WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.040 Good morning, everybody. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.660 It's a new view here. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:08.640 Because this is my first time preaching down here on the fifth floor. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:10.919 So it's good to see you all. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:11.880 ! Thanks for coming out. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:12.880 It's good to gather together. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:17.820 And we've been adjusting to our new space here on the fifth floor. 00:00:18.339 --> 00:00:19.280 It's our third week here. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:23.440 And it's nice to have more space down here, more space for the kids upstairs. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:26.100 And I know it's different. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:27.019 It's different. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:29.240 So I want you guys to know we're hearing your feedback. 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:31.000 And we're listening. 00:00:32.339 --> 00:00:36.979 And specifically, a few people mentioned lighting. 00:00:36.979 --> 00:00:41.179 Because on the 14th floor, we had those warm floor lamps. 00:00:41.379 --> 00:00:42.119 It was dimmer. 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:42.859 It was cozy. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:43.719 It was more comfortable. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:53.320 And in fact, we still use the 14th floor for life groups, mainly on Thursdays and Fridays for our GU youth group at night. 00:00:53.619 --> 00:00:55.739 And people like the dim mood lighting. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:01:00.140 So typically, we'll keep the lights off at GU. 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:02.780 We'll keep the lights off and just use the lamps. 00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:03.560 Okay? 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:05.719 But when the night's over, it's late. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:07.120 Everyone's heading home. 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:07.900 We have to clean up. 00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:10.379 And so this happens almost every week. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:11.840 I walk over to the door. 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:13.680 I flip the switch on. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:15.379 Immediately, 100% brightness. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:18.420 And almost every time, someone's going to scream. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:19.140 Someone screams. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:20.719 I'm looking at Coco wherever she is. 00:01:21.179 --> 00:01:22.479 She's like, ah, turn it off. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:25.159 This happens almost every time. 00:01:25.479 --> 00:01:26.500 And why do they scream? 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:29.859 It's because the light is a shock. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:35.459 When we're used to the dark, when our eyes are adjusted to the dark, the light hurts. 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:36.359 It burns. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:37.359 It's uncomfortable. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:38.719 Right? 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:44.079 But aside from the shock, the light forces you to deal with what's in front of you. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:44.620 What's true? 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:45.480 What is reality? 00:01:46.259 --> 00:01:48.599 In the dim light, I can pretend that the room is clean. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:53.299 Whereas in reality, when the lights turn on, there's actually ketchup on the floor. 00:01:53.419 --> 00:01:55.339 There's candies wrapper scattered everywhere. 00:01:55.399 --> 00:01:56.859 I don't know how this mess came about. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.019 But when the main switch turns on, you can't deny the mess in the room. 00:02:00.539 --> 00:02:02.299 The light reveals the truth. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:09.859 And we've been spending the past few weeks leading up to Christmas looking at reasons why Jesus came. 00:02:09.859 --> 00:02:11.939 Why did Jesus come into this world? 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:18.579 Usually when we think of Christmas, we think of flickering candles and warm, colorful Christmas lights. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:19.219 In the dark. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:24.019 But today we see that Jesus didn't come to be comfortable moonlighting for us. 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:26.439 Jesus came to flip on the main switch. 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:30.799 He came as light flooding a dark world with absolute truth. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:35.900 And just like at GU sometimes, the world screamed. 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:38.280 When the light turned on, the world screamed, turn it off. 00:02:38.859 --> 00:02:40.500 They screamed, crucify him. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:44.379 Today we'll be reading from John chapter 18. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:47.740 It's early morning on the day that Jesus was crucified. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:48.620 That's the setting. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:51.340 And Jesus is standing trial before Pilate. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:56.320 In verse 37, John chapter 18, verse 37, Jesus tells us this. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:02:59.120 For this purpose, I was born. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.340 And for this purpose, I've come into the world. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.820 To bear witness to the truth. 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:06.920 Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:07.620 That's what he says. 00:03:08.160 --> 00:03:10.800 And we'll see today that Jesus is the truth. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:17.600 But the problem is that we, we all, like people sitting in a dark room, we all naturally hate the truth. 00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:18.780 We dislike the truth. 00:03:19.100 --> 00:03:21.660 And that's exactly why Jesus came into this world. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:23.800 That's why Jesus was born and died. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:27.140 He came to die for people who hated him. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:31.139 And with that in mind, let's turn to John chapter 18. 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:33.879 I'll invite JP up to read for us today. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:38.939 We'll be reading from John chapter 18, verses 28 to verse 40. 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:45.699 And if, I think the welcome team is passing out Bibles, but if anyone would like a Bible, please raise your hand. 00:03:45.959 --> 00:03:49.899 There's Bibles in the white bookshelf up front, and you could grab one on the way in next time. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:57.860 But yeah, let's stand together also as we read together from the word of God, just as an act of just to show our reverence for the word of God. 00:03:57.960 --> 00:03:59.340 Let's stand as we read together. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.780 John chapter 18. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:12.920 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. 00:04:13.480 --> 00:04:14.460 It was early morning. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:21.800 They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters so that they would not be defiled, but could eat at the Passover. 00:04:22.280 --> 00:04:24.420 So Pilate went outside to them and said, 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.199 What accusation do you bring against this man? 00:04:27.960 --> 00:04:28.900 They answered him, 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:33.680 If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you. 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:35.439 Pilate said to them, 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:39.040 Take him yourself and judge him by your own law. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:40.639 The Jews said to him, 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:43.579 It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:49.759 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:54.800 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.639 Are you the king of the Jews? 00:04:57.139 --> 00:04:57.979 Jesus answered, 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:02.919 Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me? 00:05:04.979 --> 00:05:05.879 Pilate answered, 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:07.219 Am I a Jew? 00:05:07.659 --> 00:05:10.860 Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:12.000 What have you done? 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.839 Jesus answered, 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:15.959 My kingdom is not of this world. 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:20.019 If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:22.920 that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.399 But my kingdom is not from the world. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:27.439 Then Pilate said to him, 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:28.699 So you are a king? 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:30.300 Jesus answered, 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:32.139 You say that I am a king. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:34.120 For this purpose I was born, 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:36.600 and for this purpose I have come into the world, 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:38.279 to bear witness to the truth. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:43.159 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:05:43.799 --> 00:05:44.759 Pilate said to him, 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:45.619 What is the truth? 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:47.739 After he had said this, 00:05:47.979 --> 00:05:50.779 he went back outside to the Jews and told them, 00:05:51.119 --> 00:05:52.639 I find no guilt in him. 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:56.959 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. 00:05:57.559 --> 00:06:00.159 So do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:01.740 They cried out again, 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:03.820 Not this man, but Barabbas. 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:05.460 Now Barabbas was a robber. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.220 This is the word of the Lord. 00:06:08.400 --> 00:06:09.280 Please take a seat. 00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:11.340 Thank you, JP, for reading for us. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:18.060 So again, 00:06:18.179 --> 00:06:18.859 Jesus said, 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:20.699 For this purpose I was born, 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:23.219 and for this purpose I've come into the world, 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:24.919 to bear witness to the truth. 00:06:25.359 --> 00:06:26.579 One question we can ask is, 00:06:26.679 --> 00:06:28.219 what is this truth? 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:31.019 What is the truth Jesus is bearing witness to? 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.959 And we see a clue in how Jesus says it, 00:06:33.979 --> 00:06:34.539 in that phrase. 00:06:34.979 --> 00:06:36.239 For this purpose I was born, 00:06:36.559 --> 00:06:38.859 and for this purpose I came into the world. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:43.199 So we're talking about this because we're celebrating Christmas. 00:06:43.520 --> 00:06:45.180 We're preparing our hearts for Christmas. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:46.980 And you know, for Christians, 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.360 Christmas isn't just about Santa Claus and reindeers and snowflakes. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:57.180 At Christmas we celebrate the reality that Jesus was born and came into this world. 00:06:58.020 --> 00:07:01.160 Now this week, we also celebrated another birthday. 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:05.040 This week we celebrate Darren Zeeway and their baby girl, Avery, 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:06.199 who was born this week. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.819 That deserves a round of applause. 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:11.220 Zeeway gave birth to Avery this week. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.460 And now when Avery was born, 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:16.939 we say sometimes Avery came into this world. 00:07:17.580 --> 00:07:20.420 But really what happened is Avery came into existence. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.220 We'll spare the details, 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.420 but Avery came into existence nine months ago when she was conceived. 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:29.540 That's when she became a person with dignity, value, 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:30.580 made in the image of God. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:31.400 Okay? 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:34.360 And nine months later, several days ago, she was born. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:36.699 But Jesus' birth is different. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:39.300 When Jesus said, I came into the world, 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.959 he literally came into this world. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:43.839 John chapter one says, 00:07:43.979 --> 00:07:45.779 Jesus was in the beginning with God. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:47.759 All things were made through him, through Jesus. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:50.659 And without him was not anything made that was made. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.759 You see, Jesus wasn't created. 00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:54.219 He is the creator. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:55.800 When Jesus was born, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:58.480 he came into the world as the creator, 00:07:58.840 --> 00:08:02.400 stepping down into his creation, into the world he made. 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:07.360 He came into the world by stepping down from his throne and entering time and space. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.879 Jesus was eternally the son of God. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.520 Jesus is God, even before time began. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.600 But 2,000 years ago, 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:20.720 when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in his mother Mary, 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:23.280 Jesus, he kept his divine nature, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:26.259 but also took on a human nature. 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.819 That's what we call the incarnation. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:34.320 The son of God took on flesh without taking off God in any way. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:37.920 Jesus is one person with two natures. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.220 He is fully God and fully man. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:45.020 Each nature, the properties fully preserved without confusion or change. 00:08:45.260 --> 00:08:49.940 And the two natures coming together in one person without division or separation. 00:08:50.800 --> 00:08:52.320 That's what we call the incarnation, 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:55.400 which means that Jesus isn't just 50% God. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.820 He's not half God and half man. 00:08:57.160 --> 00:09:00.700 He's fully God, 100% God and 100% man. 00:09:00.880 --> 00:09:02.960 And this matters because when Jesus, 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:08.100 because Jesus had to be fully man in order to be our substitute on the cross. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:11.080 And he had to be fully God in order to give us eternal life. 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:13.259 And this also matters because when Jesus said, 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:15.639 I came to bear witness to the truth, 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:19.740 he didn't just come as a good man with good teaching, 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:21.100 giving just good advice. 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.379 Jesus came also as God, 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:24.980 the author of reality, 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:27.440 the one who was and is and is to come, 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:30.840 the one who defines what is good and right and true. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:33.160 That's how he bears witness to the truth. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:34.580 And at Christmas, 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:38.840 we celebrate that Jesus lets us see the glory of God for what it is. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.820 John chapter one, verse 14 says, 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:45.220 the word Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:46.759 And we have seen his glory, 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.759 glory as of the only son from the father, 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:51.860 full of grace and truth. 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:54.340 We can't see God. 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:55.899 We can't touch God. 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:58.019 We can't reach for God, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:02.360 except for the fact that God came down in the form of man. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:04.000 Colossians chapter one says, 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:07.500 Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.519 When Jesus came in the flesh, 00:10:09.680 --> 00:10:13.360 he made the invisible God fully visible in all his glory. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.159 And at Christmas, 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:16.100 we celebrate that the God of the universe, 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:19.980 we can now see and hear and touch because Jesus took on flesh. 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.019 The man, 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:24.920 Jesus is also the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:25.240 nature. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:29.399 We can see God for who he is through Jesus. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:33.600 And when we look at the gospels and we look at the life of Jesus, 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:35.139 we see that God is so, 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.259 so good. 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:39.120 Jesus bore witness to God by what he taught. 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:43.360 He proclaimed that the kingdom of God is here and the kingdom of God is not 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.560 like the kingdoms of this world. 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:45.980 As it says in John 18, 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:46.580 36, 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.120 Jesus says, 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.300 my kingdom is not of this world. 00:10:49.900 --> 00:10:51.000 God's kingdom is better. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:52.420 In our world, 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.139 we see people hoard power to serve themselves, 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:57.720 to protect themselves and to enrich themselves. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.980 We see this on the global stage. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.680 Rulers start wars, 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.980 but they don't fight in them. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:06.500 They send people to die in the trenches while they sit safely, 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.460 flexing their influence. 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:10.040 In the kingdoms of this world, 00:11:10.280 --> 00:11:14.080 success often means climbing over someone else to get to the top. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:16.160 Think of the scams. 00:11:16.280 --> 00:11:16.620 We see, 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:21.480 we hear on the news or people risking lives just to cut corners and save a 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:21.759 dollar. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.340 But the kingdom of God is not like this. 00:11:25.520 --> 00:11:27.000 God's kingdom is upside down. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.139 Jesus says that the kingdom of God means good news to the poor, 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:33.000 comfort to the brokenhearted, 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.360 liberty to the captives, 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.440 sight to the blind, 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.680 freedom for those oppressed. 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:37.900 In the kingdom of God, 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:40.420 the king stepped down from his throne. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.620 He was born in a manger. 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:44.879 He should have been served by angels, 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.919 but he was born in a lowly manger. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.820 Jesus came to serve, 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.279 not to be served. 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.879 And Jesus didn't just talk about this. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.159 He demonstrated it in his miracles by healing a sick, 00:11:56.440 --> 00:11:57.620 raising Lazarus to life, 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.179 feeding the hungry. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:02.560 And he also demonstrated it in how he lived. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.639 Jesus is gentle and lowly. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.500 He didn't care so much for those who are influential and wealthy. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.820 He didn't care to be known by them and loved by them. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:12.060 Instead, 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:15.000 Jesus was drawn to the outcast and those on the fringe. 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.800 As we heard two weeks ago, 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:20.000 Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:23.120 He went to those who are marginalized and hated by society. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:26.980 So much so that his enemies called him a friend of sinners. 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:29.300 They called him that to criticize him. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:32.820 But to those who know that we are lost, 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:35.160 that is such a wonderful truth. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.600 But Jesus is a friend of sinners, 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.720 sinners like you and me. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:41.720 And that's the truth that Jesus proclaims. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.840 That God is merciful and gracious, 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.820 slow to anger, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.680 abounding in steadfast love and mercy. 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:50.180 And we have life to the full in knowing God, 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:52.500 in glorifying God and enjoying him forever. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.899 That's the beautiful truth that Jesus reveals to us. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:58.179 And when faced with the truth like that, 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.620 we ought to embrace it. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.860 We ought to love it. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:02.959 We ought to treasure God and love him. 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.980 But remember when the light turns on, 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:09.539 when the light of the world came as flesh, 00:13:10.079 --> 00:13:11.500 they didn't embrace him. 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:13.000 They didn't love him. 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:13.740 They screamed, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.439 turn it off. 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:16.220 And they wanted to kill him. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:19.740 And that's the tragedy we see in John chapter 18. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.019 Jesus bears witness to the truth, 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.799 but Pilate, 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:23.919 the high priests, 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:24.879 and the crowd, 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:27.100 they all reject the truth. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.720 They want nothing to do with it. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:31.259 And it's not just them as we look at John. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.620 It's all of us too. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.519 All of us were lost. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.100 That's the natural state of our hearts. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.240 It's to reject God 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.919 and to reject the truth. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.580 How do we reject the truth? 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.860 The first reason we see in John 18, 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:46.440 as we see looking at the high priests, 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:49.220 is that we assume the truth. 00:13:49.380 --> 00:13:51.500 We have prejudices about the truth. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.480 We assume that we know the truth 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:55.160 and that the truth is defined 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:57.340 according to our own thinking. 00:13:57.880 --> 00:13:59.020 Look at verse 28. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.020 It says, 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:02.400 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:03.640 to the governor's headquarters. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.020 It was early morning. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:08.280 This all happened early morning on Good Friday, 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:10.220 on the day that Jesus was crucified. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.180 Just several hours earlier, 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.280 in the middle of the night, 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:17.439 Judas had betrayed Jesus to the Jewish authorities. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.799 For three years, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.379 they all heard Jesus preach. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:22.159 They heard him heal the sick, 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.339 cast out demons. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.039 But at every turn, 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.259 they hated it. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:27.240 They criticized him. 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:29.319 They thought that Jesus was a false prophet, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.059 a fraud, 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.120 deceiving the people. 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.519 And so they hatched a plan 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.419 to have Judas betray him 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:36.939 and arrested Jesus in the dark of the night. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.959 And the Jewish authorities, 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:41.159 they wanted to kill Jesus, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:43.519 but they didn't have that authority. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.139 Only the Romans did. 00:14:45.719 --> 00:14:47.100 So the Jewish authorities, 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:49.939 they dragged Jesus before the Roman governor, 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.879 named Pilate, 00:14:51.579 --> 00:14:54.199 and asked Pilate to crucify him, 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.019 to kill Jesus. 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.839 And so in verse 29, 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.100 it says, 00:14:58.459 --> 00:15:00.259 Pilate went outside to them and said, 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:03.519 What accusation do you bring against this man? 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:06.679 Pilate asks a very reasonable question. 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.639 Imagine you're Pilate. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.779 It's very early in the morning. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.279 You just woke up, brushed your teeth, 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.939 and then you're greeted by this angry mob 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:13.339 outside your door, 00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:14.100 banging on your door, 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.559 asking you to kill this dangerous criminal. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.980 So naturally, Pilate asks, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.139 What did this guy do? 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.779 What's the crime? 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.779 If you want to execute him, 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.039 give me something. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.799 State the crime. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:28.319 But look at how the Jewish authorities respond 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.419 in verse 30. 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.439 They say, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.360 If this man were not doing evil, 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.500 we would not have delivered him over to you. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.339 They don't answer the question. 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.819 They bring Jesus to trial, 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.899 but they don't bring any evidence. 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.019 They don't bring any witnesses. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:43.639 So I know we have some lawyers here at our church. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.100 Imagine you go to court, 00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.980 you stand before the judge, 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.879 and you say, 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:50.259 Of course he's guilty. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.639 Just trust me, your honor. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.419 If I say he's guilty, 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.720 of course he's guilty. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.039 Right? 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.600 These guys didn't do their homework. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:02.459 They just wanted Pilate to assume Jesus guilty, 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.439 listen to them, 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.960 and judge Jesus guilty 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.120 without giving him anything. 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:08.700 Well, it turns out that doesn't work, 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.600 and they need to give more details. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.500 So specifically, 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.639 they accuse Jesus of blasphemy. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.139 In John chapter 10, 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.779 and later in chapter 19, 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.480 they say that Jesus deserves to die 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:22.220 because he has made himself God. 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:24.000 He has made himself the son of God, 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.360 and like God. 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.240 But here's the problem. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.120 It's only blasphemy. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.940 It's only speaking against God 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.860 if it's not true, 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:36.100 if Jesus' claims were not true. 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:38.820 It's only a crime to say you're the son of God 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.919 if you're not, in fact, the son of God. 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.600 They saw all the signs. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.840 They saw the wonders, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:47.080 but their hearts were so hard 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.879 that they didn't believe 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:51.399 who Jesus was who he was claiming to be. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.679 And they assumed, 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.139 they just assumed the lie 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.560 that he's blaspheming. 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:57.459 Now for us, 00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.159 I want to ask us, 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:00.339 do we also have assumptions about the truth, 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.579 about who God is? 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.159 For the Pharisees, 00:17:03.239 --> 00:17:04.539 they assumed a view of God 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.220 based on their religious tradition, 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.500 not just on scripture, 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:09.359 but the practices they had handed down 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.419 year after year. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.899 Now for us in Hong Kong, 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:15.759 we may be looking at God 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.659 from the worldview of naturalism, 00:17:18.179 --> 00:17:19.419 that the physical world 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.559 is all that there is. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.359 If you can't measure it in a lab, 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.119 it isn't real. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.539 So when you read the Bible, 00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.119 you might think, 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:25.819 that's impossible. 00:17:25.959 --> 00:17:27.199 Science disproves miracles. 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:29.699 But I'd like to invite you 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:31.279 to challenge that assumption today. 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.799 Look at the historical evidence 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.739 that there is for Jesus. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:38.519 Read the eyewitness accounts in the Bible. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.879 And looking around in this room, 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.339 ask the people in this room 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:44.119 whose lives have been flipped upside down 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:46.000 by this man, Jesus. 00:17:47.199 --> 00:17:47.879 For me personally, 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.699 I like to consider myself, 00:17:49.739 --> 00:17:50.939 I like to think of myself 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:52.119 as a pretty rational person. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.199 In high school, 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.080 one of my favorite subjects 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:55.500 were math, physics, 00:17:55.580 --> 00:17:56.400 and computer science. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.080 Okay? 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.779 And I was working, 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.019 I cut my teeth in stock trading, 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.799 learning about my cognitive biases, 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.819 how to overcome them, 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.880 and see the world 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.279 in terms of numbers, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.279 in terms of probabilities. 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.380 But I stand here today 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.819 because I want to testify to you, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.740 I'm convinced that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.160 From what I see, 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.880 I'm convinced 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:15.580 that Jesus was a man who lived. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.519 He is the son of God 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.779 and he rose from the dead. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.500 So could I invite you also 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.039 to ask and investigate, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.839 challenge the assumptions you have, 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.460 if you have any. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.460 However, for many of us, 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:29.819 the hurdle isn't always just intellectual. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:32.699 Sometimes it's moral. 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:34.099 There are moral objections. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.679 Think about how, 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.980 when you read the Bible, 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.799 it's easy to read passages 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:42.119 that align with our thoughts and feelings. 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:43.479 Like God is love 00:18:43.479 --> 00:18:45.019 or love your neighbor as yourself. 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:46.379 We love verses like that. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:49.179 But what about when God says something 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:51.359 that clashes with our modern sensibilities? 00:18:52.219 --> 00:18:53.199 When Jesus says, 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.899 you can't serve both God and money, 00:18:55.479 --> 00:18:56.799 do we think that's too radical? 00:18:57.219 --> 00:18:58.239 That's too demanding? 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:01.899 When Jesus teaches on marriage and sexuality, 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:04.500 do we think that's oppressed and outdated? 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:05.799 That's oppressive and outdated. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.779 When Jesus says, 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:10.079 no one comes to the Father except through me, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.819 do we think that's not inclusive? 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:15.539 When Jesus teaches on sin and hell, 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.699 do we think sometimes 00:19:16.699 --> 00:19:18.639 a loving God can never do that? 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:21.399 Like the authorities judging Jesus 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:23.000 according to their own assumptions, 00:19:23.719 --> 00:19:25.339 sometimes we also put God on trial. 00:19:25.479 --> 00:19:26.859 Sometimes we say in our hearts, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:29.399 if Jesus doesn't fit into my mold, 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:30.659 then he must be wrong. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:33.299 But we have to conform our thoughts to his, 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.259 not the other way around. 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.939 At the end of the day, 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.579 Jesus is the standard of truth, 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.479 not us. 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.619 And yes, it's okay to have questions. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:44.059 It's okay to wrestle and not fully understand. 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:47.099 And again, sometimes the truth is uncomfortable. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:50.139 Sometimes the light is a shock to our eyes. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.159 But I encourage you, 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.539 press into that discomfort. 00:19:53.239 --> 00:19:54.939 Don't just shrink back and close your eyes. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.439 We assume the truth. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.700 And next, 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:01.380 we also ignore the truth. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:03.660 Let's read on in verse 33. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.340 It says, 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.620 So Pilate entered his headquarters again 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:09.660 and called Jesus and said to him, 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.480 Are you king of the Jews? 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.820 And Jesus responds to this saying, 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.480 Do you say this of your own accord? 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:17.120 Or did others say this about me? 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.220 And to that, 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.900 Pilate responds in verse 35. 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:20.960 Am I a Jew? 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:23.079 And in saying that, 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.620 in other words, 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.380 Pilate is saying, 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.779 Do I care? 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:26.600 Am I a Jew? 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.620 Is another word of saying, 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.440 Do I care? 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.779 He didn't really care to know whether Jesus was king. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.100 He's saying, 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:36.039 Do I really care if you're king of the Jews? 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.900 I'm not a Jew. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.059 Doesn't matter. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.840 Either way, 00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:40.200 you're not my king. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.240 I'm the governor. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.579 Pilate ignores the truth. 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.960 It doesn't matter to Pilate 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.900 whether Jesus is king at all or not. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.779 He doesn't care. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.559 Pilate's only concern 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:53.639 is to get these constituents off his back. 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.619 Pilate says, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:57.220 Your nation and the chief priests 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.759 have delivered you over to me. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.000 What have you done? 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.740 And asking, 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.839 Pilate only cares 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:05.339 to get rid of the crowd outside his door. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.379 And Jesus responds, 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.799 My kingdom is not of this world. 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.220 In saying this, 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:14.299 Jesus hints that his kingdom is different 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:17.160 and bigger from what Pilate has in mind. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.820 But Pilate doesn't understand. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.940 He asks in verse 37, 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.620 So you are a king. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.900 And to that, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.500 Jesus doesn't give a direct answer. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.080 He says, 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.300 You say that I am a king. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:32.100 And then that's when he drops 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.019 his mission statement 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.160 that we read earlier. 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.460 For this purpose, 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.340 I was born 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.220 and for this purpose, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.160 I've come into the world 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.140 to bear witness to the truth. 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.420 So again, 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.140 in verse 37, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.940 we see that Pilate 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:44.039 has no regard for the truth. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.480 He responds in verse 38 saying, 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.880 What is truth? 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:50.700 And taking that question, 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:52.279 What is truth at face value? 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:55.440 It might sound like Pilate wants to know. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.539 He's asking this question. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:59.320 But we see that Pilate isn't asking, 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.400 Jesus, 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.420 What is truth? 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.259 Please tell me. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.660 He's not asking like that. 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:05.320 He asks more like this. 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.539 Like, 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:06.860 Jesus, 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.180 Man, 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.640 What is truth anyways? 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:12.040 And then he just walks right out the room. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.300 Right? 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:17.759 Because when we read verse 38, 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.100 Pilate asks, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.880 What is truth? 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.860 But he doesn't wait for a response. 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:25.800 It says, 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.080 After he had said this, 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:29.040 he went back outside to the Jews. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.640 He didn't ask because he cared. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:33.040 He only asked to end the conversation. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.340 He asked, 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.980 What is truth? 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:37.300 And then he just walked right out the room. 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:41.640 This is tragic. 00:22:43.020 --> 00:22:44.680 Pilate came so close. 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:48.080 He looked the son of God directly in the face, 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.700 the radiance of the glory of God. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.340 He had private time. 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:54.600 He had one-on-one time with Jesus to ask God anything. 00:22:55.040 --> 00:22:56.780 And he even asked the right questions. 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.420 Are you king of the Jews? 00:22:59.280 --> 00:23:00.040 You are a king. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.320 What is truth? 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.560 But the tragedy is that Pilate didn't care. 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:05.759 He didn't care at all. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:08.599 The tragedy is that if Pilate really cared to know, 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:10.480 and he asked those exact same questions, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:13.259 Jesus would have been so glad to answer him. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:15.200 He would have given him the straight answer. 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:18.579 Jesus would have showed him that he is king of kings and lord of lords. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:21.559 But the problem is that Pilate didn't care. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:25.220 And so he turned his back to the creator of the universe 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:28.700 and walked away from the greatest news he would ever hear, 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:31.059 simply because he didn't care. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:35.880 I was talking to someone who recently believed in Jesus. 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:39.559 And credit to her, she was sharing her faith with those around her. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:42.420 And she said, one person responded like this, 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:46.299 I'm so happy for you that you found Jesus. 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:50.600 I could tell that you need a direction in life and something to anchor you. 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:54.240 It's great that Jesus is your thing, but I'm happy. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.779 My life's good and I don't need him. 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:59.139 That's also tragic. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.699 That's exactly what Pilate did. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.939 And that's the mindset of relativism. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:09.480 Relativism says, it's great that Christianity is good for you. 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:12.000 It's wonderful if Jesus gives you peace. 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:16.779 I respect that, but I disagree that Jesus is the truth. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.079 He's simply your truth. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.759 You do you and I'll do me. 00:24:21.939 --> 00:24:25.159 Sometimes people treat Jesus as a lifestyle choice. 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:28.480 Like if your friend turned to veganism, they became vegan, 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.559 or suddenly started training for high rocks. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:33.000 Like that's so cool, I'm happy for you, 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:35.240 but that's got nothing to do with me. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.119 If you don't know Jesus, 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:43.019 I would hate for you to make the same mistake as Pilate. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:46.480 Please don't walk out of this room the same way you walked in. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.859 Don't walk away from your savior. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:51.419 From the greatest news you could ever hear. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:53.939 Just because you didn't care. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:58.259 Because getting to the truth wasn't important enough to ask. 00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.839 And if you still have questions, that's okay. 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.779 If you still have doubts, that's okay. 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:04.099 God can address your questions. 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:05.219 He can answer your doubts. 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:07.119 If you care to listen. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:13.439 Just know, I want you to know that the truth matters and knowing Jesus matters for you. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:17.880 That's ignoring the truth. 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:18.940 We see that. 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:19.960 We assume the truth. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.279 Sometimes we ignore the truth. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:23.420 And yet we also go one step further. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.620 We don't just ignore the truth. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:28.440 We also despise it. 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.700 We despise the truth. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.779 Let's read on. 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:35.440 At the end of verse 38, Pilate admits, I find no guilt in him. 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:39.420 Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent, but the Jews are on his back. 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:44.259 He wants to let Jesus go, but he also, at the same time, wants to keep his people happy. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.619 And so he thinks of a plan. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.759 He thinks of a way to get out of this. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:51.379 And so Pilate says in verse 39, he cites this custom that they had. 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:56.460 You have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:59.160 That was a tradition that they had at the time. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:04.180 Every year at Passover, the Jews could ask the Romans to set one man free. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.379 Okay? 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:07.379 So they have a choice on who they could set free. 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:11.160 Clearly, Pilate wanted them to choose Jesus. 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:13.200 That would make his problem go away completely. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:16.940 He could have this innocent man set free and the crowds would be off his back. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:20.299 However, they have another option. 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:24.740 They could instead choose to set free a criminal named Barabbas. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:28.900 And in verse 40 here, we see that Barabbas is a robber. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:31.879 The other gospels give more details about Barabbas. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:37.059 They say that Barabbas was also someone who started a rebellion and was a murderer. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.539 He was someone who committed murder. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.519 He was a dangerous guy. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:44.960 So given these options, you couldn't stack the deck anymore in favor of Jesus. 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:50.279 The options are Jesus, the son of God, or Barabbas, a murderer. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.519 And so it's an easy choice. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:55.059 In verse 30, what do they choose? 00:26:56.180 --> 00:27:00.019 Of course they say, not this man, not Jesus, but Barabbas. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.799 They say, we don't want Jesus. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.940 We want Barabbas. 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:07.120 Instead of the Messiah, they choose a murderer. 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:10.720 Instead of the author of life, they pick an agent of death. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:14.339 Acts 3 verse 14 describes it like this. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:19.579 You denied the holy and righteous one and asked for a murderer to be granted to you. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:22.319 They despised the truth. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:27.880 To despise means to devalue, to treat as worthless, to hate. 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:33.019 And in that moment, they looked at the son of God, the radiance of the glory of God, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:35.680 and said, we prefer the murderer. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.900 They despised the truth. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.980 It seems crazy. 00:27:40.780 --> 00:27:44.259 And we look at the crowd and maybe think, how could they? 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.320 How could they? 00:27:46.280 --> 00:27:49.980 But we make that choice, the same choice all the time. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:57.200 When we sin, we stand among the crowd saying, not this man, not God, but I choose Barabbas. 00:27:57.600 --> 00:28:02.940 Because at the heart of sin is a contempt for the truth that God is good. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:06.440 Sin is a contempt for the truth that God created you. 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.380 He loves you. 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:09.539 He is better than anything else in the world. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.740 And in his presence, there's fullness of joy. 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:15.620 And in fact, despising the truth isn't the final step. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:18.100 It's actually the root of everything else. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.980 It's the root of every mistake that we make. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:23.160 It's the reason for assuming the truth and for ignoring the truth. 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:27.900 We have prejudices about the truth of God because we don't want him as king. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:30.440 If there is no God, then we don't have to submit to him. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.860 We can be God of our own lives. 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:37.680 Our hearts want to say, as they do in chapter 19, verse 15, we have no king but Caesar. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:40.100 And we don't care about the truth. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:43.200 We ignore the truth about God because we don't value God. 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.580 We just don't care about God. 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.340 And that's the root of sin. 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:48.559 Sin is more than making a mistake. 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:55.220 The heart of sin is when we consider the glory of God and say, no, I don't want God. 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.519 I choose Brabus. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.640 I choose money. 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.640 I choose sex. 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.660 I choose party. 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.880 I choose power. 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.799 I choose partying. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.019 I choose control. 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.059 I choose status. 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:08.860 I choose to be the God of my own life and do whatever I want to do. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:11.400 I want that instead of God. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:19.240 And when we make that choice, it's no surprise that our lives are empty and hollow and broken. 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:25.040 It's no wonder that the world is full of greed, violence, corruption, because we've exchanged 00:29:25.040 --> 00:29:26.940 the truth about God for a lie. 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:32.519 Rather than the God who loves us and gives us life, we choose counterfeits that bring us 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.780 death. 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:36.100 We want Brabus the murderer, and that's what we get. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.319 That's why sin results in death. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.679 When we sin, God's judgment is to allow us to go our own way. 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:47.219 When we reject God, his punishment is to say, okay, have it your own way. 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:50.179 When we reject God, we choose death. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:53.259 We choose to separate ourselves from God, the God of life. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:57.619 And so we die, because that's what it means to be separated from God, to be separated from 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:59.139 life and to die. 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:03.159 That's the punishment for sin, that the souls who sins shall die. 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.959 But the story doesn't stop here. 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:12.819 What happens next is the crowd turns into a mob and they scream, crucify him, crucify him, 00:30:12.939 --> 00:30:13.799 crucify Jesus. 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:21.039 And so at Pilate's command, they force Jesus to carry his own cross to a place named Calvary. 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:29.139 And just hours after they say, give us Brabus, they nail Jesus to a cross and kill him. 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:36.540 But remember what Jesus said in verse 37, he came to bear witness to the truth. 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:40.920 And when Jesus died, he didn't fail in his mission. 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:45.240 Rather, the cross is the pinnacle of God's revelation. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:49.859 This is when Jesus finished his mission of bearing witness to the truth. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:55.839 On the cross, we see most clearly the truth of God's grace towards undeserving sinners. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:31:01.480 On the cross, Jesus bore witness to the truth by his blood, by his life shed for us. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:07.019 And on the cross, he showed, he proved four absolute truths, four absolute realities. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:11.859 First, the cross shows the truth that sin is serious. 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:18.660 There's an instinct in our hearts, in the human heart that wants to work and earn and prove that we're good enough. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:23.680 But the cross says, no, if we could save ourselves, Jesus wouldn't have to die. 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:28.879 The fact that Jesus came to die proves that we're all sinners and we can do nothing to save ourselves. 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:38.060 The truth is that Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve for a sin so that everyone who calls on his name may be forgiven. 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:42.800 The cross also shows the truth that God loves us. 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:47.600 Jesus came to seek and save the lost, even when we wanted nothing to do with him. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.780 We screamed, give us Barabbas. 00:31:50.780 --> 00:31:53.080 But Jesus said, Father, forgive them. 00:31:54.020 --> 00:31:58.480 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:00.539 Jesus came to seek and save the lost. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:04.860 And he did that on the cross because God loves us. 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:10.460 The cross also shows the truth that Jesus truly is the son of God. 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:15.700 Remember that they killed Jesus on account for blasphemy, for claiming that he was the son of God. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.680 They thought that was a lie. 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:20.500 But after being crucified, Jesus didn't just die. 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.980 He rose from the dead. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:24.000 Jesus rose on the dead on the third day. 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.440 Death could not hold him. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:30.140 And when God raised Jesus from the dead, that was God vindicating him. 00:32:30.320 --> 00:32:33.279 That was the father saying, Jesus told the truth. 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.620 He wasn't blaspheming. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.299 He is my son. 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.700 He's my beloved son. 00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:43.819 The resurrection proves that Jesus is who he said he was, that he is the son of God. 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:48.120 And lastly, the cross shows us the truth that we have eternal life. 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:51.059 Because Jesus lives, we also will live. 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:57.680 The same spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is working in us to make us more like Jesus every day. 00:32:57.680 --> 00:33:01.120 And one day when Jesus returns, there'll be no more sin. 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:03.220 There'll be no more pain, no more sorrow. 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:05.200 And we'll be in the presence of God forever. 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:09.580 That's the truth that Jesus revealed for us on the cross. 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:13.820 That's the truth for everyone who believes in Jesus, who calls on the name of Jesus. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:17.399 And now I want to finish us off. 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:21.179 I want to finish off by revisiting what Jesus said in verse 37. 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:25.500 Jesus said, he came to bear witness to the truth. 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:28.720 And at the end of that verse, he continues and says this. 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:32.700 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:36.399 Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:43.660 So I urge you today, if you hear his voice, today if you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts. 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.120 Listen to him. 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:48.340 To those who don't yet know Jesus, he's calling to you. 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:51.160 He's saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:53.560 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:57.220 Jesus died to show you that there is a God. 00:33:57.620 --> 00:34:01.000 And there's nothing better in this world than to know him and enjoy him. 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:07.480 Don't follow in the footsteps of Pilate who turned around and walked away from the truth. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:10.019 Don't shrink back from the light and close your eyes. 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:14.719 I invite you, ask questions, be curious, and turn to Christ today. 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:19.480 And if you do know his voice, then listen to it. 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.400 Live according to the truth. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.980 Don't just ignore it. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:28.559 If you love the truth that Jesus is Lord of all, that he is better than anything else in the world, 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:30.659 then let us live like it. 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:33.239 Listen to his voice and live in the truth. 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:36.159 We hear his voice in the Bible. 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:40.460 When we're tempted to chase the comfort of money, 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:44.019 we can be content with what we have because he said, 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:46.860 I will never leave you or forsake you. 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.860 That's the truth. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:51.519 When we're crushed by guilt and shame, we feel unworthy. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:55.699 We can be free because he said, 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:59.239 there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.779 That is the truth. 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:06.160 When we're grieved, looking at pain and looking at injustice in the world, 00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:10.880 we can have hope because Jesus said, surely I am coming soon. 00:35:11.560 --> 00:35:13.100 That is the truth he reveals. 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:18.139 The truth is that the God of the universe, that's what we celebrate at Christmas, 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:25.480 that Jesus, the God of the universe, stepped down into creation, died for you so that you could know him, 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:30.599 to reveal the truth about God as a person, that you may know him, enjoy him. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:36.339 That's why we sang earlier, joy to the world, because the light of the world has come. 00:35:36.839 --> 00:35:38.119 He shows us who God is. 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:42.079 So today, let's listen to his voice. 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.860 If you hear his voice, listen. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:49.500 Let us go and live like we believe him, like we believe the truth. 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.319 Let's pray. 00:35:51.320 --> 00:36:01.340 God, we simply praise you. 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:06.920 We thank you that you sent your son Jesus into the world. 00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:12.660 You were living in darkness, but the light of the world has come. 00:36:13.600 --> 00:36:14.220 Thank you. 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:18.740 We would have no hope without you, but you sent your son to show us, 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:24.839 you, to bring us to you, to reconcile enemies to you. 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:28.959 Jesus died for the unrighteous to bring us to God. 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.899 Thank you. 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:39.379 Thank you that Jesus didn't just come to this world, but he went to the cross to show us the truth that you love us. 00:36:40.319 --> 00:36:42.279 And there's life, eternal life in your name. 00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:49.060 And Lord, we pray that that truth, we wouldn't just hear today, but it would sink into our hearts. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:53.620 Pray for your spirit to make the truth alive into us, cut in our hearts. 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:58.800 Change how we live, change how we think and feel. 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.800 We want to worship you, Lord. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.760 We want to know you. 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.640 Help us, God. 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:06.000 Pray in Jesus' name. 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:06.660 Amen. 00:37:06.660 --> 00:37:06.760 Amen. 00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:06.800 Amen. 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:06.800 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:14.800 Good morning, everyone. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:20.060 We've finished slightly a bit early because I have the pleasure of doing a few things for us today. 00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:25.960 The first is just to even have a chance to respond to the message that Gabe just preached. 00:37:26.700 --> 00:37:29.060 That question, we were talking about it this week. 00:37:29.080 --> 00:37:32.880 That question of what is truth is such a powerful question. 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:37.200 It's been so compelling to me to even hear those words. 00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:42.199 Maybe another way to put it is those words are, what is real? 00:37:43.779 --> 00:37:44.919 Don't you ask that question? 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.559 What is real? 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:47.379 God, are you real? 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:51.599 Or you look at the incident in Typo and you go, God, are you for real? 00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:53.519 Humans, are you for real? 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.379 Is this really it? 00:37:56.879 --> 00:37:57.439 I don't know. 00:37:57.480 --> 00:38:01.739 When you see the brokenness in the world, it makes you question what is true and what is real. 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:05.500 When you look on your social media account and you see the likes that you have, 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.839 you go, well, do they actually like me? 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:08.220 Is that love for real? 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:15.019 And you watch people's life savings just completely wiped out, 00:38:15.120 --> 00:38:17.800 their whole lives wiped out in one state and you go, what has been real? 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:25.340 Christina and I, we went up to, we went to pray and just to be there and in Typo, 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:27.220 where we looked at those buildings and what is real? 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.660 What is truth? 00:38:29.700 --> 00:38:30.840 Isn't that the question of the day? 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:35.059 I've had the pleasure of talking with people over the years about what is real, 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:39.799 asking questions of the faith and going, why do we believe in God? 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:41.719 Why do we believe in Christianity? 00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:44.360 Is it because it makes us feel warm and fuzzy? 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:47.279 Is it an emotional crutch that we need to help us get us through the day? 00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:49.679 Is it the fact that we need people around us? 00:38:49.719 --> 00:38:52.579 Is it the fact that we have no lives and so we have nowhere to go on a Sunday, 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.960 so we might as well come to church? 00:38:54.840 --> 00:39:00.400 Or is it because you think, oh, well, actually Jesus helps me give me purpose or Jesus helps explain things? 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:04.000 I would say don't believe in God because of any of those things. 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:05.099 They're all great things. 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:08.179 But believe in God because he is real. 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:14.759 And what actually Gabe helped me see, because actually I looked at that passage, I loved that question. 00:39:14.819 --> 00:39:16.460 It's such an emphatic question that he asks. 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.319 What is truth? 00:39:17.919 --> 00:39:21.359 And I thought if I was being lazy and I was preaching a sermon from that, 00:39:21.419 --> 00:39:23.319 I'd be like, that is the question that we're all asking. 00:39:23.759 --> 00:39:28.980 But then Gabe helped me see that actually he asks it, but he doesn't actually care. 00:39:29.819 --> 00:39:31.119 He literally walks off. 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.759 And Gabe said it. 00:39:31.779 --> 00:39:32.159 I was like, really? 00:39:32.219 --> 00:39:32.759 Is that what happened? 00:39:32.799 --> 00:39:33.279 And then I read. 00:39:33.359 --> 00:39:36.359 I was like, he asked it, but then he didn't really care. 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:42.920 And it made me think, well, as I look and see everything that's going on in this world, 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:44.860 how much do I really care for the truth? 00:39:47.680 --> 00:39:53.880 And how does that truth that Jesus died and resurrected impact how I live right now? 00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:59.000 If you look at that account, there's a few things that can be true. 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:00.900 We are the Pharisees. 00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:04.539 We are the Jews that chose the criminal. 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:08.380 We chose the way that doesn't lead to life. 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.279 We can have that. 00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.920 We can almost even be Pilate. 00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.960 There's some truth in that. 00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:16.940 And we can say, well, actually, we might ask, but really we're asking in a kind of like a dismissive kind of way. 00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.679 We don't really care. 00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:18.219 Why? 00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:19.300 Because we have our own things. 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.420 This isn't for me. 00:40:22.300 --> 00:40:25.940 But I'll tell you, I think the ultimate truth, the true message of the gospel, 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:28.300 is that we are not just Pilate. 00:40:28.360 --> 00:40:30.880 We are not just the Jews and the Pharisees. 00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:33.280 We are Barabbas. 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:41.400 We ourselves, we're in need of saving. 00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:43.059 We ourselves deserve punishment. 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:45.579 That's the mercy that we need. 00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:46.960 Do you understand that? 00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:50.579 I mean, I know that's quite rude and offensive for me to tell you that you are a murderer 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:57.539 and you have led a rebellion, but essentially the moment we choose the way of sin, the way of death, 00:40:57.880 --> 00:40:59.039 we rebel against the Lord. 00:40:59.659 --> 00:41:06.019 Until we truly understand that we are Barabbas, we don't really understand the good news is that someone died for us, 00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:07.179 died in our place. 00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:10.859 If you understand that truth, that frees you. 00:41:11.000 --> 00:41:11.960 You're like, oh my goodness. 00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:16.960 And then you understand when Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:19.399 He's saying, I am the only real and living way. 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:22.799 I am the only one who is going to take your place. 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:25.899 I'm the only one who can take your place. 00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:28.139 Because I have no debt. 00:41:28.199 --> 00:41:28.659 You have debt. 00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:30.519 And every single person in here has debt. 00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:33.239 And no one can pay for someone else's debt because you have debt. 00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:34.839 Apart from one. 00:41:35.359 --> 00:41:36.099 The sinless one. 00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:40.159 And he came to bear witness to that truth. 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:45.179 Can we respond with our eyes to that truth? 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:47.400 There's only one way. 00:41:47.699 --> 00:41:48.380 There's only one door. 00:41:49.259 --> 00:41:49.960 There's only one God. 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:54.619 How do we experience that? 00:41:56.239 --> 00:41:58.000 One of the ways is community. 00:41:58.860 --> 00:42:01.380 One of the ways is through his people. 00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:04.139 I think, I hope, I pray. 00:42:04.139 --> 00:42:06.460 That's why we gather here. 00:42:07.219 --> 00:42:11.599 And it's got to be one of our priorities. 00:42:12.519 --> 00:42:18.079 Why do we sit in a circle and awkwardly force us to look at each other whilst we're gathering? 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:22.539 It's because in some ways you are here for each other. 00:42:23.799 --> 00:42:28.559 Because otherwise, you can listen to a YouTube sermon at home. 00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:32.159 And you can sing to great worship music. 00:42:32.299 --> 00:42:33.639 Actually, Paul Roth is on Spotify. 00:42:33.799 --> 00:42:36.239 You could just, if you liked his voice, you could just listen to him at home. 00:42:36.380 --> 00:42:37.799 And you don't need to see his face. 00:42:37.800 --> 00:42:41.500 But yet his face is beautiful. 00:42:44.180 --> 00:42:44.760 Thanks Mel. 00:42:45.019 --> 00:42:45.620 And only Mel. 00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:49.360 So that's why we gather. 00:42:49.539 --> 00:42:50.220 That's why we're here. 00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:51.939 And as with that.