WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.820 We're going to have the Bible reading now. I'll be reading from John chapter 10, verses 1 to 30. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:10.060 John 10, 1 to 30. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:21.719 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:26.320 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:34.560 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:41.780 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:48.879 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:55.560 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:03.280 So Jesus again said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:08.840 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:16.539 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 00:01:16.540 --> 00:01:22.760 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:26.460 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:31.580 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:39.219 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:41.460 and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 00:01:41.459 --> 00:01:45.739 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 00:01:46.919 --> 00:01:48.239 I am the good shepherd. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:54.280 I know my own and my own know me, just as the father knows me and I know the father, 00:01:54.639 --> 00:01:56.739 and I lay my life down for the sheep. 00:01:57.839 --> 00:02:01.139 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:04.560 I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:07.400 So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:14.620 For this reason, the father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:19.219 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:23.699 I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:26.439 This charge I received from my father. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:31.599 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:34.939 Many of them said, He is a demon and is insane. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:35.840 Why listen to him? 00:02:36.699 --> 00:02:40.219 Others said, These are not words of the one who is oppressed by a demon. 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:42.759 Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:47.539 At that time, the feast of dedication took place at Jerusalem. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.819 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the colonnade of Solomon. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:55.000 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:58.139 How long will you keep us in suspense? 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:00.900 If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:02.700 Jesus answered them, 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:04.900 I told you, and you do not believe. 00:03:05.420 --> 00:03:09.280 The works that I do in my father's name bear witness about me. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:12.719 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:16.540 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:20.020 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, 00:03:20.140 --> 00:03:22.259 and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:26.120 My father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:29.299 and no one is able to snatch them out of the father's hand. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:31.419 I and the father are one. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:37.639 Good morning, everyone. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:40.099 For those who are visitors, my name is David. 00:03:40.179 --> 00:03:41.179 I'm one of the pastors here. 00:03:43.679 --> 00:03:45.819 We're going to be looking at John chapter 10 this morning. 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:55.359 Sometimes you find yourself thinking you're committed to an idea, 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:58.599 and you think you're committed to the idea 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:01.819 because you think it's something we need, 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:04.539 or something we want, or something we expect, 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:05.579 or something we even demand. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:12.040 But then, when we actually experience the thing 00:04:12.040 --> 00:04:13.980 that we think we're committed to in reality, 00:04:14.860 --> 00:04:17.720 we actually quickly reject it 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:20.220 and decide we don't like it at all. 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:22.160 Let me give you an example. 00:04:22.400 --> 00:04:24.439 It's been happening over this past few days. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:28.980 So we want, we expect, we need, 00:04:29.460 --> 00:04:32.840 we demand our government keep us safe from COVID. 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:36.740 That's their job. 00:04:38.859 --> 00:04:42.879 But when we experience that strong lead, 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:45.579 when they exercise their jurisdiction, their power, 00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:48.259 to enforce an extended lockdown, 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:49.819 to tell us to wear masks, 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.719 to use a QR code to check into a venue, 00:04:53.299 --> 00:04:57.500 suddenly we feel the resentment rising up within us 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.979 because, at the end of the day, 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:02.519 we don't want them to use their power 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:03.959 to control us individually. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:06.180 It cramps our lifestyle. 00:05:08.039 --> 00:05:09.620 So we think we want something, 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:12.500 but we don't really want it when we experience it. 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:19.019 I think it's the same sort of principle 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:23.519 when we come to thinking about God's sovereign power. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:28.419 We believe that we need it, 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:31.399 that we want it in our lives, 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:32.279 we expect it, 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:33.919 sometimes we even demand it. 00:05:35.419 --> 00:05:38.939 We particularly say when it comes to God's sovereign power 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:40.439 and control in the world. 00:05:40.619 --> 00:05:43.079 We expect God to be in control. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:45.000 We expect him to use his power 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:47.379 for good in the world. 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:51.299 But again, you see, 00:05:51.539 --> 00:05:55.899 we quickly resent that sovereign power 00:05:55.899 --> 00:05:58.299 when we experience it in our own lives. 00:05:58.300 --> 00:05:59.620 And we quickly move to crying, 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:00.699 that's not fair. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:04.319 Especially when that sovereign power 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:07.400 impacts us in our lifestyle 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:09.660 or in our personal life. 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:10.220 So, for instance, 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:11.520 it might be loss of health 00:06:11.520 --> 00:06:14.420 or the Lord bringing a circumstance to it 00:06:14.420 --> 00:06:15.360 that robs us of happiness. 00:06:15.780 --> 00:06:17.639 And we suddenly find ourselves saying, 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:18.379 well, actually, 00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:20.160 no, I don't like God's sovereign power. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:20.720 It's unfair. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:23.700 It's unfair. 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:28.780 I want you to bring that thought with you this morning 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:30.560 as we move into John chapter 10, 00:06:30.660 --> 00:06:32.120 but I'll say more about it in a little while. 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:33.960 Because this morning, 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:35.840 we're continuing the series 00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:38.560 of exploring how we experience 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:41.500 God's sovereign power in our salvation. 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:44.139 And this morning, 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.459 third in the series, 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:48.180 we're going to be looking at 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:51.480 Jesus as God's good shepherd 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:53.779 who lays down his life 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:55.779 for his sheep. 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.240 Now, again, 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:01.699 I want to ask you the question. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:03.279 We all know the phrase, 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:04.500 God's good shepherd 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:06.500 who lays down his life for the sheep. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:08.259 But the question I want to ask you now 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:09.680 before we jump into the detail is, 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:11.400 what sort of shepherd 00:07:11.400 --> 00:07:12.780 do you have in mind? 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:19.980 Now, theoretically, I suspect, 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:21.620 we want, 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:23.340 we expect, 00:07:23.460 --> 00:07:24.100 we need 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:27.280 a strong shepherd. 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:30.780 A shepherd who will guide us. 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:32.740 A shepherd who is capable 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:33.899 of protecting us. 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:36.439 A shepherd who wants to nurture us. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:40.480 Nurture us into the green pastures 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.300 to follow the metaphor 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:43.060 or what the Bible would call 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:43.779 the good life. 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:46.279 Isn't that what we want 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:47.120 the shepherd to do? 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:52.139 Well, perhaps at a theory level, 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.819 but I think, again, 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.819 when it comes to practicality, 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:57.899 we actually 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:00.720 are more likely to demand 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.560 a shepherd 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.939 who will actually just be happy 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:05.319 to sit on the hillside 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:07.379 and stay out of our lives 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.459 and let us do 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:09.439 what we want as sheep. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.219 Let us go where we want 00:08:12.219 --> 00:08:13.019 and do what we want 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:13.660 and think what we want, 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:14.819 but still be there 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:15.639 to rescue us 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.279 if we get ourselves 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:17.079 in serious trouble. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:27.759 By definition, 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:28.259 I think, 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:28.879 a shepherd 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:31.860 must have sovereign power 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:32.939 over his sheep 00:08:32.939 --> 00:08:34.179 if you want to follow through 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:35.220 the picture with me. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:37.120 Now, 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:37.939 a good shepherd 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.139 will exercise 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:41.059 that sovereign power 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:42.200 in love 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:42.819 and mercy 00:08:42.819 --> 00:08:43.840 for the good of the sheep. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.460 But even then, 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:47.360 we dig down into that. 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:48.480 What will that look like? 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:49.279 Well, 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:49.879 at times, 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.779 it will look like 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:52.059 the shepherd up the front. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:52.919 Remember, 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:53.799 this is picture language. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.019 Shepherd out the front 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:55.279 saying, 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:56.159 come on, sheep, 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:56.779 follow me. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.819 I'm going to take you 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:58.699 to good pastures. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:08:59.699 I'm going to take you 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:00.559 to the place 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:01.779 where you can thrive 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.759 and enjoy the good life. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:07.720 But at times, 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:09.179 the shepherd 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:09.899 will need to be 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:10.860 behind the sheep, 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.259 giving them 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:13.039 a good prod 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:13.779 or a good thump 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.600 because they're being difficult. 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:16.919 They don't want to go 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:17.779 where he knows 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.079 they need to go. 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:20.579 They want to go 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:21.379 somewhere contrary. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:22.539 They want to do 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.159 their own thing. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.159 And it's at that point 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:29.019 the good shepherd 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:30.559 becomes evident 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:31.679 in how he 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:34.480 masters his sheep. 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:41.439 So, 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.679 with those two thoughts, 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:43.959 I'm just going to 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:44.919 leave them in your mind 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:45.360 for a minute 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:46.100 and you'll see 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.799 hopefully how they 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:48.419 come with us 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.579 and become relevant 00:09:49.579 --> 00:09:50.419 as we move into 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:50.939 John 10. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:51.679 But before we do that, 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:52.600 I just want to recap 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.919 the series thus far. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.919 And we're saying 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.059 that we really need 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.839 God's sovereign grace 00:09:58.839 --> 00:10:00.740 in our lives 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.539 individually 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:03.279 if we're to be saved. 00:10:03.579 --> 00:10:03.819 Why? 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.139 Because we saw 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.939 two weeks ago, 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:06.659 three weeks ago, 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.179 that in our natural 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:09.439 born state, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.740 we are spiritually 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.339 dead towards God. 00:10:12.579 --> 00:10:13.179 That is, 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:13.719 unable 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.839 and unwilling 00:10:14.839 --> 00:10:16.179 to come to God. 00:10:16.319 --> 00:10:16.759 We're actually 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:18.179 hardwired to rebel 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:19.000 against God. 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:21.799 We're under God's 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.919 wrath and condemnation. 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:25.019 It would be 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:26.039 a terrible plight. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.000 It is a terrible plight. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:28.379 Except that then, 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:29.319 God also said 00:10:29.319 --> 00:10:30.079 in Ephesians 2 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:31.179 that God 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:33.139 makes us alive 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:36.319 in the Lord Jesus. 00:10:37.819 --> 00:10:38.379 God, 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.179 in his love 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:39.839 and mercy, 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:40.919 acts sovereignly 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.479 to call 00:10:43.479 --> 00:10:44.419 spiritually 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.559 dead sinners 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:47.159 to new life, 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:48.199 to new relationship 00:10:48.199 --> 00:10:48.679 with him. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:51.879 and he does that, 00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:52.979 as we saw last week, 00:10:53.219 --> 00:10:54.579 both through 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.199 what I call 00:10:55.199 --> 00:10:56.259 the outward call 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.239 of actually hearing 00:10:57.239 --> 00:10:58.299 the gospel of Jesus 00:10:58.299 --> 00:11:00.939 and the inward call 00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:01.979 which is taking 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:02.519 those words 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.159 that we hear 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.019 by the Holy Spirit 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.399 and actually using 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:05.759 those words 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.599 to change us 00:11:06.599 --> 00:11:07.399 from the inside out, 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.359 change our hearts, 00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:08.879 our minds, 00:11:08.979 --> 00:11:09.500 our desires, 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.079 our attitudes 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:11.099 so that we actually 00:11:11.099 --> 00:11:12.339 are able and willing 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:13.439 to respond to Jesus 00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.259 and come to him. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:18.000 We need 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.779 the sovereign power 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.500 of God 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:23.379 at work 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.159 in our lives 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.220 if we're to be saved. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.519 But it's more than that. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:28.559 God's justice 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:30.799 demands that guilt, 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.740 the guilt of sin 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:34.039 cannot be ignored. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.340 So not only does God 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:37.779 need to sovereignly 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:38.759 call us to himself 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.179 because otherwise 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.899 we wouldn't come, 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.439 but God needs to actually 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:42.379 do something 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.259 to deal with our sin, 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.419 something that we 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:45.720 couldn't do for ourselves. 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.080 And God does that. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.259 He acts sovereignly 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.080 to deal with our sins, 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.659 clearing the way, 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.100 therefore, 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.600 to new acceptance 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.939 and relationship 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:56.379 with him. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:58.759 And in Bible language, 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.840 God did this 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:00.740 through what we call 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.460 the atonement 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:04.360 or the sacrificial 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.639 substitutionary death 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.399 of Jesus 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.240 on the cross. 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:10.100 The word is, 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:10.919 another word we use 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:11.620 is redemption. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.120 or in John chapter 10, 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:17.039 the language is 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:18.139 the good shepherd 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:20.200 laying down his life 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.340 for his sheep. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.620 So let's jump into 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.519 John 10 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.080 and explore the atonement 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:30.480 or explore the redeeming 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.379 work of Jesus 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.960 under the metaphor 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.799 of shepherd. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.379 I want to just ask 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.419 three questions this morning 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.120 to try and help us 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.960 walk through this. 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:40.259 And the first question 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.319 is if you're following 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:42.220 and if you've got 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.120 one of these coming in the door, 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.960 you can follow the outline 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:44.439 of the sermon. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.319 First question is, 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.960 what was God's intent 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.759 for the good shepherd? 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.819 What was God's intent 00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:52.799 for the good shepherd? 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.299 Well, let's have a look 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:54.939 at some of the verses 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:56.179 in John chapter 10. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.080 Look at verse 18. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:59.740 No one takes it from me, 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.040 but I lay down 00:13:01.040 --> 00:13:02.759 my life of my own accord. 00:13:03.020 --> 00:13:03.740 I have authority 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.560 to lay it down 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.940 and I have authority 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.620 to take it up. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.720 Then this sentence, 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.220 this charge 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:10.139 I have received 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.000 from my Father. 00:13:12.180 --> 00:13:13.240 And verse 30. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.620 Jesus says, 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.639 I and the Father 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.340 are one. 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:23.639 Jesus is willingly 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:26.500 working in partnership 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.680 with his Father 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:29.100 and in the light 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.399 of his Father's purpose 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.080 and salvation, 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:33.200 which includes 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:34.139 the atonement, 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.639 which includes redemption, 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.000 the good shepherd 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.540 laying down his life 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.759 for his sheep. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.100 Verse 9. 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:42.580 Jesus says, 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.379 I am the door. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:46.139 If anyone enters by me, 00:13:46.300 --> 00:13:47.240 he will be saved 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:48.460 and will go in and out 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:50.240 and find pasture. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.740 Jesus is the doorkeeper 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.340 of heaven. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:59.440 And only his died-for sheep 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:01.659 will be allowed in. 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:04.680 But, 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.200 once they're in, 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.200 then they'll find pasture. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.600 That is, 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.139 they'll be safe and secure. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:11.899 They'll thrive. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.180 They'll enjoy life. 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:14.879 The good life 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.539 for eternity. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.039 verses 14, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:19.560 15, 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.080 and 16. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:25.259 I am the good shepherd. 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.580 I know my own 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:29.279 and my own know me 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:31.659 just as the Father knows me 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.480 and I know the Father 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.480 and I lay down my life 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.019 for the sheep. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:39.720 Jesus has been given 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.639 the responsibility 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:41.899 of doing 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.799 everything necessary 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:46.199 to bring 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:47.259 God's sheep 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:49.079 back to himself, 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:51.000 back to glory. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.480 And thus far, 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.319 it's entirely consistent 00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.240 with what we saw 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.559 back last week 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.519 in John chapter 6, 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.799 verse 51, 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:04.979 where Jesus said, 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:05.659 again, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.399 a different metaphor. 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:07.019 He's talking about 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.919 being the bread of life 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.819 in the passage 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:09.599 in chapter 6. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:10.759 And Jesus says, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.419 the bread that I give, 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:12.939 sorry, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.079 the bread that I will give 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:15.299 for the life of the world 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.819 is my flesh. 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.240 Jesus' mission 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:23.839 from heaven 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:26.019 was to be 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.599 God's 00:15:26.599 --> 00:15:28.199 life-giving bread 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:30.560 to those 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.140 in the world 00:15:31.140 --> 00:15:32.040 called by God. 00:15:33.020 --> 00:15:33.259 Now, 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:35.379 step back 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.280 from John chapter 10 00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.120 or John chapter 6. 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.460 This idea 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.860 of Jesus being sent, 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.340 Jesus on a mission, 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.600 is so important 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.160 to John 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.660 that across his gospel, 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.060 no less than 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.160 30 times 00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:48.340 does John 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.440 put in the lips 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:49.860 of Jesus 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.520 or Jesus 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:51.480 speaks 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.480 and John records it 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.140 is a better way 00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:53.580 of saying it, 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:55.259 that he's been sent 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.340 on a mission 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.500 by the Father. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:01.100 He was sent 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.000 into the world 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.080 and the word 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.780 world there 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.640 is a theological 00:16:04.640 --> 00:16:05.740 description of the world. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.120 That is, 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.640 the world of rebellion 00:16:07.640 --> 00:16:08.220 and sin 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.420 in opposition to God. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.280 And he's been sent 00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:12.980 into the world 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.680 to do what? 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.920 To save 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:15.740 God's sheep. 00:16:19.520 --> 00:16:20.040 Now, 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.740 here's the point. 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:23.200 The Father 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.560 has a particular 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.780 intent 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:29.360 in sending 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.759 Jesus 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.600 into the world. 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:31.860 So that means 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.620 Jesus has 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.259 a particular 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.000 mission 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.959 in the world. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.419 That is, 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:39.360 as I've already said, 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.159 to do 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.459 everything required 00:16:41.459 --> 00:16:42.759 to deliver 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.679 or save 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.539 God's guilty, 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:45.600 condemned, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.720 helpless sheep. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:51.800 Now, 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.500 second question. 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:54.639 For whom 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.060 did the good shepherd 00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:56.920 lay down 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:57.580 his life? 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.820 In other words, 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:02.779 who 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.940 and what 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.019 did Jesus 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.000 have in mind 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:08.339 when he died 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.019 on the cross? 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.200 Who 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.779 and what 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.440 did Jesus 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.180 have in mind? 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:14.820 Well, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.539 John 10 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.940 gives a really 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.620 clear answer. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:19.539 Who 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.440 and what 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.080 did Jesus 00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:22.000 have in mind 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.519 when he died 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:22.980 on the cross? 00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:24.160 He had 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:24.900 his sheep. 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.180 What 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.560 did he have 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:28.980 in mind? 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:29.980 Their 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.720 actual 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.279 or particular 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.140 redemption. 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.380 Look 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:37.759 at the 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.019 verses. 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.120 Verse 3. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:41.679 The 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.059 sheep 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.599 hear his 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:43.019 voice 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.599 and he 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.179 calls 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.919 his own 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.339 sheep 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.139 by name 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:48.619 and leads 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.039 them out. 00:17:50.719 --> 00:17:51.099 Now, 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:51.519 in past 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:51.739 life, 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.079 I come 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.359 off a 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:52.719 farm 00:17:52.719 --> 00:17:53.159 and I 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.559 can tell 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:53.819 you 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.679 that 00:17:54.679 --> 00:17:55.159 farmers 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:55.819 did not 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.059 know 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.219 their 00:17:56.219 --> 00:17:56.379 sheep 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:56.579 by 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:56.859 name. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.559 Nor 00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.739 could 00:17:59.739 --> 00:17:59.879 they 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:00.059 care 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.459 less 00:18:00.459 --> 00:18:00.979 about 00:18:00.979 --> 00:18:01.679 individual 00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:03.299 preferences 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.719 of their 00:18:03.719 --> 00:18:03.979 sheep. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.139 In a 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:06.699 big spread 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:07.079 with a 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.619 big mob, 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:08.500 you 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:08.819 mastered 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.079 them, 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.739 and you 00:18:09.739 --> 00:18:10.059 were doing 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.039 well if 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.359 they were 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.019 within 50 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.500 or 60 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:12.779 of what 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.039 should have 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.379 been there. 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:14.059 You 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.559 just lived 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:14.959 with 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:15.739 losses. 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.739 That's 00:18:16.739 --> 00:18:17.739 life as a 00:18:17.739 --> 00:18:17.879 sheep 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.159 farmer. 00:18:20.479 --> 00:18:21.079 But 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.539 Jesus 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.239 knows 00:18:22.239 --> 00:18:22.500 his 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:22.919 sheep 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.859 by name. 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:25.639 Personal, 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.179 individual, 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.439 particular. 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.339 Verse 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:34.699 11. 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.199 Sorry, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.619 he knows 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.099 them and 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.559 they know 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.439 him and 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.559 will 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.980 respond 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.160 to 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.380 him. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.019 Verse 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.360 11. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.180 I'm 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.279 the 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.440 good 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.799 shepherd, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:44.320 says 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:44.680 Jesus. 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.059 The 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.279 good 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.700 shepherd 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.340 lays 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:46.660 down 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:46.880 his 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.320 life 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:47.759 for 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:47.920 the 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.180 sheep. 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:51.860 See 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.140 how the 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.660 two things 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:52.980 are coming 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.320 together? 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.279 Jesus 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.720 has a 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.320 particular 00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:56.120 group 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.660 of 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.019 people 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.880 in mind 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.480 that are 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.960 the focus 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.279 of his 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.600 mission, 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.779 and it 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.180 is for 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.400 this 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:03.980 particular 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.660 group 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.040 that 00:19:05.040 --> 00:19:05.340 Jesus 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.580 will 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:05.779 lay 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:05.960 down 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.100 his 00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:06.480 life 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:09.540 in 00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:09.960 redemption. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.980 Verse 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.460 14 and 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:13.800 15. 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.380 Same 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:14.560 thing 00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:14.900 again. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.420 I'm the 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:17.640 good 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:17.980 shepherd. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.240 I know 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.860 my own, 00:19:20.300 --> 00:19:20.880 and my own 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.500 know me, 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:22.580 just as the 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.160 Father knows 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.840 me, and I 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.420 know the 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.060 Father, and I 00:19:25.060 --> 00:19:25.560 lay down 00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:26.200 my life for 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.580 the sheep. 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:30.339 again, get 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:32.339 the impact 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.099 that Jesus 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.720 knows those 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.480 for whom he 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.939 will lay 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:36.379 down his 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.699 life as 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:38.720 distinctly, 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.279 individually, 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.579 and particularly 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:43.359 as the 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.079 Father knows 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.339 him, 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:44.759 Jesus. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.619 Verses 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.119 16, 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:55.740 17, 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.259 and 18. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:20:00.279 And I 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.779 have other 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.259 sheep that 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.720 are not of 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.240 this fold, 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.539 or this 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.059 sheep pen. 00:20:03.419 --> 00:20:04.039 I must 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.460 bring them 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.159 also, and 00:20:05.159 --> 00:20:05.480 they will 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.980 listen to 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.539 my voice. 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.159 So there 00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:08.379 will be 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.139 one flock, 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.699 one 00:20:10.699 --> 00:20:11.099 shepherd. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.819 For this 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.480 reason, the 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.980 Father loves 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.299 me, because 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.599 I lay 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:13.980 down my 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.399 life that 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:14.699 I may 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:14.980 take it 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.339 up again. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.220 No one 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.599 takes it 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.139 from me, but 00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:17.539 I lay 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:17.859 it down 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.119 of my 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.279 own 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.639 accord. 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.539 I have 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:19.679 the 00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.399 authority to 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:20.679 lay it 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.019 down, and 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.119 I have 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.599 the authority 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:21.980 to take 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.199 it up 00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:22.439 again. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:26.779 Jesus' 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.080 death will 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:29.120 be the 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.480 key act 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.180 of 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.920 mastering 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:34.180 God's 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:34.620 one 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.580 flock, a 00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:36.080 flock made 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:36.420 up of 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.860 Jews, 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.279 Jewish 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.799 sheep, and 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.220 Gentile 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.519 sheep. 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.440 But 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:40.779 Jesus' 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.400 death will 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.840 be the 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.640 mastering or 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.360 the gathering 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.420 of this 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:44.900 one 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.759 flock, the 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.500 saving of 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.100 this one 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:49.259 flock, the 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.579 collecting of 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.259 specific 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.480 individuals known 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.720 to him, and 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.519 who will in 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.220 turn respond 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.680 to him. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.099 Now, this 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.920 flock is 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.440 described in 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.000 other parts of 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.460 the Bible as 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:01.859 the church, the 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.279 bride of 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:04.200 Christ, or 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.759 the elect. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.059 Verses 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.700 26 and 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.160 27. 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.980 You do 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.579 not believe, 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.039 remember he's 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.579 speaking to the 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.299 Jewish religious 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.039 leaders here 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.200 particularly, but 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.759 he's actually 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.359 speaking to a 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.000 bigger crowd. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.819 he says, but 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.440 you do not 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.339 believe because 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:23.099 you're not 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.019 part of my 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.420 flock. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.220 Again, we 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.839 see the 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:29.299 parameters and 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.160 the delineations. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.980 Clearly, not 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.879 all people 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.559 belong to the 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.240 shepherd. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.960 Clearly, the 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.660 shepherd is not 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.660 dying for all 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.019 people. 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.240 The fact that 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.379 the Jews and 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:40.680 the Jewish 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.339 religious leaders 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.180 as a whole 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:45.339 refused to 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.799 believe in 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:47.460 Jesus was 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.819 confirmation that 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.419 they're not 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:50.039 part of the 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.259 flock. 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:50.819 They're not 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.399 part of his 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:51.779 sheep. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.799 They're not 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.659 the focus of 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.179 his mission. 00:22:00.439 --> 00:22:01.200 27 to 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:01.519 30. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.480 Jesus 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.539 affirms the 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:07.819 particularity of 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:10.839 his intention in 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.619 his forthcoming 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.039 death. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:24.079 father and 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:37.519 son working in 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.480 an inseparable 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.700 partnership of 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.299 absolute sovereign 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:43.660 power to 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.400 gather the 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.860 sheep, to 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.500 bring them into 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.160 the sheep pen, 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.440 and to secure 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.059 them forever. 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.220 God's intent, 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.880 Jesus' mission. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.960 Friends, hopefully 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.680 you don't think I've 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.860 labored that too 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.819 much, but I 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.380 did mean to 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.840 labor it. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:05.759 because here's 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.159 the point. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.119 The Bible never 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.959 speaks of Jesus 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:11.759 dying simply to 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.919 make salvation 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.500 possible. 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:17.059 The Bible never 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.000 speaks of Jesus 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.919 just sort of 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:19.879 putting it on the 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.379 table and saying, 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.299 well, look, here's a 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.759 great opportunity for 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.799 anybody who will 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.919 avail themselves of 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.119 it. 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.899 But you need to 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.799 decide for yourselves 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:30.119 whether you want to 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.139 embrace the benefits of 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:32.119 my death, says Jesus, 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.899 or not. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.000 It's up to you. 00:23:36.199 --> 00:23:36.699 No, the Bible 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.619 doesn't speak about 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:37.980 that. 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.439 The Bible doesn't 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.099 speak like that. 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:41.399 The Bible always 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.339 speaks about Jesus 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:45.799 dying to save or 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.279 secure the 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.199 salvation of his 00:23:49.199 --> 00:23:50.000 sheep, his 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.240 people. 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.779 So, may I 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.299 suggest that 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.899 particular, the 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.559 word particular, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.220 and I'm using a 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.079 theological term 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.199 now, the word 00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.119 particular is an 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.099 important description 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.159 of redemption and 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.580 atonement. 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:05.259 So, we talk about 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.840 particular redemption 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.759 or particular 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.840 atonement. 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.120 Now, here's the 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.240 practical issue 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.560 here. 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.880 When it comes to 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.519 redemption or 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.779 atonement, all 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.380 Christians agree 00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:19.660 about the necessity 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.779 of God's sovereign 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.660 power for 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:23.240 redemption through 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.500 the atoning death 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.980 of Jesus. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.279 All Christians 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.019 believe that that's 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.880 necessary to deal 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.120 with sin, to 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.220 restore relationship 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:30.880 with God. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.700 But apparent 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.720 unity quickly 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:40.440 vanishes because 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.660 many Christians, 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.640 and might I say 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.539 this morning, most 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:45.839 evangelicals, find 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.059 it impossible to 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.779 accept that Jesus 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.319 died for a definite 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.180 or particular group 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.819 of sinners. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:52.919 sinners. 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.519 Instead, they 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.179 believe that 00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:59.599 Christ's sacrificial 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:01.079 death made it 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.000 possible for 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.000 everyone in the 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.919 world to be 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:05.919 saved, but 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:07.099 doesn't directly 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.939 save anyone. 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.179 What's required 00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:13.579 then for the 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.299 benefit for the 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.159 Christ's death to 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:16.119 be effective in the 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.579 life of an 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.439 individual is for 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:18.740 that individual to 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.899 decide to respond. 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:23.940 using their own 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.100 faith to embrace 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:25.900 what Jesus has 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:27.340 done in his 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:27.740 death. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.300 And so I 00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:33.980 argue with you 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.620 this morning, or 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.160 present to you 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.060 this morning, the 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:37.680 proposal, that that 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.660 is why the term 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:40.180 particular redemption 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:42.000 or particular 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.060 atonement is a 00:25:43.060 --> 00:25:44.560 really important and 00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.460 indeed helpful 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.000 term. 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.900 It helps us to 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:51.120 speak with the 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:53.180 same precision as 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.120 the Bible speaks. 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:58.280 It avoids 00:25:58.280 --> 00:26:00.380 diminishing Christ's 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.320 sovereign power and 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:02.380 salvation by 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.540 thinking that Jesus 00:26:03.540 --> 00:26:05.700 died simply in the 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.560 hope that some 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.800 would respond and 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:09.259 make use of that 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.940 which he's put on 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.580 the table for 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:10.759 them. 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:14.019 that would 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:16.099 diminish the 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:18.640 effectiveness of 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.480 Christ's death. 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.960 And it also 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.440 avoids diminishing 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.539 Christ's sovereign 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.440 power and salvation 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:28.079 by suggesting that 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.160 the quality or 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.579 sufficiency of 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:32.019 Christ's sacrificial 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.720 death is somehow 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.220 limited. 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.819 No, the quality of 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:37.039 Christ's death is 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.200 without limit. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.120 it is a perfect 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.860 sacrifice. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.059 Well, he'll 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.539 save anybody. 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.279 But what's 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.940 particular is God's 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.600 design, God's 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.420 intention in 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.860 salvation. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.000 It's that that's 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.100 limited or 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:56.460 particular to his 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.220 chosen sheep. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.860 So, at this point 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.380 then I need to 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:03.799 address an 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.160 objection. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.819 What about all 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.500 those verses that 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.619 speak of Christ's 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.659 death as being 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:12.119 for the world 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:14.419 and for all? 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.039 And I've given 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.200 you three or 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.960 four of the most 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.539 common ones 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.319 referred to in 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:23.539 this objection. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:29.460 Well, lots 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:29.919 could be said 00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:30.559 about this and 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.220 so I'm giving you 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.819 a very, very 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:33.000 summary form. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.799 Hopefully it's 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:35.579 not a trivialized 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.500 response but it 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.059 is going to be a 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.619 brief summary 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.240 response. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:40.919 And I would say 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:43.000 this, that a 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.299 careful study of 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.299 these words in 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.220 their context 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.500 shows that the 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.460 first impression 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.059 of what they 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.659 mean is not 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.059 correct. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.980 In context, 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.159 when you read 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.019 the word all 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.240 or the whole 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.379 world, it 00:27:58.379 --> 00:28:00.079 never means all 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:01.480 people or the 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.519 whole of humanity 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.379 without exception. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.559 Context will 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.379 show that fairly 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.000 easily, I 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.339 believe. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.420 Now, sometimes 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:12.059 all or the 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.500 world actually 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.220 means all types 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.779 of people 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.799 regardless of 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.480 their social, 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.079 political, or 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.639 economic 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.359 circumstances. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:23.180 That is, Christ 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.859 died for all 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.660 types of people. 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.099 And those 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.619 sorts of verses 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.259 are sometimes 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.259 emphasized against, 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.220 say, that the 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.440 narrow thinking of 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.080 the religious 00:28:32.080 --> 00:28:32.860 Jews who 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.220 thought, well, 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.059 Jesus only died 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.059 for Jewish 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:38.039 people or 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.860 good people. 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:43.259 Sometimes, all 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.340 or the world 00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:45.880 emphasizes the 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.400 fact that there 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.600 is no limit to 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.559 the power of 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.539 Christ's death to 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.920 forgive. 00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:53.160 And so, it's 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.200 used to affirm 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.799 the genuine 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.920 offer of the 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.259 gospel to any 00:28:58.259 --> 00:29:00.080 sinner in any 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.079 circumstance, in 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.359 any generation, in 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.179 any part of our 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.559 world. 00:29:06.179 --> 00:29:07.220 The offer of the 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.960 gospel is the 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.199 same. 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.240 The outward 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:11.339 call of God is 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.799 the same. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.799 And sometimes 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.339 all and the 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:18.199 world is used 00:29:18.199 --> 00:29:19.480 in a theologically 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:21.599 defined context. 00:29:21.699 --> 00:29:22.919 That is, it 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.740 emphasizes the 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.980 cosmic significance 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:26.299 of Christ's death. 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.859 sin had a 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:29.180 cosmic significance 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:31.299 in God's 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.740 creation. 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.519 Christ's death 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.339 has an 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.740 equal cosmic 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:37.480 significance 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:39.579 in undoing the 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.379 effects of sin 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.659 and restoring 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:43.440 God's creation. 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:49.159 It's right to 00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:50.019 say that 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.799 Christ's death 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.359 is for the 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:51.839 world because 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.359 the world 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:53.119 theologically 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:54.419 represents the 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:54.960 kingdom of 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.460 Satan, the 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.220 kingdom in 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.980 rebellion against 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.319 God. 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.460 And Christ's 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.680 death is 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:04.000 powerful and 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.240 significant at 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.299 that same level 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:08.240 as he reconciles 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.120 the universe to 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.559 himself. 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.299 Now, I just 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.019 want to illustrate 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.100 that touched 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:14.799 down in 1 John 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.500 chapter 2, 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.079 verse 2. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.700 So, if you 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.140 want to open 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.779 your Bible to 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.640 that, then I 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.000 just want to 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.579 take a couple 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.160 of minutes and 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.860 touch down on 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.299 one of these 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.640 verses. 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.700 Probably the 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.400 verses that 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.259 people would 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.960 go to most 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.759 commonly and 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.039 it's the 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.519 verse that 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.740 most, I 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.120 think, would 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.920 think was a 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.700 king hit to 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.680 this notion of 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.240 particular 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.940 redemption. 00:30:36.580 --> 00:30:37.360 1 John 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.360 chapter 2, 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.160 verse 2. 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.460 Well, I'll 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.880 read the first 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.440 three verses, 00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:40.960 the first two 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.220 verses. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.160 John says, 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.580 My little 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:44.299 children, I'm 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.960 writing these 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.880 things to you so 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.259 that you may 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.240 not sin, but 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.299 if anyone does 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:50.120 sin, we have an 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:52.120 advocate with the 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.639 father, Jesus 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.379 Christ the 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.679 righteous. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:55.959 He is the 00:30:55.959 --> 00:30:57.139 propitiation for 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:58.879 our sins and 00:30:58.879 --> 00:30:59.799 not for ours 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.759 only, but also 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.719 for the sins of 00:31:02.719 --> 00:31:03.439 the whole world. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.559 But also for the 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:07.979 sins of the 00:31:07.979 --> 00:31:08.519 whole world. 00:31:11.219 --> 00:31:12.579 Now, it seems 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:14.399 to be there that 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:17.559 Christ dies for 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:19.000 all people without 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.599 exception. 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:19.659 salvation. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.719 But when you 00:31:24.719 --> 00:31:25.159 look at the 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.259 context of 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:28.099 that verse, and 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:29.519 the context is 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.759 chapter 1, then 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.459 quite a different 00:31:32.459 --> 00:31:33.959 perspective pops 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.259 up. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.059 As I say, chapter 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.779 1 is the 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.059 context. 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:38.519 I don't have 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.319 time to get into 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.759 it in detail. 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.379 You can do it 00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:40.819 for yourself. 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.099 John in 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.819 chapter 1 is 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:45.059 bursting with 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.819 excitement about 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.480 the eternal 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.619 fellowship or 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.259 salvation. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.579 that is now 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.359 enjoyed by 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.079 those who 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.099 have come to 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.679 know and 00:31:53.679 --> 00:31:54.639 experience the 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.259 word of life, 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:55.879 the Lord Jesus 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.299 Christ. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.039 And he's 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.579 bursting with 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.079 excitement, 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.919 especially given 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:04.179 that these new 00:32:04.179 --> 00:32:05.219 Christians are 00:32:05.219 --> 00:32:06.319 struggling on a 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.259 daily basis with 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.419 ongoing sin and 00:32:08.419 --> 00:32:09.279 failure in their 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:09.679 lives. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:09.820 Christians. 00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.880 And into that 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:17.740 situation, there's 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.500 been some 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.539 heresies thrown 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.960 in, some ways of 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.160 trying to reconcile 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.460 that. 00:32:23.560 --> 00:32:24.299 And so if you look 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.160 at chapter 1, you'll 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:26.060 see in verse 6, 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:28.019 three things, three 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.840 options that people 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:30.380 have been given by 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:30.720 locals. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.100 Verse 6, if we 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:34.400 say, verse 8, if 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:36.180 we say, verse 10, 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:36.799 if we say. 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:39.120 So what it means in 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:40.279 short form is that 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:42.320 some were encouraging 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:43.279 the Christians to 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:45.460 play down or find a 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.720 way to reduce the 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.600 notion of sin so 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.160 they could live 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:51.340 comfortably and not 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.259 be worried about 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:54.240 their daily failures 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.220 and sin. 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:57.339 And John says to 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.620 them, no, no, no, 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.319 that's not the way 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.019 to go at all. 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.400 One, it's not right, 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:03.559 but two, it's not 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.059 the way to go. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:04.960 What you should do, 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.200 moving into chapter 2, 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:08.220 is not try and find a 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:09.180 way to play down 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:11.380 your sin, but look 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.839 to Jesus and play up 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.759 what he's done for 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.140 you in redemption. 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:20.000 Sin is a reality for 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.559 us as we move on in 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.279 our Christian life. 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.140 It's a daily struggle, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.319 John's really saying. 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:28.360 And John's urging 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:29.839 believers not to 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.980 attempt to play down 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.700 the reality of 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.680 ongoing sin, but to 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.579 take comfort in 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:33.960 Christ. 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.740 Totally confident 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:39.000 that his propitiation 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.980 or that word just 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.620 means atoning 00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:43.019 sacrifice, has dealt 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.400 with all the sins of 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.900 his people, including 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:47.059 past and future 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.400 sins. 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.900 So John's just 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.980 making a gospel 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.940 statement of comfort 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:53.759 and encouragement to 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.339 these Christians. 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:54.379 Christians. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:56.339 And John reassures 00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.240 these Christians with 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:58.419 all the warmth, the 00:33:58.419 --> 00:34:00.199 authority, and comfort 00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:01.379 of a father, speaking 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.000 to them as little 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.439 children. 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:06.199 He said, look, this 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:08.480 includes you in your 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.619 daily struggle with 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:09.840 sin. 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:12.340 So to put it all 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.460 together, John's saying 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:15.219 this, the salvation that 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.400 comes through Jesus' 00:34:16.819 --> 00:34:18.340 death is not restricted 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:20.340 to the immediate circle 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.779 of disciples who had 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:24.000 actually seen, heard, 00:34:24.060 --> 00:34:24.740 and touched Jesus. 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.640 That's where John 00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:26.540 started his letter. 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.740 He's so excited because 00:34:27.740 --> 00:34:28.580 he had seen, heard, and 00:34:28.580 --> 00:34:28.900 touched. 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:30.980 Well, John says, well, 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.380 yeah, that's true. 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.260 But the benefits of 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:35.019 Christ's death aren't 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.800 restricted to that 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.140 group. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:39.000 Nor are they restricted 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.680 to those who are 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.160 Jewish and who had 00:34:41.160 --> 00:34:41.920 been converted through 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.840 the apostles, something 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.760 that John also speak 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.019 about. 00:34:45.160 --> 00:34:47.740 Rather, says John, it 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:49.239 is equally real for 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.379 all Christians. 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.959 Any Christian, anyone 00:34:52.959 --> 00:34:54.039 who has come into 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.779 union with Christ, has 00:34:55.779 --> 00:34:57.819 this assurance that the 00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:59.759 atoning death of Christ 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.859 has actually dealt with 00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:02.000 their sins once for all. 00:35:04.959 --> 00:35:07.139 Any nationality, any 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:08.479 part of the world, any 00:35:08.479 --> 00:35:11.019 period of history has been 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.419 covered. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.859 If you've come into 00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:15.759 union with Christ, you're 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.779 covered by the death of 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.080 Christ. 00:35:20.180 --> 00:35:21.300 Now, again, there's lots 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.940 more to be said on that 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:25.100 and those of you who may 00:35:25.100 --> 00:35:26.560 differ from me may well 00:35:26.560 --> 00:35:27.560 be thinking, no, that's 00:35:27.560 --> 00:35:28.019 not fair. 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:30.019 But, anyway, that's an 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:31.140 attempt to be fair in the 00:35:31.140 --> 00:35:32.360 dealing with that and I 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.360 can talk to you later or 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:33.980 you can talk to me. 00:35:34.620 --> 00:35:36.160 Third question, and we're 00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:37.000 not far from being done 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:37.200 now. 00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:38.860 Did the good shepherd get 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.560 what he paid for? 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:42.460 Well, go back to John 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.580 chapter 10 now and look 00:35:43.580 --> 00:35:45.220 again at verses 28 to 30 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:46.879 and the answer, we've 00:35:46.879 --> 00:35:47.719 already read that out. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.959 I won't read it again. 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:51.299 The answer is obviously 00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:51.919 yes. 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:56.159 And it has to be yes 00:35:56.159 --> 00:36:00.019 because the father in his 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:03.699 salvation plan entrusted to 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:05.679 Jesus a great number to be 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.039 saved. 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:08.959 Father's intent, the son's 00:36:08.959 --> 00:36:09.259 mission. 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:14.120 And since he sent Jesus 00:36:14.120 --> 00:36:15.620 into the world to secure 00:36:15.620 --> 00:36:17.320 their salvation and master 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:20.340 the flock, the flock we call 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:23.020 the church, then this is 00:36:23.020 --> 00:36:24.320 precisely what will happen. 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.620 Friends, it's inconceivable 00:36:27.620 --> 00:36:30.200 that God the father in his 00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:32.800 intent and God the son in his 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:35.660 execution or mission, that 00:36:35.660 --> 00:36:37.640 those two would fail or that 00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.779 somehow or other would get out 00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:39.819 of sync with each other. 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:50.000 Both the cost of salvation 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:52.859 and the return on the 00:36:52.859 --> 00:36:54.259 investment, God's investment 00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:56.359 in salvation, was calculated 00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:57.960 precisely by the father. 00:36:58.379 --> 00:36:59.960 The cost was enormous. 00:37:01.379 --> 00:37:03.719 The life is on precious son. 00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:06.739 But the return on his 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:10.179 investment was also enormous. 00:37:11.899 --> 00:37:13.480 Every one of his guilty, 00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:15.899 spiritually dead sheep would 00:37:15.899 --> 00:37:16.459 be saved. 00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:19.099 That is, moved from spiritual 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:21.679 deadness to spiritual life and 00:37:21.679 --> 00:37:22.779 vitality for eternity. 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:27.319 It must be yes. 00:37:27.439 --> 00:37:28.839 Jesus did get what he died for 00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:30.319 because logic demands it. 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:31.320 God's death. 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:35.280 The doctrine of total inability, 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:37.940 total depravity of all people, 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:39.600 the doctrine of God's sovereign 00:37:39.600 --> 00:37:41.539 irresistible call of God's 00:37:41.539 --> 00:37:42.820 chosen sheep to life, 00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:46.100 demands the next step of God's 00:37:46.100 --> 00:37:47.860 sovereign power in our lives. 00:37:48.220 --> 00:37:51.120 That is, particular redemption. 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:55.900 God's determined that one dead 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:58.340 sheep should be brought to life. 00:37:58.340 --> 00:38:00.980 God calls that sheep to life. 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:04.620 The sin of that sheep must be 00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:07.579 dealt with in particular 00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:09.660 redemption as Jesus dies for 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.600 that particular sheep. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:17.320 God determines that not only, 00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:19.079 sorry, God determines not only 00:38:19.079 --> 00:38:20.320 that a great number of 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:21.940 spiritually dead people will be 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:23.400 made alive, but he also makes 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.039 it happen. 00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:27.559 He makes it happen by the 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:29.920 sovereign power of his Holy 00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:31.800 Spirit renewing a person from 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:34.699 the inside out and creating 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:36.360 those responses that would bring 00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:37.199 a person to Jesus. 00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:40.300 And he does it by dealing with a 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:42.099 sin that's a barrier to your 00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:43.360 renewed relationship. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:49.200 God's process from start to finish. 00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:55.519 It's particular in its view going 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:55.900 forward. 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.860 It's particular in its application. 00:38:58.400 --> 00:39:00.480 It's legally binding and it's 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.740 eternal in nature. 00:39:01.739 --> 00:39:04.819 And it results in abundant life. 00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.879 Now friends, as usual, there's 00:39:07.879 --> 00:39:09.099 lots more that could be said 00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:11.139 and perhaps lots more that 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:11.779 should be said. 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:15.019 But just let me conclude the 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:16.239 last couple of minutes by asking 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:16.959 this question. 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:20.059 Does it matter practically to 00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:21.539 talk about particular redemption? 00:39:23.279 --> 00:39:25.500 The answer is yes, it does. 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:30.340 It's enormously beneficial in the 00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:31.559 area of assurance. 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:37.619 If you know anything of your 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:41.760 sinful heart and realize that at 00:39:41.760 --> 00:39:44.199 one time you were dead, spiritually 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:47.400 dead, in response or in respect of 00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:50.000 God, in terms of relationship with 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:54.219 God, if you know that where you've 00:39:54.219 --> 00:40:00.259 come from, then it's lovely looking 00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:02.939 forward to know that your security, 00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:05.779 eternal security, is not rest on 00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:08.739 yourself and what you've done, but 00:40:08.739 --> 00:40:10.899 rest entirely on what Jesus has done 00:40:10.899 --> 00:40:14.699 for you and has done in you and 00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:16.000 continues to do in you. 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:23.760 And this in turn will mean that the 00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:26.019 Father and Jesus are worthy of all 00:40:26.019 --> 00:40:26.599 our praise. 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:31.199 So let me speak personally to you. 00:40:31.239 --> 00:40:32.420 If you're a Christian here this 00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:34.420 morning, you've already experienced 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:37.800 God's absolute sovereignty in your 00:40:37.800 --> 00:40:38.280 salvation. 00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:42.619 The sovereign power of God took hold 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:44.239 of you when you were spiritually dead 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:45.379 and couldn't have cared less about 00:40:45.379 --> 00:40:45.699 God. 00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:50.559 The renewing power of the Holy 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:54.059 Spirit changed your heart and mind 00:40:54.059 --> 00:40:56.959 and desire so you responded to God's 00:40:56.959 --> 00:41:00.139 irresistible call to come to him for a 00:41:00.139 --> 00:41:01.439 new life and new security. 00:41:02.399 --> 00:41:04.759 And Jesus has died specifically for 00:41:04.759 --> 00:41:05.359 your sin. 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:08.879 So your relationship with God has been 00:41:08.880 --> 00:41:09.360 restored. 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:15.800 Now go back to my very opening point. 00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:18.079 What's not to like about that? 00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:22.220 That's one of those things we long for. 00:41:22.460 --> 00:41:22.940 We need. 00:41:22.980 --> 00:41:24.640 We need God's sovereign power in our 00:41:24.640 --> 00:41:25.059 lives. 00:41:26.340 --> 00:41:28.559 And here when we see God's sovereign 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.760 power in our life, it's such a 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:30.500 beautiful thing. 00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:42.260 And likewise, your friends and family 00:41:42.260 --> 00:41:46.159 and neighbors and workmates, they too 00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:50.079 are in a spiritual state of deadness 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.780 towards God. 00:41:50.880 --> 00:41:51.519 And you know what? 00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:52.940 As the Bible says, they don't even 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:53.400 know it. 00:41:53.400 --> 00:41:59.680 They too need more than just the 00:41:59.680 --> 00:42:03.500 possibility of salvation made available 00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:03.880 to them. 00:42:04.360 --> 00:42:06.320 They too need more than just an 00:42:06.320 --> 00:42:09.660 opportunity for salvation provided by 00:42:09.660 --> 00:42:11.639 Jesus and left conveniently on a table 00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:12.820 saying, well, look, here it is. 00:42:13.280 --> 00:42:14.860 You know, just make use of it if you 00:42:14.860 --> 00:42:15.280 want to. 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:24.240 They need God's sovereign power to do 00:42:24.240 --> 00:42:28.160 for them and do in them exactly what 00:42:28.160 --> 00:42:29.580 he's done for you and in you. 00:42:32.220 --> 00:42:34.280 That which they could never do for 00:42:34.280 --> 00:42:34.820 themselves. 00:42:37.180 --> 00:42:42.000 They need the good shepherd to rescue, 00:42:42.800 --> 00:42:43.480 restore, 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:48.219 keep and lead them into green pastures. 00:42:50.900 --> 00:42:52.460 And isn't it just wonderful to know 00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:54.420 that that's precisely the description 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:57.659 of Jesus and precisely his intent 00:42:57.659 --> 00:42:59.159 for his sheep. 00:42:59.719 --> 00:43:00.260 Let me pray. 00:43:00.260 --> 00:43:15.320 Lord, help us not to stumble over your 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:16.420 sovereign power. 00:43:18.640 --> 00:43:20.880 Quite possibly, Lord, the point of 00:43:20.880 --> 00:43:22.740 stumbling for each of us is that our 00:43:22.740 --> 00:43:26.900 own sense of sovereignty gets in the 00:43:26.900 --> 00:43:29.860 way of your sovereignty. 00:43:32.559 --> 00:43:34.700 And Lord, quite honestly, we 00:43:34.700 --> 00:43:39.740 pontificate and we cry unfair and we 00:43:39.740 --> 00:43:41.900 raise all sorts of objections from a 00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:46.340 point of view of great limitation in our 00:43:46.340 --> 00:43:48.059 understanding of your plan and your 00:43:48.059 --> 00:43:49.180 purpose and your character. 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:53.340 Help us, Lord, to hang on to that which 00:43:53.340 --> 00:43:54.340 you say. 00:43:54.340 --> 00:43:58.340 That you have chosen to act in a particular 00:43:58.340 --> 00:44:02.380 way in salvation in our universe for your 00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:02.960 own glory. 00:44:03.059 --> 00:44:05.800 To show people that you're a loving, 00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:11.079 merciful and good God who wants a vast 00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:12.400 multitude to be saved. 00:44:12.400 --> 00:44:16.019 Even those who deserve nothing but condemnation. 00:44:17.300 --> 00:44:19.519 Help us, Lord, not to trip over that as 00:44:19.519 --> 00:44:23.380 something abhorrent or unfair. 00:44:23.460 --> 00:44:25.660 But help us to see something of your beauty 00:44:25.660 --> 00:44:30.619 and your wonder and just to be amazed that 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:33.980 you have deigned to operate in your world in 00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:34.420 this way. 00:44:35.180 --> 00:44:38.820 And help us individually, Lord, to respond to 00:44:38.820 --> 00:44:41.620 you as the one who is all goodness, all mercy, 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:42.700 all grace. 00:44:43.539 --> 00:44:44.800 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:44:45.100 --> 00:44:45.380 Amen. 00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:45.480 Amen.