WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.000 Well, peace is something we all want, isn't it? Whether it's peace on a global scale as we watch the news and see the horrendous fighting in Syria and other places. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:25.039 Or whether it's our own lives, our own anxieties, our own concerns, our own problems. We all want peace, don't we? Now what robs us of peace? What is it that prevents us enjoying peace? 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:45.079 I guess we all have many answers to that question, don't we? It can be fear about the future. It can be anxieties pressing in on us, whether caused by health concerns or family members in trouble or difficult neighbours or busyness, the stress of working life, things to do. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:56.320 You know that feeling, you wake up in the middle of the night, you can't go back to sleep, you've got so many things in your head. Some of us are so busy striving to succeed something and achieve something, we never get any peace anyway. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:06.280 We're always thinking about what's coming next, what we need to do next for the next promotion or the next holiday or whatever it is. So we often feel restless. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:16.219 Well, think about this group of men gathered in this room as we read this story. Think what they've just been through and the stresses they have experienced. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:23.480 For several months, well for several years they've been travelling with Jesus, for several months they've been advancing towards Jerusalem. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:33.260 They've gone through the bewildering experience of celebrating the Passover with them on the Thursday night, with him teaching them lots of things they did not understand. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:36.700 John recalls that for us in chapters 13 through to 18. 00:01:38.080 --> 00:01:41.060 And all around them was this tension, people trying to get rid of Jesus. 00:01:41.320 --> 00:01:43.859 They'd seen Jesus betrayed by one of their own number. 00:01:45.520 --> 00:01:49.080 And now they've feared for their own lives. Notice the doors are locked for fear of the Jews. 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:51.040 They think they're the next ones in line. 00:01:51.980 --> 00:01:57.500 They're grief stricken, they're bewildered, they're broken hearted, fearful. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:03.500 What could it take for people in that situation to experience peace? 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:13.419 What will it take for you and me, in our experiences, in our lives today, to experience peace? 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:14.800 True peace. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:18.600 Well the answer's actually the same. It's what happened to them. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:20.340 And it can happen to us by faith. 00:02:20.640 --> 00:02:21.380 Look at verse 19. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:27.300 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors were locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:32.920 Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, peace be with you. 00:02:34.700 --> 00:02:38.140 Peace comes from meeting the risen Lord Jesus. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:44.439 Notice he breaks through the barriers, the doors are locked, and yet that is no barrier to Jesus. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:49.919 He appears to them, comes to them in the midst of their fears, and shows them he is physically alive. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:55.000 And so he's able to offer them peace, he's able to offer peace to us as well. 00:02:55.639 --> 00:02:57.759 But I guess the first question, what is peace? 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:02.219 Some of those might think that peace is the absence of troubles and conflict. 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:06.020 It's the peace we get on holiday, relaxing on the beach, we work well behind us. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.599 But that is not the peace Jesus is talking about. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:12.319 Back in chapter 16, just a few days earlier, he said to them, 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:16.919 I've said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:20.539 In the world you will have tribulation. 00:03:22.019 --> 00:03:23.519 And I have overcome the world. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:28.840 See, peace is not the absence of trouble, not the absence of problems around us. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:32.299 Neither is peace the absence of work to do. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:33.819 You know, that holiday feeling. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:38.780 I've got everything done, I can get away, I'm going to turn the mobile phone off, relax. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:44.500 Now Jesus' peace isn't about not having work to do, in fact he gives the disciples a job to do, as we'll see in a minute. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:48.620 It's not about no work, it's not about no troubles, nor is peace an achievement. 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:56.680 It's not the kind of Buddhist idea of peace, of meditation and everything else, achieving a kind of peace, achieving some kind of enlightenment. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:59.120 No, this peace is a gift. 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:01.840 That's why Jesus pronounces it as he meets them. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:08.159 It's why he said back in chapter 14, peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.480 Not as the world gives do I give. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:14.539 Peace is a gift, and it comes from Jesus. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:20.340 It comes from meeting and knowing and receiving from the living Christ. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:26.439 That's important, that's why in verse 20, we read that Jesus shows them his hands and shows them his side. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:28.019 It really is him. 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:33.579 It really is the one they'd seen crucified on the Friday, now standing in front of them on the Sunday evening. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:36.519 And they were glad when they saw the Lord. 00:04:37.539 --> 00:04:42.539 They were glad when they saw the same man they'd seen crucified, the same man they'd followed for years. 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.180 The same man whose teachers so often confuse them. 00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:54.699 Yet here he stands before them, as one who has overcome the world, with the signs of his suffering still on him. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:05:03.219 As he shows them his hands and his side, it is, as one writer puts it, it's Jesus offering his credentials to a suffering world. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:05.259 To show that he can bring peace. 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:13.620 See, the risen Jesus can speak peace to us, not because he has come from some other land and not experienced suffering in this world. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:21.459 But precisely because he has suffered, has endured, has been rejected, has endured death, and has risen again. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:28.180 When his wounds speak to our pain and our hurts, be they physical or emotional or mental. 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:32.620 They say, I've suffered in your place. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:34.439 I know what you've gone through. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:38.920 And suffering will not have the final word. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:42.839 In the words of one modern Easter hymn, death is dead. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:44.300 Love has won. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:45.899 Christ has conquered. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:48.379 So what is this peace? 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.279 It's not an absence of troubles. 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:52.319 It's not being removed from the world. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:53.879 It's not the end of work. 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:57.420 But it's the truth that death has not won. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.680 Suffering will not win. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:00.220 Pain will not have the final word. 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:04.920 In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for peace is a word called shalom. 00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:12.200 Shalom, which is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:15.020 The presence of life as it was always supposed to be. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:19.500 The presence of fruitfulness and happiness and deep delight and joy. 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:27.020 And the resurrection of Jesus guarantees that that wholeness is going to come in its completeness one day. 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:32.060 And yet we can taste it now, through and in the risen Lord Jesus. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:37.539 So, our next question really is, do you know this peace? 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:46.459 Do you know in your own experience, your own heart and life, this peace that the risen Jesus comes to offer? 00:06:47.859 --> 00:06:50.779 In the midst of sorrow, do you know his forgiveness? 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:58.459 In the midst of feeling that some things in your life are so broken, they can never be fixed? 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:05.000 Do you know the peace of the Lord Jesus, who comes to make whole, who comes to make new? 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:11.399 In your striving to find peace and contentment and acceptance, do you find you actually lack peace more and more? 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:18.379 What a great German tennis player, Boris Becker, once wrote, when he was on the brink of suicide. 00:07:18.599 --> 00:07:21.799 He said, I'd won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:24.819 I was rich, I had all the material possessions I needed. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:28.179 It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:31.279 They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:34.599 I had no inner peace. 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:38.000 We can have so much in the world, can't we? 00:07:38.820 --> 00:07:44.100 Yet not have the peace that only Jesus can provide through his death and resurrection. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:51.360 You see, peace, true peace, true wholeness, comes through meeting the risen Lord Jesus and trusting in him. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:56.960 But I want to explain something else. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:00.920 Yes, this peace is subjective to an extent. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.560 It's something we can feel within ourselves. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:06.040 But it's not purely subjective, and it doesn't end with us. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:11.540 Again, it's not the idea that some religions have, of peace being kind of in isolation, on your own, 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:14.620 having a quiet moment in a transcendental way. 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:18.680 This is a peace that transforms our hearts and then sends us out. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.920 And you can see that if you look at verse 21. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:23.620 It's the connection between peace and purpose. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:27.639 We all want peace, and every human being needs a purpose, don't they? 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.439 And look at the connection here, verse 21. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:32.100 Jesus said to them again, peace be with you. 00:08:33.219 --> 00:08:33.859 There's the peace. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.939 Here comes the purpose. 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:39.779 As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:43.819 And when he said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:46.579 If you forgive the sins of any, they have forgiven them. 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.219 If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.479 See, Jesus has a purpose. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:55.639 This transforming peace that he offers is just that. 00:08:55.719 --> 00:08:56.319 It's transforming. 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:58.600 And it sends people out. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:00.400 Sends his people out with a purpose. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.879 So Jesus commissions them. 00:09:04.520 --> 00:09:07.700 As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:11.379 Now if we've read all the way through John's Gospel, we know that time and time again, 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:20.400 at least 16 times in this Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that he was sent from the Father into this world for a job. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:26.439 So for example, chapter 8, verse 42, Jesus said to the Jews, 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:30.760 If God were your Father, you would love me, for I come from God and I am here. 00:09:31.260 --> 00:09:34.440 I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:36.840 Jesus is a man on a mission. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.860 And he says to his believers, you are now men on a mission as well. 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.660 I'm sending you. 00:09:42.640 --> 00:09:49.680 Now, the question is, in what way is Jesus sending his followers like the Father sending him? 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:52.380 Well, it's similar in a number of ways. 00:09:52.540 --> 00:09:53.900 First of all, it's similar in pattern. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:10:01.959 As you read through John's Gospel, you find time and time again that Jesus is totally dependent on his Father who sent him. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:05.360 Totally obedient to the Father who sent him. 00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:11.259 And so in the same way, his followers are to be totally dependent on him, on the Lord Jesus. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.720 That's why he then breathes on them. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:16.439 Symbolically, we're showing the Holy Spirit upon them. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:17.500 We'll come to that more in a minute. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:22.460 And they are, we, as his followers, are to be totally obedient as well. 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:25.200 Just as Jesus was obedient to the Father. 00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:27.780 For example, chapter 10, verse 18. 00:10:27.900 --> 00:10:31.740 He says, he says of his own life, I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:10:32.160 --> 00:10:34.740 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord. 00:10:35.300 --> 00:10:36.660 I have authority to lay it down. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:38.060 I have authority to take it up again. 00:10:38.540 --> 00:10:40.980 This charge I have received from the Father. 00:10:42.300 --> 00:10:45.060 See, Jesus was totally obedient, even to the point of death. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:47.560 Doing what his Father had commanded. 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:52.159 In the same way, he says, I'm sending you into the world. 00:10:53.839 --> 00:10:56.119 A total dependence upon me, on my power. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:58.699 And a total obedience to my command. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.179 And also, it's the same destination. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:06.599 As the Father sent the Son into the world, so Jesus sends his followers into the world. 00:11:07.219 --> 00:11:09.279 He doesn't send us to go and live on a monastery somewhere. 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:14.039 He doesn't send us to live in little church communities that do not interact with the world around. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:16.199 Rather, he sends us into the world. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.399 As he entered our world. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.079 And lived among us. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.419 And walked on our road. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.480 And felt our pain. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:26.579 So back in chapter 17, when praying for his disciples. 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:32.279 Jesus said to the Father, as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:34.860 So there's a similar pattern. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:36.519 The way Jesus sends us. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:38.099 There's also a similar purpose. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.919 Why did Jesus come into the world? 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:43.579 Well, not to condemn. 00:11:44.459 --> 00:11:49.240 Although as a holy God, in human form, he could have condemned us. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.439 But he came to save the world. 00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.799 Chapter 3, verse 17. 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:55.860 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world. 00:11:56.099 --> 00:11:58.559 But in order that the world might be saved through him. 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.079 We've just seen over the last few weeks, looking at the story. 00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:04.299 How Jesus was the Lamb of God. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.639 He took away the sin of the world. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:08.839 He was the one sent not to condemn, but to save. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:12.560 He's the one who came to do what none of us could ever do. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.320 Carry our sin. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:15.860 Put us right with God. 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:19.200 So we have a similar purpose. 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:20.300 Jesus was sent to save. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.540 That only he can do that. 00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:24.080 Only he is perfect. 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:26.720 Only he was the perfect man who never sinned. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.440 Only he is fully God. 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:32.639 And therefore capable of bearing the incredible weight of punishment. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.799 For everything you and I have ever done. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:39.039 So we don't save the world. 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:41.559 But what we do get to do is announce this news to others. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:45.259 To announce the news that there is a way to be put right again. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.480 There is a way to be forgiven. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.279 There is a way to be made new. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:50.139 There is a way to become a child of God. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:53.379 As John put it back in chapter 3, verse 18. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.019 Whoever believes in him. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.360 Whoever believes in Jesus. 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:58.019 Is not condemned. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:02.120 But whoever does not believe is condemned already. 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:06.840 Because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:12.139 So that's the message Jesus is sending his followers to the world with. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:15.139 They're not starting a new work. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:17.279 They're continuing the work that Jesus has already done. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.039 He's done the hard part. 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.659 He's done the hard yards. 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:23.100 He's atoned for the sins of the world. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.340 His disciples. 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.879 We his followers today. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:30.519 We merely have to preach that message to others. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.699 So there's a similar purpose. 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.799 Similar pattern. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:38.159 Jesus goes on also to talk about the power for the work and the promise. 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.039 So he gives them the power for the work. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.860 Look at verse 22. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.279 When he said this. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.579 When he gave them this commission. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.720 He breathed on them and said to them. 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:47.039 Receive the Holy Spirit. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:50.299 Now they didn't actually receive the Holy Spirit at that minute. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.199 If you read through the pages of the New Testament. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.419 You find a few weeks later. 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.559 At Pentecost. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:56.100 They received the Holy Spirit. 00:13:56.100 --> 00:14:00.740 So Jesus is, if you like, doing a dramatic parable here. 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:02.080 Of what is going to happen to them. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.360 He'd already told them in John's Gospel. 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:06.019 They wouldn't receive the Spirit until he'd gone back to the Father. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:10.159 But the point is the power for this work. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.340 Comes from him. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.960 Doesn't depend on their strategy. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.639 Or our strategies. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.600 Or our strength. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.680 But on God's power. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:25.159 So that's where the power for the work comes from. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:27.259 Look at the promise about this work. 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:28.239 Verse 23. 00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:30.199 If you forgive the sins of any. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.059 They are forgiven them. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.399 If you withhold forgiveness from any. 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.479 It is withheld. 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.599 That is if you like. 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:38.599 Jesus cast iron guarantee. 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.799 That their mission is important. 00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:43.179 And genuine. 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:46.159 We have some new windows put in last week. 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:48.379 And as my surveyor neighbor pointed out to me. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.979 Up in the corner of one of the windows. 00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:51.899 You see the little kite mark. 00:14:52.099 --> 00:14:53.479 British standard kite mark. 00:14:53.579 --> 00:14:53.959 Which says yeah. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.219 These windows are good and approved. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.039 And all that kind of thing. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.839 Apologies to visitors from other countries. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.919 But that's what we do in this country. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:01.079 It was a guarantee that these windows. 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:01.939 Well they really are windows. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.559 You can see through them. 00:15:02.599 --> 00:15:03.899 They're not going to fall apart in the next 10 years. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.599 God willing. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.219 As Jesus says this in verse 23. 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.639 This is his kite mark. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.579 His standard of approval. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:12.660 He's authorizing this mission. 00:15:12.800 --> 00:15:13.560 He's saying it is genuine. 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.300 It is true. 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.540 This is my promise to you. 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:20.700 Now this is a verse that is often hugely understood. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.500 Hugely misunderstood I should say. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.360 So what does it actually mean? 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.180 What is this promise? 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.820 What is this guarantee Jesus is giving them? 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:29.220 Well let me say first of all what it doesn't mean. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:32.040 It does not mean. 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.240 That a pope. 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.340 Or a priest. 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.680 Or a vicar. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.540 Or a minister. 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:39.400 Or an elder. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:41.920 That somehow has a special authority. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.920 To forgive other people's sins. 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:46.200 Does not mean people have to go to confession. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:49.620 Jesus hasn't conferred that power upon anyone. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.200 Why do I say that? 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.920 Well look closely. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.259 At the words there. 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.780 He doesn't say you've forgiven their sins. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.660 And you will have forgiven them. 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.360 Rather he says. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.139 If you forgive someone their sins. 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:02.840 They are forgiven. 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.460 They are forgiven. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.160 If you're into grammar. 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.100 Which I'm not. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:11.659 You'll notice that is the passive voice. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.060 Not the active voice. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:15.200 So it's something that is done by somebody else. 00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:16.019 Not by them. 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.019 Or to go back to my windows for a moment. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.659 I could rightly say to you. 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.700 I had new windows put in last week. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.960 Because somebody else did it. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:26.139 Jim and Mick were their names. 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:27.480 I could not say. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.699 I put in new windows. 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.879 Because that would be a lie. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.240 I had nothing to do with it. 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.759 I just sat there and made them tea. 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.879 In the same way as Jesus says. 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.840 If you forgive their sins. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.879 They are forgiven. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:41.779 Someone else is doing the forgiving. 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.720 And that is God. 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:43.939 That is God. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.159 That is God. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.980 So what they are doing. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:51.199 Is announcing God's promise. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:53.019 And they have Jesus guarantee. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.779 That God will back up. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.759 Will do what he has promised to do. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.100 We also see that from the context here. 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.779 The context here. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.639 Is there to announce the good news of forgiveness. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.039 Remember that verse I read. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.279 John chapter 3 verse 18. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.920 Whoever believes in Jesus. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.839 Is not condemned. 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.319 But whoever does not believe. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.379 Is condemned already. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.460 That is the announcement. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:17.359 As the disciples go and proclaim this message. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:19.660 Of life only in Jesus name. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.399 Jesus is saying. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.619 I give you my guarantee. 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.119 That as you announce this message. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.420 If you tell someone. 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:27.279 You have not believed in Jesus. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.940 Therefore you are condemned. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:31.000 Then you can know. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:32.200 He is not forgiven in heaven. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.660 Equally if someone says. 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:36.220 I believe in Jesus. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.819 I turn from my sin. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:39.559 And will live with Jesus as my Lord. 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:41.019 Then you can say to him. 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:42.440 Your sins are forgiven. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.400 Because they will be forgiven. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.240 In heaven. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.200 By my father. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.579 So do you see what is at stake here. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.839 Do you see what is at stake. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.140 This message. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.319 Is important. 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.660 It is a fundamental need. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.539 Of every human being. 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:58.799 Isn't it. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:00.220 To have our sins forgiven. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.940 And if you think. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.319 That is an optional extra. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.259 If you think. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:07.680 Well that is just. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.860 A kind of little religious thing. 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.279 That you Christians are into. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.339 Then can I. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.400 Can I say to you. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:13.920 As humbly. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:14.500 And gently. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.539 But firmly. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.339 As I can. 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:18.600 You do not understand. 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.980 What sin is. 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.460 If that is what you think. 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.259 Now I guess. 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:23.860 Many of us. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.420 In this room. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.200 Like myself. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.880 Have been Christians. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.759 For many years. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.299 And the danger. 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:28.640 Isn't there. 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.779 As I find this way in life. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.579 There is a danger. 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.600 We get very complacent. 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:32.100 About this. 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.679 We can think. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.039 We are actually. 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:34.899 Pretty decent people. 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.459 Yeah we know. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.179 We are not perfect. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.879 But we can quite easily. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.139 Pray for forgiveness. 00:18:40.439 --> 00:18:40.759 And we just. 00:18:40.959 --> 00:18:41.559 Take a lot of this. 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.019 For granted. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.579 Just like we take. 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.119 Running water. 00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:44.539 For granted. 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.179 In this country. 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.240 So perhaps. 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.579 Some of us. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.379 Need to think for a moment. 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:50.480 What would it mean. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.819 For me. 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.699 If the holy. 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.939 Powerful God. 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.980 Did not. 00:18:56.219 --> 00:18:57.019 And would not. 00:18:57.219 --> 00:18:58.139 Forgive my sin. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:00.320 Have you ever thought. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:00.740 About that. 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.500 What would it mean. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:02.860 For me. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.880 If God would not. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.740 Forgive my sin. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.300 Just think for a moment. 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:09.920 If someone carried. 00:19:10.020 --> 00:19:10.500 A tape recorder. 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:11.460 Around next to you. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.980 And recorded for a week. 00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:13.580 Every time. 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:13.980 You said. 00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:14.640 Of somebody. 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:16.700 You ought to be doing this. 00:19:16.780 --> 00:19:17.940 Or you ought to be doing that. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.280 Or you ought not to do this. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.920 At the end of the week. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.900 They played back to you. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.300 All those. 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.060 You ought to. 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.980 You ought not to. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.000 And imagine. 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.920 They could record your thoughts. 00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:26.180 As well. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.420 Because often. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.200 We don't say that stuff. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.860 We just think it. 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:29.640 I think it a lot. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.259 On my bike. 00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:31.500 Of people driving past me. 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:33.220 You ought to have indicated. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.380 You ought not to have cut in on me. 00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:36.340 Bus driver. 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.660 Anyway. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.900 Imagine they played that tape back here. 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.240 And imagine they also had a video camera. 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.180 And they showed you. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.060 Every time. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.640 You had not even lived to your own standard. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.240 Every time. 00:19:47.280 --> 00:19:48.400 You hadn't done what you said. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.500 That someone else ought to do. 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.680 It could be humiliating. 00:19:52.780 --> 00:19:52.980 Could it be? 00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:54.900 Now. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.040 I ramped that up a hundred times. 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:57.300 A thousand times. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:59.759 We don't even live to our own standards. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.559 Let alone to God's standard. 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.519 Now. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.899 What if God kept that record? 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:09.039 What if every time we wanted to pray. 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.619 God shut his ears. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.000 And said. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.180 No. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.779 You're a sinner. 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.759 I'm not going to listen to you. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:15.759 What if. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.039 On judgment day. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:20.000 That great and terrible day of the Lord. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:20.940 As the Bible puts it. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.220 We stand in front of the Lord Jesus. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.839 And he says. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.519 As he says. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.720 He will say to some people. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.259 Depart from me. 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.099 You evil doer. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.019 I never knew you. 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.559 Go to the lake of fire. 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.640 Prepare by my father. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:34.480 For Satan and his angels. 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:38.960 See. 00:20:39.020 --> 00:20:40.259 Sometimes those of us who are Christians. 00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.700 And have been for a long time. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.560 Need to think more deeply. 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:45.220 About the judgment of God. 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.300 I know I do. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.940 We need to think. 00:20:50.020 --> 00:20:51.580 How seriously God takes sin. 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:53.259 That he'd send his own son. 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.100 Into the world. 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.900 To live a perfect life. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.000 And to die on a cross. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:00.799 So he could freely offer forgiveness. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.660 To people like me. 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.180 And you. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.420 See. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.960 Sin is serious. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.859 The message Jesus gives. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:10.619 With his stamp of authority. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.900 In verse 23. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.839 Is an important message. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:17.039 It is something to celebrate. 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.019 It is something to celebrate. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.119 That we have our sins forgiven. 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.559 And also it's something to communicate. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.960 That's why Jesus is sending us. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.099 Into the world. 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.259 With this message. 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.819 Which brings me to another question. 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:32.319 For those of us who are believers. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.720 What are we doing with this message? 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.720 When was the last time we sought. 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.619 Earnestly. 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.579 To tell somebody. 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:42.420 About what Jesus has done for them. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.980 Over Easter. 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.599 Were we so busy buying chocolate eggs. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.200 In the supermarket. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.759 That somehow chocolate took over from Christ. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.460 Have we been praying. 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.160 For friends. 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.779 Or colleagues. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.700 Or family members. 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:02.160 It's easy to get complacent about this. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.560 Isn't it? 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.340 Especially in a society. 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:05.519 Which tells us that. 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.060 There's no such thing as truth. 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.140 And all truth is relative. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.060 And all that kind of thing. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.059 And yet. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.059 And yet. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:14.099 We've got this great promise. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.879 In verse 23. 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.299 Haven't we? 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.200 That Jesus sends us into the world. 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.399 As his ambassadors. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.859 You know what ambassador does. 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:20.159 Don't you? 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.059 An ambassador represents a nation. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.220 When an ambassador. 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.940 Comes to speak to a government. 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.119 He or she. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.480 Speaks in the name of. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.659 With the authority of. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:30.019 The powers who sent them. 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:32.660 So Jesus says. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.339 In verse 23. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.500 If you forgive someone their sins. 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.039 They are forgiven. 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.279 If you do not. 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.000 Forgive their sins. 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.920 They are not forgiven. 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.519 You speak. 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.700 With heaven's authority. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.579 As you preach this message. 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:46.079 And you have the Holy Spirit. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.539 To empower you. 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.279 To enable you. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.039 If you've believed in me. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.319 But let me say by the way. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.359 That is true for every believer. 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:55.980 Anyone who's trusted in Jesus Christ. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.899 Has the Holy Spirit. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.980 We don't need some other. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.460 Second experience. 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:01.000 The Holy Spirit isn't just for some elite. 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:03.799 He is a gift for all. 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.919 Who will trust in Christ as Lord. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.179 But maybe you're here. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.279 Because you're not yet a believer. 00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:10.819 You're still trying to work out. 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.939 What Christianity is about. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.099 Well I hope you see. 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:15.960 This is the heart of the Christian message. 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:18.559 It is about forgiveness of sins. 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:21.159 It is about being made right with God. 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.039 Being made into a new person. 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.939 It is about having sins forgiven. 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:28.139 So you can enjoy the real life you were made for. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:30.799 Knowing the God who made us. 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.699 So I need to ask you. 00:23:33.159 --> 00:23:34.019 Will you believe? 00:23:34.439 --> 00:23:35.599 What will hold you back? 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:38.980 Why not trust in this Jesus? 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:41.679 And I want to urge you. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.880 Not just to walk away. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.140 Not to say that was a nice message. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.360 Or that was a bit of a waste of a lunch time. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:46.880 However you feel. 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:49.340 But take this seriously. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:51.320 Look at what's at stake. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.660 What do you make of this Jesus? 00:23:54.060 --> 00:23:55.259 See what you make of Jesus. 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:56.500 How you respond to him. 00:23:57.340 --> 00:24:00.400 Will determine not only your path in this life. 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:03.720 But your destination for all eternity. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:07.460 So please don't just shrug your shoulders and go off shopping and buy my sandwich. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.380 Isn't this too important? 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:15.240 The risen Lord Jesus comes to us in the midst of the brokenness and pain of this world. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:17.019 And says peace be with you. 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:19.019 Wholeness shall own be with you. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:21.080 And he gives us a new purpose. 00:24:21.800 --> 00:24:23.380 To continue his work. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:26.100 Of making this forgiveness known. 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.540 Peace and purpose. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.180 Aren't they things every human wants? 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.440 Where do you get them if you don't go to Jesus? 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:36.000 Let me pray for us.