WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.960 We've been thinking over these last few Sunday evenings about the question, what does it mean to meet God? 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:18.219 And to think about this, we've looked at the encounters that Jesus has had with the various people in John 2, 3, and 4. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:30.359 However, we've looked at what it means for the one who was God and is God to come face to face with ordinary human people. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:33.379 And we've seen these various figures do that. 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:45.420 And what Jesus has made clear is that as He has come into the world, He has done that in order to bring true cleansing from sin and true joy. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:47.100 Chapter 2. 00:00:48.020 --> 00:00:49.600 He's come to bring true birth. 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:50.940 Chapter 3. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:56.500 And He has done that in order to bring out of us true worship. 00:00:56.800 --> 00:01:01.620 So that last week, the first bit of chapter 4 with His encounter with the Samaritan woman. 00:01:01.980 --> 00:01:04.359 He has promised, He has offered these things. 00:01:04.520 --> 00:01:09.920 Cleansing, joy, forgiveness, salvation, new birth, new life. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:17.079 And this evening, in the encounter that Paul read for us, we see how it is that we get involved. 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:23.960 See, we're back where this section started in Cana in Galilee. 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:27.620 See that there in verse 46. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:32.960 And that marker, mention of Cana in Galilee, is a bookend. 00:01:33.020 --> 00:01:38.260 We should think of this section, this section we've been in over these few weeks as a literary unit. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:45.000 And Jesus is telling us this evening how it is that we receive the cleansing of new birth, 00:01:45.540 --> 00:01:50.360 how it is we can engage in the true worship that He has called us to offer. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:57.579 And we see what that means in this exchange with this official and His Son who is dying. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:00.620 And the answer is true faith. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:08.319 If He's come to bring true joy, true cleansing, true birth, and He wants true worship, how do we get involved? 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:10.879 The answer is true faith. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:22.099 If anyone will receive these things that He has promised, if we will be given any of these gifts, they will only come by faith. 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:27.400 Now, I've noticed that people in our culture will talk about the idea of faith really quite freely. 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:32.519 I was recently asked by the son of a friend of mine if I would take his wedding. 00:02:33.359 --> 00:02:37.780 The couple aren't part of a church, and I'm the only Christian minister that they know. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:42.300 So, he texted me out of the blue and asked me if I would help him with this. 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:45.580 And he said, to be honest, you're the only minister I know. 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:49.180 So, it was in a category of one, that's why I was invited. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:53.640 I met with him to discuss what this was going to entail. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:59.139 And we talked a bit about our relationship and about marriage and things like that. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:02.639 And I asked the question, well, you want me to give you a Christian wedding? 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:04.580 What do you think of Christianity? 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:07.780 What do you think of the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:11.500 And they both paused and looked at each other. 00:03:12.140 --> 00:03:15.300 And then she spoke up and said, I've never thought about that. 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:17.960 My faith is strong. 00:03:18.220 --> 00:03:19.500 I definitely believe. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:21.920 I'm just not sure what it means. 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.840 I mean, I'm definitely a person of faith. 00:03:27.420 --> 00:03:28.720 What do you think of Christianity? 00:03:28.980 --> 00:03:30.060 What do you think of the Lord Jesus? 00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:31.540 Well, it's not altogether clear. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:36.139 And plenty of my unbelieving friends would say similar things. 00:03:36.739 --> 00:03:38.979 Very happy to talk about possessing faith. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:41.859 Very happy to say that faith is part of their life. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:49.719 But when pushed on the object of that faith or the substance of that faith, well, let's move quickly on. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:55.879 And, of course, there's a Christian version of this as well, where faith is talked about in a kind of abstract way. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:01.479 I was talking to a pastor who kept saying in the course of our conversation, well, such and such a person, he has faith. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:05.099 Another person, well, he's very open to faith. 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:10.259 When we talk about faith and so on and so on, and I'm thinking, which faith? 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:11.840 Faith in what? 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:12.900 Faith in whom? 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:16.780 We can talk about faith in the abstract. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:21.740 We can say that we are a person of faith, but actually, it's what that faith is in. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:25.439 It's the nature of that faith that actually really matters. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:28.100 There are all kinds of things that we can believe in. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:34.240 And if we're entrusting our lives to those things, lots of them may be a total waste of time. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:43.620 So, it's really important that we understand that the faith that we possess is a faith that actually does something, connects us to something or someone. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:48.400 And that is what Jesus is concerned with in this section this evening. 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:50.180 He explains what he's looking for. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:55.060 And he starts by exposing the wrong kind of approach to him. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:05:01.220 And then he holds up the kind of faith that takes hold of the good things that he has offered in these chapters. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:03.699 So, first, let's look at the wrong approach. 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:05.740 Here's the wrong approach to Jesus. 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:09.519 Point number one, Jesus on my terms. 00:05:10.219 --> 00:05:11.459 Jesus on my terms. 00:05:11.979 --> 00:05:14.019 And we would call that selfish faith. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:16.779 That's what's going on at the start of verse 43. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.579 After two days, he departed for Galilee. 00:05:20.039 --> 00:05:25.759 For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:32.319 So, when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:34.120 For they too had gone to the feast. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:38.399 So, he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had made the water wine. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:43.240 The Samaritan woman we saw last time had seen that he was a prophet. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:43.759 Do you remember? 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:45.519 Sir, I can see you are a prophet. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:47.800 She knew that he spoke for God. 00:05:48.539 --> 00:05:50.300 She listened and she responded to him. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:51.459 But look at verse 44. 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:55.659 He's not received that way back in Galilee among his own. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:57.199 Among his own people. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:00.620 It says in verse 45 that they welcomed him. 00:06:00.979 --> 00:06:05.939 But what's striking there is that this is the only time in the New Testament that that word is used. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:11.560 And it isn't John's usual word for being accepted or well received. 00:06:12.099 --> 00:06:15.459 So, what's going on here is that they say, yeah, come into our town. 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:16.560 You're welcome here. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:17.279 Come on in. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:20.000 But they don't welcome him for who he is. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:26.959 We're told that their interest comes from having seen what he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:28.519 Chapter 2, verse 23. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:35.660 When he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:40.720 Plus, of course, they will know about the wine miracle the last time he was in town. 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:45.339 What's happening is they're welcoming him as a sign giver. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:47.939 But nothing more important than that. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:51.959 Yes, come and do the things that we ask you to do. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:53.519 The miraculous, the impressive. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:01.199 You see, when you press a bit, you see that their welcome for him is based on what he can do for them. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:04.560 It's based on what they can get from him. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:06.839 Not really for who he is. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:11.079 One commentator says their welcome is drenched in self-interest. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:20.719 And then initially, it looks like this official in verse 46 is on this same self-interest train. 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:21.819 Verse 46. 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:29.180 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:31.259 For he was at the point of death. 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:36.139 Concerned initially, I want you to do what I want you to do for me. 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:39.519 And in a sense, let's be honest, who can blame him? 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.759 There is nothing a father wouldn't try if his little boy is dying. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:43.939 Nothing. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:52.180 But we need to see that there's more going on here than a father trying to get a miracle worker to save his son. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.120 Look at verse 48. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:08:02.620 The tense of these pronouns is important when it says, 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:09.980 The you there, both times, is plural. 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:17.720 So, Jesus is speaking to the man, but he's also speaking past him to the Galilean crowd around him. 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:20.720 The crowd that we've been told want Jesus on their terms. 00:08:21.140 --> 00:08:26.840 A crowd that Jesus makes clear don't want Jesus for who he is, but for who they want him to be. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:29.900 The Jesus that will give them what they ask. 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:36.040 And Jesus rebukes this kind of faith, this selfish faith, which is really no faith at all. 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:43.940 Now, Jesus here is not talking about the sort of weak or fluctuating faith that we so often experience. 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:47.519 We have good days and bad, if we're honest with ourselves. 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:53.360 There are times we all want to say, I believe, help my unbelief. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:09:02.639 And we mustn't forget that Jesus says elsewhere that all he requires is faith the size of a mustard seed. 00:09:04.920 --> 00:09:10.220 It is not the size of our faith that matters to him. 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:11.560 It is the object. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:17.859 The challenge that he's laying out here is about what motivates our faith. 00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:21.019 And therefore, where our faith is really placed. 00:09:21.119 --> 00:09:23.500 The Galileans here are spectators. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.500 They're not in the arena. 00:09:24.859 --> 00:09:25.939 They're looking on. 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.939 They're not truly believing. 00:09:29.099 --> 00:09:35.019 Their attitude was, yeah, you're welcome here as long as you will do things for me. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:41.699 You're welcome here, Jesus, as long as you will do things for me. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:47.440 Now, we see that everywhere in our culture. 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:52.460 The most crass expression of that that you see in the church is the so-called prosperity gospel. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:55.600 I will come to God in order that he makes me rich. 00:09:56.140 --> 00:09:59.020 I will come to God in order that he will make me healthy. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:07.000 The prayer is, God, if you do this for me, then I will do dot, dot, dot. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.919 It's a conditional prayer. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.659 This is how you think. 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:17.679 If your heart says, I will come to God if he gives me what I want. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:20.199 If that is your heart, you don't want God. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.840 You want what God can give you. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.879 And you use God to get the thing that you really worship. 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:26.860 You see that? 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:32.180 I was talking to Paul last week about that great Mrs. Merton sketch. 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:36.820 Don't know if you remember it back in the day, Mrs. Merton, when she had Debbie McGee on the show. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:42.519 Debbie McGee, for those of you that are about 35 and under, 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:50.039 she was the wife of a much older, much shorter wig-wearing magician called Paul Daniels. 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:51.779 He was a TV superstar. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:54.379 And Mrs. Merton starts her interview by saying, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:11:00.019 Tell me, tell me what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.460 It's the same kind of thing. 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:04.679 Tell me, Jerry Hall. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:07.159 Tell me, Nicole Kidman, whoever it is. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:09.439 What attracted you to the billionaire Rupert Murdoch? 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:13.240 We can have the same sort of approach to God. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:19.820 I'm here for my best life now, and I want what he can give me. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.620 I don't really want him. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:26.340 So this is the question we need to ask ourselves. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.860 Do you want a Christ who gives you the life that you want? 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:33.500 A kind of cosmic sugar daddy. 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:39.340 A spiritual Rupert Murdoch who's going to give you everything that you want in the here and now. 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:41.899 And you kind of take him on those terms. 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:43.919 There are things that you want from me, 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:47.000 and I'll put up with those in order to get the thing that I really want. 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:53.419 Or do you want a Christ who was with God and is God? 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:57.279 The creator and sustainer of everything. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.860 A Christ who does what he does, 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:03.120 and we worship him no matter what. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:05.759 Because in his infinite kindness, 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:08.159 he has cleansed us from our sin, 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.700 he has given us new birth to eternal life, 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:13.980 and he satisfies our deepest longings for God. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.879 The things that he gives us we do not deserve. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.340 We don't come looking for them. 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.320 We come for him, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:22.419 and he gives us those things in the process. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:29.259 Is your faith in Jesus for what you can get out of the relationship in temporal terms? 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:33.779 That is, is your faith in Jesus for what you can get in the present 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.980 on the basis of the things of this world, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.480 the Jesus of Joel Osteen? 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:41.319 Maybe you can have a more spiritual version, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.919 a bit more like the Galileans. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:45.080 Your faith demands supernatural experience. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:49.559 I'll come to you if you give me these supernatural spiritual experiences. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:52.840 Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:55.840 Or will you ask yourself, 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:59.019 have you put your faith in him because he is God the Son? 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.580 And he is worthy. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:05.519 And the truth is you are astonished that he allows you into a relationship with him. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:10.980 See, you can't actually have Jesus on your terms. 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:15.639 He rebukes the Galileans for thinking that they can. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:19.039 We need a different approach. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.620 So here's our second point. 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:23.139 If the first point is Jesus on my terms, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.279 selfish faith, 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:26.360 the second point is Jesus on his terms. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.480 And we might call that Christian faith. 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.960 And that's actually the approach of the official. 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.620 So this man, 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:37.360 a better translation here would be royal official. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.820 That's what the Greek word implies, 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:42.279 or states actually. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.460 He's likely a high-ranking official 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.080 to Herod Antipas, 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.300 who wasn't actually a king, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.560 but thought of himself that way. 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.240 And therefore, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:51.920 he would have called his officials royal officials. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.740 Either way, 00:13:52.979 --> 00:13:55.599 this man is a high-profile political figure. 00:13:56.479 --> 00:13:58.139 And he has asked Jesus to heal his son. 00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:58.860 Jesus, 00:13:58.959 --> 00:13:59.539 we've just heard, 00:13:59.599 --> 00:14:01.839 has issued the rebuke to the crowd. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.219 And then verse 49, 00:14:03.339 --> 00:14:04.339 the official said to him, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.019 Sir, 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:08.519 come down before my child dies. 00:14:09.979 --> 00:14:12.299 What we have here is this man pushing back. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.620 He's persisting with Jesus. 00:14:14.979 --> 00:14:16.539 Without regard for his reputation, 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:18.959 without regard for what Jesus might say to him, 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:19.860 he pushes back. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:22.139 The Sir here is actually Lord, 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.000 the word Lord, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:25.180 a term that an inferior would use 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:27.100 to address a superior. 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.100 He's being humble. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.120 He's coming back, 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.659 and he's saying, 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:29.980 Lord, 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.940 I'm actually not just asking for healing. 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:36.080 I'm asking because I know that you're the Messiah. 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:40.039 And what I want us to see 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:42.180 as his exchange with this official unfolds, 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:44.960 as Jesus' exchange with this official unfolds, 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:47.539 the official embodies for us 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:49.539 what true faith looks like. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.300 If you want to be a Christian, 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.220 this is what is required of you. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.700 This is what faith, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.539 Christian faith, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.220 looks like. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.039 There are three elements 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.879 that I want to highlight. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.740 The first is this. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:02.700 He trusts Jesus alone 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.460 can give life. 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:07.519 He trusts that Jesus alone 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.259 can give life. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:08.779 He's saying, 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.000 there are people here 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.560 who want you to perform for them. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.580 There are people here 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:14.100 who want you on their terms. 00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:14.920 But verse 49, 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:15.439 Lord, 00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:17.919 come down before my child dies. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.919 He is making it clear 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.679 that he believes 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.360 that Jesus is the only one 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:26.360 with the power to save his boy. 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:28.039 The language there, 00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:28.559 my child, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.479 it's my dear little boy. 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:32.839 It is a term of the deepest endearment. 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.259 And as he comes to him, 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:37.479 it is an expression 00:15:37.479 --> 00:15:40.079 of complete dependence. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.980 Do you see, 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.200 he makes no claim 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:45.040 on why Jesus should heal his boy. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.960 No demands why he is owed this 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.540 in any way. 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.639 It is just a plea. 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:50.820 Lord, 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:54.139 come down before my child dies. 00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:56.120 Many ways, 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:56.780 it's a prayer. 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.740 It is the prayer 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:01.200 of the father of a dying boy. 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:02.500 He is crying out, 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:03.520 trusting that Jesus 00:16:03.520 --> 00:16:04.759 will put things right 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.879 because he knows 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.800 that only Jesus can. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:13.520 if you and I want 00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:14.340 the eternal life 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.980 that is held out 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:15.720 in chapter 3, 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.780 if we want the living water 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:19.520 that alone will satisfy, 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.820 in chapter 4, 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:23.520 there is only one source. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.480 The same Lord Jesus. 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.759 We saw last week 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.560 with the Samaritan woman 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.580 that everyone who drinks 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.800 of the water of our culture, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:37.780 the water that our culture says 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.939 we're all about 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:40.120 and will satisfy 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.159 and will bring joy 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:41.779 and happiness, 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.839 whether it's money, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.299 sex, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.839 or power, 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:45.199 or some version thereof. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.299 Whoever drinks 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.439 of that water 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.500 will thirst again. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.039 You can pour 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.299 as much of those things 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.399 as you can get hold of 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.600 into a human soul 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.879 and they simply vanish 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.720 because they cannot 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.939 bring us eternal life. 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:03.000 That only comes 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.899 through Jesus. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.920 And true faith, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.680 Christian faith requires us 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.019 to trust Him 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.519 and nothing else. 00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:13.240 That's the first thing 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:15.060 this official shows us. 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:16.720 He trusts Jesus alone 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.680 can give life. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.840 The second thing he does 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:20.759 is he trusts Jesus' word. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.740 He trusts Jesus' word. 00:17:22.840 --> 00:17:23.380 Verse 50, 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.600 the official said to him, 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:24.940 Sir, 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:26.779 come down before my child dies. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.600 Jesus said to him, 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:27.880 Go, 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.880 your son will live. 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.640 The man believed the word 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.840 that Jesus spoke to him 00:17:31.840 --> 00:17:33.580 and went on his way. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:36.740 The official makes his request. 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:38.500 Jesus responds by promising 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.599 that his son will live. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:39.960 Literally, 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.480 it is your son lives. 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.699 And what does the man do? 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.639 He believes. 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:48.159 The narrative is really specific. 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:48.960 John is careful 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.839 to ensure here 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.699 that we know 00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:51.339 that the grounds 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.500 of this man's believing 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.679 are the word 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:55.019 that Jesus spoke. 00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:57.079 There is no sign. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.679 There is no wonder. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.079 There is no miracle 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.899 to observe. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.319 There is no burning bush. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.539 There is nothing like that. 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.539 There was actually 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.639 nothing to see. 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.039 The official believes 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.779 the word of the eternal word. 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.879 He trusted in who he is. 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.879 He trusted in what he said 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.579 he would do. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.019 That is the essence 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.039 of true faith, 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:20.279 taking him at his word. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.279 We today, 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.559 we're not promised the miracles, 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.919 but we do have Christ's word. 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:28.359 And to take him at his word 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.279 is a non-negotiable 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.899 for a Christian. 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:33.840 We receive what he says 00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:35.280 as the word of the eternal 00:18:35.280 --> 00:18:35.940 Son of God 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:39.019 and we do what he tells us. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.820 Now to be clear, 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.840 taking him at his word 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.019 extends beyond the bits 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.160 in red in the Gospels. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.160 He takes the Old Testament. 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.460 Jesus takes the Old Testament 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.800 as God's authoritative word. 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.720 You know those times 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.160 when he said, 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.060 have you not read 00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:51.880 in Moses? 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.200 And the rest of the New Testament 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.220 expounds what he says. 00:18:55.300 --> 00:18:56.380 Taking Jesus' word 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.740 is about taking the whole 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.799 of Scripture seriously. 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.000 But, 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.880 even if we do stick 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.160 to what Jesus said, 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.500 the words that he uses 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.140 in the Gospels, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.460 or even what he has said 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.559 in these encounters 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.620 that we've been looking at 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.700 over these Sunday evenings, 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.000 in these couple of chapters 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.720 that we have, 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.620 even if we were to take him 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.019 at his word, 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.660 on that basis, 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.019 our lives should be transformed. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.440 If you trust that Jesus 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.680 has come to bring joy 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.380 through the cleansing 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.080 of your sins, 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:26.180 it changes how you view yourself. 00:19:27.520 --> 00:19:28.900 It changes all of the 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.920 negative self-talk 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.160 that you run around 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.140 in your head. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.280 If you believe 00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:34.260 that Jesus has come 00:19:34.260 --> 00:19:35.160 to bring joy 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:36.220 through cleansing you 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.000 from your sins, 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.360 guilt is taken away. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.500 It has no place 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.100 in your life. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.880 Shame has been dissolved. 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.780 If Jesus says, 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.820 you are clean, 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:51.980 and you are free 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.339 to experience joy, 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:56.019 that is true freedom. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.960 It changes your experience 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.559 in the present. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.419 If you trust that you have 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.019 new birth, 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.639 new birth that reaches 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:05.399 into eternity, 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.339 not on the basis 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.139 of your behavior 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.079 or your performance, 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.079 but on the basis 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.179 of the grace of Christ. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.839 It reframes everything. 00:20:13.939 --> 00:20:16.139 Glory lies open before you. 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.539 Whatever your experience 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.399 in the present is, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:20.380 glory lies open before you. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.700 And however long 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.440 you've got between 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.320 now, this moment, 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.840 this evening, 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.920 and when you step across 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.900 into eternity, 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:31.540 all that lies ahead of you 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:32.840 is good. 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.840 However difficult it is now, 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.540 the future is bright. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.480 It also means 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.080 that you don't need 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:41.680 to claw and grasp 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.740 and strive 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.920 for everything 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.880 in the present 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:47.440 because something better 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.539 lies ahead 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.100 in the future. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:51.220 You can let things go. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.779 You don't need 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.860 to sweat the small stuff. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.580 If this life 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.279 is all there is, 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:58.240 probably best 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.279 to sweat the small stuff 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.880 because you might 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.460 miss out. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.019 But if this life 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.900 actually 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.420 is 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.940 going to come 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.400 to an end 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.779 physically 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.480 at some point, 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.259 but then glory 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.460 lies open before you, 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.299 well, 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.960 you can forgive 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.840 as you have been forgiven. 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.519 you can let things go. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.639 You can live 00:21:15.639 --> 00:21:16.699 as a free person. 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.500 Our culture 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.799 is obsessed 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.119 with all kinds 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.500 of things 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.099 that simply 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.859 enslave us. 00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:26.939 You've got to have this. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.639 You're enslaved 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.439 to that desire. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.619 You've got to have that. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.399 You're enslaved 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:30.759 to that. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.159 You've got to make sure 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:33.419 that you get justice 00:21:33.419 --> 00:21:34.199 in this moment 00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:34.959 because of what 00:21:34.959 --> 00:21:35.599 you've experienced. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.079 Imagine if you could 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.980 just let them all go. 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.539 Well, you can 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.279 if you're a Christian. 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:43.599 It reframes everything. 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.319 And when you know 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:48.079 and trust 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.539 that Jesus 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.180 connects you 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.000 to a spring 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.980 of living water 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.839 that bubbles up 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.420 from within 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:54.599 despite what's going on 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.299 at ground level, 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:59.059 that's what springs do. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.599 You can build 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.599 whatever you like 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.660 on top of a spring 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.420 and it will 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.619 eventually crumble 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:06.859 because the spring, 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.119 you can't stop it. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.259 It just comes up 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.859 and keeps coming. 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.819 You can build 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.879 the heaviest big things 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.539 on top of them. 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.779 You can build 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.839 a massive construction. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.859 It will eventually 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.440 fall down. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.819 Whatever is going on 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.680 at the top, 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.720 that water will find 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.359 its way up. 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.740 That is why Jesus 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.720 uses the language 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.460 of a spring 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.420 of living water 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.700 that will come up 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.379 from within. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.319 When you trust 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.220 that that is yours 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.900 in Christ, 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.740 the gray 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.599 and the dreary 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.500 and the painful 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.599 and the sad, 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.859 even the heartbreaking, 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.160 all of those things 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.279 are given a new perspective 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.560 because you know 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.000 those things 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.620 are temporary. 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.600 You know that the Lord 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.800 has entrusted them to you, 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:48.000 yes, for a time 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.600 and however hard they are, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.380 that spring cannot be thwarted 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.080 and one day 00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:53.500 everything sad 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.880 will come untrue. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.779 ! 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.180 True faith 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.800 trusts Jesus' word 00:22:59.800 --> 00:23:01.019 even when we can't 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.720 see the outcome, 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.340 even when our prayers 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:04.259 go unanswered, 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:04.860 even, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.740 and this is especially 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.900 relevant in these days, 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.900 even when it is 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.540 culturally costly 00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:10.580 to take them 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.060 at His word. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.880 So let me say to you, 00:23:15.800 --> 00:23:16.860 what does Scripture say? 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:17.980 Do that. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.940 Believe that. 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.700 Order your life 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.420 around that. 00:23:24.320 --> 00:23:24.860 You say, 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.580 well, I can't do that. 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.540 What will people think? 00:23:27.820 --> 00:23:28.940 Don't let the opinions 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.380 of others 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.519 keep you from the life 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.200 of eternity. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:34.799 So, 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.299 the official goes 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.120 on Jesus' command 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.740 to His son, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.640 servants come with 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.080 the good news. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.980 Verse 51, 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.960 see the good news? 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.559 His son was alive, 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.779 not recovering, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.299 actually, 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.600 it says that he was alive. 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.580 Actually, 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:47.980 literally, 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.400 it says, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.180 his son lives. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.299 He wants to double-check 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.460 when exactly that change 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.279 in his son happened 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.080 and he asks him 00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:56.180 and it was just at the point 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.900 the previous day 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.860 when Jesus had said 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.380 he lives. 00:23:58.380 --> 00:24:00.900 In that moment, 00:24:01.020 --> 00:24:02.120 his faith is confirmed 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:03.640 and he takes 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.740 the next natural step, 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.120 which is the third element 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.100 of true faith. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:08.920 The first is 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:11.860 that he trusts 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.740 that Jesus alone 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.580 can give life. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.080 Second, 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.900 that he trusts 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:17.120 Jesus' word. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.040 And thirdly, 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.260 verse 53, 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.440 he trusts his family 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.180 to Jesus. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.820 The father knew 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.500 that was the hour 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.680 when Jesus had said to him, 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.500 your son will live 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:27.300 and he himself believed 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:30.019 and all his household. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.659 His household. 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.759 See, 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.359 we're not told 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.079 how this happened. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.599 Either he told them 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.919 about Jesus saving the boy 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.960 and they put their faith in him 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.759 or more likely, 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.240 I think, 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.000 as the father of the family, 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.220 he then leads them 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.220 in the things of Christ. 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.940 I met Jesus. 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.359 He is Lord of heaven and earth. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.659 From this day forward, 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.279 this is now 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.159 a Christian household. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.480 The flow of the passage 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.659 takes us to that point. 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.779 The figure goes, 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.859 do you notice this? 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.539 The figure goes 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.259 from being described, 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:58.819 first of all, 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.699 as a royal official, 00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.579 verse 46 and 49. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.279 He's then the man 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.319 in verse 50 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:06.019 and then he's the father 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:07.279 in verse 53. 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:10.059 And it is as a father 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:11.359 that he leads his family 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:13.399 in the things of Christ. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.119 If a husband gets converted 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.619 to Christ, 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:18.539 he would tell his wife 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.719 that the home is now Christian 00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:20.559 and it will be led 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.039 along Christian lines. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.259 Can't convert his wife, 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:23.719 of course, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.599 but the home 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.299 and any children 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.879 that they have 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.579 will now be led 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.599 according to God's word. 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.819 That's what it means 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.940 to lead as a Christian 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.359 husband and father. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.919 If a wife is converted, 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:33.940 it is different. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.720 She doesn't lead, 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.220 but she does use her influence 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.980 in a Christian way. 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.059 1 Peter 3 gives you 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.899 the pattern for this. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:41.680 If the gospel comes in 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.700 to a family, 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.639 it changes everything 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:46.240 and that family 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.940 is ordered accordingly. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.640 And as the text 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.860 draws our attention 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.060 to the man's status 00:25:52.060 --> 00:25:53.820 as a father to this son, 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.820 this is an outworking 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:57.200 of the covenantal relationship 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.100 in the Christian home. 00:25:59.780 --> 00:26:01.320 The promise of salvation 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:02.100 in the Lord Jesus 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.840 is for you 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:04.400 and your children. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.400 And fathers are 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.259 to raise their children 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.900 to trust Him 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.520 in the same way 00:26:08.520 --> 00:26:09.000 that they do. 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.800 And did you notice 00:26:11.800 --> 00:26:12.440 this is not 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.660 graduate Christianity? 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:15.080 It's one of the first things 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:16.519 He does after believing Himself. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.300 Of course, 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.200 we know that it's 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:22.120 God who saves anyone. 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.759 We've just seen 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.460 that true faith 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.519 requires us to trust 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.440 that Jesus alone 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.300 can give life. 00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.680 But we need to see 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.660 that the main way 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:31.100 that God grants this life 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.240 is through families 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.160 and the raising 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.320 of Christian children. 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:36.779 If you are a Christian dad, 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.740 as you trust Jesus 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.680 for life yourself, 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:40.420 as you trust His word, 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.940 trust your family to Him 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.720 as well. 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.940 Lead the home spiritually. 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.580 Model trusting Jesus' word. 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:49.340 Pray with and for your family. 00:26:50.540 --> 00:26:51.900 That is how your household 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.940 will exude the aroma 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.220 of Christ. 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.560 So when we come to Jesus 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:58.560 on His terms, 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.400 not selfishly, 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.340 but on His terms, 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:03.360 as He demands us to, 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.120 it will mean 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:07.480 trusting Him for life, 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.840 trusting His word, 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:11.699 and trusting our families 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.679 to Him. 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.919 And we can hear that 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.539 and we can think, 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:18.519 that sounds pretty demanding. 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.619 That sounds pretty tough. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.259 But I want, 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.619 as we close, 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.319 I want to tell you 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.179 that you can do it. 00:27:24.679 --> 00:27:25.579 You can do it. 00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:26.980 Yes, the culture 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.099 is pushing the other way. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.359 If you're going to trust Jesus 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.859 in this way, 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.659 you're going to have to walk 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.419 against the tide. 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.579 But you can do it. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:32.599 But you can do it. 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:32.719 You can do it. 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.299 You can do it 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:36.879 because Jesus 00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.859 has gone ahead of you. 00:27:39.179 --> 00:27:39.879 See, come back 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.480 to that carefully constructed move 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.319 that the text makes 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.240 from royal official 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.199 to man 00:27:44.199 --> 00:27:45.619 to father of a son. 00:27:46.459 --> 00:27:46.839 You see, 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:48.159 as we see that move 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:48.759 in the text, 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.799 we are supposed to hear 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.319 the echo 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.699 of another father 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.379 and his son 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:54.599 and another death 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.619 that was followed 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.500 by a resurrection 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.399 to life. 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.279 You see, 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.419 the life that we trust 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:02.240 Jesus for 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.339 has been won 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.160 for us 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.279 through his death 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.819 and resurrection. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.220 He is the life. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.660 He's the way. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.240 He's the truth. 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.220 But he is the life. 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:12.759 And so, 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.900 we have life in him. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:16.059 It is as we trust him 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.279 that we receive 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.799 the life 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.640 that is his. 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.440 And the word 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.140 that we trust 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.460 for this life 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:22.980 is the word 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.620 of our Savior 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:25.200 who went to these lengths 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.779 for us. 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:29.980 The word 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.779 that we trust 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.720 is the word 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.299 of a Savior 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.079 who lived 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:33.440 the life 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:33.920 that we should 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.279 have lived, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.100 who died 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:35.519 the death 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:35.980 that we should 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.460 have died, 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.200 and who was 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.000 raised to life 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.620 that when we 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.180 trust him, 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.519 we are trusting 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.360 the one 00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:42.180 who is life 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:42.940 himself. 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.640 And what this 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.059 means is 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.240 we can confidently 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.299 trust ourselves 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.400 and our families 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.480 and anything else 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.440 for that matter 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.940 to him 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.519 because he has 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:51.980 loved us 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.660 to this degree. 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.279 We love him 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:57.200 because he 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.819 first loved 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.220 us. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.099 And we can 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.519 love him 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.259 only because 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.000 he first 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.960 loved us. 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.200 And that means 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.980 that true faith, 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.759 the faith that we're 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.579 called to here, 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.339 is always a response 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:09.920 to this 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.319 immeasurable grace. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.879 And that is a grace 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:14.420 that changes 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.359 everything. 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.180 Let's pray. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.180 Amen.