WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.700 We're continuing our series in the book of 2 Peter, and you'll remember that 2 Peter is a letter. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:13.500 It's a letter written by a man named Peter, and he writes it to a church somewhere in the Roman Empire in the 60s AD. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:17.339 Peter writes this letter with one desire. 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:20.679 He wants these people to grow. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:26.780 We know that because he tells us at the very beginning and at the very end of the letter. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:33.200 At the very beginning in chapter 1, verse 2, he tells them that he wants grace to be multiplied to them through knowledge. 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:36.020 Multiply, a way of talking about growing. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:41.100 He ends the letter in the very last verse in chapter 3, verse 18, by commanding them, 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:45.140 grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:48.560 And so we see that his desire for growth has two components. 00:00:48.680 --> 00:00:54.060 He wants them to grow in knowledge, and he wants them to grow in grace. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:57.940 We have ended chapter 2, which was all about the false teachers. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:02.700 And the false teachers helped us understand why it was that Peter cares so much about this. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:07.219 The false teachers threaten the knowledge that they have because they're teaching things that are not true. 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:14.060 And they threaten the grace that they have because this false knowledge is leading to poor and sinful behavior. 00:01:14.740 --> 00:01:16.599 We're now continuing on this morning. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:18.599 We're going to begin chapter 3. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:22.020 We are not completely done with the false teachers yet. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:28.219 And we're going to come up this morning with one of their objections, one of the ways in which the false teachers threaten knowledge. 00:01:28.619 --> 00:01:31.560 In fact, we're going to be addressing this question for the next two weeks. 00:01:31.659 --> 00:01:35.719 The false teachers raise an issue in verses 3 and 4 of this chapter. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:39.699 They ask a question, why has Jesus not come back yet? 00:01:41.479 --> 00:01:48.099 And if Jesus has not come back yet, isn't that clearly proof that we don't need to worry? 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:53.219 Remember, one of the doctrines that's under attack is the idea that Jesus is coming back to judge the world. 00:01:53.839 --> 00:01:58.519 That's part of how the false teachers are able to justify the sinful behavior that they promote. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:02.579 It doesn't matter what you do because Jesus isn't coming back. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:07.479 And so now we have this very specific objection. 00:02:07.480 --> 00:02:10.060 Again, this is in verses 3 and 4. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:11.159 They're going to say, verse 4, 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:12.960 Where is the promise of his coming? 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:18.939 For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:20.840 In other words, nothing's changed. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:24.340 Century after century rolls by. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:26.800 Jesus still has not appeared. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:31.039 Of course, then, your hope is false. 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:34.079 And so it's going to be this morning that we respond to that objection. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:37.319 The first response next week will be the second response. 00:02:37.359 --> 00:02:39.780 And we're going to see some of the same themes that we've seen before. 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:43.780 We are going to see the idea of Scripture as being important, 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:47.099 which we also saw in chapter 1, verses 19 through 21. 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:50.340 And the same thing we saw in chapter 1, verse 13, 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:54.180 the importance of being stirred up by way of a reminder. 00:02:54.359 --> 00:02:57.659 And so our question is the same question as that of these false teachers. 00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.000 Why should we believe that Jesus is coming back? 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:05.959 Why do we believe Jesus is coming back? 00:03:05.979 --> 00:03:08.000 And there's a question underneath the question, 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:12.159 which is why in the world would we trust and believe the Bible? 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:15.979 Why in the world would we trust and believe the Bible? 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:18.959 We looked at a couple answers to that question in chapter 1. 00:03:19.799 --> 00:03:23.539 We're going to look at another answer here in chapter 3. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:27.699 And so it's with that that I invite you to turn with me to 2 Peter 3. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.159 We'll be looking at verses 1 through 7. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:33.919 You can turn in your phone, you can turn in your Bible, 00:03:34.020 --> 00:03:35.859 or you can turn near the end of the worship guide. 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:39.319 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:43.759 And God tells us in Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5, 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:46.539 that every word of God proves true. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:51.359 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:54.380 And so that's why we read now, starting at verse 1. 00:03:54.380 --> 00:03:58.160 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. 00:03:58.880 --> 00:04:02.880 In both of them, I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder 00:04:02.880 --> 00:04:06.580 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:10.260 and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:12.420 knowing this, first of all, 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:15.860 that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.460 following their own sinful desires. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:19.539 Verse 4. 00:04:20.239 --> 00:04:20.879 They will say, 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:22.859 Where is the promise of His coming? 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.539 For ever since the fathers fell asleep, 00:04:25.799 --> 00:04:30.039 all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:33.560 For they deliberately overlook this fact, 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:36.060 that the heavens existed long ago, 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:41.259 and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the Word of God. 00:04:41.799 --> 00:04:43.319 And that by means of these, 00:04:43.419 --> 00:04:47.099 the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:49.060 But by the same Word, 00:04:49.520 --> 00:04:54.020 the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, 00:04:54.840 --> 00:04:59.820 being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:04.879 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:08.019 Our Father in Heaven, 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:13.199 we thank You that You don't leave us alone in this world to flail about, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:16.319 trying to discover what's true and what's false. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:20.439 But instead, You speak to us clearly in Your Word, 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:23.079 and You tell us everything that we need to know. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:26.839 You tell us what we need to know about our state, 00:05:27.419 --> 00:05:29.300 that we are sinners in need of Your mercy. 00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:32.839 And You also tell us what we need to know about Your grace, 00:05:33.099 --> 00:05:37.579 that Jesus takes the punishment for the sins of those who have faith in Him. 00:05:37.579 --> 00:05:40.319 We ask that You would do that this morning, 00:05:40.419 --> 00:05:42.479 that You would open our eyes, 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:44.560 You'd unstop our ears, 00:05:44.919 --> 00:05:46.439 that You would clear our minds, 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:47.659 and that You'd soften our hearts, 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:52.060 that we would be able to see and hear and understand and believe 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:55.959 everything that is written about You in Your Word. 00:05:56.779 --> 00:05:59.779 We thank You that we don't have to earn these things, 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:03.259 but instead we simply ask them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:04.199 Amen. 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:04.379 Amen. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:10.359 If you were here with us in December, 00:06:10.359 --> 00:06:12.620 when we were going through the book of Zechariah, 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.099 you'll remember at the very end, 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:16.740 in chapters 12 and 13, 00:06:17.099 --> 00:06:19.819 I told you a little bit from the book, 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:21.180 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.199 written by C.S. Lewis in the series, 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:24.699 The Chronicles of Narnia. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.259 And you'll remember in that story, 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:31.659 King Caspian was on this search for the seven lost kings of Narnia. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.719 And as he was on this search, 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:36.039 there was a boy named Eustace who joined him, 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:39.000 and I told you the story about how they landed on an island. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:41.540 Eustace was turned into a dragon. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:46.100 Aslan had to come and peel the dragon skin off of him. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:47.879 Okay, so this is review. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.420 Now, next book, chronologically in the series, 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.180 we have The Silver Chair. 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:57.500 In The Silver Chair, we meet Eustace again, 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:59.000 this boy who's reformed. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:03.819 He's no longer the punk that he was in Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.560 but we also meet a new character named Jill. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:09.839 And Jill and Eustace are given a new mission. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:12.660 It's been years since the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 00:07:13.660 --> 00:07:15.300 King Caspian is now old. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:19.379 We find out that King Caspian had a son, Prince Rillian, 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:22.639 who has disappeared and been gone for 10 years. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:27.019 And so Jill and Eustace have one mission. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:31.060 Their job is to go back and find Prince Rillian. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.579 They have to recover him. 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:35.659 How are they going to find the lost prince 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:37.360 since no one knows where he is? 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:41.839 Well, Aslan, the great lion, is the one who sends them. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:45.060 And when Aslan sends them, he gives Jill instructions. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.659 He gives her four signs that she has to remember, 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:52.780 four signs that will help her to find Prince Rillian. 00:07:53.380 --> 00:07:56.140 These are the only things she has to operate by. 00:07:56.260 --> 00:07:58.640 And so after Aslan has given her the signs, 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:02.680 he also gives her this exhortation, this warning. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:04.360 He says this, 00:08:04.440 --> 00:08:09.040 but first, remember, remember, remember the signs. 00:08:10.080 --> 00:08:12.640 Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning 00:08:12.640 --> 00:08:14.640 and when you lie down at night. 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:17.300 And when you wake in the middle of the night. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:20.160 And whatever strange things may happen to you, 00:08:20.520 --> 00:08:23.759 let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.720 And secondly, I give you a warning. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:30.740 Here on the mountain, I have spoken to you clearly. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:33.460 I will not often do so down in Narnia. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:36.360 Here on the mountain, the air is clear 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.680 and your mind is clear. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:42.100 As you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:45.600 Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:48.620 And the signs which you have learned here 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:51.080 will not look at all as you expect them to look 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.600 when you meet them there. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:57.800 That is why it is so important to know them by heart 00:08:57.800 --> 00:09:00.659 and pay no attention to appearances. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:05.480 Remember the signs and believe the signs. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:08.720 Nothing else matters. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:13.480 Remember the signs and believe the signs. 00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:15.740 Nothing else matters. 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:18.899 That is similar to what Peter is telling these people 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:19.779 in this church here. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:23.920 We have already seen this theme in 2 Peter 1, verse 13, 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.879 where he tells them, 00:09:25.560 --> 00:09:27.580 I think it is right as long as I am in this body 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:30.200 to stir you up by way of reminder. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.519 Now, chapter 3, two chapters later, 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:35.540 we see almost identical language in verse 1. 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:39.360 I am writing to you, beloved, in both of them. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:44.639 I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder. 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:47.980 Why is reminder so important? 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:51.259 Why do they have to remember these things? 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:53.759 Well, we know in the silver chair 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.679 why the remembering is so important. 00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:58.620 It's the only way they're going to find Prince Rilian. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:02.639 If they don't remember, they will be lost. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:05.759 Here, in 2 Peter 3, it's something similar. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:07.560 Memory is so important 00:10:07.560 --> 00:10:10.740 because it is their protection against the false teachers. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.659 Remember I told you at the very beginning, 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:16.200 the false teachers are raising this objection to Christianity. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.480 They're raising this objection to Jesus' return, 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:20.700 which is that he hasn't come back yet, 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:21.779 therefore he won't. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.200 They are telling them something false. 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.080 We see this again. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.360 This is verses 3 and 4, 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:30.340 that they give this false teaching. 00:10:30.460 --> 00:10:32.720 They ask this question, especially in verse 4. 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:35.360 They will say, where is the promise of his coming? 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:39.460 In other words, why hasn't Jesus returned? 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:43.020 For all things are continuing as they were 00:10:43.020 --> 00:10:44.120 from the beginning of creation. 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.400 Nothing's changed. 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:48.820 The earth continues to move around the sun. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:52.759 Rulers continue to come and go. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:56.580 Companies continue to rise and fall. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:59.899 Families continue to give birth and to die. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.240 Nothing is changing. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:02.879 Of course Jesus isn't coming back. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:06.059 And we're told what their problem is in verse 5. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:09.580 For they deliberately overlook this fact. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:13.340 Why is it so important to remember? 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:16.860 Because that's the opposite of what the false teachers are doing here. 00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:21.000 They are deliberately overlooking the things that they know. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.800 And so their protection here, 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:25.800 the protection of these people receiving this letter, 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:27.540 is that they would remember. 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:32.280 That they would be the opposite of the false teachers. 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:34.360 They would hold fast to what is true. 00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:36.620 We've talked about this fact before, 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.980 that when we look at this letter, 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:40.360 our situation is not the same as their situation. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:43.320 They were dealing with false teachers in their midst 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:45.379 who were refuting Jesus' second coming. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.500 Our situation is not the same 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:49.960 because I am not aware of anyone in this church 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:52.419 who is actively functioning as a false teacher 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:54.360 and telling people at Cheyenne Mountain 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.700 that Jesus is not coming back. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:58.659 And so what do we do when we find ourselves 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.460 in a different situation than those of the original audience? 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.980 When they are given a negative, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:04.560 that doesn't apply to us. 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:06.519 Remember the principle, 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.800 the application principle that we got before. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:11.400 We look for the positive and we embrace it. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.040 False teachers are forgetting. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.139 We remember. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:20.900 And so we hold fast to these things 00:12:20.900 --> 00:12:24.600 that the false teachers are deliberately overlooking. 00:12:24.780 --> 00:12:25.780 We are going to have, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:29.040 remember I told you that Aslan gives Jill four signs. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:33.339 It just so happens we are going to have in this passage 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:36.279 four signs as well. 00:12:36.459 --> 00:12:39.360 Four things that these people need to remember 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:41.360 to protect themselves 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:44.519 from what the false teachers are telling them. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:48.879 To know that although he has not yet, 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:51.759 Jesus will indeed come back. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:55.960 So our first sign here is actually going to be 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:59.059 the foundation of all the other signs. 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:01.120 It encompasses all the others. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.819 And we find it here in verse two. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:04.639 At the very end of verse one, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:07.360 we're told he's stirring up your sincere mind 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:09.500 by way of reminder, verse two, 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.860 that you should remember. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:13.899 So we're told the first thing he wants to stir up in them, 00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:15.939 they should remember the predictions 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:17.120 of the holy prophets 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.299 and the commandment of the Lord and Savior 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.539 through your apostles. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:23.539 Now, this is a way of talking about 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:25.740 what we would now refer to as the Bible. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:27.679 In verse two here, 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.519 the predictions of the holy prophets, 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:31.219 that's a reference to what we would call 00:13:31.219 --> 00:13:32.019 the Old Testament. 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:35.059 So that we remember God's teachings 00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:35.899 in the Old Testament. 00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:37.799 Remember the New Testament 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.379 has not been fully formed at this point. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.699 But we understand what he means here 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:43.480 by the commandment of the Lord and Savior 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.500 through your apostles. 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.799 That is, there are apostles 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:47.539 who are communicating what Jesus taught. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:50.539 So that would be what we now refer to 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.539 as the New Testament. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:55.079 You are to remember the Old Testament 00:13:55.079 --> 00:13:56.240 and the New Testament. 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:58.539 That is your first sign. 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:02.620 That is the first thing that you have to hold onto. 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:06.079 This is the keystone to everything 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:07.639 that's going to come after in the letter, 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.839 the next three signs. 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:11.899 And so the question that rises at this point is, 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:14.860 do we trust the Bible or not? 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:19.000 Whatever happens, whatever comes, 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:22.620 do we believe that it's the word of God? 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:25.200 The second question would be this, 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.220 not just do we trust it, 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.420 do we know it? 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.019 Do we know it or not? 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.680 And that raises another question 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:34.100 that I want to discuss for a little bit, 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:34.680 which is this, 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:37.459 why do we trust the Bible? 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.459 Why is it? 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.139 It's that it's something 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.679 that we have confidence in, 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.919 that we believe in. 00:14:42.979 --> 00:14:44.079 We saw a couple reasons 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:45.399 when we were in chapter one. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.979 And one of the reasons, 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.139 the first reason I told you 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.919 we trust the Bible 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:50.699 is because of eyewitnesses. 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.439 Peter talked about, 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.219 remember this is, 00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:54.899 I believe verses 19 through 21 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.659 of chapter one, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.239 these are the things we saw. 00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:58.979 He saw them. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.179 He witnessed them. 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:02.740 Remember I told you 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.679 that the book of Luke, 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.579 the gospel of Luke, 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:07.000 begins by talking about eyewitnesses. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:08.419 The second reason, 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.179 if you can go back 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:10.099 all the way to chapter one, 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.620 was not just eyewitnesses, 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.939 but fulfilled prophecy. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.000 We have seen 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.579 that what the Bible says 00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:18.059 would happen has come true. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:19.759 And ultimately, 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:21.279 we've seen that in Jesus Christ. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.079 And so those are two reasons 00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:23.939 we trust the Bible. 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.659 I'm going to give you now 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:27.239 a problem with those reasons. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.500 Those are good reasons. 00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:32.240 They're just not the ultimate reason 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.099 we trust the Bible. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.539 And I want you to think about that 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.439 with me for a second. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.399 If we have to appeal 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:40.299 to another authority 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:42.439 to say that the Bible is true, 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.579 we're actually saying 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.419 that that authority 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.439 is the ultimate authority. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.019 If eyewitnesses 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.379 are what make the Bible true, 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.000 ultimately, 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:51.259 then really we trust eyewitnesses. 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:52.199 We don't trust the Bible. 00:15:52.859 --> 00:15:54.279 So eyewitnesses are good. 00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:55.359 They're just not 00:15:55.359 --> 00:15:56.459 our ultimate authority. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.379 In fact, as Christians, 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.839 we believe that the Bible 00:15:58.839 --> 00:16:00.759 is our ultimate authority, 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:02.019 which means that we can't 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.500 subordinate it to anything else. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.039 We don't subordinate it 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.759 to eyewitnesses. 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.579 We don't subordinate it 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.360 to fulfilled prophecy. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.419 Those things are good. 00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:10.139 They are means that God uses 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.100 to give us confidence. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.460 They are not 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.079 our ultimate authority. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.340 The Bible actually 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.639 establishes itself 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.220 as our ultimate authority. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.399 That, however, 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.819 raises some other questions, 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.799 some other problems. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.019 Is not this 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:25.319 circular reasoning? 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:26.899 In other words, 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:28.259 isn't this a logical fallacy 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.919 to say the Bible 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.899 is our ultimate authority 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.679 because the Bible 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.620 is our ultimate authority? 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.500 Well, if we leave it at that, 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.740 we might fall into that. 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.059 However, 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.879 we have to consider 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.799 a few other things. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.000 First of all, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.139 we have to have 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.620 some sort of ultimate authority. 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:46.240 Everyone has 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.200 an ultimate authority. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.000 By its very logic, 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.500 by its very definition, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.960 there's nothing higher 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.179 that you can appeal to 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.419 than an ultimate authority. 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.059 We cannot escape, 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:57.979 in other words, 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.719 the fact that there's 00:16:58.719 --> 00:17:00.179 going to be some type 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.239 of circularity there. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:03.079 And so everyone in the world 00:17:03.079 --> 00:17:03.679 has to choose 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.500 their ultimate authority. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.119 Right now in our culture, 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.799 we're being told 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.119 that our ultimate authority 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.399 are our feelings 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:10.019 and our emotions. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.859 There's nothing 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.539 that we can do 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.359 to disprove that. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.259 There's nothing higher 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.299 to appeal to, right? 00:17:16.419 --> 00:17:17.500 I can just state 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.940 this is the way I feel, 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:19.720 therefore, 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:20.940 it's true. 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:22.859 Everyone, 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.579 in other words, 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:25.000 rests in some way 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.859 on absolute faith. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:27.259 You can't escape faith. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.759 Everyone has it. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.019 Even logic and reason 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.419 have to rest on things 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:33.159 you can't prove. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.879 And so that's part 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.399 of our answer 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.139 to the objection 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.740 of circular reasoning here. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.039 We have the Bible 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.639 as an ultimate, 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.539 absolute authority. 00:17:40.959 --> 00:17:42.559 Everyone has an ultimate 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.299 and absolute authority. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:47.139 And so at some level, 00:17:47.979 --> 00:17:49.879 every absolute authority 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:51.679 has to authenticate itself. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.200 And it has to be 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.420 self-authenticating. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.240 It can't rely 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.060 on other things 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:56.900 to verify it. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.000 This is the way 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.000 people talk in our culture, 00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.420 by the way. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.539 They don't think 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.220 that they need to say 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.900 anything else 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.019 other than I feel this way, 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.240 right? 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.640 That authenticates itself. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.340 The discussion 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.580 is over at this point. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.259 We talked about that 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.039 a couple weeks ago. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.039 And so really, 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.240 the question is this. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.320 If we all have 00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:14.380 ultimate and absolute 00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.060 authorities, 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:17.039 that there is 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.220 no higher appeal 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.419 than which absolute 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.799 authority do we trust? 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:25.139 And why is the Bible 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:27.200 the one that we choose? 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.119 Because think about it. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.240 There's all kinds of claims 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.279 to be absolute authority. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.659 There are other religions 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.559 that claim to have 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.299 absolute authority. 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:36.019 There are other religious books 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.359 that claim to have 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.379 absolute authority. 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.779 Is it not then, 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.599 the objection will be 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.659 somehow arbitrary 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.519 that we've happened 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.919 to choose the Bible 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.679 over these others? 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:47.019 Did we just throw a dart 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.700 against the wall 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.119 and it happened 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:48.759 to hit the Bible? 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:52.059 The answer is no. 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.399 And we could go 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.359 for several hours 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:57.399 on epistemology 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.159 and philosophy, 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.299 but I'll explain it 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.379 to you simply like this. 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.379 I want you to imagine 00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.460 that you have 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:05.000 a variety of boxes 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.599 of match boxes. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:10.139 Each box says 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.240 that it contains 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.019 matches in it. 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:13.879 Okay? 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.859 So that's a claim. 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.139 Let's say that's similar 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.940 to the claim 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.940 of absolute authority. 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:20.059 Now it's helpful 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.139 that the box says 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:22.119 it has matches in it. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.419 That gives us 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:23.980 some guidance. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:25.480 That's worth something. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.379 It's not worth everything. 00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:30.779 Can the match box 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.440 authenticate itself? 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.179 In other words, 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.899 if I strike it, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.659 will it light? 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:39.540 The Quran claims 00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:42.300 to be a word 00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:42.920 from God. 00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:45.060 It's like a box 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:45.640 on the outside 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.980 that says it has matches. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.160 Can it deliver 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.120 on that claim? 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:52.739 The Book of Mormon 00:19:52.739 --> 00:19:54.500 claims to be a word 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.059 from God. 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:56.059 Can it deliver 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.839 on that claim? 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.579 How do I know? 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.899 I have to strike 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.759 the match. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:04.039 So when we come 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.819 against the claim 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.919 that something is true, 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:07.539 it's not just the claim 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.139 that matters. 00:20:08.239 --> 00:20:08.899 It matters whether 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.639 it can back it up. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.380 So if I'm striking 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:12.360 and nothing lights, 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:14.780 it doesn't matter 00:20:14.780 --> 00:20:15.620 what it says 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.360 on the outside. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.660 If, however, 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:19.580 I strike it 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:21.280 and it does light, 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.220 that match 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.460 has authenticated 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.520 itself. 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.740 It needs 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.100 no other source. 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:31.660 It has shown 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.280 by its very action, 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.020 its character 00:20:34.020 --> 00:20:35.300 and its quality 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:36.980 that it is a match 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.560 with power. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.520 Brothers and sisters, 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.500 we believe 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.339 in the Bible 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.440 as our absolute 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:41.980 authority 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.720 because when we 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.500 strike it, 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.640 it lights. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.079 And when we 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:50.579 strike other claims 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.619 to have authority, 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.700 we find 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:54.000 that they fail. 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:57.160 And so it is not 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.099 that we are people 00:20:58.099 --> 00:21:00.400 who have blind faith. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.440 And it is not 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.660 simply that God's 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.519 word claims 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.799 to be from him, 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:07.480 although it does 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:09.000 and that matters. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.980 but because it also 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.960 delivers on that claim. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:16.079 It authenticates 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.720 itself. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.099 The match 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.480 shows itself 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.160 to be a true match. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.980 It needs 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.900 nothing else. 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.299 God's word 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.480 shows itself 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.539 to be 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.880 from him. 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.079 It needs 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:31.680 nothing else. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:36.200 God's word 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:38.000 is enough. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.460 It is an absolute 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.160 authority 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.600 and so it appeals 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.960 to nothing else. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.539 It shows 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.420 itself 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.519 to be true. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.000 Many books 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.279 claim to speak 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.019 for God. 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.340 Only the Bible 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:53.860 goes into flame 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.740 when we strike it. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:58.940 If you are not 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.400 a Christian, 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.120 you doubt 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:01.000 whether the Bible 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.299 is true or not. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.079 Strike the match. 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.980 Test it. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.019 Francis Schaeffer 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.319 said, 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:09.799 as I've quoted 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.460 many times, 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.440 that the Bible 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.680 fits the hand 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.500 of reality 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:15.200 like a glove. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:19.160 And so 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:19.920 what is 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.779 the flame 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.220 that the Bible 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.720 gives us? 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:22.940 Well, 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.700 it says 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.000 what it does, 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.720 what it says 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.240 it will do. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.519 The match 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.559 box says there 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:28.980 matches, 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:29.799 the matches 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.400 light up. 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.640 It delivers 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:34.000 on its promises 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.900 and so its promises 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.860 are things like these. 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.140 Hebrews chapter 4 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.759 verse 12, 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.500 the word of God 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.559 is living and active, 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.539 sharper than any 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.360 two-edged sword, 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.960 piercing to the division 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.180 of soul and of spirit, 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.180 of joints and of 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.500 marrow, 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.740 and discerning 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.340 the thoughts 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:47.960 and intentions 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.759 of the heart. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.900 The Bible pierces 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.360 to the deepest level 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.100 of people's hearts. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.820 If you're a Christian, 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.560 you've experienced 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:55.539 that and you know 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:55.820 that. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.720 You have seen 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.580 the match light. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.920 We're told 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.560 in Psalm 119 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:01.340 that the Bible 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:01.900 is a lamp 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.519 to our feet 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.140 and a light 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.720 to our path. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.480 It has delivered 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.240 on that promise. 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.039 If you're a Christian, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.900 you know 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.840 that it has protected 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.600 your path 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:09.500 and it has shown 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.840 you the way to go. 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.539 I said at the very 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.519 beginning of this sermon 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.240 that Proverbs 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.900 chapter 30 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.440 verse 5 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.019 tells us 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.319 that every word 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.759 of God 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.460 proves true. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.639 He is a shield 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.519 to those who 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.579 take refuge in him. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.639 If you're a Christian, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.599 you know 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.799 that is true. 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.079 We're told in Psalm 19 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.839 that the Bible 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.740 is more precious 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.339 than gold, 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.339 even fine gold. 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.379 And it is sweeter 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:31.940 than honey, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.039 even the honey 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.639 that comes 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.920 straight from 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.539 the honeycomb. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:38.000 the Bible 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.980 does what it says 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.920 it will do. 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.920 It is not just 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.940 a matchbook 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.000 because there are 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.200 many boxes 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.759 of matches 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.559 in this world, 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.639 but the matches 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:50.139 actually light. 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:54.299 Why do Jill 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.119 and Eustace 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.740 trust the signs? 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:59.519 Why do they believe them? 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:02.700 They believe them 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.920 because they trust 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.680 Aslan. 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:08.200 Aslan has done 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:08.900 what he said 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.359 he would do. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:09.759 Remember, 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.460 he is the one 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.720 who freed Eustace 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:14.019 from the dragon skin. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.859 He is the one 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.019 who has demonstrated 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:18.019 his power. 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.559 And so, 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.420 of course, 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.799 he is to be trusted. 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.180 Brothers and sisters, 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.660 the same is true 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.420 for us. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.320 We have seen 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:28.500 God's power 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.759 through his word 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.400 authenticating it 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.420 as our ultimate 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.779 and absolute authority. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.420 And so, 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.060 we also trust 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:38.900 what he tells us. 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:44.400 Other religious texts 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:46.640 claim to be from God. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.300 The Bible 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:49.420 actually delivers. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.279 And so, 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.640 there is no 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:56.180 higher authority 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.000 to which 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.120 to appeal. 00:25:00.780 --> 00:25:02.160 Our first sign 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.020 then is this. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.540 What are we to remember? 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.880 Verse 2. 00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:06.740 The predictions 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.980 of the holy prophets 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.259 and the commandment 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.840 of the Lord 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.400 and Savior 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:12.060 through your apostles. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:15.759 That is the foundation 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.800 that every other sign 00:25:17.800 --> 00:25:18.900 rests on. 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:22.080 Nothing else 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:23.940 that I'm going to say 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.779 or Peter is going to say 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.480 here in this section 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.320 really matters 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:27.720 until we've decided 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.700 whether we believe 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.799 the Bible or not. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.340 If we do, 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.500 then we have 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.580 three other signs 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:38.440 that help us 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.480 understand 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:41.880 why it is 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.559 that Jesus 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.559 is indeed 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.320 coming back 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:44.920 even though 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:46.200 he has not yet. 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.580 so our first sign 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:48.039 was this. 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.580 Our first sign 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.240 is to remember 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.880 the scriptures. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:54.140 We have our second sign, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.539 however, 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.920 in verse 5. 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.080 What is it 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.799 the false teachers 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.000 deliberately overlook? 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.380 They overlook 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.480 that the heavens 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.900 existed long ago 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:04.220 and the earth 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.900 was formed 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.600 out of water 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.340 and through water 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.319 by the word of God. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.319 They overlook 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.100 that God 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:11.259 was so powerful 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.640 that he created 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.120 the heavens 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.620 and the earth 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.299 out of nothing. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:18.619 That's how 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.559 powerful 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.759 God is. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.680 He made the world. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.359 Why do we believe 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.819 that Jesus 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.639 is coming back? 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.980 Well, 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.519 in part 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.500 because God 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.159 has that kind 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:31.559 of power. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.319 And so that is 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.259 that simple 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.379 explains itself. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.700 Of course 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.539 he's able to do that. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.240 He made the world. 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.180 What can he not do? 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.079 How do we know 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.779 he made the world 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.700 through his word? 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.980 Because his ultimate 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.500 authority, 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.059 the Bible, 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.000 tells us. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.500 That's sign 2. 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.119 Sign 3, 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.980 verse 6. 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.399 God didn't just 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.039 create the world 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.299 and by means 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.460 of these, 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:01.899 the world 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.519 that then existed 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.279 was deluged 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.839 with water 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.619 and perished. 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:05.299 Okay, 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.099 God created the world. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.000 Guess what he also did? 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:09.220 Genesis chapter 6 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.639 through 9. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.639 God destroyed the world 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.139 in a flood. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:13.400 And he destroyed 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:13.720 the world 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.280 in a flood 00:27:14.280 --> 00:27:15.240 as part of his 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.460 judgment on man 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.180 because of his 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.620 sinfulness. 00:27:19.540 --> 00:27:19.900 So, 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.980 why do we believe 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.360 that Jesus 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.220 is coming back 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.700 again 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.920 to bring judgment 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.540 to the world 00:27:24.540 --> 00:27:25.360 and salvation 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.980 to the righteous? 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:26.980 Well, 00:27:27.020 --> 00:27:27.440 first of all, 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.259 he's that kind of God. 00:27:28.300 --> 00:27:29.080 He's powerful enough, 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.259 right? 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.920 He created the world. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.060 Second of all, 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:31.720 guess what? 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.360 He's done it before. 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:34.720 It's not just 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.259 that he's powerful 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.160 enough to create the world, 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.860 he's powerful enough 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.560 to judge the world. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.660 He's demonstrated that. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.240 He's also demonstrated 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.000 that he's willing 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.480 to do it. 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.380 God's not afraid 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:42.920 of judgment. 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.240 He doesn't shy 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.160 away from it. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.940 In fact, 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.540 he brought it. 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.680 He's already done it. 00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:49.940 He has demonstrated 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.040 his ability 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:52.100 and his willingness 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:53.340 to judge. 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.300 God created the world. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.120 He's that powerful. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.360 God judged the world. 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:59.160 He's also that powerful. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.080 So, 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.200 that's sign 1, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.420 sign 2, 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.019 and sign 3. 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.080 Sign 4, 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.300 verse 7. 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.799 Right now, 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:08.419 we're focusing 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.000 on things 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.419 that have happened 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:10.039 in the past. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.220 Sign 4, 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.879 and verse 7, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.700 tells us what's going 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.839 to happen in the future. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.899 God judged the world 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.659 then by water, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.299 verse 7, 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.180 but by the same word. 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.819 By the way, 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:20.399 notice the emphasis 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.579 on word here 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.399 throughout. 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.759 We're told in verse 5, 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.259 everything was formed 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.859 by the word of God. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.799 In verse 6, 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.940 by means of these, 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.259 the world was alluished. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.879 And then 7, 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.819 by the same word, 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.960 the same power, 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.119 in other words. 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.619 God's proved 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.559 his power in the past 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.139 by his word. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.720 What's he going to do 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.220 with his word 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.799 in the future? 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.740 Well, 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.799 that heavens and the earth 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.480 that now exist 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.419 are stored up 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.180 for fire, 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.220 being kept 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.779 until the day 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.299 of judgment 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.259 and destruction 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.599 of the ungodly. 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.419 How do we know 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:53.960 that Jesus 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:56.039 is coming back 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.480 even though 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.500 he has not yet? 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.879 Because he's told us. 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.000 He's told us 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.859 and we trust him. 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.439 We trust him 00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:05.279 because his word 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.359 is our ultimate authority 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.679 and we trust him 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.919 because he's demonstrated 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.699 his power 00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:10.859 in the past 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.839 and so we should 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.579 have no doubt 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.539 that he will demonstrate 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:15.039 it in the future. 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.439 In fact, 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:18.379 John tells us about this 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.339 in John chapter 5. 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.159 He gives us a picture 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:20.859 of what this is going 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.319 to look like. 00:29:21.439 --> 00:29:22.059 Jesus is going 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.659 to come back. 00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:24.119 He's going to judge 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.519 the world. 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.119 We're told at the very end, 00:29:26.199 --> 00:29:26.979 John chapter 5, 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.339 verses 28 and 29. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.639 He's going to be 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.259 the righteous 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.240 who are going 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.240 to go to be with Jesus. 00:29:33.040 --> 00:29:33.440 He's going to be 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.120 the unrighteous 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.700 who are raised 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.160 to judgment. 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.820 There's going to be 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.880 two places 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.580 where people go 00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.380 at the end of the world. 00:29:39.780 --> 00:29:40.180 Salvation, 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.100 judgment. 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:43.120 It's the same thing 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.759 that we're told here. 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.880 God judged the world 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.700 in the past 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.320 through water. 00:29:47.020 --> 00:29:48.000 He is going to judge it 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.500 in the future 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.120 by fire. 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.120 And when 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.900 that judgment happens, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.480 there will be, 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.440 end of verse 7, 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.560 the destruction 00:29:56.560 --> 00:29:58.800 of the ungodly. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:01.460 And so, 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:02.100 the question 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.820 that this passage 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:03.580 leaves us with 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:03.960 is this, 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:05.060 will you be destroyed 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:06.240 or saved? 00:30:08.060 --> 00:30:08.960 There are 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.400 only two options. 00:30:10.540 --> 00:30:11.060 This is similar 00:30:11.060 --> 00:30:11.880 to what we looked at, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.360 identical to what we looked at 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:13.980 in our confession 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.780 of faith this morning. 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.700 Will you be destroyed 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.660 or will you be saved? 00:30:20.020 --> 00:30:21.280 Those who are saved 00:30:21.280 --> 00:30:21.860 are those who have 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:23.000 repented of their sins 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.820 and they have faith 00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:24.640 in Jesus Christ. 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.440 They recognize 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:27.640 that they have no hope 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:29.340 outside of God's mercy 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.220 that he's expressed 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.799 through Christ. 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.799 That when Christ came 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.779 and lived as a man 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.720 in this world, 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.339 he lived the perfect life 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.480 that we should have lived 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.740 and he credits that 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.500 to our account. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.579 He died the death 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.579 that we should have died 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.839 and he took the punishment 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.879 that we deserve. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.619 Those that have faith 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.939 and follow after Jesus 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.619 in that 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:50.519 will be saved. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:54.419 Those that do not 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:55.179 will face, 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.839 verse 7, 00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:56.919 the day of judgment 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.940 and the destruction 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.240 of the ungodly. 00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:01.700 In other words, 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.960 as I said earlier this morning, 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.720 hell is a real place 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.019 people are going there. 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:09.880 Heaven is a real place 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.900 people are going there. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:15.120 The question is this, 00:31:15.560 --> 00:31:17.100 which one will you be? 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:21.759 The application of this passage 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.339 for Christians 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.940 is this, 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.660 remember. 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:27.279 Take hope 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:29.279 in the authority 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.200 of the Bible. 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.619 Take hope 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.559 in what God 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.240 has done 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.220 in the past. 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.119 The application 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.359 for non-Christians 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.900 is this, 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.599 not remember 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.539 but repent. 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.700 Tremble 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:44.140 because of the authority 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.799 of the Bible. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:48.000 it is a more 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.740 solid 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.740 and firm 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.899 ultimate authority 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:52.180 than anything else 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.180 to which you can turn 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.659 and you cannot 00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.899 escape faith. 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.720 Everyone has faith 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.419 in something. 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.500 The question is 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.819 whether the object 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.659 of your faith 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.339 will deliver 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:04.500 or not. 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:09.480 So we know 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.359 that Jesus 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:11.759 is coming back 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.519 even though 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.539 he has 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:15.039 not yet. 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.619 How is it 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:20.299 that we remember? 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:26.700 Jesus tells us 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.859 in John chapter 10 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.900 he says, 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.700 my sheep 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.539 hear my voice 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:33.059 and I know them 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.700 and they follow me. 00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.579 I give them 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.379 eternal life 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.819 and they will 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.759 never perish 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.139 and no one 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.919 will snatch them 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.819 out of my hand. 00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.659 Jesus tells us 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:45.279 that his sheep 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.179 will hear his voice. 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.059 How is it 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.799 that we know 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.299 ultimately 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.099 and recognize 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:50.339 that the Bible 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.379 is our ultimate authority? 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.059 It's because 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.000 Jesus' sheep 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.720 know what he sounds like. 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.819 And John 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:59.240 goes on to tell us 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.419 after that passage 00:33:00.419 --> 00:33:01.419 in John chapter 10 00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:02.480 tells us in John 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.140 chapter 14 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.759 that Jesus 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.720 is going to send 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.559 the Holy Spirit 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:07.759 and then in John 16 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.140 he makes this radical statement 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:09.799 Jesus does. 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.000 He says it's better 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.000 that Jesus would leave 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.920 so that we could have 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.620 the Holy Spirit. 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.240 Why? 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:17.200 There's a lot of reasons. 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.099 One of them is 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.440 it's the Holy Spirit 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.519 that allows us 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.220 to hear 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.660 the shepherd's voice. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:25.559 1 Corinthians chapter 2 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.259 says it's the Holy Spirit 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.420 that allows Christians 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:29.720 to understand the Bible. 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.120 He uses this phrase 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.919 helping those who are spiritual 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:34.219 understand spiritual things. 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.619 In other words 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.979 those who have the Holy Spirit 00:33:35.979 --> 00:33:36.519 can understand 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.339 what God's saying. 00:33:38.459 --> 00:33:39.500 For those without it 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.779 it is nonsense to them. 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.399 That's essentially 00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:42.779 what Paul says 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.639 1 Corinthians 2 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.019 is about 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.539 verses 10 through 16. 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:48.259 And so it is not 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:50.259 that we are great people 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.679 who know how to listen 00:33:51.679 --> 00:33:54.019 but it is that 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.500 we have a great God 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:57.139 who knows how to speak. 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:59.460 and he knows 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.600 how to speak 00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:01.320 to his sheep. 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.880 He sends his spirit 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:04.540 that they would know 00:34:04.540 --> 00:34:06.500 and recognize his voice. 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:07.300 In other words 00:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.640 it is by God's spirit 00:34:08.640 --> 00:34:09.460 that we're able 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.180 to see 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:11.260 the match 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.160 light. 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.480 If you're familiar 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.660 with the story 00:34:18.660 --> 00:34:19.460 of the silver chair 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.059 you know 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.840 that Jill 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:23.180 does a great job 00:34:23.180 --> 00:34:24.380 at the very beginning 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.079 of the book 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.779 remembering 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:27.139 the signs. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.299 And then she begins 00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:30.840 to forget. 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.039 She forgets 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.860 to review them 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.699 and repeat them 00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.679 to herself. 00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:38.480 And so she gets 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.599 confused at times. 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.059 She believes 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.940 that she misses 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.219 some signs. 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.460 She doesn't heed 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.400 Aslan's warning 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.519 to constantly 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.319 be repeating it 00:34:48.319 --> 00:34:48.880 to herself. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:51.480 But as you look 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.719 back over the book 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.299 you see 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:54.380 that despite 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:55.680 Jill's 00:34:55.680 --> 00:34:56.680 imperfections 00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.600 and mistakes 00:34:57.600 --> 00:34:59.100 Aslan is still 00:34:59.100 --> 00:35:00.260 guiding them. 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:03.840 They still end up 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:04.740 where they need 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.160 to be 00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:05.560 and it is 00:35:05.560 --> 00:35:06.660 the fourth sign 00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:08.200 that she does 00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:08.860 not miss. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.580 The fourth sign 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:12.240 is that they will 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:13.160 know they have 00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:14.380 found the prince 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.660 that they're looking 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:15.920 for, 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.740 the lost prince 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.780 because he is 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.900 the first one 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.600 who will ask 00:35:19.600 --> 00:35:20.120 them to do 00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:20.560 something 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:22.059 in Aslan's 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:22.340 name. 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.420 When it matters 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.059 most, 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:31.360 they trust 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.360 the word 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.099 of Aslan 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.099 despite 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.460 all appearances. 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.559 Brothers and 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:37.820 sisters, 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.320 God has 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:38.880 commanded us 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.519 to remember 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.219 what he has 00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:40.900 told us 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.960 in his word. 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:44.219 We will 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.840 not do it 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.340 perfectly. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:47.440 But our 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.139 faith and 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.840 hope and 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:49.940 trust is 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.880 not in us 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.539 as the sheep 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:51.940 but in 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.599 Jesus as 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:53.200 our shepherd 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:54.380 who speaks 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:54.920 to us 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.420 and gives 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:55.840 us his 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.519 spirit so 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:56.840 that we 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.880 hear and 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.860 know and 00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.320 understand. 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.159 What is 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:00.659 important, 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:01.400 what matters 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:01.980 is that we 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:03.159 recognize and 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:03.880 know and 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.599 follow the 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:07.099 name of 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.880 our Lord 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.579 and Savior 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.800 Jesus Christ. 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.639 Why should 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.340 we believe 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:13.960 and trust 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.460 that Jesus 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.059 is coming 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.960 back again 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.599 to judge 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.059 the earth? 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.840 We trust 00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:18.220 it because 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:18.740 of this. 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.819 my sheep 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.719 hear my 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.500 voice and 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:21.959 I know 00:36:21.959 --> 00:36:22.379 them and 00:36:22.379 --> 00:36:22.879 they follow 00:36:22.879 --> 00:36:23.119 me. 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.879 I give 00:36:24.879 --> 00:36:25.539 them eternal 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.139 life and 00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:26.439 they will 00:36:26.439 --> 00:36:27.399 never perish 00:36:27.399 --> 00:36:28.959 and no one 00:36:28.959 --> 00:36:30.179 will snatch 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:31.139 them out of 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.659 my hand. 00:36:32.859 --> 00:36:33.719 Let's pray. 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.619 Our Father in 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.139 heaven, we 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:38.219 thank you that 00:36:38.219 --> 00:36:39.119 you are our 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.079 good shepherd 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:40.919 and our hope 00:36:40.919 --> 00:36:41.979 is in you 00:36:41.979 --> 00:36:42.599 and your 00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.059 voice, 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:45.359 not in our 00:36:45.359 --> 00:36:46.339 abilities as 00:36:46.339 --> 00:36:46.599 sheep. 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.199 we ask that 00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:47.500 you would 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.139 use your 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.839 word to 00:36:48.839 --> 00:36:49.380 give us 00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:49.900 tremendous 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.639 faith and 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.199 hope and 00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:51.819 trust and 00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.559 confidence in 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.199 you that we 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.119 would believe 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.719 what you have 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.259 told us and 00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:55.559 we would 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:56.239 remember it 00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:57.059 no matter 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:57.420 what. 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:58.799 We praise 00:36:58.799 --> 00:36:59.619 you that we 00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.279 don't have to 00:37:00.279 --> 00:37:01.039 stir this up 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.739 in ourselves. 00:37:02.839 --> 00:37:03.539 We don't have 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.059 to work these 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.679 things in our 00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:05.119 hearts because 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.659 we know that 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.380 you are the 00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.480 gardener who's 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:07.900 at work. 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:08.860 We ask that 00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:09.319 you would do 00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:09.679 it, that you 00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:10.179 would do that 00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.119 work in us 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:12.159 and that you 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.880 would conform us 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.539 more and more 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.319 into the image 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:15.019 of your son. 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.759 We once 00:37:15.759 --> 00:37:16.639 again praise 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.159 you that we 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.759 don't have to 00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:18.239 earn these 00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.739 things but 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.880 instead we 00:37:19.880 --> 00:37:20.559 ask them in 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:20.940 the mighty 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.500 name of 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.219 Jesus Christ. 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:22.920 Amen.