WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 If you have your Bible with you this morning, you can open it up to John chapter 8. 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:08.859 For those of you who are visiting, we've been working our way through the Gospel of John 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:13.820 kind of at a slow pace, just trying to milk it for all it's worth and learn as much as we can 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:24.320 about Jesus and what he asks of us as his followers. So John chapter 8, we are in this morning, 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:33.679 and we're at about verse 43. And this morning, I didn't plan it this way, but we come to a 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:39.939 difficult passage. Difficult for a couple of reasons. First of all, Jesus is about to say 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:48.980 something that many in the audience find offensive. And even today, people still find these words 00:00:48.979 --> 00:00:55.479 offensive and are ashamed of them. Second, this is a difficult passage to know just what Jesus means 00:00:55.479 --> 00:01:01.859 and how does this apply to us. But we're going to try to look at it anyway. We don't 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:07.819 just want to skip over it. We know that everything that Jesus says is important and for a reason. 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:14.500 So John chapter 8, verse 43. And just before we read it, let me just remind us of what's going on. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:20.980 Jesus is still at the temple courts. He's having a heated discussion with a crowd of people there. 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:27.799 He's told them that they must believe that he is the one sent from God and that if they do not, 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:34.939 they will die in their sin. They will stand guilty before God. He has told them the hard truth that 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:43.659 they are slaves to sin who need to be set free and liberated. He said that it's by his word, 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:48.819 by the truth that he speaks, that they can be set free. And people initially seem to believe him 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:55.459 and were excited about him. But we saw that very quickly, this was maybe a superficial belief. 00:01:56.079 --> 00:02:02.099 And as this conversation goes on, it's coming out that many really do not believe in Jesus, 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:07.340 at least not the hard parts of what he's saying, the part about being slaves to sin 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:12.120 and things like that. So they begin to argue with Jesus about this. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:17.860 We are children of Abraham, they said. And Jesus responded, 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:25.099 you are in the physical sense, but in the most important sense, you are not. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:34.799 So they tried another angle. We are children of God. He is our father. And Jesus challenged that too. 00:02:35.859 --> 00:02:42.240 Actually, no, you are not. If you were God's children, you would love me. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:46.319 Because I've been sent here from him to you. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:53.500 No, there's a major problem here. As Jesus said a moment ago in verse 37, he said, 00:02:53.739 --> 00:02:58.319 my word makes no progress in you. It's like it's not getting through. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:04.319 And he says a very similar thing here and now again in verse 43. 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:08.859 Why is my language not clear to you? He says. 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:13.959 A more literal translation. Why do you not understand what I'm saying? 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:18.280 Now, if it were you or I that were speaking these words, 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:24.420 I at least imagine that if I was to say them, it would be because I'm frustrated 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:28.020 that the person I'm talking to just doesn't seem to be getting it. 00:03:29.200 --> 00:03:31.140 Why do you not understand what I'm saying? 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:38.080 I'm not sure that Jesus necessarily feels the same as I would. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:42.240 We really don't know what he's feeling as he asks this question. 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:46.500 But interestingly enough, he answers his own question. 00:03:46.700 --> 00:03:49.280 Why do you not understand what I am saying? 00:03:53.420 --> 00:03:56.219 It is because you cannot hear my word. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:01.120 It is because you cannot hear my word, he says. 00:04:02.660 --> 00:04:07.140 And probably all of us are wondering, well, what do you mean, Jesus, 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:10.500 that we cannot hear your word? What do you mean? 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:13.319 That's a strange thing to say. 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:15.039 Why can't they hear your word? 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:19.319 Well, everybody has some ideas about this. 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:24.439 Some people, pretty much everybody agrees that it's not because they're physically deaf. 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:29.360 But beyond that, there's a number of different ideas about what Jesus means here. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:33.139 Some people believe that they are unable to hear Jesus' words 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:35.719 because they are spiritually deaf. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:37.680 Like in their souls. 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:39.899 They just, they can't hear it. 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:45.199 Some of those people would say that they maybe lack some kind of a spiritual organ 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:49.259 that's needed in order to really hear and understand what Jesus is saying. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:53.519 Others would say it's because they're spiritually dead. 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:55.620 They don't have spiritual life yet. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:58.579 And so they can't understand what Jesus is saying. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:06.840 A few people will point to the earlier chapters of John and say it's because they need to be born again 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:12.459 by the Spirit first in order to be able to really hear and understand Jesus' words. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:18.199 And some others would say that they simply choose not to hear Jesus' words. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.100 Well, which is it? 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:22.420 What's really going on here with these people? 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:26.000 Why can't they hear your word, Jesus? 00:05:27.080 --> 00:05:29.759 I wish I could say with certainty what Jesus means here. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:35.100 You see, at some point we also have to ask the question of whether they are responsible 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:41.139 for what they are hearing or not hearing from Jesus. 00:05:42.700 --> 00:05:45.960 Do these people know that they cannot hear his word? 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:49.720 Do they think they can hear him and understand him? 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:53.320 I've got lots of questions for Jesus here. 00:05:55.380 --> 00:05:59.600 But if I had to venture a guess, perhaps it means something like this. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:01.940 Because you are unable to hear my word, maybe, 00:06:02.760 --> 00:06:06.840 simply means you are unable to accept my word. 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:11.040 To receive the word that you are hearing from me. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:14.120 And we sometimes use the word hear or the word listen like that. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:16.160 I know I do with my own kids. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:18.520 I might tell them to do something. 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:22.020 And then see that they didn't do it. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:25.000 And I might say, why didn't you listen to me? 00:06:26.020 --> 00:06:27.860 Well, it's not that they didn't listen to me. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:28.880 They heard what I said. 00:06:28.960 --> 00:06:30.880 It's that they didn't do what I said. 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:33.240 And so maybe that's what Jesus means here. 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:37.440 You are unable to accept the word that you are hearing from me. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:42.240 And that inability to accept Jesus' word, I think, 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:44.420 is maybe rooted not so much in ignorance, 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:47.459 but in an unwillingness. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:50.420 Unwillingness. 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:55.579 Not because they don't recognize that Jesus speaks the truth, 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:59.100 but because they don't like the implications 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:02.120 of the truth that Jesus speaks. 00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:04.180 That's my best guess here. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.959 Jesus' words are not getting through 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:10.199 because for their part, they cannot accept his word. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:15.800 And that this cannot accept comes from a deep down, 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:19.300 I will not accept what you are saying. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:24.079 I kept thinking back to what Jesus said earlier 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:26.560 here in this Gospel of John. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:28.960 John 3, verse 19 and 20. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:31.139 This is the verdict. 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:33.720 Light has come into the world. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.580 That's Jesus. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:36.060 That's the word that he speaks. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:40.280 But people love darkness instead of light. 00:07:41.260 --> 00:07:41.780 Why? 00:07:42.760 --> 00:07:44.820 Because their deeds were evil. 00:07:45.960 --> 00:07:48.580 Everyone who does evil hates the light 00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:51.020 and will not come into the light 00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:54.420 for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:59.220 I think that's maybe a good explanation of what's happening here 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:02.060 as Jesus has this conversation with the crowd. 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:06.080 Jesus is the light and he's speaking words that expose the truth. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:07.700 Truth like, 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:10.939 you're a slave to sin and you need to be set free 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.840 and I have come to set you free. 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:17.500 But they are not wanting to hear this. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.939 They don't want to accept that reality. 00:08:21.159 --> 00:08:22.500 We are children of Abraham 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:25.379 and therefore we are slaves of nobody. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:28.339 We have God for our Father 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:30.839 and therefore we don't need you, Jesus. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:36.579 Jesus already said back in verse 37 00:08:36.579 --> 00:08:39.139 and this was something we've heard a lot of times in John 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:41.959 that the people, some of them at least, 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:43.699 are looking for a way to kill him. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.679 And so if that's true, 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:47.899 then it makes sense 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.759 that at this point 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:52.500 they are no longer able or willing 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:55.480 to hear what Jesus has to say to them. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:57.500 I mean, think of the state of their minds 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:59.159 and their hearts right now. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:02.300 If they are plotting to kill him, 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:06.480 it means that they have hardened their hearts towards Jesus. 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:08.060 They've made up their minds about him. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:11.000 They're done listening to Jesus. 00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:17.000 Maybe you've had an argument with someone 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.100 and you know that there comes that point 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:20.159 in the conversation, 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:21.779 the back and forth, 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.740 where you're not listening to them 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:26.180 and they're not listening to you. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:29.899 Perhaps something like that is happening here. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:31.980 Let's go on. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:32.779 Jesus says, 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.100 Why do you not understand what I am saying? 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:39.220 It is because you cannot hear my word. 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:43.000 You are of your father, 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:44.700 the devil, 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:49.560 and you want to do the desires of your father. 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:54.060 This is the part that is offensive. 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.080 To them, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.600 to us, 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:00.080 I didn't intentionally choose this passage 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.840 for Mother's Day. 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:03.180 This is what Jesus said that day. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.720 You are of your father, 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:07.379 the devil, 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:10.000 and you want to do 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.399 the desires 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.340 of your father. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:16.240 So why are they unable to accept, 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:18.419 to hear Jesus anymore? 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:20.879 Jesus says it's because they are children 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.639 of the devil. 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.439 And we're going to talk about what that means 00:10:25.439 --> 00:10:25.919 in a moment, 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:27.039 but first, 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.039 before we get to that, 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.719 notice the second part of what Jesus 00:10:29.719 --> 00:10:30.939 says here. 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:33.000 He says, 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:36.179 You want to carry out your father's desires, 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.059 or you want to do the desires 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:39.099 of your father. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.439 Notice that it's not just the devil 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.699 who has desires, 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:46.580 but Jesus says that they themselves, 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:47.400 the people there, 00:10:47.640 --> 00:10:50.860 they want to do the things 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.360 that the devil desires, 00:10:53.020 --> 00:10:56.020 which in this situation here 00:10:56.020 --> 00:10:57.660 is to kill Jesus. 00:10:59.280 --> 00:11:00.440 Verse 44, 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.580 he goes on, 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:03.100 You are of your father, 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:03.660 the devil, 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:06.140 and you want to do the desires 00:11:06.140 --> 00:11:06.920 of your father? 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:09.139 He was a murderer 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.039 from the beginning, 00:11:10.339 --> 00:11:11.459 says Jesus. 00:11:12.479 --> 00:11:14.219 What was the devil's desire? 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:16.159 To kill. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:20.120 He went after Adam and Eve 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.199 to kill them. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:24.339 He deliberately enticed them 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:26.000 to disobey God 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.719 because he knew 00:11:27.719 --> 00:11:29.379 that it would result in their death. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.199 He was a murderer 00:11:31.199 --> 00:11:32.799 from the beginning, 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:33.699 says Jesus, 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.860 with murderous desires. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.379 And Jesus is saying 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.179 to some of the people 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.879 here in the crowd, 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:42.279 you have the same desires 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:44.099 that he does, 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:44.939 that he had 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.539 since the beginning of the world. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.819 Remember back to what John said earlier. 00:11:51.979 --> 00:11:54.419 The people love the darkness 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:55.740 and hate the light. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.019 Why? 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:00.679 Because their deeds were evil. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:03.599 So Jesus is shining the spotlight 00:12:03.599 --> 00:12:06.299 on the murderous intents 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.219 of their hearts 00:12:07.219 --> 00:12:08.399 in this moment 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:11.559 on what they are trying to do, 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:12.759 which at this moment 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.639 is very evil. 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:15.240 It's to kill him. 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:16.879 To take him out. 00:12:18.479 --> 00:12:19.899 And so I think this is why 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:21.099 they are unable to hear. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.620 They are unable to accept 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:24.500 what Jesus is saying. 00:12:24.719 --> 00:12:25.699 They're unable to come 00:12:25.699 --> 00:12:26.479 into the light 00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:28.000 and love the light 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.139 because to accept 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:30.339 what Jesus is saying 00:12:30.339 --> 00:12:31.039 is to admit 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.979 that he's right. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:34.759 that we really are slaves 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.759 who need to be set free. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:39.340 That we really are sinners 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:41.700 who are on the hook with God. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.300 That we really need you, Jesus. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:48.519 And for some of them 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.680 to admit that yes, 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.139 we actually have been plotting 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.340 to kill 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.840 even though we know it's wrong. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:59.960 Let's come back 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:00.700 to this statement. 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:02.500 You belong to your father. 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.860 You are of your father, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.379 the devil. 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:06.759 My translation in my Bible says 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.040 you belong to your father, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:08.940 the devil. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.000 What does that mean? 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.920 You are of your father, 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.000 the devil. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.840 What does it mean 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:18.200 to be a child of the devil? 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.820 Well, first of all, 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.780 I don't think it means 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.220 the same thing 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.539 as to be a child of God. 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:29.159 Those who are children of God, 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.899 we've heard earlier 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.819 from Jesus himself. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.259 To become a child of God, 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.559 you need to be born again 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:36.179 by the Spirit 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:38.279 into his family. 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.439 You become a child of God 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:42.419 through a spiritual birth. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.339 It's not the same 00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:45.339 with the devil 00:13:45.339 --> 00:13:47.000 and being a child of his. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.879 It doesn't mean 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.919 that you have somehow 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.379 been born of the devil 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.679 in a spiritual sense. 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.340 It also doesn't mean 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.279 that they have verbally 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.139 pledged allegiance 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.899 to the devil 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.259 in some kind of ceremony 00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.939 or ritual. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:02.039 In fact, 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:05.120 probably all of these people 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.779 don't think 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.519 that they are children 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.179 of the devil. 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:09.919 Thirdly, 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.799 I don't think 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.039 it means that they 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:13.480 belong to the devil. 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:15.879 I don't think 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.679 Jesus is saying 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.220 that the devil 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.240 owns them 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.600 or has ownership 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.279 over them. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.799 And I don't think 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.600 Jesus is saying 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.159 that the devil 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.060 controls them 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:27.039 or makes them 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.820 desire 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.180 or makes them do 00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.580 what they are 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:32.000 desiring and doing. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.740 So what does 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.659 Jesus mean here? 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:35.899 Well, 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.539 the only sense 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.279 in which they seem 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.879 to be children 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.560 of the devil 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:39.759 that Jesus 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.139 brings up 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.180 again and again here, 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.379 the sense in which 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.460 the devil is their father 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.539 is based on the fact 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.579 that they desire 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:48.659 and do 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.919 the same things 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.679 that he does. 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.559 He is the father 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.699 of those desires 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:56.159 to murder. 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.459 He is the father 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.599 of those deeds 00:14:59.599 --> 00:15:01.399 to lie, 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.259 to deceive 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:04.459 because he was 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.059 the first one 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.620 to do them. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.659 And 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:10.559 if I'm reading 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:11.059 this right, 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:11.980 what makes a person 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.959 a child of the devil 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:13.699 is that they 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:16.459 take after their father. 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:18.279 They take after 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.819 the devil 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.899 in their 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.399 desires 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.659 and in their deeds. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.079 The things they desire, 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.079 the things that they do. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:25.799 Like father, 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:27.360 like son. 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.459 Let's see this 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.579 in what Jesus says here. 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:33.039 Back in verse 38, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.379 Jesus said this to them, 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.399 I speak the things 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.240 which I have seen 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.199 with my father. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.379 Therefore, 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.719 you also do 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.379 the things 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.500 which you heard 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.059 from your father. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.559 In other words, 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.059 Jesus' actions 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.819 and his words 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.519 line up 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.699 with what he has 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:50.299 heard and seen 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.139 from God, 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.799 his father. 00:15:53.459 --> 00:15:54.199 But he says 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.119 that their actions 00:15:55.119 --> 00:15:55.679 and words 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.339 line up with 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:56.959 what they have 00:15:56.959 --> 00:15:57.519 heard and seen 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.739 from their father, 00:15:59.219 --> 00:16:00.259 the devil. 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.259 Verse 39, 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.639 Abraham is our father, 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.359 they answered. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:10.360 Jesus said to them, 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.259 if you were 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.419 Abraham's children, 00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:14.600 you would do 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.899 what Abraham did. 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:16.980 You would do 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.639 the works 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.440 that Abraham did. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.960 He goes on there 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.840 to say, 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:24.480 no, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.240 you're looking 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.700 for a way 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.419 to kill me. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.680 You are doing 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.159 the works 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.560 of your own father, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.220 the devil. 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.759 In other words, 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.680 it's their deeds, 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.959 it's their works, 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.099 it's their actions 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:38.179 by which they are 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:38.839 either children 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.419 of Abraham 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:41.439 or children 00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:42.039 of a different 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:42.539 father. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.099 And their deeds, 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:44.579 he says, 00:16:44.739 --> 00:16:45.919 don't match up 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.559 with Abraham. 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.379 So you are not 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.839 truly his children, 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.299 rather, 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.000 you're trying 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.659 to kill me. 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.039 Your deeds, 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:53.759 your actions, 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:54.579 your behavior 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:55.259 matches up 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.799 to a different 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.239 father, 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:58.459 the devil. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.460 Again, 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.420 in verse 44, 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:07.100 he says, 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.059 you are of 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.680 your father, 00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:10.620 the devil, 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:12.360 and you want 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:12.960 to carry out 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.620 your father's 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.100 desires. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.500 We read this 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.900 already, 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.200 but it's not 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.160 only their deeds 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.700 by which they are 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.600 children of the devil, 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.259 but it's their 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.799 desires. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.600 They have the 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.440 same desires 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.259 as he does, 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.819 and so are 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.360 children, 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.400 of him. 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.860 Like father, 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:32.380 like son. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:34.420 He wants to kill. 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.340 He is a murderer. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.460 He has the desire 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.579 to harm people. 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.900 You have that desire 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.259 in your heart 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:41.980 right now, 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.759 says Jesus. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.779 Verse 44, 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.380 he talks about 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:48.960 how the devil 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.440 is a liar. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:51.680 He was a murderer 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.480 from the beginning, 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.420 not holding 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.259 to the truth. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:59.299 goes on to talk 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.160 about how the devil 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.920 lies all the time 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.539 and how he is 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.680 the father of lies, 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:06.279 but his basic 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.140 point coming down 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.960 to verse 45 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.440 is, 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:11.059 you are like him, 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.859 like father, 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.460 like son, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.359 just as the devil 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.500 did not hold 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.220 to the truth 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:18.740 and stand firm 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.059 in it, 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:21.019 in the same way, 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.119 here I am 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.000 speaking the truth 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.539 to you, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.019 confronting you 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.759 with the truth 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.619 and yet because 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.980 I tell the truth, 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.440 you do not believe me, 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:31.859 says Jesus 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.960 in verse 45. 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.099 You know it's the truth 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:37.880 and because you know 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.480 it's the truth, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.500 you do not want 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.059 to hear it. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.400 So to be a child 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:42.980 of the devil, 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.759 the way that Jesus 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.460 describes it 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.420 is to have the same 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.299 desires 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:48.000 and deeds 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.079 as the devil. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:50.639 It doesn't mean 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.779 that you worship Satan. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.119 In fact, 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.939 these religious leaders 00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:55.619 in the crowd, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.659 I mean, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.419 they're here at the 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:58.119 temple courts 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.740 in the temple 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.379 of the Lord 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:01.500 and they do many 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.539 religious things. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.919 Being a child 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:07.480 of the devil 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.619 is something 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.439 that probably 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:10.740 everybody would deny 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.859 and that's why 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.879 these words of Jesus 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.699 are so offensive 00:19:14.699 --> 00:19:15.819 to people 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:18.240 and yet it's 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.179 almost impossible 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.000 to escape 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.799 just how black 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.659 and white a picture 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:23.220 Jesus paints 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.000 for us 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.519 with these words. 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.079 In his words, 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.299 there are ultimately 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.399 only two families 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:30.799 that you can belong to. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.179 You can belong 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:34.939 to God 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:36.379 and have him 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.139 for your father 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:39.379 or you can belong 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:40.000 to the devil 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.579 and have him 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.740 for your father. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.079 You can take up 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.659 the desires 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.259 and the deeds 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.759 of one 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.299 or the other. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.879 You can take up 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.839 the family business 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.500 of one 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.339 or the other. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.139 Let's bring in 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.139 one more key passage 00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.139 that sheds some light 00:19:59.139 --> 00:19:59.619 on this 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.799 because we still 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.339 might wonder, 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.339 is there really 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.519 nothing in between? 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.539 Am I a child 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.059 of the devil 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.899 by default 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:09.019 until I'm saved? 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.079 Isn't there 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.639 some kind of 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.240 neutral 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.580 in the middle 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:17.259 before I 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.540 make my choice? 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.220 Let's look at 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.900 1 John 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.660 chapter 3 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.160 verse 8. 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.580 John was listening 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.160 that day. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.340 This is what he wrote 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:28.960 in his letter. 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:29.400 He said, 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:30.440 the one who does 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.259 what is sinful 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:33.340 is of the devil. 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:35.100 Same language. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.840 Because the devil 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.759 has been sinning 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.820 from the beginning. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.860 Down in verse 10 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.320 he says, 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:43.200 this is how we know 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.179 who the children 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:45.000 of God are 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.559 and who the children 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.460 of the devil are. 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.139 Anyone who does not 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.099 do what is right 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:54.019 is not God's child. 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.980 Nor is anyone 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.000 who does not love 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.299 their brother 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.639 and sister. 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:01.559 So John confirms 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.399 for us in his letter 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:02.960 that yes, 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.619 we are hearing 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.599 Jesus correctly. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.079 It is black and white. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:09.439 you are either 00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:10.619 a child of God 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:12.599 or a child 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.159 of the devil. 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.919 And what marks 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:16.599 the difference 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.579 between the two 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.220 is the overall 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.139 way of life 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.059 that a person 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.559 has. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.939 As we see 00:21:23.939 --> 00:21:24.599 in these words 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.519 of John, 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:27.039 doing what is 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.500 sinful 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:29.480 marks the life 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:31.159 of someone 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:32.099 who is of the devil. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.539 not doing 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.399 what is right 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:36.039 marks 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.039 the life 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.500 of someone 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.059 who is 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.240 a child 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.899 of the devil. 00:21:40.939 --> 00:21:41.699 But doing 00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.500 what is right 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.439 marks the life 00:21:43.439 --> 00:21:43.879 of those 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.659 who are 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.559 of God. 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.839 Loving 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.019 your brother 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.819 and your sister 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:51.000 marks the life 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.679 of a child 00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:52.279 of God. 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.419 Now this, 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:55.839 of course, 00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.539 doesn't mean 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.359 that a true 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.139 child of God 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:59.019 never blows it, 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.699 never sins 00:22:00.699 --> 00:22:01.699 or makes mistakes. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.399 Abraham did, 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.419 King David did, 00:22:06.219 --> 00:22:07.359 Peter did, 00:22:07.939 --> 00:22:08.959 and many more. 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.639 But it means 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.439 that the overall 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.199 way of life 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:12.799 of a child 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.339 of God 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.659 is that they 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.159 generally 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:17.559 do what is right 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:19.000 and not what 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.459 is sinful. 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.319 They love 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:20.939 their brother 00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:22.379 and their sister 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.859 and not just 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.659 live to please 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.219 themselves 00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:26.500 at all costs. 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.819 So if the 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.379 mark of 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.059 a child 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.599 of the devil 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.119 is that they 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.139 generally do 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:33.839 what is sinful 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:35.439 like the devil 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:35.939 does, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.219 then yes, 00:22:37.919 --> 00:22:38.939 by default, 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.839 we all start 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.599 out as children 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.299 of the devil. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.919 As Paul said 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.439 in Romans 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.240 chapter 3, 00:22:45.459 --> 00:22:46.219 verse 23, 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.480 familiar verse, 00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.459 for all have 00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:48.879 sinned 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:50.459 and fall short 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:50.939 of the glory 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:51.279 of God. 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.659 That's where 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.480 we all start. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.159 This is why 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.939 we need Jesus 00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.539 to come, 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.719 to help us, 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.599 to save us. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:23:00.659 because from 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.139 the start, 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.740 we are all 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.339 children of 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:02.740 the devil. 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.439 But listen, 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.039 this is the 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.719 hard truth 00:23:06.719 --> 00:23:07.240 that Jesus 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.939 speaks to them 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.480 that day, 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:10.799 but there is 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.759 also good news 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.980 that Jesus 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.480 brings. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.299 And we've been 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.939 hearing this all 00:23:16.939 --> 00:23:17.339 throughout the 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.119 gospel of John. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.959 He has come 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:20.119 to give life. 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.919 He has come 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:22.899 to speak to us 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.599 the truth 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.599 by which, 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.299 believing it, 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.500 we can become 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.679 children of God 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:32.319 and have a 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.079 change of family. 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.399 He has come 00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:37.219 to set free 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:39.519 those who are 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.500 slaves to sin. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.779 Listen to these 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.099 words from the 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.599 beginning of 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.399 John's gospel 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.799 again. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.859 The true light 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.779 that gives light 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.439 to everyone 00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:49.000 was coming 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.740 into the world. 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.639 That's Jesus. 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:53.099 He was in the 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.399 world. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.759 And though the 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.619 world was made 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.539 through him, 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.599 the world did 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.279 not recognize 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.679 him. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.539 He came to 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.279 that which was 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.759 his own, 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:05.000 but his own 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.859 did not receive 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.219 him. 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.859 Yet, 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:11.019 to all who 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.819 did receive 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.059 him, 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:12.779 here it is, 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.779 to those who 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.419 believed in 00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:14.939 his name, 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.599 he gave the 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.740 right to 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.980 become children 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.839 of God. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.519 There is a 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.139 way to have a 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.700 change of 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.180 family, 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:26.700 to get a 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.840 new father, 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.460 a different 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.860 father, 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.380 a better 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:29.960 father, 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:32.240 to become 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.060 a child of 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:33.400 God. 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:34.700 And it's 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.380 through believing 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:37.140 in the name 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.620 of Jesus. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.360 It's believing 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.300 in him, 00:24:39.520 --> 00:24:40.220 that he is 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.759 who he says 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.080 he is, 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.560 and believing 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:41.980 the things 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.680 that he said 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:44.680 and has come 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.740 to speak, 00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:46.360 the truth he 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:46.780 comes to 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:47.100 speak. 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:49.759 the crowd 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.859 here in 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.219 the temple 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:51.719 courts is 00:24:51.719 --> 00:24:52.119 doing the 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.480 opposite. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.379 They are 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.000 not listening 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.559 to Jesus. 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.659 They are 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.379 not believing 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:57.839 in him. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.759 They are 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.759 not receiving 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.199 him. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.599 Back to 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.099 John chapter 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.480 8, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.919 verse 45. 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.079 Yet, 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.679 because I 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:09.240 tell you 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.939 the truth, 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.679 you do not 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.359 believe me, 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.659 says Jesus. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.360 Can any 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:14.800 one of you 00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:15.279 prove me 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.700 guilty of 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.019 sin? 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.240 If I am 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.740 telling the 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.120 truth, 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:22.220 why don't 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.720 you believe 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.019 me? 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.759 Quite the 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.200 statement. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.120 And I 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.640 think that 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:32.019 we really 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.380 need to 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.680 ponder 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:34.300 these words. 00:25:34.540 --> 00:25:35.080 Jesus is 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.740 appealing to 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:35.940 their 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.700 consciences. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.320 My actions, 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.840 he says, 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.279 and my 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.000 conduct 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.259 match with 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.640 what you 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.320 know is 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:42.900 good and 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.320 right. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:46.720 does 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.180 anybody 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.560 want to 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.200 come up 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.480 and convict 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.880 me of 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.200 sin? 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.019 Have I 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.160 done 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.540 anything 00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:53.040 wrong to 00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:53.420 anyone? 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:53.779 Have I 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.060 said 00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:54.420 anything 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.920 wrong to 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.360 anyone? 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.740 If I 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.019 lack 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.540 integrity, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.060 tell me 00:25:58.060 --> 00:25:58.680 specifically 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.060 what I 00:25:59.060 --> 00:25:59.440 have done 00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.740 or what 00:25:59.740 --> 00:25:59.960 I have 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.340 said. 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.600 They've 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:02.759 already 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.120 made a 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.259 few 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.860 accusations 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:05.000 throughout, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.680 but Jesus 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.360 has answered 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.740 all of 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.240 those so 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:09.019 well to 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.500 show that 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.980 he is not 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.480 guilty of 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:10.860 anything. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.480 And so 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:12.820 if I've 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:12.980 been 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.579 speaking and 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.099 doing what 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.680 is good 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.519 and right 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.860 and you 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.559 know that, 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.220 then you 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.960 know that I 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.319 am from 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:20.680 God. 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.640 You know 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.019 that I 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.519 speak the 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:22.860 truth. 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.900 So why 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.819 won't you 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.539 believe me? 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:30.980 believe me? 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.740 What a 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.139 question. 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.720 Jesus is 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.279 appealing to 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.460 their 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.220 consciences. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.940 Why don't 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.420 you believe 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:40.659 me? 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.059 What's 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.079 keeping you 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.720 from 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.339 accepting 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.420 what you 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.940 know to 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.480 be true 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.359 about 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.779 Jesus? 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:47.920 Jesus? 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.759 I think we 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.240 all need to 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.660 think about 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.359 these words 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.940 and answer 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.759 for ourselves. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.039 But Jesus 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.639 goes on. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.220 He actually 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.819 answers this 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.579 question too. 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.039 He says, 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.559 why don't 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.079 you believe 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.359 me? 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.539 And then 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.079 down in 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.460 verse 47, 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.859 whoever 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.680 belongs to 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.079 God 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.960 hears 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.759 what God 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.220 says. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.940 The reason 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.359 why you 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:20.779 do not 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.160 hear 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:23.039 my words 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:25.519 is that 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:25.839 you are 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.220 not 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.279 of God. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.460 This is 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:29.819 quite the 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.160 statement. 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.039 And I 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.339 think that 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.720 we should 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:34.859 think about 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.480 the word 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.379 hear that 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.059 Jesus uses 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.400 here in 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.700 the same 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:37.980 senses 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.379 above. 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.680 The reason 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.019 why you 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.500 do not 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.519 accept 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.019 the word 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.460 of God 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:43.819 is that 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.160 you are 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.519 not 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.259 of 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.920 God. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:49.579 Now 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:49.879 there's a 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.059 whole 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.599 discussion 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.119 and debate 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.440 around 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.839 this. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.339 I'm not 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.539 going to 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:53.900 get into 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.319 that this 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.660 morning. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.319 There's a 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.940 temptation to 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.200 want to 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.700 change these 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.339 words around. 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:58.680 What do you 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.000 mean the 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.680 reason why we 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.000 do not 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.500 hear is 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.079 because we 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.420 are not 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.980 of God? 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:02.279 Well, 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.700 which comes 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.039 first? 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.819 Belonging to 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.980 God or 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.480 hearing and 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.819 believing? 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.579 Save that 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.000 for another 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.319 day. 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:16.859 either way, 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.700 we are at 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.099 the mercy 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.619 of God 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:20.319 because we 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.659 have all 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.079 sinned. 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.359 We need 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:23.799 a change 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.379 in family. 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.319 We need 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.339 to become 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.079 children of 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.919 God is 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:29.539 what Jesus 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.159 is saying 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.599 to them 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.579 there that 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:31.919 day. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.659 As we've 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:33.960 been going 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.379 through this 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:34.679 series, 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.220 we've seen 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.779 some of 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.220 the marks 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.200 of being 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.619 a true 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.139 disciple 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.620 or a 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.300 true child 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:39.860 of Abraham, 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:40.320 a true 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:40.940 child of 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.240 God. 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.100 We've 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.920 heard some 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.360 really good 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:43.820 things from 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.180 Jesus. 00:28:45.280 --> 00:28:46.020 To be a 00:28:46.020 --> 00:28:46.580 true follower 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:46.920 of his, 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.360 we must 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.259 remain in 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.700 his word. 00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:49.040 We must 00:28:49.040 --> 00:28:49.740 continue to 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.140 hold to 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.780 his teaching 00:28:50.780 --> 00:28:51.600 and not 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.020 move on 00:28:52.020 --> 00:28:52.420 from it. 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.259 To be a 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.740 true child 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.160 of Abraham, 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:55.600 we must 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.020 do the 00:28:56.020 --> 00:28:56.400 things that 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:56.660 Abraham 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.160 did. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.140 Believe and 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.820 accept and 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.400 obey the 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.759 word of 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.220 God when 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.580 it comes 00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.000 to us 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.560 like Abraham 00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:03.000 did. 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.500 To be a 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.020 true child 00:29:05.020 --> 00:29:05.440 of God, 00:29:05.520 --> 00:29:05.920 we heard 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:07.040 last week, 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:07.780 we should 00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:08.120 love and 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:08.679 love his 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.019 son, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:11.379 the one 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:11.639 that he 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.119 has sent. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.519 And this 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.859 morning, 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.299 we saw the 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.739 marks of 00:29:14.739 --> 00:29:15.399 having a 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:15.699 different 00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.099 father. 00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:17.979 A child 00:29:17.979 --> 00:29:18.279 of the 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.579 devil 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:20.239 desires and 00:29:20.239 --> 00:29:21.099 does what 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.519 the devil 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.479 does, 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.039 like father, 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.639 like son. 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:27.379 A child 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:27.679 of the 00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:28.559 devil refuses 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.239 to believe 00:29:29.239 --> 00:29:30.079 Jesus because 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:30.819 he speaks 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.419 the truth. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.719 A child 00:29:33.719 --> 00:29:34.039 of the 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.959 devil will 00:29:34.959 --> 00:29:35.879 not hear 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:37.200 or accept 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.520 or listen 00:29:38.520 --> 00:29:39.260 to what 00:29:39.260 --> 00:29:39.940 God says 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.460 just like 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.800 the devil 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.220 won't. 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.000 But a 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.520 true child 00:29:44.520 --> 00:29:44.940 of God 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.680 will hear 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.820 and will 00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:47.600 accept and 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.480 will listen 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.620 to what 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.280 God says. 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.400 Jesus has 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.860 been shining 00:29:51.860 --> 00:29:52.380 the light of 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.860 truth on 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.500 these people. 00:29:54.020 --> 00:29:54.720 He's been 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.440 exposing their 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.320 desires and 00:29:56.320 --> 00:29:56.900 their deeds, 00:29:57.020 --> 00:29:57.380 giving them 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:57.860 the hard 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.600 truth they 00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.960 need to 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.320 come face 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.720 to face 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.000 with, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.300 whose 00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:01.740 family 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.000 they're 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.240 in. 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.880 And next 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:05.059 week we'll 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.380 see how 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.000 they respond 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.740 and as 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:06.980 you can 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.740 imagine it 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.059 wasn't 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.339 good. 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.839 They were 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.480 very angry. 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.380 But for 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:13.819 this morning 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.240 what about 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:14.539 you? 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.140 Whose 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.759 family are 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.140 you in? 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.579 Jesus only 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.019 gives us 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.200 two 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.839 possibilities. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.200 Do you 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.819 love Jesus? 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.420 Do you 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.900 believe in 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.099 him? 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.180 The words 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.680 that he has 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.059 spoken, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:30.960 do you 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.559 accept them? 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:34.319 do you 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.779 endeavor to 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.299 obey them 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.680 as all 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.039 true 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.640 children of 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.140 God do? 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.640 Or do 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.059 you love 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.059 certain other 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.819 things more? 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.180 Do you 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.539 have it in 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:45.900 your heart 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.519 to continue 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.299 doing some 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.620 of those 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.240 things that 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.859 you know 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.539 are wrong? 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.579 Do 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:52.900 Jesus' 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:53.579 words make 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.180 you angry? 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.920 Do they 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.779 provoke you 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.440 because of 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.160 things that 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.880 you might 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.259 have to 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.859 surrender or 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.559 give up if 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:01.960 you were to 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.440 believe in 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:02.659 him? 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.299 Is it 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.919 possible that 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.759 you have 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.299 been quite 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.099 religious just 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.480 like these 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:10.399 people and 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:11.539 yet your 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.139 heart is far 00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:12.700 from God? 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.579 Far from 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.299 loving Jesus? 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.399 If it is, I 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:17.980 want to encourage 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.559 you with Jesus' 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.279 own words to 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.419 repent and 00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:23.319 believe, to 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.059 humble yourself 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.240 before him, 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:27.259 to admit, 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.399 yes, I have 00:31:28.399 --> 00:31:29.179 blown it, I am 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.600 a sinner. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.299 Will you 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:31.900 forgive me? 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.240 God is in 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.680 the business 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.380 of forgiving 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:36.779 sins. 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:37.720 That's why he 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.440 sent Jesus. 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.279 He is 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:41.120 compassionate, he 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:41.680 is gracious, 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:44.340 and he will 00:31:44.340 --> 00:31:45.519 forgive you if 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.160 you ask him. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.259 And it will 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.060 cost to become 00:31:49.060 --> 00:31:49.720 a follower of 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.019 Jesus. 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.120 There's no 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.080 denying that. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.039 Jesus himself 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.019 said, for whoever 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.019 wants to save 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.759 their life will 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.220 lose it. 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.420 But whoever 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.200 loses their 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.920 life for me 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.099 will save it. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.139 It will cost. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.779 It costs 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.460 everything. 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.839 He said, what 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.480 good is it for 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.139 someone to gain 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.980 the whole world 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:11.079 yet forfeit 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.799 their soul? 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.519 The cost is 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:16.119 well worth it 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.920 for what we 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.519 receive from 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.920 Jesus. 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.279 Eternal life. 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.059 That's what's 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.720 at stake here. 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.599 Life and 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:22.900 death. 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.819 Many of you 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.220 here this 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.660 morning are 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.299 children of 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:28.099 God and 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:28.480 you love 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:28.899 Jesus. 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.759 I want to 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.220 encourage you 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.659 to keep 00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.240 listening to 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.759 Jesus, to 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.419 stay in 00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:34.940 his word, to 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.519 continue to 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.359 hold tightly 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.879 to his 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:38.819 teaching, and 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.480 as Peter said, 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.339 to make every 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.839 effort to 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.379 obey his 00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:43.220 commands, to 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.659 do what's 00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:45.379 right, to 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.259 love your 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.720 brother and 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.240 your sister, 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.480 as all true 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.039 children of 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.619 God should 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.039 and do. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.119 And as a 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.819 last thought, 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:55.480 God, these 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:55.879 words are 00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.279 offensive. 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:57.919 We're not 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.119 going to 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.579 pretend that 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.059 they're not. 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.919 And so I 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.200 want to 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.759 encourage you 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:02.220 to take 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.879 care about 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.240 talking about 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.179 being children 00:33:06.179 --> 00:33:06.779 of the devil 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:08.200 to people in 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.779 our world, in 00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.359 our community, 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:09.859 people who 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.319 don't know 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.759 Christ. 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:12.279 If you take 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:12.819 these words 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.339 upon your 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.439 lips, I 00:33:14.439 --> 00:33:14.679 want to 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.799 encourage you 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.299 to do it 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.599 with the 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:16.919 utmost 00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:18.539 humility and 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.179 gentleness, 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:21.220 and never 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.539 with the 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.060 intent to 00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.920 insult or 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.580 deride or 00:33:23.580 --> 00:33:23.920 to give 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.480 somebody a 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.220 spiritual slap 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.799 in the face, 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.180 you're a 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.799 child of the 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.080 devil. 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.060 I don't 00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:28.580 believe that's 00:33:28.580 --> 00:33:28.820 the way 00:33:28.820 --> 00:33:30.299 Jesus spoke 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.820 these words 00:33:30.820 --> 00:33:31.279 and I don't 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.640 think we 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.160 should either. 00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.060 Let's 00:33:35.060 --> 00:33:35.279 pray. 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.120 Father in 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:39.700 heaven, thank 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.019 you for 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.860 sending Jesus. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.920 Lord Jesus, 00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:43.740 thank you for 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.980 speaking these 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.840 words to us. 00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:48.880 We don't 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:50.180 necessarily like 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:50.880 these words. 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:52.180 They are 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.680 uncomfortable, 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.140 they are 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:54.960 hard, and 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.500 yet we know 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.940 that they 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.660 are true and 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.100 we need to 00:33:58.100 --> 00:33:58.500 hear them. 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.720 Thank you 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.160 that you have 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:00.640 made a way 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:02.140 for us to 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.840 become children 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:04.080 of God. 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.480 It's a 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.220 wonderful gift. 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.360 We praise 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.920 your name for 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.119 it. 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.900 Amen.