fast to him 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.620 in faith, 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.039 he's doing the same 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.400 with us. 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:58.180 He's abiding in us. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:24:00.059 The abiding is mutual. 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.740 A relationship with God 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.519 is not this one-way street 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.160 where he's demanding 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:07.539 that we come 100% to him. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:10.819 He also comes 100% to us. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:13.000 He abides with us 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:15.039 as we abide in him. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.059 But how does that happen? 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.700 God the Father is in heaven. 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.039 Jesus his Son 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.059 is at his right side. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.599 How can the eternal 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.980 transcendent God 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.099 who cannot be seen 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.019 with our eyes 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.359 abide with us 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:30.220 and even in us? 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:32.700 The answer is in the Spirit. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.019 The anointing. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.980 By this we know 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.019 that he abides in us 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.460 by the Spirit 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.579 whom he has given us. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.440 The Holy Spirit 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:42.319 is God's personal agent 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.559 of God's presence 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.339 and power 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.339 in the life 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.960 of a believer. 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.700 We are able to experience 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.299 the presence of God 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.480 and his power 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:52.240 to live the Christian life 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:54.640 only through the Spirit 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:56.980 whom he sent to be with us 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.180 and to abide with us 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.900 forever. 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:01.460 Friends, the Holy Spirit 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.480 has to be one of the most 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.540 overlooked treasures 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:04.320 you possess. 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.800 God's very presence 00:25:06.800 --> 00:25:08.220 is with you. 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.600 In you. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.380 Always accessible. 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.660 Always working. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.880 Always attending 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.940 to your greatest need. 00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:16.780 We should be overwhelmed 00:25:16.780 --> 00:25:18.019 with gratitude 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:20.580 for this incredible gift. 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.200 Third, 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:24.340 is that this anointing teaches. 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.140 This anointing teaches. 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:28.160 Look at verse 27 again. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.920 Listen for the teach word. 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:31.880 You have no need 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.300 that anyone should teach you 00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:34.259 but as his anointing 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.440 teaches you about everything 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.000 and is true 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.680 and is no lie 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.140 just as it has taught you 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.300 abide in him. 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.120 Now by saying this 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.000 John isn't denying 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.519 the need for teachers 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.480 in the local church. 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:45.279 If he believed that 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.140 he wouldn't be writing 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.960 to this church 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.100 instructing them 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:49.000 and admonishing them. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:49.980 Rather, 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.019 John's emphasizing 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.080 that one of the Spirit's 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.040 main responsibilities 00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:54.880 is to teach us 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.560 and his teaching 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.420 is effective 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:58.300 and it is sufficient 00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:59.420 for us. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.420 And the way he teaches us 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.220 is through 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.640 the faithful instruction 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.600 of God's word 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.940 in the local church. 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.880 The Spirit's teaching 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.940 is sufficient. 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:09.880 He teaches us about, 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.540 notice he says, 00:26:10.760 --> 00:26:11.540 everything. 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.360 Now it doesn't mean 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:13.960 about physics 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.820 or chemistry. 00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:16.320 He's talking about 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.220 everything necessary 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:18.960 for us to abide 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.120 in Christ. 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.160 Given the threat 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.660 of deceptive doctrines 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.540 around us, 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.120 that is a huge comfort. 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.580 That is a great 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:28.500 source of confidence. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.160 The Spirit is our 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.220 ever-present guide 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.380 leading us 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.820 into all that we need 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.980 to know and believe 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.620 about Jesus 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:37.180 in order to hold fast 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.540 to him 00:26:37.540 --> 00:26:38.759 for eternal life. 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.759 But how does he do that? 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.120 How does the Spirit 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.860 teach us? 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.480 Listen to what Jesus says 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.700 in John 14, 26. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.259 But the Helper, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.120 the Holy Spirit, 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.779 whom the Father 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.779 will send in my name, 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.820 he will teach you 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:51.360 all things 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.559 and bring to your 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.179 remembrance 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:55.379 all that I have said 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.259 to you. 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:58.719 Bring to our remembrance 00:26:58.719 --> 00:26:59.679 what Jesus 00:26:59.679 --> 00:27:01.799 has already said to us. 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.959 When we think of the Holy Spirit 00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:03.599 as our teacher, 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.719 we don't need to think about 00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.699 like some professor 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:07.319 doing an info dump 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.559 on ignorant students. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.379 Rather, 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.479 we should think of 00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:12.439 our Holy Spirit teacher 00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:13.659 as a guide 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:15.079 on a long hiking trip. 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.899 He's not only knowledgeable 00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:17.859 of the trail, 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.419 but he is with us 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.340 on the journey 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:22.279 right in step 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:22.740 with us, 00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:23.900 helping us know 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.860 what we need to know 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.980 and how we need to know it 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.880 at the right time, 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.920 at the right moment, 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:29.720 because we often forget 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.800 what we already know. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.200 Or we don't realize 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.980 how important 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.820 and how applicable 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:35.220 it really is. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.320 How real, 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.539 how true 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.120 and certain 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.900 it is. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.539 He applies 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.860 the truth of Jesus 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.560 to our hearts 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.720 at just the right time 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.060 and in just the right way 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:44.980 to make Jesus 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.539 real 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.620 and beautiful 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.739 and delightful 00:27:47.739 --> 00:27:48.859 to us. 00:27:50.219 --> 00:27:51.199 There are different 00:27:51.199 --> 00:27:52.279 kinds of knowing. 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.599 There's lots of things 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.259 that we know 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.519 that's stored in our brains. 00:27:56.739 --> 00:27:57.919 Lots of bits of data 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:58.500 and knowledge, 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.539 but there's a difference. 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.139 I think everyone 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:01.059 probably recognizes 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.519 the difference 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:03.000 between kind of a, 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.479 okay, 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.179 nod my head 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:04.539 and a, 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:04.919 oh, 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.139 yeah. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.419 I think I see that 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.139 for the first time 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.819 even though I've known it 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.459 for a long time. 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:11.919 And that's the Spirit's job. 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.819 It's to bring us 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.179 from a, 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:13.659 uh-huh, 00:28:13.739 --> 00:28:14.059 to a, 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:14.399 oh. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.159 That's His job. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.880 So when we are 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.720 disoriented on the path, 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.220 He teaches us 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.860 by fixing our gaze 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:23.140 on our true identity 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.560 as God's children 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.200 in Christ. 00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.580 When we are feeling 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:28.300 the sting of condemnation, 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:30.080 He teaches us 00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:31.340 by fixing our eyes 00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:33.560 on Jesus' finished work 00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:34.180 on the cross 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.420 and making it real 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.400 and beautiful 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.460 to us. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.580 And we have, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.480 when we wonder 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:41.100 on our way 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.960 from the, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.620 from the path, 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.759 He teaches us 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:45.279 by convincing us 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.079 that God's way 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.980 is indeed better 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.819 and helps us 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.319 forsake our sin. 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.339 When we're apathetic, 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.599 when our faith 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.379 feels like 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.539 zero percent, 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.240 He teaches us 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.799 by blowing back 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:59.079 into flame 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.000 our faith 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.680 and our desire 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.440 to abide 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.920 in Christ again. 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.339 So the Holy Spirit 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:05.920 teaches us. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.519 But lastly, 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.160 not only does He teach us, 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.279 but what He teaches 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.759 is true. 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.139 Did you notice that? 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:15.320 and His anointing 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:15.800 teaches you 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.500 about everything 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.280 and is true 00:29:17.280 --> 00:29:19.240 and is no lie. 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.600 The Spirit's ministry 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.440 is all about 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.520 the truth. 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.220 He is called 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:26.000 the Spirit of truth. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.800 We can be utterly 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.420 confident 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.720 in our guide 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.800 because He communicates 00:29:29.800 --> 00:29:30.640 only what He hears 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.259 from the Father 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.500 and from the Son 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.580 and declares it 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.220 effectively 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.340 to our hearts 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:36.040 and our minds. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.200 When I was in college, 00:29:37.300 --> 00:29:39.120 I took a philosophy course. 00:29:39.520 --> 00:29:40.780 I was about 20 years old 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.779 and I had to read 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.819 some writings 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.859 of some philosophers 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.200 that were definitely 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.899 denied 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.660 vehemently 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:49.240 the truth 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.079 of the gospel. 00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:51.359 And I remember 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.279 wrestling with these 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.099 for a long time 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.819 in my room 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.940 and trying to figure out 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.099 what I believed 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.619 about all this 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.839 and I decided 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.960 to take a walk. 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.220 And so I was walking 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.720 through the campus. 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.660 It was kind of a cold night 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.500 and I remember 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.599 looking up at the stars 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:08.399 and as I was gazing 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:09.200 at the stars, 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.019 kind of praying 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.639 and my mind 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.160 was fuzzy, 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.900 it's like this certainty 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.859 just dropped 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.660 into my mind 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:17.119 of what I know 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.819 about Christ 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.480 is true. 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:20.480 It has to be true. 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.500 And it wasn't 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.539 necessarily words 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.539 or logical arguments, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.379 it was just 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.720 this certainty. 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.359 It was this conviction 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.319 and settledness 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.700 about what I knew 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.420 to be true. 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.819 Looking back on that, 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.420 I know it was 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.099 the Holy Spirit 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.039 because I've had 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.720 that kind of clarity 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.559 happen so many 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.099 different times 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.839 in different ways 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.359 before where 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:40.579 Jesus is all of a sudden 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.240 clear and real to me 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.480 because of the Spirit's 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.699 work in my heart. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.879 It is the Spirit's 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.099 marvelous ministry 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.079 to make Christ 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.919 real, 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.019 certain to us. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.459 It causes us to 00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.559 not just believe 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.619 things intellectually 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:57.119 but a kind of joyful 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.619 resolve to trust 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.619 and obey Him 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.939 because we realize 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:02.220 how real and true 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.159 He is. 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:05.140 So this wonderful helper 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:07.180 is perhaps even better 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.920 than a good neighbor. 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.640 He's a source 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.600 of much confidence 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.340 for us 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.300 as we seek 00:31:12.300 --> 00:31:13.120 to hold fast 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.100 with Jesus. 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.800 As the Spirit 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:16.560 has already 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.540 taught you, 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.080 church, 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.500 continue 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.580 abiding 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:21.680 in Jesus. 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.460 Find ways 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.720 to partner 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.580 with the Spirit 00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.160 of God 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:27.300 to strengthen 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:28.640 that abiding 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.740 relationship. 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.040 That happens 00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:31.860 through our 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.840 spiritual disciplines, 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.599 through our reading 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.339 of God's Word, 00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:35.179 through our praying. 00:31:35.699 --> 00:31:36.379 If we are not 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.819 intentionally partnering 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.619 with the Spirit 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:40.159 by abiding 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:41.259 in God's Word, 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.559 then He doesn't 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.000 have much 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.699 to work with. 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:44.839 So, 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.359 whatever you need 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.279 to do in 2021, 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.480 whatever resolution, 00:31:48.679 --> 00:31:49.740 whatever decision, 00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.559 whatever habit 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.399 you need to form, 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.539 take steps 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:54.000 to partner 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:55.000 with the Holy Spirit 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.359 to abide 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.459 in God's Word 00:31:57.459 --> 00:31:58.099 so that you may 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.419 abide in Christ 00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.279 and the Spirit 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.119 can be at work 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.679 in you, 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.919 strengthening that. 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.399 But that also 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.099 happens not just 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.619 in our spiritual 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.199 disciplines. 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.219 It happens 00:32:07.219 --> 00:32:08.199 through a daily, 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.759 moment by moment, 00:32:10.459 --> 00:32:11.079 acknowledgement 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.159 and understanding, 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:12.939 recognizing 00:32:12.939 --> 00:32:14.239 of God's presence, 00:32:14.939 --> 00:32:15.459 recognizing, 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.779 Brother Lawrence 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.759 called it the practicing 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.819 the presence of God, 00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:19.819 recognizing that 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.919 in every step 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.579 throughout the day, 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.039 I am with God 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.979 and He is with me 00:32:23.979 --> 00:32:25.259 because the Spirit's 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.500 presence is at work 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.579 and He is sufficient. 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.579 He is there 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.179 to help, 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.919 to reorient my gaze 00:32:30.919 --> 00:32:31.839 so when I'm sitting 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.419 in my office 00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:33.000 and I'm working 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.899 or if I'm home 00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:34.619 or I'm driving, 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.619 there are ways 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:37.119 for me to abide 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:37.779 in Christ 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.779 even in those 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.819 small moments 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.539 throughout the day, 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.639 recognizing that 00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:42.299 He is there. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:45.059 Brothers and sisters, 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:47.099 do you find yourself 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.819 in need of help? 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:50.240 Do you find yourself 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:52.079 shaky or weary? 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.699 Are you letting go 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.500 of Jesus? 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.440 Do you even care 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.680 about abiding in Him? 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.220 Remember, 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.980 this passage 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.900 is calling us 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:04.100 to remember 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.819 the call 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.440 and the command 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.180 to abide 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.400 in Christ, 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.519 to hold fast to Him 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:11.259 because it is 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.240 eternal life. 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:14.279 There is no life 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.120 outside of Jesus. 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.240 Hear that command 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.620 to hold fast. 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.200 And the enemy 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:18.779 of your soul 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.620 wants nothing less 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.559 for you to be deceived 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.100 into thinking 00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:22.360 that there is life 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.680 outside of Jesus. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.900 that there is 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.700 a more desirable 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.880 source of rest 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.940 or peace 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.240 than Jesus Christ. 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.660 So hear the concern 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:32.380 for your soul 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:33.160 in this passage. 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:34.080 But also, 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.160 most of all, 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.259 remember 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.900 that your sufficient 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.340 helper, 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.620 the Holy Spirit, 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:40.779 is with you. 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.580 Remember the confidence 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:43.140 that you have 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.519 in Him 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.480 as your guide 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.779 whose consistent 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.220 purpose 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.240 is to make Christ 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.400 tangibly real 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:49.400 and delightful 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.740 to your soul. 00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:52.000 He is better 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.740 than a good neighbor. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.960 He dwells 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.519 in you, 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.539 with you, 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.140 and is constantly, 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.339 tirelessly working 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.640 for your good. 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:00.420 So, 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.099 church, 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.880 let's abide in Him. 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.779 Let's hold fast 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.700 to Him. 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.200 We are often 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.059 in over our heads, 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.019 but we have 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.880 a sufficient helper 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.219 who is with us. 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.519 Let's hold fast 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.159 to Him together 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.559 with the Spirit's help. 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.539 Let's pray. 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:14.639 Amen. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:21.920 Lord, 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.579 apart from 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:24.339 your Holy Spirit's work, 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.359 we are in 00:34:26.359 --> 00:34:27.079 over our heads. 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.699 We are sunk. 00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:30.119 We are so thankful 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.619 for your Spirit 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.359 who makes 00:34:32.359 --> 00:34:33.079 Jesus 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.859 real 00:34:33.859 --> 00:34:35.079 and certain 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:36.759 and beautiful 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.460 and delightful 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.139 to us. 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.079 God, 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.980 we ask for 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.920 more and more 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:41.279 and more 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:41.579 of that 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.219 in 2021. 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.459 God, 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.559 strengthen our faith 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.419 by your Spirit. 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.379 Lord, 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.839 would you 00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:49.480 uphold our resolve 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:50.219 to trust 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:51.639 and to obey you 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.299 more and more. 00:34:53.399 --> 00:34:53.719 Lord, 00:34:53.899 --> 00:34:54.799 cause us to delight 00:34:54.799 --> 00:34:55.419 in Jesus 00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:56.619 and to abide in Him 00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.899 that we might have 00:34:57.899 --> 00:34:58.559 eternal life. 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.599 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.279 Amen. 00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:00.399 Amen. 00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:12.639 Amen.