WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:03.160 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:03.780 --> 00:00:13.359 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:20.699 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:28.300 This is a reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 1-30. 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:33.579 Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:43.260 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethsaida, and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:48.900 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie, the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:52.859 One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:59.060 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:00.600 Do you want to get well? 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:06.319 Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:10.000 While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:14.799 Then Jesus said to him, Get up, pick up your mat, and walk. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:16.960 At once the man was cured. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:18.819 He picked up his mat and walked. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:21.579 The day on which this took place was a Sabbath. 00:01:22.199 --> 00:01:24.779 And so the Jewish leader said to the man who had been healed, 00:01:25.039 --> 00:01:26.019 It is the Sabbath. 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:28.299 The law forbids you to carry your mat. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:33.759 But he replied, The man who made me well said to me, Pick up your mat and walk. 00:01:34.199 --> 00:01:38.319 So they asked him, Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk? 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:44.459 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:49.799 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, See, you are well again. 00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:52.639 Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. 00:01:53.139 --> 00:01:57.379 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:03.319 So because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 00:02:03.979 --> 00:02:10.939 In his defense, Jesus said to them, My father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:14.379 For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:21.039 Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own father, making himself equal with God. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:27.699 Jesus gave them this answer, Very truly I tell you, the son can do nothing by himself. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:33.520 He can do only what he sees his father doing, because whatever the father does, the son also does. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:37.079 For the father loves the son and shows him all he does. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:42.400 Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:50.320 For just as the father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the son gives life to those whom he is pleased to give it. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:58.340 Moreover, the father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the son, that all may honor the son just as they honor the father. 00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:02.620 Whoever does not honor the son does not honor the father who sent him. 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:12.640 Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:21.560 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming, and has now come, when the dead will hear the voice of the son of God, and those who hear will live. 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:27.659 For the father has life in himself, so he has granted the son also to have life in himself. 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:32.020 And he has given him authority to judge, because he is the son of man. 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:38.939 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice, and come out. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:45.500 Those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:48.000 By myself I can do nothing. 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:54.519 I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:56.659 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:03:57.659 --> 00:03:59.299 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:03:59.620 --> 00:04:04.280 I wonder if you've seen the new billboards around town. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:05.599 I just saw them this past week. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:09.199 I don't know how long they've been up, but the billboard says this. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.199 It says, the pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:14.159 Let's reset together. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:19.779 Now all Berkeley residents can download the Headspace and My Strength apps for free. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:23.620 Help at hand, ca.org slash Berkeley. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:25.860 Berkeley Wellness for All. 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:27.800 Have you seen that billboard? 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.199 There's a bunch of them around town. 00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:31.500 And I'm really pleased about this initiative. 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:33.780 It started over the past three months, I think. 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:40.580 I'm really pleased to see that the New York Times has increased their reporting over the last month or so 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:47.060 about the need to pivot our attention to the mental health and social well-being crisis, 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:50.419 particularly among our kids and our adolescents. 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:59.780 I imagine many of us are longing for this reset, thinking, you know, my mental health and my social well-being could probably be improved a little bit. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:01.759 Is that just me or do you feel that way? 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:02.040 Okay. 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:12.740 We want to be a spiritually and emotionally healthy church, and that's why we're working to create times and spaces like Wonderful Wednesdays, 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:18.040 where our kids and our youth can come together in belonging and meaningful, life-giving relationships, 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:26.220 where our adults have the opportunities on a regular basis to share dinner and discussions and be encouraged and challenged in our faith. 00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:33.620 So I just want to urge you to find that place, whether it's Wonderful Wednesdays or a community group or both, 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:42.940 where you can be a part of this caring, present community, this family of faith that we have here at Christ Church. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:47.460 If you struggle with depression and anxiety, welcome to the club. 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:54.020 And if you are needing to work on an addiction or need a relationship tune-up, you are not alone. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:56.159 We have many caregivers in this community. 00:05:56.479 --> 00:05:59.740 We have a list of counselors that we could refer you to. 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:03.339 We have a deacon fund that could help you get to counseling. 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:05.639 We really are committed. 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:06.939 I think that billboard's right. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:08.060 We need a reset. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:14.959 It's taken its toll, and we want to work on this together as a community. 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:21.599 But that said, mental health apps are good, but they have their limits. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:28.700 And individuals and groups and the church and caregivers and counselors and pastors, it's all good, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:33.300 but they're extremely limited in what they can do for us. 00:06:34.400 --> 00:06:37.560 But I'd like to say this morning that Jesus is unlimited. 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:44.020 Jesus is unlimited in his ability to meet us at our point of need. 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:49.439 And what's interesting to me is that Jesus habitually healed sick and hurting people. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:57.919 In fact, one-fifth of all the material in the four Gospels is concerned with the healing of physical diseases, 00:06:57.919 --> 00:07:03.519 which includes maladies and afflictions not only of the body but of the mind and of the spirit. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:08.259 Jesus, in his healings, he's putting people back into their right mind. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:14.560 He's putting people back into right and healthy relationships with their families and their communities. 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:20.379 He's putting people, most importantly, back into a right relationship with their creator God. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:25.060 And so whatever your needs are that you're bringing today, I hope that you'll be thinking about that, 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:29.379 that Jesus is unlimited in his ability to meet our needs. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:37.480 And as we dive into this story in John chapter 5, I want to point out that Jesus makes shocking claims. 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:42.879 He heals the helpless and he shows us how to walk free. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:44.439 That's where we're going to go. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:50.000 That Jesus makes shocking claims, heals the helpless, and shows us how to walk free. 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:52.980 First of all, Jesus makes some shocking claims. 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:59.360 When you're studying a historical person, it's really important to listen to the reports 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:05.639 of their supporters and their detractors and to really hear how people are understanding the character 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:08.100 of this historical figure. 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.680 How did they act with their deeds? 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:12.300 What did they say with their words? 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:18.160 And this healing is a clear example of how people were interpreting Jesus 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:21.460 and his astonishing works and claims. 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:24.580 Jesus here performs an act of God. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:26.980 He does what only God could do. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:32.200 He creates in this invalid the capacity and the strength to get up and walk off. 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:39.159 And only the creator can restore his decaying and dying creation. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.800 So it's astonishing and therefore it needs some explaining. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:45.340 And that's what Jesus does in verse 17. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:48.279 In his defense, Jesus said to them, 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:57.519 This guy had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:00.919 Jesus could have waited another 24 hours to heal him. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:03.879 So why does he choose to heal on the Sabbath day? 00:09:03.959 --> 00:09:09.179 Why does he choose to heal on the day that the creator God called holy and blessed? 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:13.719 Well, the rabbis agreed that God did not practice the Sabbath, 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:20.039 that God worked ceaselessly to sustain and restore his creation moment by moment, 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:26.019 so that if the sun didn't come up, you wouldn't get up and the whole world would collapse. 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:31.879 But as we know, on the Sabbath, you know, babies are still born and the rain falls and people die. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:34.079 God is at work on the Sabbath. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:38.460 And though God preaches the Sabbath for us and for our good, 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:41.639 he does not practice what he preaches because he doesn't need it. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:44.060 God is all sufficient. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:52.920 And so Jesus is provocative in his choice of this day on which to do his work of healing. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:58.640 What does Jesus' implicit claim that he makes explicit in verse 17? 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:05.279 He's saying, you know, like the creator God, I don't need a Sabbath either. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:12.679 For on this day, I continue to preserve and to renew the universe just as my father does. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:16.199 You're not dealing with a mere mortal who keeps the Sabbath. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:18.220 You're dealing with the God who doesn't. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:23.100 I'm on the different side of the line than you are. 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:28.980 I'm with my father and we never stop working to restore our creation. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:33.899 Now, what's the rule for historical investigation? 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:39.940 It is to see how do the people understand this person in context. 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:45.300 And the people around Jesus have no doubt about what he's claiming. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:46.320 In verse 18, 00:10:46.320 --> 00:11:06.620 In their minds, it's right to put Jesus to death if he, as a mere mortal, is claiming to be equal with God. 00:11:07.400 --> 00:11:11.140 Now, buckle up and hold on tight because Jesus uses this opportunity 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:14.840 to launch into a little sermonette about his authority 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:19.580 where he gets even more explicit about his identity, about who he is. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:21.299 And he says in verse 19, 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:25.199 Very truly, I tell you, the son can do nothing by himself. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.319 He can do only what he sees his father doing 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:31.220 because whatever the father does, the son also does. 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:34.659 For the father loves the son and shows him all he does. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:37.600 Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:40.120 so that you will be amazed. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:44.259 The son is the perfect revelation of God 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:47.580 so that what God does in heaven, the son does on earth 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:50.899 so that when you see Jesus, you see God. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.860 That's what he just said. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.179 Jesus goes further in verse 21. 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:58.899 For just as the father raises the dead and gives them life, 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:02.659 even so the son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:08.980 Only God can give life to those who are physically and spiritually dead. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:13.320 And Jesus says, I too share in that creative, life-giving power. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.420 Verse 22. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:22.879 Moreover, the father judges no one but has entrusted all judgment to the son. 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:25.539 Now, it would be ridiculous if I came and said, 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.240 Hey, guess what? 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:29.220 I have the right and the authority to judge all humanity. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:33.399 You would laugh at me because you know I can barely, like, tie my shoes. 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:36.940 I can barely love my family, love my friends, love my church, 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:40.100 much less have the justice to judge all humanity. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:42.500 We know that that's only God's job. 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:44.060 And Jesus says, Well, God, guess what? 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.320 He gave that job to me. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.759 He goes on. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.000 Verse 23. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:59.700 If you don't honor Jesus for what he just said he is, 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:02.559 as the life giver and the judgment giver, 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.159 then you're not honoring God at all. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:08.919 But if Jesus has this kind of power and this kind of authority 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:10.659 to do these kind of things, 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:14.399 then we should render to him all the honor he deserves 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:17.940 and all the obedience he requires. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:23.419 Now do we understand all the hostility toward Jesus. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:27.139 Now do we understand why it is they wanted to kill him. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:32.360 This is a great quote from a book called God on the Dock 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:36.879 by a professor at Oxford and Cambridge named C.S. Lewis. 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:40.240 And the chapter is, What are we to make of Jesus Christ? 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.139 He says this, 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:44.539 If you had gone to Buddha and asked him, 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.000 Are you the son of Brahma? 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.700 He would have said, 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.740 My son, you are still in the veil of illusion. 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.559 If you had gone to Socrates and asked, 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.379 Are you Zeus? 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.600 He would have laughed at you. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.899 If you had gone to Muhammad and asked, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.600 Are you Allah? 00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:59.360 He would have first rent his clothes 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.659 and then cut your head off. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.820 If you had asked Confucius, 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.620 Are you heaven? 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.240 I think he would have probably replied, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.320 Remarks which are not in accordance with nature 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.480 are in bad taste. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:13.000 The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.980 is out of the question. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.740 In my opinion, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:18.060 the only person who can say that sort of thing 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:20.899 is either God or a complete lunatic 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:23.120 suffering from that form of delusion 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:25.720 which undermines the whole mind of man. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:29.100 We may note in passing that he was never regarded 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.860 as a mere moral teacher. 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.960 He did not produce that kind of effect 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:35.940 on any of the people who actually met him. 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:38.860 He produced mainly three effects, 00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:42.940 hatred, terror, adoration. 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:48.580 There was no trace of people expressing mild approval. 00:14:50.760 --> 00:14:53.740 This story tells us that it's very easy 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:57.500 to not look at what we don't want to see 00:14:57.500 --> 00:15:01.240 and that it's very common to ignore the evidence 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.640 that's staring us in the face 00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:05.400 because it's extremely demanding if it's true. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:11.120 Notice how these people respond to the healing in verse 10. 00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:12.940 So the Jewish leaders said to the man 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:14.540 who had been healed, 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.000 It is the Sabbath. 00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:17.920 The law forbids you to carry your mat. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.460 But he replied, 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.040 The man who made me well said to me, 00:15:21.140 --> 00:15:22.180 Pick up your mat and walk. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.960 So they asked him, 00:15:23.040 --> 00:15:26.620 Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk? 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:30.940 This man has been lying here for 38 years. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.780 He's just been healed. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.180 He jumps up, 00:15:34.400 --> 00:15:37.840 presumably leaping around out of his mind with joy. 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:39.600 And what is the question he's asked? 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.700 Why are you carrying your mat? 00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:45.140 Now there's a simple answer to that question. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.500 That is, 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.360 If you're healed, 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.860 then you're inclined to do everything 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:50.020 that the healer tells you to do, right? 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.360 If you, 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.620 if somebody gives me life 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.080 to my basically good as dead self, 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:57.039 then I'm bound to do whatever it is 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.240 they tell me to do. 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:00.440 But for these skeptics, 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:02.139 they turn a blind eye. 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:03.740 They don't want to look in the direction 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.139 of the evidence. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.399 The healed invalid calls Jesus 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:10.000 the man who made me well, 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.340 but the skeptics call Jesus 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:13.200 the man who told you to pick up your mat. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:16.820 That's selecting the evidence we like 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:19.580 and ignoring the evidence we don't like. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.080 For how can we focus 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:26.780 on the minor mat-carrying second fact 00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:31.720 and ignore the major life-changing first fact 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:35.480 that this paralytic is leaping for joy? 00:16:36.760 --> 00:16:38.500 You can only make such comments 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:40.960 if you've determined a priori 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:43.320 that you're not going to look at the evidence 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:45.800 and recognize what's just happened. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.580 And so that's the question for us 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:50.120 and for everybody really is, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.600 what about you? 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.960 What do you make of Jesus? 00:16:55.520 --> 00:16:57.120 What do you make of his shocking claims? 00:16:57.260 --> 00:16:57.740 What do you, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.480 what viewpoint do you take? 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:02.600 Do you see Jesus as a mere mortal 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:05.779 who makes claims he has no business making 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.559 and cannot back them up? 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.980 Or do you see him as one, 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.299 self-described in verse 21, 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:14.700 as one who gives life 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:17.400 to whom he's pleased to give it? 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:20.140 And that's something we have to wrestle with 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:21.460 if you're exploring Christianity. 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.160 You have to wrestle with 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.740 these shocking claims 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:26.640 that Jesus makes. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.600 But Jesus not only makes shocking claims, 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.400 he heals the helpless. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:32.080 He not only makes shocking claims, 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.759 he backs them up 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.480 by healing the helpless. 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.980 And I want to turn our attention 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.840 to the story in verse 3. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:42.939 It says that Jesus came to Jerusalem 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:44.079 and when he got there, 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.240 he went to this particular place 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.439 where there was a great number 00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:49.339 of disabled people 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:51.059 who used to lie, 00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:51.980 the blind, 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.839 the lame, 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.939 and the paralyzed. 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:58.179 Jesus moves not toward the privileged, 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.839 but toward the paralyzed. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.220 And we can imagine the misery 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.599 of this pitiful crowd 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:05.619 of broken, desperate people 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.699 that are half dead. 00:18:06.899 --> 00:18:07.759 They're the living dead. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:10.000 Paraplegics, as you might know, 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.879 have no bladder or bowel control. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.720 So you can imagine the refuse, 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.799 the filth, 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.700 and the stench of this place 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.619 where Jesus decides to go. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.960 And he gets there in verse 5 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:23.700 and it says that one who was there 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:26.519 had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.779 Been there a long time. 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.119 Before Jesus was born, 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.119 this guy was there. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.559 38 years ago, 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.839 I was five years old. 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.379 Right? 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.480 38 years ago, 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.120 some of you only existed 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:38.519 in the mind of God. 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.980 It's a long time 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.819 for your muscles 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.539 and your legs 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.680 to waste away 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.460 and your limbs 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.160 to become 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:47.059 totally not useful. 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:50.039 He has no capacity to walk, 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.779 no strength, 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.579 no balance. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.240 But what's interesting 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.240 is that his story 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.700 is even more complex 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.779 than what we see, 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.200 you know, 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.960 with our own five senses, 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.440 as all of our stories are. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.740 Why did Jesus choose 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.880 to heal this particular guy? 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.220 Well, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.779 because he has no ability. 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:10.259 Because he's incurable. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.539 He's stuck. 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.880 He's impotent 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.559 and utterly helpless 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.299 and hopeless. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.460 And what's interesting here 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.940 is that his outward physical 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.480 capacity 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.039 and condition 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.660 mirrors the inward 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:25.420 spiritual condition 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.880 of all people. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.480 What he is on the outside, 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:30.400 we are on the inside. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.140 And I want to help you see that. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.860 That's why Jesus 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.500 asks this question 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.359 in verse 6, 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.799 when Jesus saw him 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.319 lying there 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.160 and learned that he'd been 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.759 in this condition 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.599 for a long time, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.180 he asked him, 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:42.140 do you want to get well? 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.160 That's a searching, 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.680 penetrating question. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.799 And the man's response 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.019 is revealing 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.940 in verse 7. 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.079 Sir, 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.059 the invalid replied, 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:51.859 I have no one 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:52.880 to help me into the pool 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.960 when the water is stirred. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.440 And while I'm trying 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.920 to get in, 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.200 someone else goes down 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.279 ahead of me. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:01.399 This guy is a faithless Jew. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.539 He's entirely without belief. 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:06.599 He doesn't even mention God. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.980 He expects nothing from God. 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.319 In fact, 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.460 he's at a pagan pool. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.279 He's at a superstitious shrine 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:14.660 dedicated to the god Asclepius, 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:16.319 this Greco-Roman god 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.500 of medicine and healing. 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:19.480 And it's just not working for him. 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.480 And what he says to Jesus 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.079 is I basically have no friends. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.619 I have no one who cares for me. 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:26.919 It's an every man for himself world 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.539 and I'm completely ignored 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.239 and all alone. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.579 And what you can kind of hear 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.559 in this man's voice 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:36.439 is that his identity over time 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:37.599 has become wrapped up 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.219 in his infirmity. 00:20:39.979 --> 00:20:41.439 And that he has become 00:20:41.439 --> 00:20:43.539 codependent with his brokenness. 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:46.979 And he now has a victim mentality. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:50.959 A blaming and complaining spirit 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:52.579 where he's very good 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.219 at pointing out 00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:54.079 all the wrongs 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.799 of everybody around him. 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:57.899 And that's why Jesus asked him, 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.899 do you want to get well? 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:04.059 Jesus has a searching gaze 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:06.799 that sees into the depths 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.759 of our hearts 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:10.099 past all of our defenses 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:11.879 and into our real problems. 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.639 And that's why Jesus later on 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.539 in verse 14 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:16.359 finds this guy 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.519 after he's been healed 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.939 and he says to him, 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.139 see your well again, 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.339 stop sinning. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:23.720 You're well again, 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.500 stop sinning 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.339 or something worse 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.839 may happen to you. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.599 Jesus knows this guy's heart. 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:32.439 He knows that he's sick, 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.220 not just with physical paralysis, 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:36.359 but he's sick with sin. 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:39.459 What theologians call 00:21:39.459 --> 00:21:41.699 homo incurvatus in se. 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:43.399 He is a human being 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:45.259 curved in upon himself. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:48.299 He centered his life on himself. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.480 Does that sound familiar 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.240 to anybody? 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.960 Jesus says, 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:53.419 yes, 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:55.619 you are a helpless victim 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.879 of suffering 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:58.539 and physical paralysis, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.480 but more than that, 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.940 you're helpless 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:04.079 because you're a responsible agent 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.399 of sin 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.940 that has created 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.919 a spiritual paralysis 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:10.339 in your soul. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:12.699 38 years 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:14.059 of a chronic crisis 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.839 has made you 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.740 a crotchety, 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.559 curmudgeonly, 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.000 unpleasant, 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:22.299 despairing fellow. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.740 Ouch. 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:28.539 And we kind of know that 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.720 because this guy gets healed 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:31.220 and he doesn't even thank Jesus. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.039 He doesn't even bother 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.659 to find out 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:34.039 who Jesus is. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.139 Well, Jesus has insight 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.240 into all the dimensions 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.839 of the human heart. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.500 And he says, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.759 this guy is an invalid 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.940 who's a helpless sinner 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.120 like all of us 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:46.960 who needs to be saved 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.000 by grace. 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.799 And thank God 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.839 that Jesus seeks us 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.680 and finds us 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:53.359 to give us that grace. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.599 He singles out 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.740 sin-sick people 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.779 with no ability 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.779 who are incurable, 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.680 who are stuck, 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.660 who are impotent, 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.019 who are utterly helpless 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.859 and hopeless, 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.720 totally immobilized 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.279 by our egocentricity, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:10.160 no capacity 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.299 to struggle up 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.140 to our feet 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.039 spiritually 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.960 on our own. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.880 And what does he do? 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.920 He makes us free. 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.220 He makes us walk. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.039 Look at the dramatic 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.819 demonstration 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:25.380 of inconceivable power. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.039 This pitiful pagan pool 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.819 has done nothing 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.519 for this guy. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.779 But in a few simple words, 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.700 what does Jesus say? 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.299 Get up, 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.220 pick up your mat, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.920 and walk. 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.059 And at once, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.700 the man was cured 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.980 and picked up his mat 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.700 and he walked. 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.819 And this is what Jesus 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.539 is getting at 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.200 in verse 21 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.920 when he says, 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.100 just as the Father 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.980 raises the dead 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.880 and gives them life, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.259 even so the Son 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.839 gives life 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:51.380 to those he's pleased 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.360 to give it. 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.519 It's what Jesus means 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.019 when he says 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.880 in verse 25, 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.039 very truly I tell you 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.960 a time is coming 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.220 and has now come 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.140 when the dead 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:01.120 will hear the voice 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.980 of the Son of God 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.000 and those who hear 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.200 will live. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:05.940 But, 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:08.059 Jesus has only 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:09.099 just begun 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.960 to heal this guy. 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:13.299 He has healed him 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.900 in his body, 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.119 but what about his soul? 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.920 He's healed his 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.480 physical paralysis, 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.500 but Jesus wants 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.700 to do a much more 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.660 dramatic healing 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:23.180 of his spiritual 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.200 paralysis. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.980 Jesus has no 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.819 prerequisite 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:29.559 of faith and obedience 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.799 to come and be healed 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.240 by him. 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.579 In fact, 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.599 the guy doesn't come. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.880 Jesus goes to find him. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.859 But Jesus definitely 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.859 requires faith 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.359 and obedience 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.980 as a grateful response 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.120 to the healing. 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.640 And that's where 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.519 I want to end 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.720 our time this morning. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.440 Jesus makes 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.460 shocking claims. 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:47.000 He heals 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.500 the helpless 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.839 and then he shows us 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.680 how to walk 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.420 free. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.240 He makes 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.220 shocking claims. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.559 He heals 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.039 the helpless, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.599 but he doesn't 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.259 stop there. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.400 He shows us 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.380 how to walk 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.240 free. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.599 See, 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.240 Jesus says, 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:01.819 I'm able 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.720 to raise you 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.339 up to an 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.779 entirely new 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.400 existence, 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.220 but this new 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:08.079 life is not 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.579 a freedom 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.400 to go back 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.559 to live 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.019 like you 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.759 were living 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.240 before. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.880 A doctrine 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.440 of cheap 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.140 grace 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.740 snatches from 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.460 God all the 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.299 benefits of 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.980 life 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.420 and then presumes 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.000 that I can just 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.799 keep on living 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.400 the way I 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.640 determined to 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.460 live my life. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.000 But Jesus, 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.700 what does he do 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.539 in verse 14? 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.200 He comes 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.779 and finds him 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.200 in the temple 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.700 and he says 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:30.980 to him, 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.400 see, 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.740 you are well 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.140 again, 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.220 stop sinning 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.200 or something 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.440 worse may 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.259 happen to you. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.259 What a 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.900 window 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:41.500 into the 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:41.980 terrible 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.960 judgment 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.059 of God. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.000 For what 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.880 could possibly 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.860 befall you 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:49.400 that would be 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.319 worse than 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.700 being a 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.660 paralyzed person 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.319 lying on the 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.259 ground for 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.380 38 years? 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:56.700 Jesus says, 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.220 do not 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.720 think 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.020 that a 00:25:59.020 --> 00:25:59.420 lifetime 00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.900 of being 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.420 an invalid 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.840 is the 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.520 worst thing 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:01.860 that can 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.320 happen to 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:02.580 you. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.940 Something 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.680 far worse 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.180 than any 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.780 sickness, 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:06.840 however bad, 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.560 something far 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:09.040 worse than 00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:09.980 any disappointment, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.000 any loss 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.840 of health 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.620 or money 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.420 or friends 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.360 or deprivation 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.340 can happen 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.660 to you. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.060 What's the 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.500 worst thing 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.780 that can 00:26:16.780 --> 00:26:17.220 happen to 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.440 you? 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.340 It's to 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.900 sin and 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.300 not be 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:20.740 forgiven. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.660 It's to 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.120 perish 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.599 spiritually 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:26.000 forever. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.059 And so 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.839 Jesus gives 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.519 this warning 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.059 that's full 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.739 of grace 00:26:30.739 --> 00:26:31.739 and truth. 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.259 I've given 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.899 you health. 00:26:34.239 --> 00:26:34.639 Now don't 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.139 put that 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.439 at risk. 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.759 Put the 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.159 sins of 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.619 your past 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.199 life behind 00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:40.539 you for 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.039 your future 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.379 life depends 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:42.699 on it 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:43.179 completely. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:44.839 What is 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.299 the something 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.959 worse that 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.439 could happen 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:46.859 to this 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.159 man? 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.839 This is 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.159 where we 00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:49.559 encounter 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.959 that unavoidable 00:26:50.959 --> 00:26:51.959 and awkward 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.160 doctrine of 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.480 Jesus 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.460 about 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.319 hell. 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:57.000 I don't 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.200 want to 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.640 talk about 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:57.840 it. 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:58.480 And most 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.940 preachers don't 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.120 want to 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.500 talk about 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.680 it. 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.279 But it's 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.539 in all 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:00.920 the four 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.440 gospels 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.880 and it's 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.160 in all 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.720 the writings 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.100 of the 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.519 people that 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.200 Jesus chose 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.759 and trained 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.600 to represent 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.019 him. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:06.900 And Jesus 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.319 is getting 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.779 at it right 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.100 here in 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:08.720 verse 28. 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.460 Do not 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:09.940 be amazed 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.319 at this 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.600 for a 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.039 time is 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.380 coming 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.720 when all 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:12.980 who are 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.220 in their 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.539 graves 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:13.940 will hear 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.460 his voice 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:14.860 and come 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.120 out. 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.279 Those who 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.559 have done 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:16.840 what is 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.240 good will 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.720 rise to 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.100 live and 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.440 those who 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:18.720 have done 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:18.980 what is 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.519 evil will 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.940 rise to 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.099 be 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.500 condemned. 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.519 By 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.120 myself I 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.420 can do 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.759 nothing. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.240 I judge 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.759 only as 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.160 I hear 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.599 and my 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:24.980 judgment 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.559 is 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.420 just. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.640 For I 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.059 seek not 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.480 to please 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.299 myself but 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.319 him who 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.740 sent me. 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.099 Now why 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.500 does Jesus 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.819 have to 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.200 bring this 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.440 up? 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.440 Is he 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.200 trying to 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.680 ruin our 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:35.980 fun? 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.640 Is he 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.120 trying to 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.579 manipulate 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.039 us? 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.299 Is he 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.640 trying to 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.259 scare us 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.579 into being 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.019 able to 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.539 control 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.140 us? 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.620 Or is 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.000 he giving 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.700 us gracious 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.580 truthful 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.540 warnings? 00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:49.740 When I 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.060 look at 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:50.340 Jesus' 00:27:50.540 --> 00:27:52.160 life and 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.460 the way 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:52.940 he treated 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.660 people I 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.000 see the 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.720 most loving 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.920 person who 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.180 has ever 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.560 walked 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:57.920 planet 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.380 earth. 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.040 Jesus 00:28:00.040 --> 00:28:02.440 caused 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.980 people who 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.640 were rejected 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:05.080 by the rest 00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:05.600 of the world 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.040 like this 00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:06.500 paralytic 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.380 guy to 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.680 feel 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.440 completely 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.980 loved and 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.440 accepted. 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.460 And so 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:14.019 I think 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.539 the reason 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.519 Jesus warns 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.100 about hell 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:16.500 more than 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.279 any person 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.900 in the 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.519 whole Bible 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:20.440 is because 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.079 he loves 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.660 us and 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.160 he doesn't 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.720 want us 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.380 to go 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.579 there. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:24.980 He doesn't 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.340 want us 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.700 to experience 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.160 it. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.660 And he 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:29.400 knows that 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.019 if we 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.279 continue to 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.380 ignore God 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:33.340 and reject 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:33.960 God throughout 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.600 our lives 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.039 then God 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.680 is ultimately 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.819 right. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.340 He's what 00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:37.920 Jesus calls 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:40.160 just to 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.980 reject us. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:42.620 He knows 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:42.980 that our 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.480 sins will 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.920 take us 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.220 to a 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.740 place of 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.819 unimaginable 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.920 and unending 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.500 suffering. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.099 That's why 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.640 he says 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.720 stop sinning. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.400 Stop sinning 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.319 because you 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:52.680 don't want 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:52.960 to go 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.299 there. 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.440 And that's 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.279 precisely why 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.039 this gospel 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.680 and all the 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.120 gospels 00:28:58.120 --> 00:29:00.279 climax with 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.839 the Son of 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.160 God hanging 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.599 on a cross. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.720 Because the 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.380 Father has 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.779 sent his 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.420 Son all 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:07.839 the way 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.380 from heaven 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.960 to earth 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.059 to save 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.480 us from 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.680 this 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.440 condemnation 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.500 and this 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.019 separation 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.720 from God. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.140 Jesus 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.740 hanging on 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.180 the cross 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.079 is in 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.440 hell 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.940 and he's 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.720 experiencing 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.759 and bearing 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.860 the condemnation 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.279 and the 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.600 judgment 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.640 that we 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.480 deserve. 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:26.140 And this 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.680 is what he's 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.180 getting at 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.980 in verse 24. 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.660 Very truly 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.420 I tell you 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.880 whoever hears 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.480 my words 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:31.980 and believes 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.640 him who sent 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.079 me has 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.779 eternal life 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.400 and will 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.920 not be 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.360 judged. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.879 On the 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.479 basis of 00:29:37.479 --> 00:29:38.179 the judgment 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:38.519 that I 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.939 came to 00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:39.319 bear you 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.879 will not 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.519 be judged 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.879 but you 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.439 have crossed 00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:42.119 over from 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.500 death to 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.919 life. 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.099 And because 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.919 Jesus moves 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.339 us from 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.859 death to 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.799 life he 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.619 relentlessly 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.539 goes after 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.240 the sin 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.939 and death 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.899 that's left 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.559 inside of 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:53.879 us. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.479 And that's 00:29:55.479 --> 00:29:55.759 why he 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.139 comes to 00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:56.559 this guy 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:56.819 and he 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.619 says stop 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.599 sinning 00:29:58.599 --> 00:30:00.059 or something 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.719 worse may 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.779 happen to 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.099 you. 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:04.759 Jesus came 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.359 not only to 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.819 save us 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.939 from the 00:30:06.939 --> 00:30:07.399 hell of 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.139 condemnation 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:09.359 but he 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.119 came also 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.619 to save 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.000 us from 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.519 that which 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.500 leads us 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:12.939 there and 00:30:12.939 --> 00:30:13.459 that's why 00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:13.919 he asked 00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.740 this question 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.599 in verse 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.079 6 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.539 do you 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.159 want to 00:30:18.159 --> 00:30:18.899 get well? 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.059 That's a 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.439 more 00:30:21.439 --> 00:30:22.619 uncomfortable 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.579 and deeply 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.399 disconcerting 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.099 question than 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.719 any of us 00:30:25.719 --> 00:30:26.219 realize. 00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:26.839 Do you 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.500 want to 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.899 be well? 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.019 It's easy 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.779 to say yes 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.319 I want to 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.960 be completely 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.940 whole but 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.339 do I even 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:35.660 know what 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.359 that means? 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.519 Jesus is 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.819 saying do 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.619 you want a 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.279 new life? 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.259 Do you 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.940 want to 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.599 be a 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.180 completely 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.079 transformed 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.920 person? 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.980 Do you 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.920 want for 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.700 God to 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.619 come and 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:53.000 fully heal 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.420 you and 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.759 fully liberate 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.160 you and 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.940 fully deal 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.440 with all 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:56.920 the stuff 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.279 he needs 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.799 to deal 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.420 with in 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.700 you? 00:30:59.059 --> 00:30:59.460 Do you 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.579 want God 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.000 to come 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.460 and deal 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:01.900 with the 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.279 refuse 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.519 of your 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.059 resentment 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.680 and your 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.039 bitterness? 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.680 Do you 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.259 want God 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.819 to deal 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.460 with the 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.000 filth of 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.720 your pride 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.059 and your 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.400 envy? 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.819 Do you 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.480 really want 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.960 God to 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.299 deal with 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.059 the stench 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.519 of the 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.120 sloth 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:15.500 and the 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.019 slander 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.600 that 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:17.460 characterizes 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.700 your life? 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.059 Jesus' 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.900 question is 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:22.500 deep. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.340 Do you 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:24.940 want me to 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.420 deal with 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:25.880 all the 00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:27.019 secret things 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.360 that are 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:27.779 hidden 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.059 inside of 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.220 you? 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.819 all those 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.420 treasured 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.740 sins, 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.319 all those 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.960 cherished 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.819 attachments 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.680 that you 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.120 can't 00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.640 imagine 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.480 living 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.380 without? 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.900 Do you 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.519 really want 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.740 me to 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.259 get involved 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.559 in your 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.920 life? 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.539 Do you 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.600 really want 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:43.920 me to 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.480 come and 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:44.980 be as 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.600 determined 00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.620 to root 00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:47.559 out that 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.420 which with 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.900 equal 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.579 determination 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.319 of yours 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.860 to be the 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.700 center of 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.079 everything? 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.480 Do you 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.079 want me to 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.019 come in 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.559 like that? 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:58.579 do you 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:58.839 want to 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.139 commit 00:31:59.139 --> 00:31:59.700 yourself 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:01.299 to a 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.839 lifelong 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.879 conflict 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:04.779 with sin? 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.240 Do you 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.500 want to 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:08.940 get well? 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.759 Honestly, 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.179 I have to 00:32:12.179 --> 00:32:12.460 say, 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.440 no, 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:14.899 I do 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:15.259 not. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.899 I don't 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.200 want to 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.659 do God's 00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:20.839 will. 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.440 I want 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.819 to do 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.740 my will. 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:26.440 I am 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.279 helpless. 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.279 And I 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.640 have to 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.559 say that 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.019 my only 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.519 hope is 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:31.920 God, 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.279 you have 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.799 to raise 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.380 me up 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:37.640 by the 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.160 hand of 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.420 Jesus 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.019 Christ 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.839 through the 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:42.019 power of 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.380 the Holy 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:42.720 Spirit. 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.140 I would 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.700 love to 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.259 want to 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.579 be well, 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:44.859 but I 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.140 don't even 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.559 know if I 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.000 want to 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.539 be well. 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.799 Lord, 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.259 if you 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.660 want me 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:48.960 to be 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.279 well, 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:49.920 make me 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.259 want to 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.740 be well. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.240 Lord, 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.779 you must 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.259 work in 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.039 me both 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.660 to will 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.220 and to 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.740 do your 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.400 good pleasure. 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.220 You must 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.559 give me 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.160 the desire 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.559 and then 00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.099 you must 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.400 give me 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.039 the strength 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:01.099 to carry 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:01.799 it out. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.180 That's what 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.620 Christianity 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.180 is. 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:06.160 A doctrine 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:07.079 of cheap 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.000 grace says, 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:08.500 yeah, 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:08.759 God, 00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:09.299 heal me and 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.599 I'll just 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:09.980 keep doing 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.500 whatever I 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:10.839 want. 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.140 But a 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.680 doctrine of 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.620 costly grace, 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.599 here's the 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.019 words of 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.880 Jesus saying, 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.480 if you 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.559 want to 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.299 come after 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:18.579 me, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.980 you must 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.740 deny 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:22.259 yourself 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:24.179 and you 00:33:24.179 --> 00:33:24.980 must take 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.359 up your 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.859 cross 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.639 and come 00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:29.000 and follow 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.279 me. 00:33:29.439 --> 00:33:29.699 Come, 00:33:30.179 --> 00:33:30.939 become like 00:33:30.939 --> 00:33:32.139 me in 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:32.859 every way 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:34.059 imaginable, 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.019 in my mind 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.460 and what I 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:35.819 think, 00:33:36.659 --> 00:33:37.439 in my heart 00:33:37.439 --> 00:33:37.839 and what I 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.240 desire, 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.079 in my will 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.099 and what I 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.500 choose. 00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:40.980 Come, 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.500 learn, 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.480 to live like 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.159 the son with 00:33:45.159 --> 00:33:45.960 his father in 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:47.859 total dependence, 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:49.539 total surrender, 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:51.099 total obedience, 00:33:51.459 --> 00:33:52.319 watching every 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.099 move that the 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.839 father makes 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.240 and doing 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:55.179 exactly what 00:33:55.179 --> 00:33:55.759 the father 00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.240 does. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.139 Are you sure 00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:58.399 you want to 00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.079 be well? 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.979 You sure you 00:34:01.979 --> 00:34:02.399 want to be 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.059 like me? 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.740 Wellness 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:07.439 embodied? 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.159 Are you sure 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:10.739 you want to 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:12.339 walk free 00:34:12.339 --> 00:34:14.299 forever? 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.180 That's the 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:18.539 question, 00:34:18.660 --> 00:34:19.079 isn't it? 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.960 In the name 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.180 of the 00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.440 Father, 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:21.700 Son, 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.059 and Holy 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.460 Spirit, 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:23.480 amen. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.620 Amen. 00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:23.680 Amen. 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:53.659 Thank you.