WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 John chapter 1, starting in verse 19. 00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:06.299 And this is the testimony of John. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.160 When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:11.300 Who are you? 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:14.500 He confessed and did not deny, but confessed, 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:16.640 I am not the Christ. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:18.400 And they asked him, 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:20.339 What then? Are you Elijah? 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.620 He said, I am not. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:24.199 Are you the prophet? 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:26.260 And he answered, No. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:28.240 So they said to him, 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:29.420 Who are you? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.620 We need to give an answer to those who sent us. 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:34.620 What do you say about yourself? 00:00:35.440 --> 00:00:36.219 He said, 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:39.820 I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:44.939 Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:48.280 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:49.859 They asked him, 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:55.780 Then why are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? 00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:58.219 John answered them, 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:00.780 I baptize with water, 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:04.420 But among you stands one you do not know, 00:01:05.039 --> 00:01:06.840 Even he who comes after me, 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:11.180 The strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:17.400 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:19.500 The next day, 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:22.219 The next day, he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 00:01:22.880 --> 00:01:27.420 Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:30.160 This is he of whom I said, 00:01:30.800 --> 00:01:33.640 After me comes a man who ranks before me, 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:36.040 Because he was before me. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:39.000 I myself did not know him, 00:01:39.300 --> 00:01:40.719 But for this purpose, 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:42.700 I came baptizing with water, 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:45.159 That he might be revealed to Israel. 00:01:45.659 --> 00:01:47.140 And John bore witness, 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:51.579 I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:53.539 And it remained on him. 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:56.459 I myself did not know him, 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:59.859 But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:03.759 He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:08.620 This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:12.360 And I have seen and have borne witness 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.920 That this is the Son of God. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:17.719 Thank you, Karen. 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:19.159 This is God's word to us. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:20.879 Amen. 00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:22.719 This thing is going to fall over. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:23.420 Give me a second. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:24.420 I'm going to quickly... 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:41.319 Okay. 00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:43.099 Let's see if this works. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:48.120 In a blog post written a couple of years ago, 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:53.000 The self-help spiritual guru called Antasha Durbin 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:54.199 Writes the following. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:56.379 By the way, I forgot all my slides at home, 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:58.239 So you're just going to have to listen, okay? 00:02:59.799 --> 00:03:01.099 Maybe it's a good thing, right? 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:03.739 Anyway, Antasha Durbin writes the following. 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:04.359 She says, 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:05.179 Who am I? 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:08.340 I remember being six years old, 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:09.979 Sitting in the back of my mom's car, 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:12.519 Trying to figure out who I was 00:03:12.519 --> 00:03:14.659 And why I was put here on earth. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.500 I grew frustrated with my inability to answer 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:20.340 This seemingly simple question. 00:03:20.959 --> 00:03:22.799 So I did what all rational children do. 00:03:22.899 --> 00:03:25.239 I turned to my mother for comfort and reassurance. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:27.099 Mom, I posed, 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:29.019 Yes, she questioned. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:30.579 Who am I? 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:32.319 I asked with a fluttering heart. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:34.379 You are Antasha, 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:36.180 She said, matter of factly. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:38.620 Something inside of me screamed, 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:39.060 No! 00:03:39.959 --> 00:03:42.120 I knew I was more than just my name, 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:44.239 That this title didn't define me. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:45.500 So I asked again, 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.560 Mom, I am not Antasha. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:49.340 Who am I? 00:03:50.019 --> 00:03:51.159 Of course you're Antasha. 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:53.000 That is what I named you, 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:53.919 She said. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:56.339 It was then that I realized, 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:57.919 She didn't understand me. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.019 Didn't understand what I was asking. 00:04:00.799 --> 00:04:01.839 Beyond my name, 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:02.539 My title, 00:04:02.679 --> 00:04:03.359 My age, 00:04:03.519 --> 00:04:06.199 I needed to understand my true self, 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.779 My inner self, 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:09.780 My higher self. 00:04:11.239 --> 00:04:13.899 I wonder what you think of these words, 00:04:14.459 --> 00:04:16.599 And Antasha's dialogue with herself. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.620 For some of us, 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:21.000 Maybe this sounds like just the, 00:04:21.280 --> 00:04:21.500 You know, 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.780 Words of a self-centered child. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:25.640 For some of us, 00:04:25.780 --> 00:04:28.520 Maybe you recognize something of the dialogue, 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:30.180 And the worldview of our culture, 00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:32.220 The day in which we live. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:37.460 Look at her particularly poignant statement at the end. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:41.600 I think this perfectly capsulates something of the outlook of our generation. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.100 She says, 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:45.560 I needed to understand my true inner, 00:04:46.340 --> 00:04:47.920 Higher self. 00:04:49.820 --> 00:04:51.860 We are working through John's gospel. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:53.320 We're going to come back to Antasha a little later. 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:54.740 We're working through John's gospel, 00:04:54.960 --> 00:04:56.439 And we are busy with the introduction. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:04:57.480 John chapter 1. 00:04:58.100 --> 00:04:58.760 And John, 00:04:58.980 --> 00:04:59.520 The apostle, 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.740 Wants us to see Jesus. 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:04.379 He wants us to clearly know who Jesus is. 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:05.560 And he's going to get there. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.720 We're going to get more interactions with Jesus. 00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:10.620 But in this passage that Karen read to us, 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:12.300 There are two very, 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.259 Very important questions. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:19.180 Two essential questions that I think every human being must face, 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:20.879 Must answer, 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:23.000 Must grapple with and wrestle with. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:25.860 And if you don't wrestle with these two questions, 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:27.540 Or let me put it this way. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:29.160 We all must face these questions, 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:30.680 And how we wrestle them, 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:33.220 Will have a profound impact on our lives, 00:05:33.280 --> 00:05:34.439 And our experience of life, 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:35.819 And how we live. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:38.879 And so let's look at these two questions. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.379 The first question is this. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:43.060 Who do you say that you are? 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:45.240 Who are you? 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:47.439 Who do you say that you are? 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:49.639 It's the question that this lady, 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:50.120 Antasha, 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:51.040 Is wrestling with. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:51.819 Right in the passage, 00:05:52.019 --> 00:05:53.720 The paragraph I read to you, 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:55.939 Three times she asks this question. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:56.800 Who am I? 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:57.579 Who am I? 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:00.439 And she's frustrated by her mom's, 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:02.259 Kind of trite and simplistic answer. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:03.199 You aren't Tasha. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.160 That's what I named you. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.180 But she's grappling at a deep soul level. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:08.840 Who am I really? 00:06:08.839 --> 00:06:08.919 Friends, 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:12.519 Who are you? 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:14.419 Or maybe more importantly, 00:06:14.619 --> 00:06:16.799 Who do you say that you are? 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:18.539 Well, 00:06:18.619 --> 00:06:19.659 In our passage today, 00:06:19.979 --> 00:06:20.319 John, 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.639 The author of the gospel, 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:23.699 Tells us about another man called John. 00:06:23.859 --> 00:06:24.979 John the baptizer. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:25.839 There are two Johns. 00:06:25.919 --> 00:06:26.620 It's a bit confusing. 00:06:27.059 --> 00:06:28.620 John the author tells us about 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:29.939 John the baptizer. 00:06:30.059 --> 00:06:31.639 And the passage really focuses 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:32.859 On him. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:35.420 And we know a bit about this 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:36.460 John the baptizer. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:37.980 He was quite a fiery character. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.520 He didn't shy away from confrontation. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:44.319 He was a strong personality. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.980 And he had come into Israel 00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:49.060 And he had caused quite a stir. 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:51.600 The other gospel accounts tell us that 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:54.939 He doesn't mind a bit of a confrontation. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.139 At one point he says to the religious leaders, 00:06:57.639 --> 00:06:59.819 You guys are a brood of vipers. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:01.180 You're a pit of snakes. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:02.920 Not the kind of thing you want to say 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:03.680 To the establishment. 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:04.939 And he says to them, 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:05.980 You guys are like a tree. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:08.000 And I don't see any fruit in your lives. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:09.819 And so the axe is at the ready. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:11.560 God is ready to cut you down 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:12.540 And to lay you low. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:12.959 Okay? 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:14.959 That's what he said to the leaders of the day. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.699 He's a fiery, confrontational guy. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:18.800 But his message 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.539 Connected with the everyday people. 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:23.920 And so crowds are flocking to John. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:25.899 Thousands of people are coming from Israel, 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:27.519 From around Israel, 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:28.560 From Jerusalem, 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.079 To hear his message. 00:07:30.339 --> 00:07:32.319 It struck a note with the people. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:34.360 And so thousands of people are coming 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.660 To be baptized by him. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:38.199 To come to him in faith 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.180 And coming to God back in faith and repentance. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:43.139 But the religious leaders, 00:07:43.280 --> 00:07:45.579 They are a little bit unnerved by John. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.480 Because he's getting a real following. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:49.240 There's thousands of people 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.220 That are going to listen to him. 00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:54.600 And so they send a delegation to question him. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.759 And look at what happens. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:57.240 Look at verse 19. 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:57.719 They ask, 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.560 Then the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.360 To ask him, 00:08:01.719 --> 00:08:03.039 Who are you? 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:03.480 Okay? 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:04.279 There's our question. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.060 Who are you? 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:06.539 He confessed. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:07.360 He did not deny. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.099 But confessed, 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:10.120 I am not the Christ. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:10.639 Okay? 00:08:10.659 --> 00:08:11.579 So obviously they ask, 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:12.980 John, are you the Messiah? 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:13.800 Are you the Christ? 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:15.639 No, I'm not the Christ, he says. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:16.980 So they asked him, 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.159 Are you Elijah? 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:19.300 He said, 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.439 No, I'm not Elijah. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:21.959 What about the prophet? 00:08:22.039 --> 00:08:24.019 Are you the prophet that we've been waiting for? 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:24.779 He answered, 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:25.359 No. 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:26.699 So they said to him, 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:27.899 Who are you? 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.919 We need to give an answer to those who sent us. 00:08:30.359 --> 00:08:32.179 What do you say about yourself? 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.100 Who are you? 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.699 What do you say about yourself? 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:41.199 Again, we'll come back to John in a few minutes time. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:44.620 But I want us to think about how that question is so pivotal. 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:46.220 How do we answer that question? 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:48.480 How do you answer that question? 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:53.199 There's a couple of ways that I think we typically seek to answer that question. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:54.780 One way we answer, 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:55.500 Who am I? 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:56.620 What do I say about myself? 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:59.300 Is in reference maybe to our careers, 00:08:59.640 --> 00:09:00.420 our accomplishments, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:01.520 our accolades, 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:02.540 our status, 00:09:03.060 --> 00:09:04.259 who we are in society. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:06.060 Who are you? 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:08.640 I'm a manager at XYZ Consulting Firm. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.160 Who are you? 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:12.520 I'm a partner at this law firm, right? 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.740 Who are you? 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:15.780 I'm a pastor at Watermark Church. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:16.660 And so, 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.440 Who am I? 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:18.360 My identity, 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.160 my self-worth, 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:23.319 I look for it in quantifiable metrics of accomplishments, 00:09:23.459 --> 00:09:24.019 or status, 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.219 or positions in society. 00:09:25.319 --> 00:09:26.139 This is who I am. 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:26.799 Or maybe, 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.360 Who are you? 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:29.459 I am Hong Konger. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.139 I'm Filipino. 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:31.419 I'm African, right? 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:36.679 We look for it in some quantifiable metric of accomplishment or achievement. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:42.659 I think this is one of the reasons why sports stars actually so often struggle when they retire from sports. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.079 They're 30 years old, 00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:45.500 they're multi-billionaires, 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:48.559 and they don't know who they are apart from their position on the team. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:51.279 And so many get lost in escapist behavior, 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.820 gambling or alcoholism, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:56.299 because they don't know who they are apart from their position on the team, right? 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:57.759 Who are you? 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:58.940 This is who I am. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.179 For some of us, 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:03.240 we seek to answer that question, 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:03.899 who are you, 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:09.519 maybe negatively or in response or retaliation to what others have said about us. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.399 So, 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.580 I'm not what my parents said about me. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:14.120 I'm not who my boss is. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:14.399 I am. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.120 I'm not who a former lover, 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:16.600 boyfriend, 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:18.220 girlfriend says I am. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.379 My siblings say I am. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.179 Who are you? 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:22.639 What do you say about yourself? 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:30.000 And all of this trying to find out or discover who we prove who we are is in answer to this question, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:30.840 who am I? 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:31.919 And friends, 00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:32.340 in some ways, 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:35.199 this is the assumption behind every Netflix show that we watch, 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:37.019 every Spotify song that we listen to, 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:40.120 every ridiculous meme on Instagram or Twitter, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:43.539 has this underlying assumption that to be truly happy, 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:47.659 you must be free to be whatever you want to be. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.480 You need to find yourself. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:50.899 You need to create yourself. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:52.940 You need to be your own unique identity. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:54.240 But whatever you do, 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:57.120 you'll never be happy until you are you. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.659 Until you find out your own inner, 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.299 true, 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:01.079 higher, 00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:02.159 deeper self, 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.399 and you live that out. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.139 Unless you do that, 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:05.039 you'll never be happy. 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.799 And it's the zeitgeist of our generation. 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:09.240 And friends, 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:17.299 is this not one of the reasons for the unparalleled increase in depression and anxiety in our generation, 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:23.159 that we have cursed ourselves with this impossible task and expectation of not only discovering, 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:25.679 but creating this perfect, 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:29.939 boundless image of be whoever you're meant to be. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:33.419 And we put incredible pressure on the next generation, 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.899 because we tell the next generation, 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:38.199 you will never be happy until you find out who you are. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.839 Unless you live in perfect, 00:11:40.359 --> 00:11:46.879 flawless sync with this illusionary image of what it means to be truly free. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:51.779 And so we're always striving to be this person that we think we're meant to be, 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.559 and we can never quite live up to it. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.339 Never quite attain it. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:01.419 And we tell ourselves that if you feel any stress or anxiousness or discomfort whatsoever, 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.740 obviously you have not found out who you are. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.039 Friends, 00:12:06.079 --> 00:12:09.559 listen to how Antasha Durbin ends off her blog with these, 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.059 I think, 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.179 depressing words. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.679 She says this, 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:16.659 it is up to each of us to unlock the truth of who we are, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.480 and to set ourselves free. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:22.819 We must all wake up and go inside to find ourselves. 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:28.659 You can wake up right now and unlock your cage by realizing you are a boundless, 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:33.899 endless being capable of becoming or achieving anything imaginable. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:37.120 That just feels like unbelievable pressure. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:41.360 The only limits that exist are the ones you impose upon yourself. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.700 So who are you? 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.000 Who do you wish to be? 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.919 It's your time to fly. 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:48.860 Friends, 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:52.759 our generation has been trying to fly and they've hit the ground and have hurt themselves. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:57.779 And we wonder why we are so upset and broken and anxious and worried and depressed. 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.820 Because we've never found a true inner cage free, 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.720 what does she say? 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:02.879 Endless, 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:06.820 boundless being capable of becoming or achieving anything imaginable. 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.540 Now, 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.620 let's come back to our passage. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.879 John the baptizer is asked this question. 00:13:13.020 --> 00:13:14.300 And the reason he's asked this question, 00:13:14.400 --> 00:13:14.980 who are you? 00:13:15.040 --> 00:13:16.120 What do you say about yourself? 00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:17.560 Is in the first century, 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:19.120 there's a lot of expectation, 00:13:19.640 --> 00:13:22.180 hope about the end times messianic figure. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:28.660 The Israel expected that some great deliverer is going to come to rescue Israel from their enemies, 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.120 overthrow the Romans, 00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:31.260 set them free, 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:33.140 bring restoration and repentance, 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:35.640 restore Israel to its former glory. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:38.960 And the Old Testament said that at this time, 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.679 somebody like an Elijah, 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:46.939 an Elijah type figure will come and will be a fiery confrontational preacher that will call people back to repentance. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.620 And so they see John and say, 00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:48.879 John, 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.720 are you the Elijah? 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:51.240 Or Moses said, 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.720 someone will rise up like me, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.799 a Moses type figure, 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.519 a prophet who will speak God's word to you, 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.779 call you back to himself. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.360 And so they see Elijah and say, 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.100 are you the prophet? 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:01.879 And then the Old Testament said, 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.419 the Messiah will come, 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.979 or a Messiah will come, 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.819 who will bring Israel back to God. 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.240 And so they ask him, 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.379 are you the Elijah figure? 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.379 Are you the Moses figure? 00:14:10.479 --> 00:14:11.579 Are you the messianic figure? 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:15.079 And they're a bit wary because of John's fiery words, 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:16.339 but they're also, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.199 there's anticipation. 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:19.399 Maybe this is the one we've been waiting for. 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.899 And so there's a bit of, 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:24.500 should we be wary of him or should we crown him king? 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.099 Maybe this is the Messiah. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.259 Let's put him on throne. 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.179 Let's raise him up. 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:32.339 This is John's time to fly in the words of Antasher, 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:32.620 right? 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.120 This is his moment. 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:37.000 John can make a name for himself, 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:39.179 finally get the recognition and the acknowledgement. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:41.179 He's been in the desert for 30 years. 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:42.699 He's coming to Jerusalem. 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:45.120 This is his time to shine. 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.500 But what does John say? 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:50.319 How does John answer this questions? 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:52.199 Look what he says. 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.099 Are you the Christ? 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:54.579 No, 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.000 I'm not the Christ. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.320 Are you Elijah? 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:57.879 No, 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.299 no, 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.139 I'm not Elijah. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.779 Then who are you? 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.179 The prophet? 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:01.799 No, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.200 no, 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.080 I'm not the prophet. 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.639 So who are you? 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:08.080 I'm just the voice in the wilderness crying out, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.000 get ready, 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.279 make way, 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.440 get ready for the Lord God almighty. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:14.860 John's saying, 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.659 I'm just the messenger. 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.600 I'm the unknown, 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:20.580 unnamed one who goes before the royal carriage saying, 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.519 get ready. 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.919 The King is coming. 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:23.539 You know, 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:23.980 in Hong Kong, 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.960 when the chief executive is driving, 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.340 somewhere, 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:26.539 right? 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.659 Maybe he's got an important meeting. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:31.480 He's meeting a foreign delegate and his cavalcade goes before him. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.399 There are all sorts of cars that go ahead of him. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:37.179 And then there's motorbikes that go ahead of them and they stop all the traffic, 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.059 all the on ramps, 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:38.519 you know, 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:38.700 they, 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:44.179 they block the roads and they're all these motorbikes that go ahead to make way for the chief executive. 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:44.659 Right? 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:47.980 But nobody knows who those motorbike drivers are. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:48.179 I mean, 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.220 they just are nameless, 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:49.980 faceless, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.220 nobodies. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.580 Nobody knows who they are. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.399 John's saying, 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.860 that's me. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.679 I'm just, 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.659 I'm just a voice. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.759 You don't need to recognize me. 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.720 You don't need to know my name. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.819 If you forget about me, 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.379 that's okay. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:03.799 I'm a nobody saying there is somebody who's coming. 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:04.860 Don't, 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.659 don't focus on me. 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.480 Don't worry about me. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.139 I want you to focus on him. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:09.420 I'm a nobody, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:12.039 but make way for the somebody. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.879 And so they say to him, 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.560 verse 25, 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.580 why then are you baptizing people? 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.580 If you're not the Christ, 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.159 nor Elijah, 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:18.840 nor the prophet. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.399 Now they're not just asking, 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:20.639 Hey, 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.259 that's interesting. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.300 So why are you doing this? 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.259 They're challenging him. 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:24.139 They're confronting him. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.379 Right? 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.680 What are you doing? 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:28.360 What right do you have to stir up such a crowd? 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.860 Who do you think you are? 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.080 Verse 26, 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.800 John answered, 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:42.899 John says, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:44.759 I am nobody special, 00:16:45.219 --> 00:16:47.899 but I'm here to tell you about somebody who is. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:52.519 And that leads us to the second question that this passage asks us. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:53.659 First question, 00:16:53.859 --> 00:16:54.919 who do you say you are? 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.279 Second question, 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.339 who do you say he is? 00:16:59.339 --> 00:17:00.740 Who are you? 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:02.980 Who is Jesus to you? 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:08.259 The powerful and influential members of society come to John. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:08.799 They ask him, 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.779 who do you say you are? 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.720 But John's got a more important question for them and a question for us. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.200 And that is, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.720 who do you say Jesus is? 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.440 And friends, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:24.500 the reason why this is such an important question is because you can only answer the first question adequately. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:28.980 If you're very clear on the answer to the second question. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.019 Okay? 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:31.859 Who do you say you are? 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:38.440 You'll never get clarity on that answer unless you are clear who is Jesus to you. 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:43.500 The way that God has made us and designed us as his image bearers, 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:45.920 who are made to live in relationship with him, 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:49.140 made to know him and live in relation with him, 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.759 to find our identity and our purpose in him, 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:56.039 means that we'll never adequately and confidently and securely say, 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:59.059 I know who I am and my place in this world, 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:00.639 until we're able to say, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:03.639 I know who Christ is and his place in the world. 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:07.520 Listen to how Rankin-Wilburn put this in his book, 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.380 Union with Christ. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.060 He says this, 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.980 against the prevailing mindset of our day, 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.059 that says, 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:15.359 you are what you make yourself to be. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.039 Okay? 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.179 Think untouched of him. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.839 Christ tells us that you can never discover your real self. 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.539 Sorry. 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:26.919 Christ tells us you can only discover your real self in relation to the one who made you. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.559 Christ tells you, 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:33.200 you can only understand who you are in communion with God and with others. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.759 You are not, 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:39.740 you cannot be self-made man or woman. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.240 And Rankin-Wilburn is saying the same thing. 00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:44.200 And throughout this passage, 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.940 John is constantly saying, 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:47.000 I am nothing. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.139 Jesus is everything. 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.899 I am not worthy. 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.559 Jesus is supremely worthy. 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:53.700 I am not the savior you're looking for. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.960 Jesus is the savior. 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.779 I baptize you with water. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.799 Jesus will baptize you with the spirit. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.279 And John, 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:00.700 the author, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.440 the point of this passage is to say, 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.139 John, 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:05.000 the baptizer is a reliable witness. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.799 You can listen to him. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.720 You can know him. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.799 He felt Jesus. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:09.639 He touched him. 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:12.359 You and I haven't felt and touched Jesus in flesh. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.099 John is a reliable witness. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.940 Listen to John's testimony. 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.119 Listen to his confession. 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.460 Listen to his witness. 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.980 What is his witness? 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.519 I am nothing. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.740 Jesus is everything. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.059 I'm not worthy. 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.119 Jesus is worthy. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.559 I baptize with water. 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.440 Jesus baptizes with the spirit. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.899 I am not special. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:32.480 Jesus is the one that you need. 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.379 And John, 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.859 the baptizer is very comfortable to answer the question, 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.680 who are you? 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:41.339 Without any sense of self-promotional aggrandizement, 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:44.099 because he settled the answer to the question, 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.859 who is Jesus? 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:47.299 He knows who Jesus is, 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:49.519 and therefore he knows who he is. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.859 You see that? 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.200 Now, 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.819 so friends, 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:55.879 who do you say Jesus is? 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:58.059 Do you know who he is? 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.480 Who is Jesus to you? 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:04.960 And what does that mean about who you say that you are? 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:09.279 John wants us to know who Jesus is. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.200 So look what he says here. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.559 He tells us a couple of things. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:13.740 And so let's look at three things very briefly. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.759 Firstly, 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.799 John tells us of Jesus' majesty. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:19.160 Look at verse 26 here. 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.240 He says, 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.299 I baptize with water, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:25.059 but among you stands one that you do not know who comes after me, 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:28.680 the strap of whose sandals I'm unworthy to untie. 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.819 He says the same thing, 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.279 verse 30. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.279 This is he of whom I said, 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:34.500 after me comes one who ranks before me, 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.200 because he was before me. 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.279 Remember, 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.859 John is Jesus' oldest cousin, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:40.799 right? 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:44.379 John's mom and Jesus' mom were cousins. 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.339 I guess John is the second cousin. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.619 But as far as we know, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.720 he's probably the oldest cousin. 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:51.200 That means he is Gorgor, 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.500 right? 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.460 He's the older brother. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.680 He is the one of preeminence. 00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:58.859 John is the guy that gets the first seat at the table. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:00.500 He's older than Jesus. 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:02.359 His ministry started before Jesus. 00:21:02.479 --> 00:21:04.039 He's on the scene before Jesus. 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:06.199 John is the one of preeminence. 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.659 Jesus is second to him. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.359 But look what John says here. 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:09.579 No, 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:09.740 no, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:09.899 no. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.519 I know who Jesus is. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.059 He is the eternal, 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.679 uncreated God, 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.699 the one through whom everything exists. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.359 Verse 34. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.579 This is the son of God, 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.199 he says. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:25.679 John knows Jesus' majesty means he bows down before Jesus. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:29.299 Look what John says here. 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:32.180 I'm unworthy to untie the straps of his sandals. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.440 You know, 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.320 in the ancient world, 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:37.180 a disciple had to do everything for their rabbi, 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.759 their master. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:43.680 But the one thing a disciple would not do would be to untie the straps of their rabbi's sandals. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.240 Why? 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.759 Because everyone wore sandals. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.640 It was very dusty, 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.180 dirty. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:51.140 There's lamb and goat poo all over the roads, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.580 especially at the time of Passover. 00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:53.740 It wasn't a very, 00:21:54.060 --> 00:21:54.240 you know, 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.380 your feet weren't very clean. 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.620 And so you have to do everything for your rabbi, 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.060 your master. 00:21:58.140 --> 00:22:00.960 But the one thing you didn't have to do is untie their sandals. 00:22:01.020 --> 00:22:04.420 That was like beyond the work of a servant or a slave or a disciple. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.740 John says, 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:07.480 I'm not even worthy to do it. 00:22:07.520 --> 00:22:08.540 If Jesus asked me to do it, 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.460 I would do it. 00:22:09.520 --> 00:22:09.620 But, 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:14.120 but I don't even presume that high honor of doing that to Jesus. 00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:14.520 Why? 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.280 Because of his majesty. 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:18.100 This is the son of God. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.220 Look what else John tells us. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.160 Look at verse 29. 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:23.100 He tells us of Jesus' sacrifice. 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.700 The next day, 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:26.420 John saw Jesus coming towards him and he said, 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.259 behold, 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:30.240 the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.319 Now, 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:35.799 I'm not sure that John the baptizer really understood the significance of his words. 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:38.559 I don't think he really knew what he was saying when he said that. 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.559 But, 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.319 by the time the book is written, 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:46.819 John the author has seen Jesus die and rise again and he knows the significance of these words. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:52.000 What does it mean that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:52.879 Well, 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.799 if you know the Old Testament, 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:56.899 there's lots of pictures of lambs being sacrificed, 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.119 substitutionary. 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:00.339 They would die so that something else could live, 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:00.639 right? 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.320 Think of the Passover. 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.220 Remember, 00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:06.100 1,300 years BC. 00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.800 Israel's in Egypt. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:09.300 They're slaves to Egypt. 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.100 God says, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.980 I'm going to set you free. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.480 But how's he going to do it? 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:13.800 Through the blood of the lamb. 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:14.580 And so, 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.500 one night in Passover, 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.500 the night of Exodus, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:19.540 the angel of death comes into Egypt. 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:22.740 And the firstborn of every child, 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:24.820 the firstborn of every household is going to die. 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.180 The angel of death moves in. 00:23:26.780 --> 00:23:27.720 People are going to die. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.799 But God says, 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:34.299 if you will sacrifice a lamb and paint its blood on the doorpost of your house, 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.019 that lamb will die in your place. 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.160 And so, 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.860 all over Egypt, 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.600 there's crying, 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.220 there's wailing, 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:43.019 there's agonizing as people's children are dying. 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:45.980 But in every house where a lamb died in its place, 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.120 there's life. 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.500 Life. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.200 The lamb of God who died, 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:52.000 that one died that they may live. 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:52.960 Well, 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.900 think of Abraham, 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.200 right? 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.299 In Genesis 23, 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.880 I think it is. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.500 He takes, 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:56.960 God says, 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.480 Abraham, 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.279 take your son, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.200 your only son, 00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.600 Isaac, 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.000 and go and sacrifice him to me. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.240 Offer him up to me. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.299 And Abraham says, 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.640 God, 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.279 I don't understand, 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.120 but if you say it, 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.559 I'll do it. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.360 And so, 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:08.319 him and Isaac were walking up Mount Moriah. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.340 And Isaac says, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.000 Dad, 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.180 we have the sticks, 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.880 we have the fire for the altar, 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.480 but where's the lamb? 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.860 Abraham says, 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.720 God will provide. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.420 And they get up on the mountain, 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.160 Abraham says, 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:19.960 Isaac, 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.500 you are the lamb. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.519 You're going to die. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:24.319 I need to offer you a sacrifice to God. 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.799 And somehow, 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.600 Isaac agrees, 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:27.240 and he ties him down 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.319 and he gets his knife 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.919 and he's about to sacrifice his son. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.359 And God says, 00:24:30.459 --> 00:24:30.759 stop. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.899 Do you not put a hand on the boy? 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.419 And there in the bushes, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.419 a ram is caught in the bushes. 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.019 And God says, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.559 sacrifice that ram instead of your son. 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:41.019 Isaac lives 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.839 and the ram dies in this place. 00:24:43.719 --> 00:24:44.939 We'll think of Isaiah 53. 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:48.219 This great picture of the suffering servant 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:50.159 who will die for the sins of his people. 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:53.339 Listen to how Isaiah puts it. 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.039 He says, 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.799 this suffering servant 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.679 was pierced for our transgressions. 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.819 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:02.059 Upon him was the punishment 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.240 that brings us peace. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:05.339 For the Lord has laid upon him 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.659 the sin of us all. 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:08.240 He was oppressed. 00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:09.299 He was afflicted 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.480 like a lamb 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.500 that is led 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.619 to the slaughter. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.740 So he opened not his mouth. 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.559 The Old Testament 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.519 talks again and again 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.779 about this lamb imagery, 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:20.279 this one will die 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.480 so that others can live. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.440 And John comes along 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.259 and he sees Jesus 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.660 and he says, 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.039 there, 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.720 the lamb of God 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.680 who takes away 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.680 the sin of the world. 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.079 John is radically, 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.980 radically secure. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.240 Why? 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.640 Because he knew who Jesus was. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.819 The Messiah who would die 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.740 for your sins 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.599 and my sins 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.579 so that we can live. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.839 Jesus, 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:41.140 the savior of the world. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.960 Finally, 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.920 look at verse 33. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.360 Who does John tell us 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.079 that Jesus is? 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.920 Jesus is the one 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:49.339 who will baptize us 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.160 with the spirit. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.079 Verse 33. 00:25:51.679 --> 00:25:51.960 He says, 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:53.079 God sent me 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.699 to baptize with water 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:56.799 and he said to me, 00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.679 he in whom you see 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.500 the spirit to send 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.899 will remain. 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.839 This is he who baptizes 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:02.139 with the Holy Spirit. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.079 Friends, 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:03.740 who is Jesus? 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.779 He's the one 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.559 that's going to bring us 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.960 into personal relationship 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:08.099 with God of the universe 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.179 through the Holy Spirit. 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.419 What does it mean 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.059 to be baptized 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.819 with the spirit? 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.259 The word baptism 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.099 means lots of things. 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.480 It means to plunge. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.220 It means to immerse. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.679 It means to drown. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.220 It means to pickle. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.740 You know, 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.759 there's ancient text 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.480 where the Greeks, 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.480 they pickled like some onions 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:28.079 or gherkins or something. 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.759 They use the word baptismo. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:32.019 They baptize the pickle. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.940 It means to fully immerse, 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.240 submerge in water. 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.259 Jesus says 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.000 that when he comes, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.039 those who know God 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.579 will be baptized in the spirit, 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.680 will be immersed, 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.819 drenched, 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.579 drowned, 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.039 pickled, 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.579 full of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.819 It means our life 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.559 is lived in union with God. 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:51.039 We are in God 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.339 and God is in us. 00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:54.179 No longer doing life 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:54.679 on our own 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:55.679 with just an hour 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.079 on a week 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.740 where we meet God 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.179 on Sunday 00:26:57.179 --> 00:26:57.919 and sing some songs. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.240 No, no. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.599 Monday through Saturday 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.519 in the workplace, 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.500 in your parenting, 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:02.259 in your marriage, 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.079 on the sports field. 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:04.259 You in God 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.399 and God in you. 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:07.799 Immerse one with God. 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.460 Immerse in his love. 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.839 Immerse in his family. 00:27:11.199 --> 00:27:12.399 Immerse in his intimacy. 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:14.079 The sovereign God 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.699 of all creation 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.420 in you 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.319 and you in him. 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.059 Who is Jesus? 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.980 Jesus is the one 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.240 who's coming to answer 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.680 the longings of our hearts, 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.600 to dispel the darkness 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.340 and the anxiety 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:26.039 and the loneliness 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.779 and the fear 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.000 and to bring us 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.680 into his family 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.140 and to plunge us, 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.580 baptize us 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.840 in himself, 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.080 the living God 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.039 through the spirit. 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:35.860 Friends, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.640 this is Jesus, 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.519 the majestic, 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.420 uncreated, 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.240 sovereign God, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.340 the sacrificial lamb 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:40.880 who died 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:42.299 so that you and I can live. 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.580 Who died 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.259 that we may live 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.879 in the power 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.440 and the comfort 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.240 and the presence 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.759 of God's own spirit. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:48.980 So friends, 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.759 who are you? 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.680 Who are you? 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.279 The only way, 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.519 one way to answer that is, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.700 I'm a partner 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.240 in the company. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.599 I'm a banker. 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.839 I'm a graphic designer. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.640 I'm a mom. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.759 I'm a pastor. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.619 Okay, sure. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.900 But those things 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.700 will not last. 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.579 What happens 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.440 when you lose your job? 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.420 What happens 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:08.960 when those things 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.539 fade away? 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.099 You will not be 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.659 those things forever. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.299 Those things 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.099 will never, 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:15.099 ever be enough. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.000 Who are you? 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.139 Are you striving 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.619 to prove 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.059 that you're not 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.699 who your parents 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:20.240 or your boss 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.799 said you are? 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:21.639 Friends, 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.319 that will never 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:22.859 be enough. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.699 You'll spend 00:28:23.699 --> 00:28:24.219 all your days 00:28:24.219 --> 00:28:24.759 trying to prove 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.179 them wrong. 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.359 Friends, 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.059 there's a better way 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.039 to answer that question. 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.480 And that is to know 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.199 who is Jesus 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:31.240 and who are you 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.119 in Jesus. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.199 Friends, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.899 if you're a follower 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:35.139 of Jesus this morning, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.759 you can confidently say, 00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:37.719 I am not alone 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:39.259 because the spirit 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.100 of the living God 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:41.120 lives inside of me. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.460 I am in Christ 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.319 and Christ is in me. 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.120 I am a sinner 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:45.819 saved by grace. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.980 I am intimately loved 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.380 and known 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.539 by the most powerful 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.240 and the most praiseworthy 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.700 being in all existence. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.100 I am known by him 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:55.500 and loved by him. 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.740 I am justified. 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.620 I'm accepted. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.600 I am welcomed. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.460 I am forgiven. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.860 I am treasured 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.539 because Jesus, 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.420 the Lamb of God, 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.700 went to the cross 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.220 for me. 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.039 Friends, 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.620 are you tired 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.460 of trying to prove 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:07.900 yourself, 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:10.019 trying to find yourself, 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:10.740 trying to create 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.400 an identity? 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.279 It is exhausting. 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.079 John the baptizer 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.259 is a reliable witness. 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:18.160 You can trust his testimony. 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.980 You can trust his confession. 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.960 John saw Jesus 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.940 and he knew Jesus 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.579 and he offers us 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.799 a far better answer. 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.259 Come to Jesus 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.319 and let him define you. 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.779 Let him welcome you. 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.720 Let him fill you. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.900 You know what's one 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.819 of the saddest verses 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.900 in this whole passage? 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.980 Look at verse 26 with me. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.440 This breaks my heart. 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.299 John says this, 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:41.039 I baptize you with water 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.620 but among you 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.279 stands one 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.519 that you do not even know. 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.519 You know, 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.380 apparently in Jesus 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.200 and John's day, 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.579 while John is speaking 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.340 to the crowds 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.940 of people, 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:53.140 maybe in their very midst, 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.660 standing amongst them, 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.779 Jesus Christ, 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.779 the eternal, 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.299 uncreated God 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.799 was in their midst 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:01.579 and they didn't even know it. 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.220 Jesus who had come 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.899 to set them free. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.500 They're all looking 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.099 for the Messiah 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.699 and Jesus is there 00:30:06.699 --> 00:30:07.699 and they couldn't 00:30:07.699 --> 00:30:08.359 even see him. 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:09.980 Friends, 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.639 have you seen him? 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.539 Jesus Christ 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.419 is in our midst. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.859 He has come to us 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.720 to bring grace 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.279 and truth. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.940 out of his fullness 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.700 flows grace 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.099 upon grace. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.579 Jesus is right here 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.279 with us. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.879 Do you know him? 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.779 Have you encountered him? 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.980 Do you love him? 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.200 Friends, 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.160 Jesus come to us 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.519 and he says, 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.160 come to me, 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.119 surrender to me, 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.799 follow me. 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.279 Let you find 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.399 your life in me. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.440 Let me be your king, 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:36.879 your lord, 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.399 your master. 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.139 Lay down your life 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.399 and you will find life. 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.860 Why don't we do that now 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.660 as we come to him 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.160 in prayer? 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.320 Let's pray together. 00:30:45.780 --> 00:30:46.600 Oh Lord Jesus, 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.820 God, 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.680 our generation, 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.900 I guess like every generation, 00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:51.580 is anxious 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.360 and worried, 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.920 trying to find ourselves, 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.960 trying to prove ourselves, 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.680 trying to create 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.259 an identity 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.700 that God, 00:30:57.780 --> 00:30:58.300 apart from you, 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:59.019 will never last. 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.440 Lord, 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.940 we confess 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.920 in this room 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:04.480 from me at the front 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.380 to everyone in the back, 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.060 every one of us, 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.240 God, 00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:07.380 we feel that temptation 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:09.400 to find some kind 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.120 of validation, 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.159 to answer the question, 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.939 who are you? 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.839 By looking to some other 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.239 temporary created source. 00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:17.619 God, 00:31:17.699 --> 00:31:18.599 show us the futility 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.379 of those things. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:22.059 May we see through 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.819 the facade 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.799 and see you 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.739 for who you really are. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.000 God, 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.919 Augustine taught us 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.500 that our hearts 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.279 were made for you 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.139 and we will always 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:30.779 be restless 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.719 until we find 00:31:31.719 --> 00:31:32.779 our rest in you. 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.239 Grant us, 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:34.459 God, 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.619 that we may distrust 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.259 ourselves 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:40.099 and view ourselves 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.059 suspiciously 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.859 and find our 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:43.459 all in thee. 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.299 I pray this 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.539 in your wonderful 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.519 and magnificent name. 00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:49.259 Amen.